The Ultimate Bridge Camera

[AlfaGuy]

I've owned Bridge cameras since 2004, the first being the Canon Pro1, which did me well until 2008 when i upgraded to the Fuji S100FS - A Superb camera! It had its weaknesses & quirks of course, but its strengths balanced things out. It served me well until early 2015, when i up-ed again to the FZ1000.

It was like a quantum leap in capabilities compared to the Fuji. Even ignoring the 4K video capability, this camera has so many Mid-level DSLR features and settings it's not funny!

When choosing this cam, i was in the shop a good 2+hrs, tooing and frowing between it, the Sony RX10 and several mirror-less cams with interchangable lenses, and even Panasonic's own G4.

After weighing up the pro's & con's, the overall 'feel', performance (The FZ1000 focuses stupidly quickly, even in lower light) & features, i kept coming back to the FZ1000. It just 'felt' right.

The only gripe i have would be on the odd occasion i am shooting video, the zoom ring or zoom lever just isn't 'smooth' enough for very slow zooming. Which is a shame as even Panasonic's basic camcorders have a superior zoom control. They could have easily achieved this with the rocker switch, thus allowing the electronic zoom ring to be dedicated for either aperture or manual focus while videoing.

Overall though it is damn near perfect! Go check out the camera comparison on here between the FZ1000 and the newer RD10 mk II !! - It even knocks spots off this camera.

Well done Panasonic!

 

[carl english]

Well I for one will not argue with that, I'm very happy with mine and feel it may be my last upgrade.

Carl

 

[Mike40]

Thanks

 

[morepix]

... if only it weren't so big. Yes, I do appreciate the physical considerations that dictate its size. But its excellence is often left at home because if its bulk. The FZ200 was a good size compromise, and I'm now sorry I sold it. Now, when I feel a tele zoom urge, I'm inclined to pick up my aging Oly Stylus 1.

I do wish that Panasonic would field a camera with an up-to-date 1/1.7" sensor and an f:2.8 zoom (@ around 300+ mm).

--
David
pbase.com/morepix

 

[Ken SC]

My first Pany bridge was a FZ35 I purchased for an eight day hike in Switzerland. The image quality was a game-changer for me and re-awakened my interest in photography. I purchased my FZ1000 in December 2015. At first the bulk was a challenge after the featherweight FZ35 but the performance was worth it. Pany 1/2.3 bridge cameras have grown larger with each new release. FZ1000 is 5% - 10% larger than FZ300 (depending on the dimension compared). A small price to pay for the 1" sensor performance. I do not anticipate replacing my FZ1000 any time soon.




The village of Soglio. (FZ35)




Snowy Egret (FZ1000)




Snowy Egret (FZ1000)







I still take my FZ35 when I want to travel light.

 

[carl english]

My first Pany bridge was a FZ35 I purchased for an eight day hike in Switzerland. The image quality was a game-changer for me and re-awakened my interest in photography. I purchased my FZ1000 in December 2015. At first the bulk was a challenge after the featherweight FZ35 but the performance was worth it. Pany 1/2.3 bridge cameras have grown larger with each new release. FZ1000 is 5% - 10% larger than FZ300 (depending on the dimension compared). A small price to pay for the 1" sensor performance. I do not anticipate replacing my FZ1000 any time soon.


The village of Soglio. (FZ35)


Snowy Egret (FZ1000)


Snowy Egret (FZ1000)

I still take my FZ35 when I want to travel light.

Very nice captures indeed.

 

[Mike Wingate]

I wanted a bridge camera, but apart from the lens, the fz220 just did not make much of an improvement over my tz9. So after a while I bought the gx80, plus zooms and primes. Taking them abroad has been problematic with customs wanting to inspect and check. Told my 2 friends to buy the fz82 as I trialed it in my lcshop. I was very impressed and have just bought my daughter one with the double cashback. Wife told me to get one as it was such good value. So I did. Great moon shots last night handheld. Will put it on a tripod. Went out for a days shoot today, handles well. Cannot wait to see the results. I hope they are good. This will be my everyday camera, and backup for the gx80, which I shall use the rest of the time. I do a lot of hiking, and changing lenses is not always convenient.

 

[GeraldW]

I do agree with a bridge camera as the best solution for travel. I have the FZ1000; but recently added an FZ300 and that is better suited for travel, along with my G7X II. They make a great pair for travel, as I always want to have a pocketable camera and I always want to have a backup, just in case.

I've had my Pro 1 for years and years. A great camera in it's day; but with several flaws. I waited and waited for a Pro 2; but it never came, and then I tried a number of other cameras to be the Pro 2 I wanted. The FZ300 nicely fills that role!

 

[jacketpotato]

Panny within 5 years shall bring 50x zoom 1inch sensor Fz5000 F3.3-6.5.

If I look at Tz/Zs100 compact body, definitely Fz5000 with slow lens Fast Accurate AF doable equivalent body as Fz1000.

Panasonic grasped from early Fz days importance of Small Focus Box for AF accuracy.

What's the point of Fast AF if it isn't accurate?

My Canon 1D, Nikon J1 with Phase detect AF focuses fast Not accurate : therefore for Birdies behind branches they are hopeless as hopeless as Canon Sx60, Fuji S1, SL1000, S8200, Nikon P610, Sony Hx400 I tested : whilst my Fz7, Fz200 excels because of option to select Small Focus Box.

 

[donmarse]

I've owned Bridge cameras since 2004, the first being the Canon Pro1, which did me well until 2008 when i upgraded to the Fuji S100FS - A Superb camera! It had its weaknesses & quirks of course, but its strengths balanced things out. It served me well until early 2015, when i up-ed again to the FZ1000.

It was like a quantum leap in capabilities compared to the Fuji. Even ignoring the 4K video capability, this camera has so many Mid-level DSLR features and settings it's not funny!

When choosing this cam, i was in the shop a good 2+hrs, tooing and frowing between it, the Sony RX10 and several mirror-less cams with interchangable lenses, and even Panasonic's own G4.

After weighing up the pro's & con's, the overall 'feel', performance (The FZ1000 focuses stupidly quickly, even in lower light) & features, i kept coming back to the FZ1000. It just 'felt' right.

The only gripe i have would be on the odd occasion i am shooting video, the zoom ring or zoom lever just isn't 'smooth' enough for very slow zooming. Which is a shame as even Panasonic's basic camcorders have a superior zoom control. They could have easily achieved this with the rocker switch, thus allowing the electronic zoom ring to be dedicated for either aperture or manual focus while videoing.

Overall though it is damn near perfect! Go check out the camera comparison on here between the FZ1000 and the newer RD10 mk II !! - It even knocks spots off this camera.

Well done Panasonic!

I remember the Canon pro 1 camera, it was amazing in it's day but I could never bring myself to spend that much money. I looked and it's list price was $995, with inflation that was about $1273,, wow

 

[AlfaGuy]

I've owned Bridge cameras since 2004, the first being the Canon Pro1, which did me well until 2008 when i upgraded to the Fuji S100FS - A Superb camera! It had its weaknesses & quirks of course, but its strengths balanced things out. It served me well until early 2015, when i up-ed again to the FZ1000.

It was like a quantum leap in capabilities compared to the Fuji. Even ignoring the 4K video capability, this camera has so many Mid-level DSLR features and settings it's not funny!

When choosing this cam, i was in the shop a good 2+hrs, tooing and frowing between it, the Sony RX10 and several mirror-less cams with interchangable lenses, and even Panasonic's own G4.

After weighing up the pro's & con's, the overall 'feel', performance (The FZ1000 focuses stupidly quickly, even in lower light) & features, i kept coming back to the FZ1000. It just 'felt' right.

The only gripe i have would be on the odd occasion i am shooting video, the zoom ring or zoom lever just isn't 'smooth' enough for very slow zooming. Which is a shame as even Panasonic's basic camcorders have a superior zoom control. They could have easily achieved this with the rocker switch, thus allowing the electronic zoom ring to be dedicated for either aperture or manual focus while videoing.

Overall though it is damn near perfect! Go check out the camera comparison on here between the FZ1000 and the newer RD10 mk II !! - It even knocks spots off this camera.

Well done Panasonic!

I remember the Canon pro 1 camera, it was amazing in it's day but I could never bring myself to spend that much money. I looked and it's list price was $995, with inflation that was about $1273,, wow

Just going over my old posts & spotted this, so thought i'd upload a pic... Indeed the Pro1 with its 'red' premium lens was superb.... This was taken on my Pro1, way back in 2004 . As you know, the Pro1 had a smart shoe as well. The flash used was one of Canon's Speedlites' i had at the time.... Tack Sharp!