Lumix FZ1000 Camera Review. Here is a field review of the Lumix FZ1000 camera from the perspective of Nature and Wildlife photography. A review will help readers know about the versatility, controls, ergonomics, specifications, and qualities of a Camera for Nature, Travel, and Wildlife Photography. It will also include sample images and final recommendations

Travel and Nature photography go Hand in hand with Wildlife and Bird Photography.
As you travel to visit Tiger reserves, National parks, and Bird sanctuaries you come across interesting places. The road to wilderness goes through cities, small villages, across rivers, grasslands, rocky mountains, lakes, and breathtaking waterfalls. You meet unique people and start seeing life around you through different perspectives.

To photograph unique places, people, waterfalls, Mountains, Wildlife, Birds, and your journey into the wilderness you need a travel-friendly camera. It should be easy to use, lightweight, and able to take pictures quickly. And of course with good image quality.

Lumix created Lumix FZ1000 / Lumix FX1000 II (The latest version ) a bridge camera excellent for Travel, Nature, Wildlife, and Bird Photography. Lumix FZ1000 has good image and video quality in decent light conditions. Lumix FZ1000 focuses quickly and accurately. The smaller size and light weight of Lumix FZ1000 make it an excellent all-rounder camera. 

• Introduction
• Specifications
• Controls and Ergonomics
• Autofocus Performance
• High ISO and Low Light Performance
• Image Quality – Colors, Details and Dynamic Range
• White Balance
• Articulated Screen
• Versatile Zoom Range
• FZ1000 and FZ1000 II Comparison
• Conclusion and Recommendation

Lumix FZ1000 / FZ1000 II : Introduction

Lumix FZ1000 / Lumix FZ1000 II is a bridge camera. It weighs around 831g (1.83 lb) with a Battery and SD Memory card. Lumix FZ1000 has a built-in 16X optical zoom lens ( 25-400 mm: 35 mm equivalent ). The aperture on the lens goes from f/2.8(W): f/4 (T) – f/11. 

Lumix FZ1000 / Lumix 1000 II has a 1.0-type sensor with a 20.1 MP resolution. 

ISO ranges from ISO 125 to ISO 12800 ( Expandable up to ISO 80 to ISO 25600). Lumix FZ1000 / Lumix 1000 II has accurate forums, an adjustable screen, 4K video capability, image stabilization feature. Lumix FZ1000 II comes with a touch screen as well. Lumix FZ1000 / Lumix FZ1000 II has an inbuilt 25-400 mm ( 35 mm equivalent ) lens. All these features make the Lumix FZ1000 / LumixFZ1000 II the perfect camera for Travel, Nature, and Wildlife photography. 

This is a field review of the Lumix FZ1000 bridge camera. This review will help you to understand how the Lumix FZ1000 performs in actual.

Specifications

• Sensor type – 1 in type Mos Sensor with a 20.1 MP.
• ISO – ISO 125 to ISO 12800 ( Expandable up to ISO 80 to ISO 25600) 
• AF Modes – Manual Focus (MF), Single (AFS), Continuous (AFC) and AFF (Flexible)
• AF Area Modes  – Pinpoint, Area ( Flexible and Scalable option), Custom Multi, 49 Area, Face and Eye detection, Tracking
• Power and Charger – Rechargeable Li-Ion Battery  ( 7.2V, 1200mAh 8.7Wh) and AC Adapter ( Included )
• Storage cards – SD, SDHC, SDXC. I use 64GB SD Card for Lumix FZ1000
• Dimensions and weight – The approximate weight of the body including the Battery and card is 831g (1.83 lb)  and the dimensions are ( W X H X D ) 136.8 x 98.5 x 130.7 mm 
• Shutter speed range – Shutter speed range is as follows: 
• Mechanical Shutter: 60″–1/4000 (Shutter speed can go from 60 s up to 1/4000 s) 
• Electronic Shutter: 1” – 1/16000 (Shutter speed can go from 1 s up to 1/16,000 s) 
• Metering modes – Spot, Center-Weighted, and Multiple 
• Exposure mode – Manual ( M ), Aperture Priority ( A ), Shutter Priority ( S ),  Programmed Auto ( P ), Intelligent Auto, and some Auto exposure (Creative Control) modes 
• White Balance  – Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Incandescent, Shade, Flash, White balance preset, Custom ( Set color temperature ) 
• Flash – Built-in Flash is available and compatible with External Flash and can be used 
• Image format – JPEG (DCF/Exif 2.3), RAW 
• Lens compatibility – Built-in LEICA DC VARIO-ELMARIT with a Focal length of 9.12 – 146 mm ( 25-400 mm in 35mm equiv in 3:2 ) with an aperture of f/2.8(W) and f/4(T)- f/11. Optical Zoom: 16X 
• Price – Check the current price on Amazon here 

Controls and Ergonomics

Controls

Exposure selection dial – This dial on the top helps to select the exposure modes Manual (M), Aperture Priority(A), Shutter Priority(S), and Programmed Auto (P) quickly.
You can select Intelligent Auto mode, Scene, Movie, and 2 custom options.

Focus mode selection dial- The focus mode dial is at the back of the camera near the viewfinder.
The focus mode dial helps you to choose between AFS/AFF ( AF-Single/ AF-Flexible), AFC (AF-Continuous), and MF (Manual Focus).The
AE-L/AF-L button is at the center of the Focus model selection dial.

On the left side of the lens, there is a button for Zoom/Focus. Based on the selection you can use the Ring on lens to Focus or to Zoom. 

To Zoom IN and Zoom OUT, on the top of Camera there is dial Marked as W  and T.

You can also Zoom In and Zoom OUT, by selecting the button as Zoom and using the ring on the Lens.

Using a dial on the top you can set up Frame rate and Timer settings.

On the back, there are buttons to change the White balance and ISO. You can also use the Camera menu and function buttons to set White Balance, ISO, and Focus Area Selection.

There is some learning curve involved in using the Camera Menu System and Buttons. Once you get used to the camera menu System and set up the camera, it is easy to use.

Build quality ( and Weather Sealing)

The weight and size of the Lumx FZ1000 is perfect for hand-holding. Lumix FZ1000 is comfortable during hiking, traveling, and in Jungle Safaris.

The build quality of Lumix FZ1000 is good enough for Bridge Camera. It can take up small day-to-day beatings.

The build quality is Good. Protection against dust and splash feels decent. I clean the camera after using it in rainy or dusty environments. I recommend you do so.

Ergonomics ( and Handling )

Ergonomically Lumix FZ1000 feels perfect in hands. Required buttons and dials are located on the camera.
Lumix FZ1000 is easy to use for Vacation photos, Travel photography, Wildlife and Nature Photography.

Lumix FZ1000 Performance

Autofocus performance

Here is how Lumix FZ1000 autofocus performs at max focal length 400 mm ( 35 mm equivalent )

Lumix FZ1000 focuses accurately on stationary/slow-moving and closer objects.

This beautiful Pigeon was feeding on the fruiting trees. The Pigeon was perched on the tree. The bird was stationary and at a relatively closer distance. The camera acquired focus accurately.

This Crested Hawk Eagle was sitting at a longer distance. It was a cloudy day. Light was descent and the Eagle was at long distance. Still, the Lumix FZ1000 focus performance was spot on.

On the flip side for fast and erratic moving objects the Camera struggles to achieve the focus. Here is a bird I found while walking along the lake. The bird was moving quickly on the branch. It was slightly challenging for the Camera’s autofocus system to acquire focus on a moving bird.

Surprisingly the Lumix FZ1000 did an awesome job of focussing the objects through clutter, leaves, and distractions. Here are two images of Giant Squirrels. Typically these squirrels will feed on the fruiting trees and will be on the trees somewhere inside the leaves. Camera focussed spot on the Squirrels.

Similarly, the Lumix FZ1000 focussed perfectly on these birds through the distractions.

In a low-light situation, the Autofocus performance of the Lumix FZ1000 was good. Here is an image of an Owl. While we were roaming in the woods at night, noticed the sounds of the Owl coming from the trees. While following the sounds of the Owl found this beautiful Bird sitting on the tree. It was dark and had a flashlight. Also, the Owl was at long distance but Lumix FZ1000 focussed quite well.

General note for Autofocus performance ( for any Camera ):

• Make sure you select the appropriate focus mode and focus area mode to get good Auto-focus results
• Dust, Fog, water droplets, and heat shimmers affect the focus performance.

In certain conditions such as – Forest clutter, Distant objects and a Low light condition, and Smaller objects at a relatively long distance, Manual Focus is helpful. For the Lumix FZ1000 lens select the Focus option and then rotate the ring to focus.

In summary, Lumix FZ1000 Autofocus Performance is Good for most objects and situations except fast-moving objects or birds.

High ISO and Low Light Performance

Lumix Z1000 has 1-0 in type sensor. This type of sensor has better ISO performance as compared to 1/ 2.3 in type sensors. High ISO performance in low light is better compared to Lumix FZ300, Nikon P1000 and Nikon P950 because these cameras come with smaller sensors.

In good light conditions, you will get good image quality and less noise till ISO 800. I have also got usable images to ISO 1600. ( At ISO 1600 the noise is visible but still, this image is reasonably usable ). Beyond ISO 1600 the image noise increases as you start cranking up the ISO.

To get good quality images with minimum possible noise try to use the ISO 800 or below.

Here is an Image quality and noise comparison at different ISO settings for the same object and similar light conditions

Image Quality – Colors, Details and Dynamic Range

Lumix FZ1000 has 1 in type sensor. This sensor produces great image quality in good light conditions. For Excellent and good light conditions if you can keep the ISO below ISO 1000 then the image will have good colors and details.

Below is the image of ducks and beautiful flowers which is photographed in good lighting conditions. You can see the bird feather details and also the texture and colors of the flowers. Excellent for this type of camera.

As the light starts getting lower, or it is a cloudy day where you have to crank up the ISO still the Lumix FZ100 does a good job of getting good colors and details in the image

This Crested hawk eagle was perched on a tree. Luckily I could see it on the eye in the forest. Eagle was at a significant distance and light was fading with some clouds. Even at higher ISO 1250 the details and colors of the eagle came up well.

Here is another image of a colorful pigeon resting on the tree while feasting on fruits. The light condition was moderate but the bird was at a close distance. At ISO 1000, you can see the colors and feather details come up beautifully.

As darkness started to descend, nocturnal creatures started to emerge. Here is an Owl that came out of the forest and looked for rodents on the forest floor. This image is clicked in the torch light. Lumix FZ1000’s performance was quite impressive.

White Balance

Lumix FZ1000 produces a white balance close to the actual scene. Overall Color temperature looks natural with no major tint shift.

In different light conditions Auto white balance does a Good job while handling different light conditions.

Here are Bird images in different light conditions such as Early Light, Cloudy, and sunlight.

Auto white balance produces good results for videos as well.

Articulated Screen

A fully articulated screen screen comes in handy while photographing unique perspectives.

The rotating screen is useful for getting low-level images. While photographing through a vehicle or from a higher-level perspective rotating screen is useful.

However, the FZ1000 does not have a touch screen. One of the major reasons to get the Latest Lumix FZ1000 II as it comes with a Touch screen.

Versatile Zoom range

Zoom range from 9.12 – 146 mm ( 25-400 mm in 35mm equiv in 3:2 ) is a practical range for travel, People, Nature, and Wildlife photography. You can photograph almost everything around you.

Lumix FZ1000 or Lumix FZ1000 II provides you with more photographic opportunities.

Lumix FZ1000 and Lumix FZ1000 II Comparison

Lumix FZ1000 Test Video

Conclusion and recommendations

Pros

• A versatile Zoom range of 25-400 mm ( 35 mm equivalent )
• lightweight and compact camera body
• Good 4K Video capability
• Under Excellent to good light conditions, Beautiful colors, and Image quality
• Best budget camera for Travel, People, Wildlife and Bird photography

Cons

• Noise and loss of Image quality at Higher ISO ( ISO greater than 1000 ) and Low light conditions
• A fully functional touchscreen is missing ( Check out the Latest Lumix FZ1000 II )
• Some learning curve is there in using the Menu system.
• The protection against dust or rain is ok but it can be better

Summary

The 1-0 in type sensor, inbuild versatile 25-400 mm ( 35 mm equivalent ) lens, excellent image and video quality, Accurate focus, and wide lens aperture of f/2.8 (T) and f/4 (W) make the Lumix FZ1000 camera best budget camera for Travel, People, Wildlife and Nature photography and videography as well.

However, Lumix FZ1000 II is the successor of the Lumix FZ1000. With excellent imaging technology (Sensor, processor, and Camera lens) under the hood, the Lumix FZ1000 II is the latest version.

• The main reason to get the Lumix FZ1000 II over Lumix FZ1000 is,
• Lumix FZ1000 II is the latest upgrade to Lumix FZ1000
• Lumix FZ1000 II has a fully Articulated touchscreen
• Better viewfinder magnification, screen resolution
• Bluetooth connectivity and Post focus modes

If you are looking for a budget all-around bridge camera with 1.0 in type sensor then Lumix FZ1000 / Lumix FZ1000 II is the one.

Lumix FZ1000 / FZ1000 II camera on Amazon

SanDisk 64GB Extreme Pro Card on Amazon

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