Panasonic Lumix FZ1000 Camera Offers 4K Video Capture for $899

If you cannot bring yourself to decide on whether to buy a bulky DSLR camera or a compact camera with an elongated zoom lens, then you might want to consider a third option.

The Panasonic Lumix FZ1000 might just turn out to be the camera you desire.

You see, if you’re just starting out with your photography experiments, then the DSLR camera might be a bit too much for you to handle when it comes to size, pricing and weight. All this, and we haven’t even added the zoom lens into the equation yet. A low-tech DSLR camera might cost you in between $400 to $700.

You might be able to swap that choice for a lighter, smaller and more compact camera, but then you would be sacrificing image and video quality.

The third option, the Panasonic Lumix FZ1000 provides you with a combination of both these camera types (almost– but not exactly), bridging the gap between the two. It sports a 1-inch 20 megapixel MOS sensor (four times larger than the 1/2.3-inch sensors you find in most longzoom cameras like Panasonic’s FZ200) and a 16x f2.8-4.0 25-400mm lens which will certainly get you closer to far-off objects than the Sony RX10 does.

Though it might lack in zoom capabilities as compared to the 50x zoom of other bridge cameras, the FZ1000 will not make a sacrifice when it comes to image quality.

Lumix FZ1000 is capable of 4K video (3,840×2,160) in MP4 format at 30fps, but it will also do 1080p at 60fps or 120fps. You will be able to pull off 1080p at 60fps in AVCHD, as well.

Further features include five-axis optical image stabilization, and a five-step speed control for the zoom, so that you get smooth movement during your recording.

The camera also comes with Wi-Fi and Near Field Communication (NFC) which means that you can use Panasonic’s application to transfer your photos to your smartphone. It weighs in at 1.83 pounds or 830 grams and has a battery life of 360 shots, which makes it sit right in between the Panasonic Lumix DMX-FZ200 and the Sony Cyber Shot DSC-RX10.

If you want to frame your shots, you can peek through the 0.39-inch EVF or look at your 3 inch rear screen, which rotates 180 degrees on both sides.

The camera might just give you the photo quality you need, and if you weigh and compare the prices of others with the FZ1000 (including value for money), you may have a good deal on your hands.

The FZ1000 will be priced at a $100 shy of a $1000, at $899.99 and is set for release in July.