Anyone using Panasonic DMC FZ2500 for Pro video work?

F

firehawk

Veteran
I got one of these to fill a couple voids. But the more I use it the more I'm thinking about using it more as a main camera. The thing is so small and light and easier to transport than something like an FS700. It's 100Mbit 4K seems to look just as good so far. You have to add more gear for XLR but even then, it's much smaller.
The built-in ND make it easier than using an A7s and without the heavier FF lenses.
The 1" sensor gives sufficient DOF.
The colors are great baked in.
Some clients may not be too impressed when you show up with a small camera though.
Anyone using it as an A cam or maybe a B cam to the UX180 or HC-X1?
Thoughts?
 
I haven't used it, but I remember this one catching my eye because you can install V-Log on it - which is pretty cool as that's so rare/random and only meant for GH4/GH5 - and the camera can output 10-bit 4:2:2 to an external recorder.
 
Yeah for like $99 you can install V-Log.
It seems to be an odd combination of features in a low cost camera. I'm going to spend more time with it learning and determining just what all I can use it for.
Even the old Panasonic zoom/record wired controllers work with it so you can put it on a jib, tall stand or simply for ease of use on a tripod.
 
Yes i bet the PQ is great on the FZ2500 camera,my first 4K camera was the FZ1000 and the PQ was great on that,i prefered it to a GH4 i got later and the thing with bridge cameras is you dont need to carry lenses.
 
sony's rx10 series is the competition and folks seem to like the 4k which that sony 1" sensor produces.

i wouldn't be surprised if the panasonic is equipped with a VERY similar sony sourced chip.

i look forward to seeing some of your footage.

i especially imagine it would be just fine for lit talking head interviews.

be well.

rob
smalltalk productions
 
This cam is pretty interesting if the Panny color science can match up to more advanced cams; think B-Cam to a DVX-200. Apparently it has the Panny "Cine scene files" whatever that means. But dang, $1100 and you're shooting 4k.

Grant
 
Yeah I seem to recall seeing profile settings such as cinelikeD and V and other familiar profiles/scene files. So it may be able to be set up to match more expensive cameras, which would be great. My other Panasonics are older but have those settings so I'm curious how close they might get
 
ggrantly said:
Yes.

But with a small sensor, no ND, etc. The FZ2500 has a lot of big cam features, but for me, the big thing would be matching up to my 270, if possible.
Click to expand...
Wow! 20-1200mm zoom!
Looks like a really small battery in that one. But still, 4k for $400.

I suspect that matching the px270 and fz2500 might be workable given the vast image control of the 270 and some image control in the 2500. Of course there's a resolution difference. In the little testing I've done thus far (comparing 4k to my Sonys) the fz2500 seems to have some of that panasonic color science I'm used to seeing. But I haven't dug into it all deep enough to say much yet.
 
firehawk said:
Wow! 20-1200mm zoom!
Looks like a really small battery in that one. But still, 4k for $400.

I suspect that matching the px270 and fz2500 might be workable given the vast image control of the 270 and some image control in the 2500. Of course there's a resolution difference. In the little testing I've done thus far (comparing 4k to my Sonys) the fz2500 seems to have some of that panasonic color science I'm used to seeing. But I haven't dug into it all deep enough to say much yet.
Click to expand...
And the quality at long zoom range on mine is better than camera kits i have that cost more than 11 times more,external sound is required though.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FK4v8trpwA4
 
I've now used the FZ2500 on 2 dance recitals, home videos and corporate shots.
The 1080 slow motion seems pretty good.
The 1080 60P also seems good.
The 4K UHD seems good. The baked in color and overall quality looks better than my FS700R 4K (so far). I've yet to experiment much with the FS700R 4K.
The 4K UHD crop zooms well in post on an HD timeline.
I like the zoom lens. Pretty wide and nice long range.
The built-in mics are better than expected.
I like the LCD screen quality except there seems to be a lag that made it tricky when shooting birds hopping and running around.
I'm getting used to the manual white balance and shutter speed selection, which are not instinct for me like using camcorders.
And I'm having to get used to the manual iris adjustments which is probably the most un-natural thing I have to learn.
The manual focus, however, is nice and easy thanks to the sharp screen, magnification and peaking.
Autofocus seems to work pretty well but certainly isn't perfect, such as when trying to follow small birds hopping on the ground.
I'm still very much learning it and have a ways to go.
The printed instruction manual is sorely lacking in information.
I wish there was a Barry Green book for this camera.
So far I'm liking it more than my Sony A7Sii due to it's more camcorder-like features and integrated versatile lens.
The color and picture quality seems as good as the Sony also, but different.
The battery life is better than expected. I recorded a 1.5 hr dance recital in 4K UHD 30P on about half a battery so it will be useful for events and it never over-heated (which is something I can't trust with Sony).
 
firehawk said:
I've now used the FZ2500 on 2 dance recitals, home videos and corporate shots.
The 1080 slow motion seems pretty good.
The 1080 60P also seems good.
The 4K UHD seems good. The baked in color and overall quality looks better than my FS700R 4K (so far). I've yet to experiment much with the FS700R 4K.
The 4K UHD crop zooms well in post on an HD timeline.
I like the zoom lens. Pretty wide and nice long range.
The built-in mics are better than expected.
I like the LCD screen quality except there seems to be a lag that made it tricky when shooting birds hopping and running around.
I'm getting used to the manual white balance and shutter speed selection, which are not instinct for me like using camcorders.
And I'm having to get used to the manual iris adjustments which is probably the most un-natural thing I have to learn.
The manual focus, however, is nice and easy thanks to the sharp screen, magnification and peaking.
Autofocus seems to work pretty well but certainly isn't perfect, such as when trying to follow small birds hopping on the ground.
I'm still very much learning it and have a ways to go.
The printed instruction manual is sorely lacking in information.
I wish there was a Barry Green book for this camera.
So far I'm liking it more than my Sony A7Sii due to it's more camcorder-like features and integrated versatile lens.
The color and picture quality seems as good as the Sony also, but different.
The battery life is better than expected. I recorded a 1.5 hr dance recital in 4K UHD 30P on about half a battery so it will be useful for events and it never over-heated (which is something I can't trust with Sony).
Click to expand...

firehawk-

still liking the fz2500?

care to share your current thinking?

be well.

rob
smalltalk.productions
 
I was pretty keen on this camera until I kept reading reviews complaining about the wide range of the lens being soft in the corners. The Sony RX10 iii is supposed to have a better lens.
 
TheDingo said:
I was pretty keen on this camera until I kept reading reviews complaining about the wide range of the lens being soft in the corners. The Sony RX10 iii is supposed to have a better lens.
Click to expand...

i have read some of the concerns.

kirk tuck who does mostly stills work but also motion talked about realistic expectations and effective technique to nail focus:

https://visualsciencelab.blogspot.com/2017/04/finally-getting-focus-tuned-in-on-my.html

the sony rx10iii doesn't have built in nd.

the fz2500 has a clean hdmi out offering 10bit 422 4k.

i also very much prefer the panasonic interface and touch screen.

i remain intrigued with both of the 1" chip bridge cameras.

be well.

rob
smalltalk.productions
 
robfilms said:
firehawk-

still liking the fz2500?

care to share your current thinking?

be well.

rob
smalltalk.productions
Click to expand...

I still have yet to learn it as much as I'd like. Too busy with too many things. However, based on my usage thus far I still like this camera quite a lot.
I didn't like not having iris control on the lens like an ENG camera but it has control on the right side which is intuitive enough.
The slow motion seems a bit weird in it's operation and the resulting file fps. I need to look at this more, but it really isn't my slow motion camera anyway.
I like the baked in color a lot. I have not purchased the V-LOG upgrade. Maybe later.
Next month I am planning on using it for the first time at a wedding atop a tall stand.
The image stabilization is AMAZING when standing still and hand-holding it, even zoomed way in. Outstanding. However, when walking or shooting from a moving vehicle it seems far less spectacular.
I like the photos it takes. If I ever take another vacation, this is the camera I'm taking for photos and video.
When filming 4K UHD in movie mode, it won't let me snap a still. Both the video and photo button start and stop video recording. There may be a setting for that. Not sure.
One thing that pleasantly suprised me when I tested it on a dance recital using 2 HMC 150s as the main cams. The 150s were shooting at 720P and the FZ2500 at 4K UHD. I actually could intercut the FZ2500 footage without it requiring big post work and had lots of crop zoom room, of course.
The 1" sensor seems just the right size for a LOT of work. It makes me wish I had an HC-X1 sometimes ;)
Most of my issues with the camera come from the fact that I have many cameras and many are a lot different from each other so I seem to remember the ones I use the most and fumble with the others.
The afore mentioned LCD lag may or may not be a significant issue. Shooting birds it caused difficulty; shooting a Phantom 4 flying wasn't a problem. Jury still out. I need to shoot more.
I set the zoom lens for smooth start and stop and it does indeed do a buttery smooth start/stop, but also at the cost of stopping a little late to allow for the deceleration.
So far I still like it better than the A7Sii in many ways.
I really like dealing with the FZ2500 4K files over the massive 4K files from my FS700R and external recorder. The FZ2500 files work in CS6 also.
I'm still an old shoulder mount camera type guy so neither these bridge cameras nor even the DVX100 style hand helds are my preference when handheld, but handholding the little FZ isn't bad.

I'm sorry this isn't a good summary. I will update more after more usage.
I would still buy it again if I had it to do over.
 
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Mine comes on every wedding, while my main cams are a gh4 or gh5, I shoot a surprising amount of footage on the FX1000 & FX2500 - very usefull
 
I purchased an FZ2500 when they first came out but had a soft lens so I returned it. Kirk hadn't done his performance tests yet so I wasn't able to determine if the lens was "actually" soft or I wasn't utilizing proper technique or as Kirk illuminated, proper camera operation. I'm again circling around to the camera since it does have so much to offer in one small package. I currently have a Panasonic GH5, but find I don't use half of it's functions and would be better suited to a FZ2500 overall and save a bit of coin and not miss anything. I'm gun shy though to be sure. I'll buy from a source that has a good return policy.
 
HionHiFi said:
I purchased an FZ2500 when they first came out but had a soft lens so I returned it. Kirk hadn't done his performance tests yet so I wasn't able to determine if the lens was "actually" soft or I wasn't utilizing proper technique or as Kirk illuminated, proper camera operation. I'm again circling around to the camera since it does have so much to offer in one small package. I currently have a Panasonic GH5, but find I don't use half of it's functions and would be better suited to a FZ2500 overall and save a bit of coin and not miss anything. I'm gun shy though to be sure. I'll buy from a source that has a good return policy.
Click to expand...

i am thinking along the same lines.

hopefully, panasonic "corrects" whatever issues the fz2500 may or may not have!

be well.

rob
smalltalk.productions
 
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