Panasonic FZ2500 Review and Sample Footage

[@peterdisbury6346]

I have the FZ1000ii and the Bokeh is sweeeeet, the F4 is stellar and the F4.5 is great too, really depends how far away you are, if you are 2 feet away perhaps not. This camera is dope bro….

[@AveMcree]

Great video btw.... I was just about to pull the trigger on the G85 because of IBIS opens up your lens options. Only thing that bugs me about this cam is the fixed lens. However, you're the only channel I seen that actually shoots brilliantly with it.

[@SheaHarris]

Don't think I've seen any videos on this camera yet talking about one of the main things this is made for. It's basically a combination of a mirrorless camera and professional camcorder in a DSLR body. I want it to shoot sports. You can actually use this as a live production camera hooking it to a video switcher for a live broadcast. IIRC it has the same sensor, lens, and zoom as a particular $3,000 Panasonic pro camcorder. But you could also use it for videography and stills. I've seen a video comparison where footage from this actually looked slightly better than a GH5. For me it can replace two cameras. I plan for it to be my camcorder and DSLR.

[@JustinReves]

That’s a good comparison! I just didn’t love it because the lens/sensor combo doesn’t give you that real blurry background look but if you compare it to a camcorder, it’s a GREAT option.

[@LorieLee7]

Great information, thanks Justin.

[@MartinCHorowitz]

i have done event photography and music video shoots with an Fz1000 and now an FZ2500. The Long reach gives me to option to take shots that the other event photographers can't match.

[@vanionsteele]

Great review, thanks

[@Wonderish403]

I've just traded my 5Diii for this. I know, it's a massive step down, but I wanted to simplify. I have a few DSLRs, and I always just stick a Zoom on and never change lenses, so it just made sense to me to go smaller and lighter. It's about the same weight, in total, as my 5D body alone was.

[@HenryAnderson1994]

Is this my best option for stills? I can see the fz1000 ii is a similar price?

[@sojourner57]

This is a comment to an old review, but I just ordered the FZ2500, having purchased AND RETURNED both the FZ1000Mk2 and the FZ300. So why, you say, did you buy the older FZ2500 over the other two? Partially for all the reasons mentioned, but also because I just recently shout a wedding with the FZ1000Mk2 (after the assigned photographer couldn't make it) and was caught with a 29'59" video record limit. The FZ2500 will record as long as you have memory available and power from the battery. Also the silent zoom in video mode and include ND filters, as well as a tripod mount socket IN LINE with the lens, side door for memory cards and accessible battery compartment when on a tripod. What's NOT to like? The only niggle I have is that beautiful lens, which deploys to its furthest point and stays there, whether in wide angle or telephoto. This camera and a pocketable Canon G5X Mk2 replace my Lumix LX7 and Sony A900 full-frame kit (with plethora of Minolta lenses...) Thanks for the review.

[@mixflip]

I have the FZ1000 and love it for what I do on youtube. (Trade shows in Vegas and such) I found as a run and gun youtuber I dont need changeable lenses. I had a Canon 70D with 2 stm lenses and I never used them and when I did it was a pain in the butt because I needed to be quick about it. I really want to upgrade to the FZ2500 for the stabilization and audio out for monitoring and touch screen.

[@activerants1746]

Thanks for the info

[@MBTAMoreRailfan]

Awesome. I’m buying.. I don’t need to blur much, so it’s a great option

[@jamesbondy267]

Great work

[@danteilham3999]

Sir, so it's not a good camera for portrait blurry background? Such like half body portrait or full body body portrait? Do you still got the bokeh?

[@JustinReves]

+Dante Ilham You can still get bokeh, but you do have to zoom more to really get it. Watch my VLOG just after the 4 minute mark - especially with the bird and you'll see how much it can blur the background. kzbin.info/www/bejne/i37Ngn2ap5Kombc

[@HamiltonSRink]

I am in like with mine!

[@MobilniReziser]

Hello, what did you film this video with? It was nice autofocus at the begining. Thanks ;-)

[@timlunn]

I just purchased this camera and am learning it. My problem is too much background blur when videoing in 1080p on Auto. Can't figure out how to correct this.

[@JustinReves]

Switch to Aperture Priority and turn it up to a higher number to reduce background blur.

[@ajipratomo5083]

Hello, I just bought FZ2500 via online store, I bought for upgrading fz300. I found my fz2500 when turning on power, the lens will automatically zoom out and the lens can only move zoom out back after it is turned off. I see normal zoom functionality, but it's a bit strange when I zoom and there is no lens movement. Is it normal ? Thank You LikeShow more reactionsComment

[@RokPodaro]

I think its internal zoom.

[@BolusInfernalis]

its for 2 things: keeping the balance if you want to use zooming during film on a Gimbal, and for getting the smooth electronic zoom function in film mode.

[@sib0rg]

BolusInfernalis good point. Also reduces noise when filming so you can't hear the lenses move

[@BolusInfernalis]

That is very usefull, I did not know that, thx!

[@TheHybridShooter]

Thanks for the review, it is a nice package, but at that price I would prefer G85 and 14-140mm as all-in-one because of that bigger M43 sensor.

[@JustinReves]

Yeah, provided you didn't need the extra zoom (280mm equiv vs 480mm equiv), ND filters, high bitrate 1080p, or headphone monitoring, that would be a similar package but obviously you get the benefit of swapping lenses.

[@TheHybridShooter]

Of those futures I would only use ND filters, it would be great to have that in camera.

[@SheaHarris]

Depends on what you want it for. There are those things you mention but for someone else it has a lot that is better than a G85. It's more comparable to a GH4 or GH5 with some of its pro features except for the fixed lens. It's perfect for someone who wants a pro camcorder but can do the stuff well that a mirrorless/DSLR would do also. So for some it can replace two cameras.

[@rreiss60]

Doing some research. The FZ2500 seems to get ranked behind the RX10 IV in image quality only. But the latter is $700 more (BHPhoto prices). For that difference in price one can buy a very good field recorder such as a Sound Devices Mix Pre 3 II. Or, for a total cost of about $150 more than the RX10 IV get the Mix Pre 6 II and the FZ2500. The image quality of the FZ2500 is still considered to be very good. Especially for video.

[@EdwinHenryBlachford]

informative.. thanks. At last I have confirmed that it'll shoot birds and Valentino Rossi at 720mm 4K.. so I'll buy one. This camera is basically a SUPER videocam. So I'll spend another $2K on my computer so I can use it's 4K Cine ability properly.. make some movies, get rich. Welcome 21st Century

[@JustinReves]

Haha, always a possibility!

[@pepebenitezruiz]

What camera do you use for this video? Thanks

[@JustinReves]

Sony a6500!

[@augustineapdrai]

As at 2019 I would still say this is a fantastic camera. Except at higher ISOs for photos grainy (even Iso300). Here I am comparing to Sony. Great for macro with in built flash but you have to reduce the intensity of flash. Overall great product.

[@DrooliusFilms]

I could see this as a vlog camera because several KZbinrs are using a Canon 70/80D with that Gorillapod setup. Would be great to use for both stills and videos. What's the minimal focal length? Also, what camera/lens combo are you using to film this video? Thanks!

[@AbdiPianoChannel]

I just got one today. Brand new with extra package for $1039+tax Canadian.

[@JustinReves]

Nice!

[@ИгорьВойтик-н7х]

I would like to know what is better for kortinke and auto focus g85 or fz2500 and how do these cameras auto-focus behave as you can say

[@JustinReves]

Autofocus is not bad and not great on either of these. It'll catch up but it can take it a couple of seconds and it will hunt a bit. I'm not sure what "kortinke" is.

[@bunhengyou]

Touchscreen or not?

[@JustinReves]

It’s been a while but I’m 95% certain it was.

[@kenwell1806]

did it shoot log

[@JustinReves]

I don't remember, sorry :(. I have a feeling it might, though!

[@Pacini2k]

Does it do long exposure?

[@Wonderish403]

I believe it has some long shutter settings and bulb.

[@RokPodaro]

which one to choose between sony rx10 iii(more range) or panosonic.Thamks a lot

[@sib0rg]

Nikola Nikoloski rx10 for photos only, 2500 if you prefer video. Also need to consider if the extra $$$ are with it for the Sony

[@RokPodaro]

Thanks I prefer images thanks for your input.

[@Stalled-wm3qd]

So with 4K and C4K what is the easiest and reasonably cost effective way to watch these files on your 4K TV? I have used a USB thumb drive successfully on some sample clips but what about 4K Blu Ray discs? Someone said by using Windows Media Player and under Videos right clicking on the video and clicking then hover the mouse arrow on Cast to device and clicking on the device it locates - ie Smart TV or maybe Blu Ray disc player. I tried that but it didn't work for me. Maybe I need to set up the TV somehow or other?

[@JustinReves]

If your TV supports USB thumb drive then that's pretty easy. A lot of people use some kind of streaming or media box that's connected to the TV and stores a bunch of files and usually you can connect to it from your computer to drop files onto it. I just have a 4K monitor connected to my computer so that's how I do it.

[@Stalled-wm3qd]

Thanks Justin - I did say I had used the USB thumb drive.

[@LMCRecords]

I've got 2 of these now for filming weddings and other events,when set up right,the 4k footage is really good,the 200mg hd not so good,it's fine for general stuff,but overall this is a amazing camera for video work.

[@eskokuittinen]

How do you find the autofocus? Too slow or OK?

[@ejovadi]

FZ 2500 is a good camera for video. Much better then a camcorder and the price is low. Now 789 euro. Take a look on my channel last video`s are shot with Panasonic FZ 2500.

[@andrewbristoe1833]

getting camera addicted G85 a newbie to interchangeable and quality cameras like this i made switch for ZOOM but realized Especially for vlogging get as wide and bright and as low f as possible and for portraits primes indoors low light am i close ha ha did i see right 480mm WOWOW

[@JustinReves]

Yeah, 480mm! 720mm on 4K. Wild. But I did some more shooting with it in the next VLOG coming out shortly and I didn't love the quality on slow-motion. I gotta try out some other modes but it was WEAK. I'm worried the lens just isn't that sharp.

[@festivaltv]

stabilizer does less than expected ,

[@FunWithTheBugs]

At $1,000 I can't see a reason why choosing this over their G85. Looks really large also for basically a point and shoot. Why this even over the Sony RX100 which is way smaller and much better AF. I still think over $1,000 for a 1" non changeable lens sensor is pretty steep. Love the built in ND filter though.

[@SloppyPlatypus]

Ever think of getting a backdrop? You have a great camera, mic and lighting set up but just need the backdrop for the last 10%. Great reviews and insight!!

[@JustinReves]

You're paying to have the GIANT zoom range plus the pro-level video features of a mic/headphone jack, high bitrates for 1080p, the ND filters, and 120fps compared to the g85. The RX100 V is much, much smaller and can focus much better but the zoom is going to be 24-70 vs the 24-480 on this. RX100 also only does about 5 minutes of 4k before having to stop and can't shoot those really high data rates. You also can't add a mic to the RX100. But I'd LOVE an RX100 V for a pocket cam It's amazing.

[@FunWithTheBugs]

Justin Reves Man, I cannot imagine recording 1080p at 200mbs. That is an insane amount of storage requirements for 1080p, lol. Why would anyone shoot that over a lower 4K bitrate anyway? Just curious as I am guessing the 4K clip would still have more detail.

[@AveMcree]

well thanks for killing my wallet :(

[@najeebbadalandabad8351]

i am thinking about upgrading my g7 to the g85 good idea? and i most shoot photos :P yet at the same time looking at the xt20...

[@JustinReves]

g7 to g85 is pretty subtle. The IBIS in the g85 is nice, but it's not a huge change. I'd sooner grab a new lens or some kind of tool for motion (slider, stabilizer, etc...).

[@najeebbadalandabad8351]

this is true since its pretty much the same but with ibis and no AA filter; but since i use the camera for photos primarily even though i would like to get the a7m2 or roughly get the a7 idk because i have an autofocus adapter which is MFT to canon and since the only MFT are olyumpus and panasonic, and the best mft is omd m1 2 but thats 2k USD *cry face*

[@pgulysse1]

Thanks. This hybrid bridge is a popular one. What features (new and improved < software, body, controls, lens, video specs, photography specs) would you like to see in a refresh of this bridge by Lumix. www.dpreview.com/forums/post/64467792 Thanks.

[@johnnydospassos5167]

Hy Justin, Do you know if FZ2500 model got HDMI LIVE mode and keep sending video signal trough the HDMI out put during 4K filming ? ( My DMC-FZ300 LUMIX shutdown the monitor and give me a nice black window !!! ) PS : Same limitation on GH7 !!

[@pgulysse1]

Thanks. What features will you recommend to @ @ if they want to upgrade the @: ---------------- @ @ @ / @: The @ or @ Mark 2 =>>> a @ / @ or @ with fixed lens? This Bridge is pretty popular one for video content. ------------------- I think all bridge superzoom cameras should be a good Hybrid tool for stills and videos.. The reason why you will buy a bridge to have a bit of all in one body. Thanks.