Following last week’s hot releases from Panasonic, another new camera announced was the Panasonic Lumix DMC FZ2500 digital camera, complete with a built-in 20x Leica DC Vario-Elmarit f/2.8-4.5 lens, which some have called a newer version of the very popular GH4, but with a fixed lens.
The new Panasonic Lumix DMC FZ2500 digital camera.
Last week I had the opportunity to give the Panasonic Lumix DMC FZ2500 a test drive of my own to see if it measured up to my expectations.
KEY FEATURES
ND filter options on the lens for the lens.
Some of its key features include:
- 1-inch 20.1 MP CMOS image sensor
- ISO 125 to 12,800-equivalent range, expandable to ISO 80 to 25,600-equivalents
- Multi-angle 3.0″ 1.04m-dot LCD touchscreen
- 2.36m-dot electronic viewfinder
- 20X LEICA VARIO-ELMART F2.8-4.5 lens covering a covers a 24-480mm equivalent focal-length range
- 5-axis HYBRID O.I.S.+ to control the effects of camera shake
- ND filter controls for the lens
- 50fps continuous shooting with electronic shutter / 12fps with mechanical shutter
- 4K Video and Photo
- 4K post-focus and internal focus stacking modes
- Records MP4 and MOV at pu to 200Mbps
- 24fps frame rate + UHD 4K and Full HD recording modes
- CINELIKE D and CINELIKE V for cinema-like gradation
- Video output with a 4:2:2 10-bit signal
- Built-in WiFi for image sharing a remote control
There are many useful features on this camera. Let’s see how it stacks up to all the hype.
BODY DESIGN, ERGONOMICS AND HANDLING
The Panasonic Lumix DMC FZ2500 is a pretty good size camera with dimensions of 138 x 102 x 135 mm (5.42 x 4.01 x 5.3″). Weighing in at 2.2 lbs (915 g), I found this big guy to be a very lightweight option compared to my DSLR with even just a small 50mm lens on it. The grip is comfortable with buttons and dials located in convenient places for quick control.
Lens
The FZ2500 sports a built-in 20x optical zoom Leica DC Vario-Elmarit with a 35mm equivalent range of 24-480mm and a variable aperture of f/2.8-4.5 making it perfect for whole scene all the way down to close up and macro shots. The lens has a dual ring control system used for focusing and zooming, duo ND filters and 3 Fn buttons making still and video imaging easier and seamless.
The FZ2500 boasts a 20x optical zoom Leica DC Vario-Elmarit lens with a 35mm equivalent range of 24-480mm and a variable aperture of f/2.8-4.5
The lens is constructed of 16 elements in 11 groups with one refractive index lens element and five aspheric lenses promising high optic standards. It also has a nine blade aperture increasing beautiful quality and well-rounded bokeh when capturing a subject among out-of-focus areas. The FZ2500 has a stepless aperture control, perfect for seamless exposure control in video recording.
Another great feature here are the duo built-in neutral density filters, which you can set for 2-stop, 4-stop or a combined 6-stop effect, perfect for both still and video capture.
With a 20x optical zoom and 4K Photo, you can capture something this close but be standing quite far away.
Let’s not forget, the FZ2500 has a 5-axis HYBRID O.I.S.+ which controls the effects of camera shake for sharper, crisper handheld shooting, perfect for those of us who like to drink tea or coffee before or during shoots!
Buttons, Functions & Controls
Many buttons, dials, levers and switches and all over this bad boy. I really like that there are seven (7) function (Fn) buttons all over the camera, as opposed to only 3-4 all in the same area, allowing you to set a quick setting in the places where it makes sense for you.
On the top of the back of the camera are the combination AF/AE lock button with a lever wrapped around it for AFS, AFF, AFC and MF modes. Toward the center and bottom of the back of the camera are a Playback button as well as the wheel of dual modes serving up/ISO, down/AF, left/exposure and right/white balance options. In the center of wheel is the menu/set button. There are also three (3) Fn buttons scattered across the back of the camera.
The back of the Panasonic Lumix DMC FZ2500.
On the top right of the camera are the on/off switch and the mode dial, which contains the usual manual, aperture priority, shutter priority and program modes, but it also has intelligent auto, movie, panorama, scene modes and creative control filters found under the creative mode in-camera. Also on top of the camera are the zoom lever and shutter release, a record button to movies as well as the shutter and aperture dials. You’ll find another Fn button there too.
Top right of the camera.
On the top left part of the camera, you’ll find the dial for things such as single, continuous and 4K mode as well as your timer option. On the very top of the camera is where the hot shoe and speaker and microphone reside.
The top left of the FZ2500.
On the right side of the lens (shown here) are the ND filter controls and three (3) more Fn buttons.
Menus
There are an endless number of menu options within the bright and easy-to-read menu area which means more control and more creative options. For those of you who hate to read your camera manuals, each menu option has a scrolling marquee at the top of the monitor that tells you what the function is for – though I do not encourage NOT reading your camera manual! You should definitely take an hour or two and browse through it. You will find easy ways to create shortcuts for menu items.
Display
Words cannot describe how crystal clear and razor sharp the 3-inch multi-angle tilt/swivel monitor really is. Not only is it high-resolution, but it also has a touchscreen feature for selecting menu options as well as choosing what subject to focus on and choosing still image frames from 4K video, plus much more.
The free-angle tilt/swivel 3-inch 1.04m-dot LCD touchscreen.
Viewfinder
The electronic viewfinder, which is located slightly left of center, seems to feel more comfortable and larger than other camera viewfinders I have looked through. That’s probably due to the 2,360K-dot resolution and the 0.74x 35mm-equivalent magnification.
AUTOFOCUS & PERFORMANCE
Let’s now talk about autofocus and performance standards of this big guy. You need speed and accuracy when capturing the moment and the Panasonic Lumix DMC FZ2500 delivers.
Speed and Continuous Shooting
The FZ2500 can capture 7fps with autofocus active and with the focus locked it can capture stills as high as at 12fps. With the electronic shutter option, you can capture up to 50fps but with a lower resolution. This quick-capture beast is perfect for shooting sports, kids, pets or anything that moves fast where you need speed for capture.
ISO and Noise
This camera has an ISO 125 to 12,800-equivalent range, expandable to ISO 80 to 25,600 equivalents, triggering an amazing defocus when including shallow depth of field and working in low-light conditions.
You need a spectacularly quick focus to capture these guys!!
Focusing Options
The Panasonic Lumix DMC FZ2500 offers several focusing options to help you achieve capturing images that are sharp and in-focus.
Capture Focusing Options
The FZ2500 offers numerous focusing modes for capturing more in-focus images: face/eye detection, tracking, 49-area, 1-area, pinpoint and custom modes. Additional modes include one-shot AF, shutter AF, half-press release, quick AF, AF sensitivity, continuous AF (during motion picture recording), eye sensor AF, AF+MF, MF assist, touch MF assist, focus peaking, touch AF/AE function, touchpad AF, touch shutter, low-light AF and starlight AF.
Beautiful detailed shots can be captured with a minimum focus of only 3cm, perfect for macro shooting of flowers, insects, water droplets and more.
Beautiful detail.
Post-Focusing
The feature to blow my mind was the Post-Focus feature. Using the post-focus feature in 4K Photo mode, you end up shooting a burst of consecutive frames with different focus distances. You can then choose an image from the burst that has the focus point you intended.
Choose your focus point using 4K Photo mode.
Image courtesy of Panasonic.
Focus Stacking
The focus stacking option allows you to obtain your focus with more depth of field by stacking the multiple images of a subject. You must be in 4K Photo mode to use this feature.
IMAGE QUALITY
4K Photo
Placing the FZ2500 into 4K Photo mode is like a batter swinging and hitting a fastball out of the park. It’s a homerun. In 4K Photo mode, you are essentially able to choose a still image from the 4K video produced at 30fps. Speaking of baseball, this camera would be a perfect tool to capture the right moment by just playing back a 4K video produced and then choosing the best image. The additional tools of Post Focus and Focus Stacking help you get the best shot.
Colors
The color rendering of this camera are true, spot-on, rich and vibrant. When you look at the LCD prior to capture, you pretty much see what your result is going to be prior to pressing the shutter, including exposure and color.
Spot-on color rendering.
Accurate tonal range.
Good contrast/highlights.
What you see is what you get.
Spot-on color creates the mood of this scene.
Video
The Panasonic Lumix DMC FZ2500 is a dream camera for videographers. It has stepless aperture control due to a galvanometer type actuator as the drive mechanism which helps prevent exposure and depth of field hiccups for seamless video capture. The FZ2500 records Cinema (DCI) 4K 4096 x 2160 at 24fps and QFHD (UHD) 4K 3840 x 2160 at up to 30fps for an unlimited duration depending on storage size and battery life. A Variable Frame Rate allows you to record quick or slow motion video and to be able to switch between the two in a single recording. The end product is an MOV or MP4 (your choice).
Other features include:
- CINELIKE D and CINELIKE V for cinema-like gradation
- Full HD video recording at 200 Mbps (All-I) / 100 Mbps (IPB)
- Luminance level selections of 16-255, 16-235 or 0-255
- Quick and slow motion capture options
- Slow zoom and dolly zoom functions
- Time code
- Live HDMI 4:2:2/8 bit or 4:2:2/10 bit output
- Custom video GUI
- V-log L upgradability
INPUT/OUTPUT/CONNECTIVITY
The FZ2500 has built-in 2.4Ghz WiFi for image sharing and remote camera control purposes. It also allows real-time 10-bit 4:2:2 HDMI output to an external monitor made possible using a micro HDMI cable (not included). Several ports available include a 3.5mm headphone jack, a 3.5mm microphone jack and a 2.5mm jack for remote control.
STORAGE
The Panasonic Lumix DMC FZ2500 requires any of the following SD cards: SD Memory Card (512MB to 2GB), SDHC Memory Class 3 Card (4GB to 32GB) or SDXC Memory Class 3 Card (48GB to 128GB).
WHAT’S IN THE BOX
The FZ2500 is ready to go with just about everything you need to start shooting (just add a memory card, of course!):
- Digital Camera
- Lens Hood
- Lens Cap / Lens Cap String
- Hot Shoe Cover
- Shoulder Strap
- Battery Pack
- Battery Charger
- AC Adaptor
- USB Connection Cable
- Owner’s Manual
- 1 Year Warranty
PROS and CONS
Pros:
- Lightweight
- Fast focus and capture speed
- 4K Photo and motion video recording capability
- Great image stabilization
- Excellent color rendering
- Excellent focusing capabilities and options to get it done
- Built-in WiFi
- Tilting/swivel touchscreen for shooting at just about any angle
Cons:
- Slightly bulky in size
- Unable to edit RAW in Lightroom
WHO ITS FOR
While this camera would be highly desirable by videographers, it is also the perfect camera for anyone needing high speed and excellent performance with accurate color rendering when shooting stills.
CONCLUSION
For a regular DSLR shooter, the Panasonic Lumix DMC FZ2500 surprised me when it came down to speed, performance and image quality. The long range quick zoom without having to change a lens yielding beautiful quality images was definitely a big plus for me as I love shooting flowers in addition to my travel and architectural photography obsessions – so this camera works well for all of it. This is an amazing camera with a plethora of features that are perfect for both still shooters and videographers. It is even reasonably priced. It is currently available for pre-order at Adorama for $1,197.99.
* All images courtesy of Dawn M. Wayand unless otherwise noted.
