Panasonic Lumix FZ1000 review (Part 2)
Panasonic Lumix FZ1000 Design and Controls
The Panasonic Lumix FZ1000
is more like a DSLR than a standard super zoom. The only similarity to a super
zoom is the fixed lens. I did consider the Sony RX10 or RX100 instead as they
are smaller form factors and both have the criteria I wanted.
The FZ1000 measures
137x99x131 mm and weighs 831 g with battery and SD card. It is quite hefty; an
entry level DSLR such as the Nikon D3300 with a 18-55mm kit lens actually
weighs 20% less than a FZ1000.
The size makes it
comfortable to hold and also allows ample room for the FZ1000's numerous
physical controls.
The FZ1000's large lens
barrel diameter provides good support for your left hand and allows comfortable
operation on the dual purpose zoom/focus ring. The zoom ring is smooth but
slow, so small adjustments are better with the rocker switch around the
shutter.
There's a mode dial on the top
left, and the main mode dial on the upper right side. A rear thumb dial is only
control wheel. The dial is pushed in to switch function between aperture and
shutter in manual mode.
The FZ1000 has five
programmable function buttons. Fn1 is slightly larger and protrudes slightly, making
it easy to differentiate from the smaller, flush mounted Fn2 behind it. Fn5 to
the back left of the viewfinder toggles the display between the electronic
viewfinder and the LCD screen. In default mode this happens automatically via
an eye sensor below the eyepiece, but it's good to have the override when
shooting from the waist using the articulated screen. Fn3, the Q.menu button,
is on the right side of the viewfinder close to Fn4 which is the four-way
controller. Also on the back right are a three-way switch for selecting AF
modes, the playback button, and display overlay toggle button.
There's a mini HDMI port,
USB / A/V out port, and a socket for the DMW-RSL1 wired remote on the right
side of the body. On the other side there's a port for an external stereo
microphone, but no headphone socket.
From a full charge you can
get 360 shots from the FZ1000's DMW-BLC12E battery, so spare batteries are
essential. I bought an extra three and so far haven't needed more.
The FZ1000 has a pop-up
flash which is raised by sliding a switch on the right of the viewfinder. It
has a maximum range of 13.5 meters and has forced on, forced on red-eye, slow
sync and slow sync red-eye modes. The standard hot shoe allows you to fit an
external flash. I've tested it with a few Yongnous and it works fine.
Read Part 3 of Panasonic Lumix FZ1000 Review
Read Part 3 of Panasonic Lumix FZ1000 Review
