Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ2500

I can't fault this camera for my needs – I've had many cameras over the years, having bought my first cheapie in 1968. They've all been good for their time and suited me fine as an amateur photographer who doesn't put much time or effort into his photos, but expects good results nonetheless. I recently retired and ventured into the world of DSLR's and that opened up a whole new interest for me, but I got a little wearisome carrying around different, heavy lenses and a big bag. I looked into bridge cameras and after doing quite a lot of research and reading a lot of reviews (especially those on ProductReview.com.au) I purchased the Lumix FZ2500 and I couldn't be happier. I'm not very techie when it comes to photography and I'm only speaking as a layman when I say this camera has it all for me. Great lens, great support and instructions, beautiful photos and easy to use.

A lovely piece of equipment – This is my first bridge camera, having previously owned medium format equipment and all the associated lenses needed to catch the photo's I wanted which I found to be a pain carting them wherever I went. The FZ 2500 I have found easy to use without having to carry extra bits and pieces with me. After market publications simplified learning process and I can still capture 99% of the photos that I want. For me the lumix FZ 2500 has been one of my better decisions regarding cameras.

I really like this camera – Delivered on time at a great price. I decided to write a few reviews as I have been helped in making the right decisions by all the other reviews that other people are writing. The FZ2500 is a replacement for cumbersome dslrs and multiple lenses for me. I have sold off my collection of Nikon and Panasonic cameras and lenses and replaced them with all-in-ones and my Galaxy S9 mobile phone for photography. Some of my work is professional and some just for interest. The Panasonic FZ2500 has a number of strengths for me being ease of use, versatility of the lens, simple workarounds to get an ultra wide angle of view with a Zomei wide angle lens adapter and the fully articulating screen. It also opens up a new world of possibilities with its integrated 24-480mm lens that doubles in length to 960mm. It was a test buy as I later bought a Sony RX10iv which was my real target purchase. But the FZ2500 was half price by comparison to the Sony and it has some features that the Sony doesn’t, that are important to me. I was going to sell the FZ2500 after purchasing the RX10iv but I’ve thought the better of it. I took the time to get to learn how to use it for optimal results. For what I want it produces excellent results. I have a good example of the camera with a lens that just works well, so I’m going to hang onto it. The FZ2500 is a marvellous tool and Panasonic make cameras that offer great value for money. For the price you get multiple video modes, an autofocus system that works for what I want in most situations, surprisingly good low light performance, nice images, some lovely video output and good colours straight from the camera. I don’t like the crop factor in 4K video but this has been overcome with the wide angle adapter without loss of quaIity. The built-in ND filters are really useful for video and something that I value. It is a bridge camera which doesn’t normally equate to usage for serious work. But this can virtually do it all when you take the time to learn how to use it. It is a camera that I can’t help but want to hang onto.

The perfect B camera – I purchased this little (but big) beauty 12 months ago to replace my FZ1000. The FZ2500 is the little brother to the DMC-GH4, which is one of the most capable video capture cameras on the market at that time of 2017. Full featured superzoom hybrid / bridge camera. Just some specs: 20MP 1"-type BSI-CMOS sensor. Leica lens 24-480mm equiv. F2.8-4.5 lens

Depth from Defocus AF.

Large electronic viewfinder.

Fully articulating LCD.

Built-in variable ND filter.

4K video capture (DCI/UHD)

10-bit, 4:2:2 output over HDMI.

I primarily use the fz2500 for high speed drag racing photography. The built-in ND filter is a huge asset, things I could not do with screw on filters. This camera is a large camera, 915 grams. The size of a top of the line DSLR. But with a good camera strap there is no problem. Image quality is very good, but don't use to much digital zoom it gets a bit fuzzy. 4K photo works wonders, 4k movie is great, but the lens does hunt a bit. There is no 29.59 Min lock, one can record till the battery goes flat, or your card is full. The price at the time of purchase was $1,440 purchased from Diamonds Camera in Adelaide. The retail price was somewhere around $1,599.

One disappointment is the battery, on a race weekend I will shoot 4,000 images so i have to have a pocket full of batteries so i have a total of 5 battery packs.

Would I recommend it for the serious photographer for a B camera, YES.

A very capable camera indeed.

A good balance of size & performance – My regular camera of choice is a Canon EOS 7D Mkll. I am very happy with the image quality & general performance of the camera & associated lenses. My favourite photographic subjects are macro & wildlife. The combination of camera body & multiple lenses (10-22mm, 100-400mm L series 2, 100mm L IS macro & 18-135mm STM) makes for a heavy & bulky camera bag! There is an old saying that 'the best camera is the one that you have with you!'. So I have been looking for a good 'compromise' camera that I could carry around/holiday without too many compromises in image quality, focal length range & focus speed/accuracy.

I tried an Olympus E-10M & associated lenses, but in the end, while lighter & smaller than the Canon outfit, it still needed a large backpack & lens changes for differing subjects.

Panasonic had just released the Lumix FZ-2500 & after reading reviews & a hands on test, I decided that this would suit my needs well. There are smaller Point & Shoot cameras, but while offering a bigger range of focal length, they use very small sensors which reduce the image quality & noise perfomance to unacceptable (for me) levels. The FZ-2500 uses a 1" sensor & offers a focal length range of 24-480mm (35mm equivalent). The image quality is excellent & the focal length range covers about 95% of my needs. The ability to extract 'focus stacked' macro images from 4k video yields 'depth of field' which is amazing! Of course, the FZ-2500 does not perform at the same level as my Canon 7D mkll, but I can carry it in a small camera bag & as such it is 'the camera that I have with me' when a photo opportunity occurs.

Bear in mind that this is not a pocket sized camera, in fact is not much smaller than a DSLR with a standard zoom lense. However, you won't have to carry all those extra lenses or change lenses when you need a different focal length. I have missed a lot of shots while changing lenses! I would recommend the FZ-2500 to anyone looking for a second camera to go with their DSLR or for someone looking for better image quality in a reasonably sized package. Make sure that you buy a spare battery, as this should get your through a full days photography.

Update: A Good Compromise

Most photographers know the saying, 'The best camera is the one you have with you'. The size & weight of my camera bag containing my Canon EOS 7D Mkll, & lenses, 18-135mm STM, 10-22mm EFS, 100-400 L IS Mkll & 100mm L IS macro, means that it is often left at home. This is true when going on regular walks & especially when on holidays. As I am used to the image quality & general responsiveness of the above combination, it is difficult to accept the compromises of smaller cameras. There are many fixed lense, super zoom point & shoot cameras available, but many use small sensors. Small sensors & 'slow' super zoom lenses limit image quality, especially compared to a DSLR.

When Panasonic introduced the Lumix DMC-FZ2500 I was impressed with the features & the fact that it uses a 1" sensor. The built in Leica lense has a good focal length range of 24-480mm (35mm equivalent), which covers about 95% of my needs (Wildlife & macro photography are my main interests). The camera is about the size of a mid range DSLR, so it cannot be carried in your pocket. However, it fits into a small carry bag & is light enough to be carried for long distances without aching shoulders. Not having to change lenses also means that you miss less shots. As a macro photographer I really like the ability to 'focus stack' images extracted from 4k video, in camera. This produces macro images with fantastic 'depth of field'. I use a Raynox DCR-250 macro adaptor lense to increase the magnification of the standard lense. The 480mm telephoto ability means that I can get good shots of birds, without having to get too close. Auto focus is acceptably quick & sensitivity noise performance is useable up to 1600 iso.

While the FZ2500 is not a replacement for the 7D Mkll, I can accept the compromises in order to capture images that I would otherwise miss. I recommend this camera as a good 'back-up' for a DSLR user or as an advanced camera for anyone wanting better image quality than the many pocketable point & shoot cameras.

PS. If you purchase an FZ2500, I would recommend that you buy a spare battery to ensure that you don't run out of power in a days shooting.