Panasonic Launches 4K-Capable FZ1000 Compact Camera

Panasonic has pushed the boundaries once again in terms of the production of 4K content with its new FZ1000 compact camera. The camera is sporting a 20.1MP high-sensitivity MOS sensor that’s partnered with a 16x optical zoom Leica DC Vario Elmarit lens. The sensor on the camera is said to be four times larger than the 1/2.3-inch sensors in most cameras…



Panasonic has pushed the boundaries once again in terms of the production of 4K content with its new FZ1000 compact camera.

The camera is sporting a 20.1MP high-sensitivity MOS sensor that’s partnered with a 16x optical zoom Leica DC Vario Elmarit lens. The sensor on the camera is said to be four times larger than the 1/2.3-inch sensors in most cameras.

The Leica DC Vario Elmarit lens has an aperture range of F2.8 to F4.0 and is comprised of 15 elements in 11 groups, including four ED lenses, five aspherical lenses and eight aspherical surfaces. This powerful lens coupled with the camera’s big sensor and quad-core Venus engine processor allows the FZ1000 to produce clear images even at high ISO values.

Focusing is also an area where the FZ1000 excels. The camera has a 5-step zoom speed control that ensures smooth zooming while recording and is complemented by a 5-axis hybrid Optical Image Stabiliser (OIS) with Active Mode that effectively compensates for handshake. Moreover, Panasonic’s Depth From Defocus (DFD) technology gives the camera focus speeds from 0.09 seconds (wide end) to 0.17 seconds (telephoto end). High speed burst shooting is also available up to 12 frames per second at 20.1MP.

But of course, the crowning glory of the FZ1000 is its ability to capture 4K content. The device is capable of recording QFHD 4K (3840 x 2160) videos at 25 frames per second in MP4 format. It is also able to cut out a frame from a recorded 4K video and save it as an 8MP picture. In case 4K video is too intense for you, the camera is also able to record Full HD video in AVCHD Progressive format (MPEG-4/H.264).

Other notable features of the FZ1000 include a 3.0-inch 921k-dot free-angle LCD that rotates up to 180 degrees to the side and tilts up to 270 degrees, Wi-Fi and NFC connectivity, a 0.39-inch OLED LVF (Live View Finder) and various creative modes for beginners.

The Panasonic DMC-FZ1000 will come to Australia by July. Pricing information will be announced at a later date.

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