Panasonic Unveils New Large Sensor Bridge Camera

2019.02.18

Almost 5 years after launching their original large-sensor ultra-zoom, Panasonic just unveiled the new Lumix FZ1000 II. Following on its predecessor, the Panasonic Lumix FZ1000 reviewed here, this latest addition to the series takes performance to a new level thanks to years of technological advancements. This is one of the few bridge digital cameras released in recent years since many have fallen out of favor compared to mirrorless digital cameras which Panasonic has been championing with the Micro Four-Thirds platform.

The Panasonic Lumix FZ1000 II is bridge camera with a both a large 20 megapixels 1" CMOS sensor and long stabilized 16X optical zoom lens. Its optics are equivalent to a 24-400mm lens while starting with at moderately bright F/2.8 maximum aperture which only narrows down to F/4 at the telephoto end. This combination of large sensor and bight long zoom is only possible on a bridge camera, rather than a smaller travel zoom, making it better suited for low-light photography.

Panasonic fitted the FZ1000 II with their latest high-speed technology, allowing it to shoot continuous bursts of 4K (8 MP) photos at 30 FPS and record 4K Ultra-HD video. A unique 4K composite feature is added to blend multiple exposures taken as a 4K burst, allowing to show subject motion in a new way. The Venus engine in this bridge camera extracts sensor data with minimal noise, resulting in a high S/N ratio even a high-ISO by combining multiple noise-reduction systems.

Autofocus speed has been brought to a nearly-instantaneous 0.09s using Panasonic's unique Depth-From-Defocus (DFD) technology. The FZ1000 II brings Focus-Stacking to the series by blending images from a 4K burst where focus is shifted slightly between each frame. The FZ1000 II can shoot full-resolution 20 MP images continuously at 12 FPS with a hybrid shutter that reach 1/4000s mechanically or 1/16000s electronically.

While looking remarkably similar to its predecessor and maintaining the same good ergonomics, the viewfinder and display have both received a substantial upgrade. The 0.39" EVF has a 2.4 MP resolution, 4:3 aspect ratio, 100% coverage and a new very large 0.74X magnification. The unit is now an OLED display which gives it far greater contrast than other technologies. The rear display remains at 3" yet with 1.2 megapixels. It supports touch and rotates 180° to the wide and 270° vertically.

The Panasonic Lmumix FZ1000 II is scheduled to ship this May for $1200 CAD.

• Digital Camera