Panasonic has globally unveiled the Lumix DMC-FZ1000, the latest member of the popular FZ series and the first fixed-lens compact camera in its class with 4K video recording capability.
Panasonic’s new Lumix DMC-FZ1000. (Source: Panasonic.)
Featuring a large 1-inch MOS sensor with 20.1-megapixel effective resolution and a high-quality 16x optical zoom Leica DC Vario-Elmarit lens, the FZ1000 has the same quad-core Venus Engine image processor as the revolutionary Lumix DMC-GH4. This enables it to support 4K video recording as well as being able to record videos in Full HD format. Single frames can be extracted from 4K video clips and saved as eight-megapixel images, providing enough detail to create A3 poster prints.
The 16x optical zoom covers angles of view equivalent to 25-400mm in 35mm format and has a maximum aperture range of f/2.8-f/4.0. Its optical design comprises 15 elements in 11 groups and include four ED lenses and five aspherical lenses with eight aspherical surfaces, resulting in a high MTF value. A 5-step speed control enables smooth zoom control while recording. The 5-axis HYBRID OIS (Optical Image Stabiliser)+ with Active Mode effectively compensates for handshake.
Featuring Panasonic’s DFD (Depth From Defocus technology, the DMC-FZ1000 offers an ultra high-speed auto-focus of approximately 0.09 seconds at the wide end and approximately 0.17 seconds at the telephoto end ““ a speed increase of approximately 350% over the DMC-FZ200. High speed burst shooting is available at up to 12 frames per second using the full 20.1-megapixel resolution. The new camera also boasts a short release time lag and quick start-up time of approximately 0.66 seconds.
The DMC-FZ1000 includes a 2,359,000-dot OLED Live View Finder and a 3-inch free-angle LCD rear monitor with 921,000-dot resolution. A newly added zoom lever, zoom ring and drive mode dial provide an intuitive control interface. Integrated Wi-Fi connectivity and NFC (Near Field Communication) technology provides users with a more flexible shooting experience and the ability to instantly share images. A new addition to the FZ series is a 3.5mm jack for connecting an external microphone for video recording. RAW data can also be developed in-camera.
The DMC-FZ1000 will be available in Australia in late July. Pricing will be announced closer to the launch date. Details will be posted at http://www.panasonic.com/au/consumer/imaging.html.
