Panasonic Lumix FZ1000.2 First impressions 31 May 2019

The original Lumix FZ1000 was released in 2014.  I bought one as soon as it became available in Australia and have used it frequently since then particularly when travelling.

It has proven to be reliable and versatile, capable of making excellent photos in a wide variety of circumstances.

I assume the camera sold well for Panasonic because a successor was not announced until February this year (2019).  Roll out of the updated Mk2 version has been quite slow with copies arriving in Australia 2-3 months after North America and Europe.

The Mk2 version is a mild update of the original, retaining the same lens and sensor but offering  improved controls with touch screen and the full 4K Photo package.

Why has Panasonic not offered us users a more comprehensive upgrade ?

Just guessing here but I suspect there might be two reasons:

First Panasonic is heavily committed to bringing their new full frame mirrorless project to market featuring the all new S1 and S1R models and a rumoured high end video model and a selection of high grade lenses. I suspect this has gobbled up most of the available R&D budget.

Second, the only serious competition for the FZ1000 is the Sony RX10.4 which to some extent is playing to a different audience with a longer lens and higher frame rate at a much higher price.

I suspect that the product development people at Panasonic might have taken the view that they didn’t actually need  to do much with the FZ1000 to refresh its already considerable appeal.

Whether they did enough to persuade an existing happy FZ1000 user to upgrade is another matter.

Let’s start with things which are the same or almost so.

Both express the same concept which is the universal, all-in-one multipurpose camera and both do this very well. There are few photographic challenges which are out of reach to either model.

They are the same size (136 x 98 x 142mm with filter and lens cap) and mass (865 grams with battery and card) and have a very similar shape and basic layout.

The Main Mode Dial and Drive Mode Dial are in the same place and are basically the same with some minor detail differences.

The D-Pad and buttons on the back of the control panel are basically the same.

They have the same lens. On the test chart they appear identical apart from very minor differences which I expect are due to sample variation. Sharpness across the frame is very good at the wide end, excellent in the mid zoom range and good (f4) to very good (f5) at the long end.  

On my tests autofocus speed and stabiliser efficiency are the same.

Both deliver reliable single shot focus on still subjects and very good continuous focus on moving subjects.

They appear to have the same sensor. My tests show that high ISO luminance noise levels are exactly the same.  Overall image quality is the same.

Responsiveness, AF speed, burst frame rates, unchanged viewfinder blackout and image quality would all suggest that the Mk2 is using the same or very closely similar processor as the Mk1. That is disappointing to put it mildly.

The Mk2 STILLdoes not have a version of the industry best practice Sony [Auto ISO Min SS], Just a minimum shutter speed unrelated to zoom and with no speed bands (slower, slow, normal, fast, faster) like the Sony.

So what’s changed ?

Body: The body is all new with many small styling changes and detail differences.

The ring between the lens housing and the body is silver in the Mk1 and red in the Mk2.

The strap lugs on the Mk2 are now of the handlebar type which I favour as the right one has less tendency to dig into the base of my right index finger.

Performance: The Mk2 has a much larger buffer. With RAW capture and Burst M, the Mk1 makes 7 shots in 1 second then slows abruptly.   The Mk2 can make 36 RAW exposures in 5 seconds before slowing (7 fps). This makes the Mk2 much more suitable for sport/action with RAW capture.

The buffer takes 19 seconds to clear with a fast (90 Mb/s) SanDisk card.

Features:    4K Photo.  The Mk2 has all the latest Panasonic 4K Photo features including the very nifty pre-burst. This captures 30 separate 4K (about 8Mpx) frames in the second before the shutter is pressed and 30 frames after the button is pressed. A sensor crop applies. This feature can be very handy for catching birds launching into flight and similar difficult to anticipate actions.

Touch screen. I find the touch screen on large cameras like the FZ1000 useful for navigating menus, setting items in the Q menu and setting focus area with the camera on a tripod. But when hand holding I find the screen is difficult for my thumb to reach. 

Anyway the Mk2 has a nice responsive touch screen for those who prefer one.

Zoom: The Mk2 has a smoother (power) zoom action.

Menus: The basic menu system is very similar in each as is the very good graphical user interface. The Mk2 gains a My Menu which is very welcome and a set of photographer centric submenus in the Custom Menu.

Viewing: The Mk2 has a different eyecup which I find more comfortable. The specs say the EVF has slightly greater magnification. Overall viewing in the EVF or monitor is very nice, sharp, clear and detailed.

There are some minor changes. The camera data readouts below the image preview have changed order slightly. The Mk1 had, from the left, aperture, shutter speed, exposure comp, ISO. The Mk2 has shutter speed, aperture, exposure comp (with a slightly different detail rendition), ISO. There are also slight differences in when the shutter speed and aperture indications turn from white to yellow. The Mk1 system is logical for a one dial model, the Mk2 system is logical for a twin dial model.

Operating:    The big change on the top panel is the shift from single control dial to double control dials. This is very well implemented on the Mk 2 with a good layout and function largely borrowed from the FZ2000.   The front and rear control dials are just where my index finger and thumb want to find them.  They have very nice haptics with just the right feel and pressure required to turn them.

This implementation of the Mode Dial+twin dial layout allows very streamlined, efficient operation of the camera which can for most purposes be driven with just the right index finger than thumb while maintaining grip with both hands. All tasks in Capture Phase of use can be carried out with few actions each of minimal complexity.

Controls on the lens barrel have changed. The zoom/focus lever and OIS on/off lever have gone, to be replaced by three Fn buttons with user assignable functions. I set these to OFF (no function) as they are recessed presumably to prevent accidental activation but this also makes them difficult to locate by feel when using the camera in Capture Phase.

Holding:  The handle shape has improved and become more grippy.

The thumb support is completely different and much improved, providing a more secure hold plus easy reach for the thumb to the rear control dial.

Is the Mk2 a worthy upgrade from the Mk1 ?

I would suggest that anyone who already has a Mk1 in good working order just keep it and pass on the Mk2 or at least hold off until the Mk2 price drops substantially.

For the new buyer wanting to enter the Lumix FZ1000 world I suggest the FZ1000 Mk1 as a first option. This camera offers just about the best value for money in the camera world right now.

Looking at my pick as the three best bridge cameras on the market right now:

I rate the FZ1000 (original) best value for money allrounder.

The Lumix FZ1000.2 is an improved FZ1000 with touch screen, better controls and the full 4K photo package.  As a general purpose, vacation/travel/people/scenic/cityscapes/documentary/street camera I rate the FZ1000.2 the best of this trio. It is smaller, lighter and less expensive than the Sony and nicer to use especially for the enthusiast photographer who likes to work the controls.

The Sony RX10.4 is best for the user who will mainly  want the camera for sports/wildlife/birds/action (and is prepared to pay more).