The Panasonic Lumix FZ82 ultra zoom is an update to the FZ72, with a 60x optical zoom lens, and 4K video recording. The lens is the equivalent to 20 to 1200mm in 35mm terms, making it one of the widest angle lenses available in a camera, ideal for estate agents, as well as one of the longest zoom cameras available with 4K video. The camera features an improved electronic viewfinder, an 18 megapixel sensor, and a 3inch touch screen.
Panasonic Lumix FZ82 Features
The camera now features a higher resolution electronic viewfinder (EVF), with 1,170K dots, compared to 200K dots on the FZ72. The screen on the back is also updated, with an improved resolution, and is now a touch-screen. Built in Wi-Fi makes it easy to remotely control the camera, as well as transfer images to a smartphone.
The Panasonic Lumix FZ82 is one of the cheapest cameras available with 4K video recording.
With an RRP of around £329, it is one of the cheapest cameras available with 4K video recording, along with the Panasonic Lumix TZ80. The Panasonic Lumix FZ82 is also known as the FZ80 and FZ81 depending on what country you're in.
Compared to the FZ72, the FZ82 has these new features:
- 18mp sensor
- 4K video
- 4K photo
- Higher resolution EVF (1170K dots)
- Touch-screen with improved resolution (1040K)
- 10fps continuous shooting
- Wi-Fi, USB charging
As well as offering a wide-angle 20-1200mm equivalent 60x optical zoom lens, the camera offers a 1cm macro mode, which means you get get extremely close to objects.
The camera has full manual controls, and can shoot at 10fps at full resolution (18mp), or up to 30fps at 8mp (in 4K photo mode). shooting features, shooting modes, options, creative effects.
4K video lets you record 3840x2160 resolution video, four times the resolution of FullHD video, and the camera has stereo microphones built-in. 4K photo lets you shoot at 30fps, and then select which photos to save as 8 megapixel images. Post focus using the 4K photo technology to let you set the focus point after taking the photo, and focus stacking will combine all images to create images with more of the photo in focus.
You can use the camera's built-in Wi-Fi to connect the camera to your smartphone for remote shooting, and image transfer. The Panasonic Image App is available for both iOS and Android devices.
Key Features
- 18mp, 1/2.33inch CMOS sensor
- 60x optical zoom lens, f/2.8-5.9, 20mm to 1200mm equivalent
- 4K photo – light speed AF with DFD
- 4K video recording, 120/100fps HD high speed video
- 1170K dot EVF, 1040k dot touch-LCD
- Focus stacking / post focus
- 10fps continuous shooting (5fps with C-AF)
- ISO80 to ISO6400 (extended)
- Lens position resume
- Starlight AF, Touch-AF, Touch-pad AF
- 1cm macro
- Light composition
- P/A/S/M modes
- Wi-Fi and USB charging
Panasonic Lumix FZ82 Handling
The Panasonic Lumix FZ82 is shaped like a mini-DSLR, with a large handgrip, and on the back is a textured area for your thumb. Above this is a control wheel that lets you quickly change settings. The touch screen can be used to change settings, and the Q. Menu button brings up some of the most commonly used options on the screen.
There are a number of function buttons on the camera that can be customised, although the default options are also useful, with quick access to settings, and clear labels on the camera. Build quality is good, as long as you don't mind the plastic feel of the camera.
The electronic viewfinder resolution has been improved, and there is a slightly rubberised surround, along with dioptre correction should you need it. You can use the touch-screen to set the focus point, and you can also use it to set the focus position whilst holding the camera up to your eye, as a "Touch-pad" for the AF point.
On top of the camera is a flash hot-shoe so you can use the camera with an external flash, remote triggers or other accessories. There's also full manual controls, and the camera will shoot raw, letting you process your own images. The FZ82 weighs 616g with the battery and SD memory card fitted.
The menus are clearly laid out, and there is built-in help so that you can find out more information about settings without having to refer to the manual.
Wi-Fi features - With Wi-Fi built-in, you can remotely control the camera with the app giving numerous controls and settings. You can quickly transfer images to your smartphone or tablet, and by using a QR code it's possible to get the connection setup quite quickly and easily. Panasonic's Image App is available for both Android and iOS devices.
Battery life - Battery life is rated at 330 shots according to Panasonic / CIPA test results, or 240 when using the electronic viewfinder. Depending on your needs, you might want to invest in a second battery, particularly if you plan on recording a lot of video. The FZ82 uses the same battery type as the FZ72, so if you're upgrading you'll be able to use any spare batteries you have.
Panasonic Lumix FZ82 Performance
The performance section is where we look at the image quality performance of the camera. Additional sample photos and product shots are available in the Equipment Database, where you can add your own review, photos and product ratings.
Panasonic Lumix FZ82 (FZ80) Sample Photos
Sample Photos - The camera takes good photos, with pleasing colour and reliable exposure. There are no signs of red-eye in portrait photos taken with flash. The camera can struggle in low-light, with noise becoming an issue at times, degrading image quality. Dynamic range recorded by the camera can be extended using the iDynamic setting, or using the HDR shooting mode.
Panasonic Lumix FZ82 (FZ80) Lens test images
Lens Performance - You can focus on subjects just 1cm away from the lens when shooting in macro mode. Built-in optical image stabilisation helps when shooting in low-light as well as when shooting with the full optical zoom. There is little purple fringing visible. Some vignetting was visible when using the full optical zoom. The lens performs well at both the wide-angle and telephoto ends of the lens, with just a slight drop in image quality when using the full optical zoom. Focus was quick and reliable, except in low-light when the camera could struggle a little.
Panasonic Lumix FZ82 (FZ80) ISO test images
ISO Noise Performance - Noise is low at ISO80 and ISO100, with noise becoming more noticeable at ISO200 and ISO400 (when viewing images at 100%). Results are still quite good at ISO800, and although there is noise, images are still sharp, with good levels of detail. At ISO1600 noise becomes more noticeable, and detail drops as a result. At ISO3200 noise increases again, detail is low, and colour saturation drops.
Panasonic Lumix FZ82 (FZ80) White-balance test images
White Balance Performance - Under tungsten light, the auto white balance (AWB) setting gives a warm result. Using the Tungsten preset there is a very slightly better image, but for best results manual white balance is recommended. Under fluorescent lighting the AWB gives a reasonable result, but for best results manual white balance may be needed.
Panoramic | 1/125 sec | f/3.5 | 3.6 mm | ISO 80
Panorama mode - There is an automatic panoramic mode, that will automatically stitch the photo as you pan from one side to another. The results are quite good, although there is some blurring in our image. The resolution of the image is better than some, at roughly 10 megapixels.
Video - The camera will record 4K (UHD) 3840x2160 resolution video at 30fps or 25fps (100Mbps), and FullHD at 50fps, 60fps, 30fps, and 25fps. The camera can also record 720p view at 100fps, and VGA video at 200fps. The highest ISO speed available in video mode is ISO3200. Additional Panasonic Lumix FZ82 videos can be found on the ePHOTOzine YouTube channel. Video quality is good, and the camera's optical image stabilisation performs quite well. Due to the long optical zoom, a tripod is recommended.
Value For Money
The Panasonic Lumix FZ82 is available for around £329, which makes it very good value for money, considering the camera offers 4K video recording. The main competition for the FZ82 is the 50x optical zoom Canon Powershot SX540 HS, and 60x optical zoom Nikon Coolpix B700, with the B700 also offering 4K video.
Have a look at more ultra zoom bridge cameras in Top 10 Best Ultra Zoom cameras. You'll also need to buy a memory card and a case or bag to keep your camera safe and protected - have a look at our complete guide to camera bags.
Panasonic Lumix FZ82 Verdict
The Panasonic Lumix FZ82 offers a lot of camera, for a very reasonable price. With 4K video and a wide-angle (20mm equivalent) 60x optical zoom lens, the camera offers almost everything you could possibly want from an ultra-zoom bridge camera. The camera is easy to use, and the touch-screen makes it easy to change settings. Image quality is good, with the camera producing images with good colour reproduction. For outdoor shooting, as well as a more steady grip, the camera's electronic viewfinder (with an improved resolution), helps here. The only thing that could make this camera better, is the provision of a tilting screen, but if you can live without it, then the Panasonic Lumix FZ82 makes an excellent choice.
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The Panasonic Lumix FZ82 offers a lot of camera for a very reasonable price, with 4K video and a lot of zoom. |