Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ1000 Digital Camera, Black {20.1MP}

FZ1000: 20MP 1-inch sensor, 25–400mm f/2.8 in one body.

The FZ1000 is built around a 1-inch BSI-CMOS sensor paired with a Leica DC Vario-Elmarit lens covering 25–400mm equivalent at a constant f/2.8. That combination, a large-for-its-class sensor with a fast, long zoom, is what makes this camera's proposition so clear. You carry one body and one fixed lens, and you get wide-angle coverage plus serious reach without swapping glass. The 5-axis optical image stabilization keeps that 400mm end usable handheld, and RAW support means you're not locked into JPEG rendering decisions in the field.

Autofocus is one of the FZ1000's real strengths. Panasonic's Depth from Defocus technology reads lens characteristics in out-of-focus regions to estimate subject distance before contrast-detection takes over, which dramatically cuts down on hunting. Reviewers noted it was fast in bright light and low light alike. For action, the 12 fps burst rate gives you room to work. The 2,359,000-dot electronic viewfinder is one of the better EVFs at this camera level, and the fully articulated 3-inch 921,000-dot LCD is genuinely useful for low-angle or overhead shooting.

On the video side, the FZ1000 records 4K UHD at 30p in MP4 at 100Mbps, with 1080p up to 60p available via AVCHD. It includes a stereo microphone input, focus peaking, zebra pattern display, and clean HDMI output, a set of tools that was well above what most fixed-lens cameras offered at launch and holds up today for run-and-gun hybrid shooting. 360 shots per charge (CIPA) is workable for a full day out.

Who It's For

Wildlife and nature photographers get a genuinely useful 400mm equivalent reach at f/2.8 with 5-axis stabilization, no lens bag required. Travel shooters who want one carry-on-friendly body covering everything from architecture at 25mm to compressed distant subjects at 400mm will find the 16x optical zoom eliminates most packing decisions. Hybrid shooters producing video alongside stills benefit from the 4K 100Mbps recording, external mic input, and focus peaking. Street photographers can use the electronic shutter for completely silent shooting, which reviewers confirmed worked well for candid work without drawing attention.

Key Features

• 20MP 1-inch BSI-CMOS sensor with Venus processor
• 25–400mm f/2.8 Leica DC Vario-Elmarit fixed lens with 16x optical zoom
• 5-axis optical image stabilization keeps 400mm handheld usable
• 12 fps continuous shooting with 49 autofocus points
• Depth from Defocus AF with fast, accurate tracking in all light
• 2,359,000-dot electronic viewfinder and fully articulated 3-inch 921,000-dot LCD
• 4K UHD video at 30p (100 Mbps MP4) plus 1080p 60p (AVCHD)
• RAW recording with in-camera conversion tool

FAQ

How does the FZ1000's autofocus compare to the Sony RX10?

The FZ1000 focuses faster in virtually every condition-wide-angle, telephoto, bright light, low light. It uses Panasonic's Depth from Defocus technology, which reads lens characteristics in out-of-focus regions to estimate subject distance before contrast detection takes over, cutting down hunting that can plague other contrast-detect systems.

Can you shoot RAW on the FZ1000?

Yes. RAW recording is built in, so you're not locked into JPEG rendering in the field. The camera also includes an in-camera RAW conversion tool that lets you adjust white balance, noise reduction, sharpness, and shadow/highlight response after capture without leaving the camera.

What's the battery life like on a full charge?

360 shots per charge under CIPA standard. Workable for a full day out, though it depends on how much you use the LCD versus the viewfinder and whether you're recording video.

Does the FZ1000 have a headphone jack for monitoring audio while recording video?

No headphone port. The camera does have a stereo microphone input and stereo built-in mics, plus manual audio level adjustment, focus peaking, zebra pattern, and clean HDMI output for external monitoring if needed.

How does the fully articulated LCD compare to a fixed screen?

The 3-inch fully articulated 921,000-dot LCD is genuinely useful for low-angle and overhead shooting, especially on a tripod. It's easy to see outdoors with Auto Power LCD enabled, which adjusts brightness based on ambient light. That said, most shooting happens through the 2,359,000-dot electronic viewfinder for composition precision.

What video codecs and bitrates does the FZ1000 record?

4K UHD records in MP4 at 100 Mbps; 1080p and 720p use AVCHD at 10–28 Mbps. 1080p goes up to 60p. You get manual exposure control, focus peaking, zebra pattern, and the ability to trim or split clips in playback.

Is the FZ1000 weather sealed?

No environmental sealing. The camera is not designed for dust or moisture resistance.