Panasonic Lumix FZ2500 Review

Even though Panasonic’s Lumix line has had a fine selection of superzoom cameras for a considerable amount of time, the introduction of the Lumix FZ1000 three years ago was nonetheless a noteworthy development in the line.

What is the cause? Even though it maintained the same design as previous FZ models, the fact that it used a sensor with a 1.0-inch type gave us hope that the image quality would be far higher than what we’d anticipate from a camera of this sort.

See: Best Gimbal for Panasonic FZ2500 | Best Memory Cards for Panasonic Lumix FZ2500

Because of this, as well as the fact that its body was designed in the form of a DSLR, it became an obvious competitor to the Sony RX10, a camera that combined a long zoom with the exact size of the sensor.

Since then, Sony has released two new versions of its camera, the most current of which is the Sony RX10 III. Canon has also joined the fray by releasing the PowerShot G3 X, which features a 1.0-inch sensor. Finally, Panasonic has retaliated with the FZ2500, known as the FZ2000, in markets outside the United States.

The new model comes with a lens that is longer than its predecessor, along with a few functions that have been upgraded, and the video specifications of the FZ1000 have been enhanced with a few more enhancements.

The amount of control over video recording provided by the camera is extensive, going well beyond what we are accustomed to seeing at this level. This video feature is centered around the camera’s capacity to record 4K films. Some of the adjustments made to the new optic assist in recording more professional footage; however, more on this topic will be discussed later.

Panasonic Lumix FZ2500 Features

The pixel count on every camera we have tested so far that uses a 1.0-inch-type sensor has been 20 million, and the FZ2500 / FZ2000 is no exception to this rule. Since Panasonic has not said that this sensor is distinct from the one housed within the FZ1000, it is safe to infer that this has been carried over.

The sensor has a back-illuminated architecture, which allows for more efficient light capture and a sensitivity range that ranges from ISO125 to ISO12,800. However, this range may be expanded to values comparable to ISO 80 and ISO25,600.

This sensor works in tandem with a Venus processing engine, and the combination of the two makes it possible to record 4K video, which is currently available in both 4K UHD (3840 x 2160) and 4K DCI (4096 x 2160) flavors. You can record at frame rates of 30p and 24p, both at a rate of 100Mbps, but if you switch to Full HD, you can register at frame rates of up to 60p, at a rate of 200Mbps.

Panasonic Lumix FZ2500 Build Quality

The new optic appears to cause the FZ2500 / FZ2000’s increased weight since there are just a handful of other physical variations between the two cameras. Anyone used to the FZ1000 may notice that the FZ2500 / FZ2000 is somewhat heavier.

Traditionally, one of the problems associated with these kinds of cameras is that the camera can become imbalanced when the lens zooms from one extreme to the other. However, the internal zoom and focus mechanisms ensure that this problem is no longer a concern.

Because of the substantial depth of the rubber grip, the camera fits exceptionally well in the hands, and the plethora of tactile buttons enables critical settings to be accessible quickly.

The device’s user-friendliness is further enhanced by several customizable Fn buttons, three on the lens barrel and five in the menu. Some people may think this is unnecessary, and the virtual switches are indeed on the small side, but it’s hard to argue with the fact that you can make this camera function in the way you want it to.

Panasonic Lumix FZ2500 Autofocus

Panasonic has invested significant time and effort into developing its autofocusing technology. As a result, even under less-than-ideal lighting, the system can practically achieve the same level of performance, allowing it to latch onto subjects almost instantly.

Even if there is more hesitancy at the lens’s telephoto end than at the wide-angle end, performance is still excellent even in this regard. This is a relatively common occurrence.

Those who want to use the FZ2500 or the FZ2000 for action photography will be glad to hear that the camera not only tracks subjects throughout the scene with a great deal of agility but also maintains focus on them when the AF-C option is selected.

The system performed far better than we had anticipated here, only straying away from the topic on a few occasions when it was challenged with exceptionally brilliant information that appeared to be similar in appearance to the subject. Unfortunately, on occasion, it could not keep up with highly unpredictable issues, even though such matters would fool many more sophisticated DSLRs.

Panasonic Lumix FZ2500 Performance

The FZ2500 and FZ2000 can take continuous shots at 12 frames per second; however, this rate lowers to 7 fps if you want the autofocus mechanism to maintain its lock on moving subjects. When the electronic shutter is used, on the other hand, it is feasible to increase this to 50 frames per second while maintaining the camera’s highest potential quality.

Although the battery life is advertised at around 350 photographs when using the LCD and 270 images when using the viewfinder, it can often be extended by modifying the parameters for the power management system.

You can also charge the camera using its USB 2.0 connector, which is helpful if you chance to be near your computer or if you’ve lost your charger. This feature is useful for situations where you don’t have access to your charger. Because of this, traveling without a cumbersome charger is possible, making the FZ2500 and FZ2000 particularly well-suited for vacations and other excursions.

Panasonic Lumix FZ2500 Image Quality

The fact that the FZ2500 and FZ2000 appear to employ the same sensor as the FZ1000 enables us to have a general notion of what to anticipate in terms of the picture quality, even though the new lens and any adjustments to the processing will cause some tiny variations. In any event, the reports have been primarily positive.

The video clip has a very high degree of detail and does not appear to have any artifacts. The quality of the film is excellent. Even if the clarity isn’t entirely on par with the results we get from Panasonic’s Micro Four Thirds cameras, the FZ2500 / FZ2000 still does a pretty decent job. It can suppress the majority of noise in footage captured during everyday life.

The image stabilization technology and the rolling shutter have excellent control, which helps keep things calm while using longer lens lengths. The camera, which also has the benefit of producing relatively clear audio, can produce excellent results in this regard. All it requires is a small amount of manual adjustment.

Panasonic Lumix FZ2500 Specs

Body type	SLR-like (bridge)
Max resolution	5472 x 3648
Other resolutions	3:2 (3888 x 2592, 2736 x 1824), 16:9 (5472 x 3080, 3840 x 2160, 1920 x 1080), 4:3 (4864 x 3648, 3456 x 2592, 2432 x 1824), 1:1 (3648 x 3648, 2592 x 2592, 1824 x 1824)
Image ratio w h	1:1, 4:3, 3:2, 16:9
Effective pixels	20 megapixels
Sensor photo detectors	21 megapixels
Sensor size	1″ (13.2 x 8.8 mm)
Sensor type	BSI-CMOS
Processor	Venus Engine
ISO	Auto, 125-12800 (expands to 80-25600)
Boosted ISO (minimum)	80
Boosted ISO (maximum)	25600
White balance presets	5
Custom white balance	Yes (4 slots)
Image stabilization	Optical
Image stabilization notes	Hybrid 5-axis available in movie mode
Uncompressed format	RAW
JPEG quality levels	Fine, standard
Focal length (Equiv.)	24–480 mm
Optical zoom	20×
Maximum aperture	F2.8–4.5
Autofocus	Contrast Detect (sensor)Multi-areaCenterSelective single-pointTrackingSingleContinuousTouchFace DetectionLive View.
Digital zoom	Yes (2x)
Manual focus	Yes
Normal focus range	30 cm (11.81″)
Macro focus range	3 cm (1.18″)
Number of focus points	49
Articulated LCD	Fully articulated
Screen size	3″
Screen dots	1,040,000
Touch screen	Yes
Screen type	TFT LCD
Live view	Yes
Viewfinder type	Electronic
Viewfinder coverage	100%
Viewfinder magnification	0.74×
Viewfinder resolution	2,360,000
Minimum shutter speed	60 sec
Maximum shutter speed	1/4000 sec
Maximum shutter speed (electronic)	1/16000 sec
Aperture priority	Yes
Shutter priority	Yes
Manual exposure mode	Yes
Subject/scene modes	Yes
Built-in flash	Yes
Flash Range	13.20 m (at Auto ISO)
External flash	Yes (via hot shoe)
Flash modes	Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced On/Red-eye Reduction, Slow Sync, Slow Sync/Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
Continuous drive	12.0 fps
Self-timer	Yes (2 or 10 secs, three shots @ 10 sec)
Metering modes	MultiCenter-weighted spot
Exposure compensation	±5 (at 1/3 EV steps)
AE Bracketing	±3 (3, 5, 7 frames at 1/3 EV, 2/3 EV, 1 EV steps)
Format	MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Modes	4096 x 2160 @ 24p / 100 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM4096 x 2160 @ 24p / 100 Mbps, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 100 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 100 Mbps, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 100 Mbps, MP4, H.264, AAC3840 x 2160 @ 25p / 100 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p / 100 Mbps, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 24p / 100 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 24p / 100 Mbps, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 23.98p / 100 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 200 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 200 Mbps, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 100 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 100 Mbps, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 50 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 50 Mbps, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM
Microphone	Stereo
Speaker	Mono
Storage types	SD/SDHC/SDXC card
USB	USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
HDMI	Yes (micro-HDMI)
Microphone port	Yes
Headphone port	Yes
Wireless	Built-In
Wireless notes	802.11b/g/n
Remote control	Yes (wired or via smartphone)
Environmentally sealed	No
Battery	Battery Pack
Battery description	DMW-BLC12 lithium-ion battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA)	350
Weight (inc. batteries)	915 g (2.02 lb / 32.28 oz)
Dimensions	138 x 102 x 135 mm (5.42 x 4.01 x 5.3″)
Orientation sensor	Yes
GPS	None

Panasonic Lumix FZ2500 Verdict

The Panasonic FZ2500 / FZ2000 is an excellent camera with ambitious goals happily met by an outstanding performance. The camera is available in two different models. If you want to use it for video recording, there is a good chance that you will be satisfied with the results, but you may feel overpowered by the amount of control available.

Even so, because 4K video recording is starting to appear on a growing number of cheaper interchangeable lens cameras, the Panasonic Lumix FZ2500/FZ2000 seems to be aimed at a specific subset of photographers: those who require a comprehensive level of video control along with a wide-angle optic.

Panasonic Lumix FZ2500 Pros & Cons