Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ2000

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ2000 arrives with a fresh optic and an even stronger focus on video than its predecessor. Matt Golowczynski takes a closer look.

When Panasonic’s Lumix DMCFZ1000 arrived two years ago, it was widely considered to be a fitting alternative to the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10. With a similar 1in sensor but broader 25-400mm equivalent zoom, it held its own against its pricier rival.

Two years and a handful of newer competitors later, however, the need for an update was becoming obvious. The FZ2000 arrives with much the same idea as its predecessor, but with a newly developed lens that boasts a longer reach and the FZ1000’s already capable video specs bolstered with a range of improvements. Indeed, Panasonic goes as far as billing the camera as the ideal photo/video hybrid.

In addition to the Sony RX10, which is still available new, the FZ2000 has the second and third iterations in that series as competitors, together with Canon’s PowerShot G3 X. These are the only bridge-style models on the market to marry a 1in-type sensor with a superzoom optic.

Features

Despite a handful of key changes over its predecessor, one thing that doesn’t appear to have changed from the previous FZ1000 is the sensor. Panasonic has employed a 1in-type, back-illuminated 20.1MP CMOS sensor and this operates over the same ISO 125-12,800 range as before, with expansion settings equivalent to ISO 80 and 25,600.

Once again, this is powered by a Venus Engine, which allows for burst shooting at a respectable 12fps at full resolution, although this drops to 7fps should you wish to keep autofocus working throughout. This engine also provides the option to process raw images in-camera, with a healthy range of processing controls and the option to save images as new files or over existing ones.