timbuktutraveler

I am thinking of getting the Panasonic FZ1000M2.
Any comments about IQ, etc?

Looks like a good Bridge camera and it is really an improved Leica V-LUX.
( The Leica V-Lux and the older FZ1000 are the same camera except for the Leica name.)

Thanks.

Paul J. Svetlik Loc: Colorado

Yes, I love it.
It has almost everything I need for travel.
Although I still would like to have a programmable selftimer.

petercbrandt Loc: New York City, Manhattan

Thanks for the heads-up, have been waiting for an upgrade. How's the barrel distorion? Usually thats the difference between Liecas and their copies.

petercbrandt Loc: New York City, Manhattan

Paul, in what respect is this camera better than the V-Lux? I just finished reading about the FZ10002 and apart from the focusing system, its seems identical.

Paul J. Svetlik Loc: Colorado

Hi Peter,

some Panasonic cameras use contracted Leica design lenses, made in Japan.
Sony is using contracted Carl Zeiss lenses made in Japan, too.
Without any special testing I would say that there should be no difference between lenses made in Germany or Japan.
I don't see a barrel distortion, but I often shoot into the sun (with a proper lens shading) to check the light bouncing inside the lens. That I consider important and easy to check.
Zoom lenses with 16 or more elements sometimes show a multiple images of light.

If you are looking for another super convenient travel camera with swiveling screen (as opposed to more expensive Sony and with only tilting screen), you have a choice of three models:

Panasonic FZ 1000 ($600), FZ 1000 Mk2 ($897) and Panasonic FZ 2500 with a longer zoom going up to 470mm ($997).

Image quality of Leitz made cameras are comparable to Panasonic - except the price.
Happy shooting!

petercbrandt Loc: New York City, Manhattan

Reason I asked about the differences is that I have the V-Lux(114); is it worth upgrading to FZ1000-2? both have the 1" sensor and the 25-400mm. My V-Lux allows zooms up 1000mm with very good sharp images and even still up to 1600mm..interpolated which I do not like.
At 25mm shooting w/ V-Lux, a building its almost rectilineal (straight lines vertical and Horizontal), like a Nikon 14mm (thats why I asked about barrel distortion on the FZ).

Paul J. Svetlik Loc: Colorado

Both Panasonic FZ1000 and FZ1000 Mk2 have the same lens as your Leica V-Lux = 25mm-400mm.
Probably made in Japan. (I am ignoring the digital strech)
As the picture at 25mm goes, if you keep your camera on level - you have choice of a grid screen to control that or use a level - vertical lines stay vertical and the horizontal lines stay horizontal.
So far I have not had any distortion.
Now, as I already stated, Panasonic FZ2500 has a zoom 25-470mm to get closer to competing Sony camera which is similar, but more expensive - with a zoom 25-600mm.
FZ2500 is a newer model and possibly might have newer electronics. You have to check, if it is of any value for your need.

If I want to upgrade, I would go for FZ2500.
FZ1000 Mk2 is still a nice workhorse for people on the go.
Good Luck!

sailwiz Loc: Santee, CA

i used mine all day today. Video is noticeably better. Photos are the same as the FZ1000. It takes a bit more time to learn the new controls, but it is learnable. Exposure in photo is +1 stop in the FZ80, 1000, or M2. I dropped my exposure to -1 stop half way through the day. Better. Frankly my thought is if you aren't concerned about video I would not upgrade until the price drops.