The Panasonic Lumix FZ2000 joins the line-up of premium bridge cameras with a larger than normal 20 megapixel 1inch sensor, and the camera features a new 20x optical zoom lens equivalent to 24-480mm with an f/2.8-4.5 aperture. The FZ2000 is designed to be the ultimate hybrid video and photo camera, and is available now for £1099.

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Panasonic Lumix FZ2000 Features

The 20x optical zoom lens gives the equivalent to 24mm wide-angle to 480mm telephoto zoom (in 3:2 aspect). The Leica branded lens has a bright f/2.8-4.5 aperture, features optical image stabilisation, and can focus down to 3cm. The Panasonic Lumix FZ2000 is also known as the FZ2500 in some countries.

The lens has an inner zoom structure so that the lens doesn’t extend once it is switched on. The design means that image shift is suppressed by 80% when using zoom. There is a stepless IRIS control, and the lens uses a guide pole mechanism for high quality zoom. The lens has 9 aperture blades, for smooth bokeh. There's a built in ND filter that can be selected manually or set to Auto, and Off, for use in both stills and video. 

Designed to be a hybrid video / stills camera, with unlimited 4K (CINE and UHD) video recording, the Panasonic Lumix FZ2000 has the same video features as the Panasonic Lumix GH4R, but uses a 20 megapixel 1inch CMOS sensor from Sony. For those who's main priority is video, a V-Log upgrade is available for £79, giving 12 stops of dynamic range. 

Photographers don't need to worry, as the camera offers everything a photographer could want as well. Including full manual controls, intelligent auto modes, creative effects, rapid focus, plus raw editing, diffraction compensation, Low-light AF, Starlight AF, and more. 4K Photo lets you shoot at 30fps, and select your best shots, plus there are focus stacking and post focus options. 

From left to right: Panasonic Lumix FZ330, FZ1000, and FZ2000

The ultra zoom range from Panasonic now features five different models, with the previous models staying on the market, and two of the cameras feature a 1inch sensor:

• FZ200 – 12mp, 1/2.3inch sensor, 24x optical zoom (f/2.8)
• FZ82 – 12mp, 1/2.3inch sensor, 60x optical zoom (variable aperture)
• FZ330 – 12mp, 1/2.33inch sensor, 4K, 24x optical zoom (f/2.8)
• FZ1000 – 20mp 1inch sensor, 4K, 16x optical zoom (25-400mm)
• FZ2000 – 20mp 1inch sensor, 4K, 20x optical zoom (24-480mm)

We can also compare the FZ2000 to the FZ1000 and nearest competitors, the Canon Powershot G3X and Sony Cyber-shot RX100 III, as all of these cameras feature a 20 megapixel 1inch sensor, and offer a large optical zoom lens:

Wi-Fi is built-in letting you remotely control the camera, as well as transfer images to your smartphone or tablet. Panasonic's Image App is available for both Android and iOS devices. 

Key Features

• 20mp 1inch BSI CMOS sensor
• 20x optical zoom lens, 24-480mm equivalent, f/2.8-4.5 aperture
• Built-in ND filter (1/4, 1/16, 1/64)
• 5-axis Image Stabilisation
• 4K video / photo, unlimited recording
• ISO80 (Low) to ISO25600 (extended)
• 3inch tilting vari-angle touch screen (1040K)
• 0.74x OLED electronic viewfinder, 2360k dot OLED
• 12fps continuous shooting (45 raw, 300 JPEG)
• 350 shot battery life (LCD)
• Aperture / Focus bracketing 
• Raw editing / clear retouch
• New aperture filter / diffraction compensation
• Lowlight AF / Starlight AF / DFD AF
• Post focus / focus stacking
• 3cm macro

Video Features

• 4K (3840x2160) video at 30/25/24/23.9fps
• 36 - 720mm equivalent when recording 4K
• 25 - 500mm equivalent when recording FullHD (OIS Off)
• 27 - 540mm equivalent when recording FullHD (OIS On)
• CINE (4096x2160) at 24fps 
• FullHD 200Mbps (ALL-I)
• FullHD 100Mbps (IPB)
• MOV, MP4 (AAC, LPCM), AVCHD progressive
• Unlimited recording time
• Dolly Zoom (vertigo effect)
• Time code output / Rec/Start stop (Atomos compatible)
• HDMI 4:2:2 8bit (with simultaneous SD card reading) and 4:2:2 10bit HDMI output
• Slow zoom (Fn1/Fn2)
• Variable frame rate video (slow/fast motion)
• 4K live cropping (FullHD cropping from 4K)
• Mic / headphone sockets

Panasonic Lumix FZ2000 Handling

The Panasonic Lumix FZ2000 features an excellent handgrip, with DSLR-like styling, that makes this bridge camera easier to hold. The camera feels well built, and the rubber grips give the camera a reassuring feel, making it easy to hold on tightly to the camera. There are also a number of controls on the left side of the zoom barrel, making it easy to change settings such as the ND filter, and there are three customisable function buttons here. There are a large number of other customisable function buttons dotted around the camera, giving 7 function buttons in total. The lens features two control rings around the lens barrel, and these can be customised. 

The camera has a large lens, due to the sensor size, the lens is larger than your standard ultra-zoom bridge camera, and the FZ2000 is similar in size to a Digital SLR with similar looks. There is a drive mode dial on the top right of the camera, giving you quick access to the different modes. There's also a mode dial on top (with a custom setting), as well as top and rear control dials, making it easy to change settings. 

The Electronic Viewfinder (EVF) is large and matches the rear touch-screen for colour reproduction. Panasonic like to call it an LVF / Live ViewFinder, and there is an eye-detection sensor so that the camera will automatically switch to the EVF when you hold the camera up to your eye. The viewfinder has a 20mm eyepoint with a wider viewing angle, that is better for glasses wearers. The rear touch-screen looks good with a high resolution, and great colour re-production. 

The camera feels well-built, and size access to the memory card slot means you can change the memory card, while the camera is still mounted to a tripod. The dual-axis electronic level helps keep your shots straight.

Menus – The menus are well designed, with a clear layout, and there is built-in help. You can use the touch-screen to select options, and the Q. Menu (Quick Menu) gives you quick access to options and controls. Wi-Fi connectivity is easy to set up using a QR code. The Panasonic Image App lets you remotely shoot as well as transfer images to your smartphone or tablet. 

Battery life - Battery life is rated at 350 shots according to Panasonic / CIPA test results when using the rear screen, or 270 shots when using the EVF. Video recording time is said to be "Continuous 115m (screen)" or "Actual 60min (screen)" when recording FullHD, 60/50i, AVCHD. This gives you good battery life for shooting stills, and a good length of time for video recording.