Panasonic Lumix FZ2000 Panasonic - Review 🏆

The Panasonic Lumix FZ2000 is a powerful bridge camera that combines the versatility of a large zoom range with features typically found in advanced interchangeable lens cameras. Some key specs of the FZ2000 include:

• 20.1MP 1-inch High Sensitivity MOS sensor
• Leica DC Vario-Elmarit f/2.8-4.5 zoom lens with 20x optical zoom (24-480mm equivalent)
• 4K video recording and 4K Photo modes
• 0.74x OLED Live View Finder with 2,360k dots
• 3" 1,040k dot free angle touch LCD screen
• Depth from Defocus autofocus system with 49 focus points
• 12 fps continuous shooting with AF-S
• ISO 25,600 max sensitivity
• Built-in WiFi and Bluetooth

With its long zoom range, variety of controls, high-resolution viewfinder, and video-centric features, the FZ2000 is designed to be an extremely versatile all-in-one camera. Its larger than average 1-inch sensor aims to provide higher image quality compared to typical compact cameras. This camera is geared towards enthusiasts looking for excellent optics, responsive performance, and great image quality in a single do-it-all package.

Design

The Panasonic Lumix FZ2000 has a sleek yet sturdy design for a bridge camera. It has a DSLR-style body with a deep handgrip that makes it very comfortable to hold. The body is made of a combination of plastic and metal, with the metal parts giving it a premium feel.

Despite the large 1-inch sensor and 20x zoom lens, the FZ2000 remains relatively compact and lightweight for its class. It weighs around 1 pound, which makes it easy to carry around all day for shooting. The dimensions are 5.4 x 3.8 x 4.5 inches.

The layout of buttons and dials is well thought out. There are plenty of direct controls without feeling cluttered. This allows you to quickly change key settings. The camera is weather-sealed with dust and splash resistance. Overall, the FZ2000 is very well built with an ergonomic design.

Another great option in the Lumix lineup is the Panasonic Lumix TZ200D. This compact travel zoom camera offers a 1-inch sensor and a versatile 15x optical zoom, making it ideal for travelers who want high-quality images without carrying a bulky camera. The TZ200D is lightweight and fits easily into a pocket or small bag. It also features a high-resolution electronic viewfinder and a touch-sensitive LCD screen for easy operation. With 4K video recording capabilities, it’s perfect for capturing vivid memories in excellent detail.

Image Quality

The Panasonic Lumix FZ2000 features a 1-inch 20MP MOS sensor, which is quite large for a bridge camera. This enables the camera to capture sharp, detailed images with excellent dynamic range.

The 20MP resolution provides plenty of resolution for large prints and cropping flexibility. Images show good per-pixel sharpness and fine details are retained well. Noise performance is also quite good thanks to the larger sensor. The FZ2000 can shoot up to ISO 3200 with acceptable levels of noise and retains good color accuracy. At higher ISO levels like 6400, noise and loss of fine details become more apparent but images are still very usable.

Overall, the image quality from the 1-inch sensor is a huge upgrade over smaller sensors typically found in bridge cameras. The FZ2000 exceeds expectations and delivers DSLR-like image quality in a bridge camera form factor. The combination of resolution, dynamic range, noise performance and detail retention make the FZ2000 highly capable for a wide variety of shooting scenarios.

Additionally, for those interested in a more budget-friendly option, the Panasonic Lumix DC-FZ82 is a great alternative. It offers an 18.1MP sensor with a versatile 60x optical zoom lens, making it suitable for a range of photographic needs. The DC-FZ82 is capable of recording 4K video, and its high-speed autofocus ensures you capture sharp images quickly. This makes the DC-FZ82 a well-rounded camera for both photography enthusiasts and videographers alike.

Video Quality

The Lumix FZ2000 is an incredibly capable video camera, offering unlimited 4K recording at 24 or 30 fps. It utilizes a 100 Mbps MP4 codec, which produces highly detailed, smooth footage.

4K video can be recorded internally to SD cards up to 30 minutes per clip. For longer recordings, the FZ2000 can output clean 4K video via its HDMI port.

The camera provides plenty of additional video options beyond 4K. You can shoot 1080p video at up to 60fps for smooth slow motion playback. There's also a 1080/100p mode for even slower motion effects.

A key benefit of the FZ2000 is its ability to record 4K video with full pixel readout and no pixel binning. This results in extremely sharp, detailed 4K footage. The camera also supports 4K Photo mode to extract high resolution stills from 4K video.

Overall, the FZ2000 is a superb choice for videographers looking for unlimited 4K recording, slow motion capabilities, and excellent video quality. Its range of codecs, frame rates, and features make it highly versatile for both amateur and professional video needs.

Autofocus

The Lumix FZ2000 has a very fast and accurate autofocus system. It uses Depth From Defocus (DFD) technology which can calculate the distance to the subject for faster focusing.

The autofocus modes include Face/Eye Detection, Tracking, 49-Area, Custom Multi, 1-Area, and Pinpoint. Face/Eye Detection works very well to quickly lock focus on people's faces and eyes. The tracking mode can follow a moving subject around the frame smoothly.

In most situations, the autofocus is nearly instantaneous, even in low light conditions. The camera can lock focus and capture the shot almost immediately after you press the shutter button. This makes it great for capturing fast action shots.

The autofocus also excels for video recording. It transitions between subjects smoothly without hunting. You can use the touch screen to pull focus between different subjects. Overall, the autofocus system is fast, accurate, and reliable in both photos and videos.

Features

The Panasonic Lumix FZ2000 is packed with useful features for both photo and video. Some of the most notable features include:

Powerful Zoom Lens

The camera has a built-in 20x optical zoom Leica DC Vario-Elmarit lens, covering a 35mm equivalent focal length range of 24-480mm. This versatile zoom range lets you shoot wide landscapes and group photos, as well as get close to distant subjects. The fast f/2.8-4.5 aperture is great for low-light shooting and blurring backgrounds.

High-Resolution OLED Viewfinder

It has a 0.39-inch OLED Live View Finder (LVF) with 2,360k dots resolution. This provides a crisp and detailed view when composing shots. The high eye point design also makes it comfortable for eyeglass wearers.

Fully Articulating LCD Screen

The 3-inch LCD screen with 1,040k dots can be tilted and swiveled for flexibility when shooting at awkward angles. This vari-angle screen is useful for selfies, vlogging, or capturing shots from creative perspectives. The touch control also allows intuitive menu navigation and touch focus.

Performance

The Lumix FZ2000 is a very fast and responsive camera overall. The startup time is nearly instantaneous, allowing you to start shooting right away.

Autofocus speeds are excellent thanks to the Depth From Defocus technology. It can lock focus and capture shots in a fraction of a second. This makes it great for action photography and capturing fleeting moments.

The FZ2000 has deep image buffers that allow for extended burst shooting. You can capture up to 100 JPEGs or 30 RAW files in a single burst at 12 fps. This is useful when shooting fast action like sports or wildlife. The buffer depth ensures you can keep shooting without any lag or slowdown while the camera writes to the memory card.

In terms of overall operation and menu navigation, the FZ2000 feels very snappy and lag-free. Settings can be changed swiftly, and menus respond instantly to input. This adds to the feeling of a responsive, agile camera.

So in summary, with its fast autofocus, deep buffers, and lag-free operation, the Lumix FZ2000 offers excellent performance ideal for demanding shooting situations. It's a very responsive bridge camera that doesn't hold you back.

Battery Life

The Lumix FZ2000 has an impressive battery life, thanks to its large 1,200 mAh battery. Panasonic claims the battery is good for around 350 shots per charge when using the rear LCD, or 270 shots per charge when using the electronic viewfinder.

In real-world testing, the FZ2000 lives up to those estimates. With normal use, including some video recording, you can expect to get through a full day of shooting on a single battery charge. For travel or all-day event shooting, it's a good idea to carry a spare battery just in case. But the FZ2000's battery life is very competitive for its class of camera.

The ability to charge via USB is also handy. If you run low on juice, you can plug into a USB power bank or laptop to top up the battery in a pinch. Overall, the FZ2000's battery performance is a strength and you shouldn't have any issues with running out too quickly.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Large 1-inch 20MP sensor delivers excellent image quality
• Versatile Leica 20x zoom lens with wide aperture range
• Impressive 4K video recording capabilities
• Fast and accurate autofocus performance
• Useful built-in electronic viewfinder
• Fully articulating rear LCD touchscreen
• Extensive manual controls and customization options
• 5-axis hybrid optical image stabilization

Cons

• Bulky and heavy body compared to compact cameras
• 4K video has crop factor
• No built-in ND filter
• Autofocus can be slow in low light
• Battery life could be better
• No headphone jack
• Price is on the high side

Conclusion

The Panasonic Lumix FZ2000 is a feature-packed bridge camera that delivers excellent image quality, versatile video capabilities, and a long zoom range in a compact body. It's a great option for enthusiasts looking for an all-in-one camera that provides a lot of creative control.

Overall, the FZ2000 produces sharp, detailed photos and videos in a variety of conditions. The 20MP 1-inch sensor captures good dynamic range and performs well in low light. Combined with the versatile Leica zoom lens, you can capture everything from wide landscapes to tightly cropped telephoto shots.

The addition of 4K video, unlimited recording times, and Panasonic's effective 5-axis hybrid O.I.S+ stabilization produces professional-looking footage. The autofocus isn't the fastest but is accurate and intuitive to control. Extensive manual settings allow advanced users to take full advantage of the camera's capabilities.

Considering its set of features, performance, and image quality, the FZ2000 represents an excellent value for the price point. It's a great do-it-all camera for travel, events, and everyday use. I would highly recommend it to photo and video enthusiasts looking for an advanced all-in-one camera. The combination of its long zoom, high-quality sensor, extensive controls, and video features make the FZ2000 a versatile and compelling option in its class.