Lumix DMC-FZ2500 as AG-DVX200 B-cam?

Jason R. Johnston

Jason R. Johnston

Well-known member
Earlier today I half-jokingly opined about the usage of the Lumix DMC-GX8 as a plausible B or C-cam to GH4 and/or DVX200. But, this got me thinking. I remember hearing about a new Lumix camera introduced at IBC 2016 that had some very interesting specs and I was able to find it fairly quickly with Google. The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ2500.

The Lumix FZ2500 or FX2000 – I suppose depending on where you are in the world – does support DCI 4K at 24.0 fps, V-Log L, 100-200 Mbps, 120 fps VAR, 10bit 4:2:2 output via HDMI, cinelike profiles, built-in 3-stop ND (read: 3 densities of ND, not including CLEAR, in exposure decreases of 2, 4 and 6 f-stops), mic and headphone jacks and other features that look fairly broadcast-pleasing.

Has anyone thought about FZ2500 as a very affordable B or C-camera to a DVX200 and/or GH4 setup?

I think I'd prefer it's unibody design for run-and-gun situations and interviews over a GH4.
 
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Hi Jason, I'm looking to trade up to the FZ-2000 (as it's marketed in the UK) from it's predecessor the FZ-1000, that I've been using for almost two years since new. If it's half as good as the FZ-1000 then I'll be very happy. It does of course pack a 1 inch sensor, which image wise is the main difference between the DVX-200 and GH4. Other than that, I gather it's being talked about as a "fixed lens GH-4". And again sensor wise I understand it to the same one as the FZ-1000. I've used my FZ-1000 and DVX-200 together several times and in 'Cine-V' modes find that they match rarther well.

In this short film I used them together (plus a drone). Albeit monochromed up in post, but see if you can tell which is which...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPyKuYYmemc&t=324s
 
DVX200 and GH4 both have 4/3"-type sensors.

FZ2000/2500 does seem like a fixed-lens GH4. It does all the stuff DVX200 does, visually. DCI 4K @24fps, same-ish zoom range, etc...but what really excites me is V-Log L and ND filters. That would be enough for me to spring for the 2000 if I currently owned or were considering the 1000. I was at an electronics store on Sunday buying an Xbox One because that's how current I am with gaming...anyway, there was the 1000 on display in whatever it's name is here in the USA. Anyway, it felt great in my hands. I know I would appreciate the heck out of this new one. Cheaper than the GH4 with a built-in lens and does all the nifty things visually the DVX200 does. Sounds good to me.
 
JRJphoto said:
DVX200 and GH4 both have 4/3"-type sensors.

FZ2000/2500 does seem like a fixed-lens GH4. It does all the stuff DVX200 does, visually. DCI 4K @24fps, same-ish zoom range, etc...but what really excites me is V-Log L and ND filters. That would be enough for me to spring for the 2000 if I currently owned or were considering the 1000. I was at an electronics store on Sunday buying an Xbox One because that's how current I am with gaming...anyway, there was the 1000 on display in whatever it's name is here in the USA. Anyway, it felt great in my hands. I know I would appreciate the heck out of this new one. Cheaper than the GH4 with a built-in lens and does all the nifty things visually the DVX200 does. Sounds good to me.
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Yes the improvements with the ND's, headphone jack, better zoom fidelity, the better placed tripod bush (you couldn't open the battery/card compartment with a base plate on before) and the V-LOG (additional purchase) all appear to make the FZ-2500/2000 the kind of B-Camera the FZ-1000 very nearly was, and as I've said, I absolutely love the 1000 ! You also have the unlimited record time (FZ-1000 was 29mins) and I believe the flip out screen is now touch screen. In the UK it's retailing at around £1099, which is about £350 more than the 1000 did on initial release in 2014, but I think with the great improvements to the video side of things it's a justified price increase and I suspect will prove to be an extremely popular model.
 
JRJphoto said:
I can't tell, really. But, I'm going to guess the shot of the girl at 2:05 in the green tunnel is DVX200. Because ND. Correct and the girl at the end walking by the sea is FZ-1000 albeit with a screw on ND.

Also, I think the aerial footage is overdone. Fair point...
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:-)
 
JRJphoto said:
Nice. There really is a bit of difference between 1" and 4/3" sensors. Anyway, nice short film, too, btw if I hadn't mentioned it before.
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Thanks... oh and BTW, I don't know if it applies in the States but Panny dealers here in the UK are offering the V-LOG update for free on pre-ordered FZ-2000 models just now.
 
Having owned a FZ1000 and GH4 at the same time the FZ1000 was better for video use,focus resoluton and colour all better imo,if the 2500/2000 is better say no more,i part exchanged my FZ1000 for a RX10 mk111 and still have the GH4 which is hardly used,as for the FZ2000 as i said if its an improvement on the 1000 it cant be bad.
 
Article: How do I ingest Panasonic FZ2500 4K files to Adobe Premiere Pro CC/CS6/CS5

Article: How do I ingest Panasonic FZ2500 4K files to Adobe Premiere Pro CC/CS6/CS5

I just ran into this article, "How do I ingest Panasonic FZ2500 4K files to Adobe Premiere Pro CC/CS6/CS5"

It says:

To import and edit Panasonic FZ2500 4K footage in Adobe Premiere Pro CC flawlessly, the easy workaround is to convert/downscale 4K from Panasonic FZ2500 to Premiere Pro compatible MPEG-2 video.
Click to expand...

Is this camera using some new codec? My GH4 footage doesn't require any transcoding. Has anybody run into this issue?
 
RobShaver said:
I just ran into this article, "How do I ingest Panasonic FZ2500 4K files to Adobe Premiere Pro CC/CS6/CS5"

It says:

To import and edit Panasonic FZ2500 4K footage in Adobe Premiere Pro CC flawlessly, the easy workaround is to convert/downscale 4K from Panasonic FZ2500 to Premiere Pro compatible MPEG-2 video.

Is this camera using some new codec? My GH4 footage doesn't require any transcoding. Has anybody run into this issue?
Click to expand...

I'm not sure I'd trust this "article"

It looks like they're simply trying to sell the software "Brorsoft Video Converter"

I Googled "FZ2500 premiere pro" and found similar articles trying to sell something called "Acrok HD Video Converter"

This appears to be poppycock.

While I haven't had my hands on an FZ2500... I would be seriously shocked if Panasonic had screwed up the codec so bad that Premiere Pro couldn't read the files. I have used the FZ1000 quite a bit with no problems.

I haven't seen any reports of incompatible codecs and such. I don't think there's anything to worry about.
 
Doesn't the FZ2500 record to similar codecs as the AG HC-X1, UX180 and UX90? Someone shared some 4K footage on this board from the UX90 and I tested it in PP CS6 wondering if it would work and it did.
 
Jason those cameras would also be great for action scenes where the camera will be destroyed. Why risk the DVX? When you do a car chase scene, use them, destroy them, and then show us the footage. Will that be happening anytime soon? LOL - I agree with the possibility of using those models for a B camera. I like multiple camera shoots and believe they get better coverage and makes the job easier ( except maybe editing). Better chance of not missing a key shot or at least getting it from another angle. I have an HC X900M camcorder that I carry with me often. It gives nice results for its price point. Out of curiosity, I should try combining some footage with the DVX. It is only HD though. Having a small 4k camera to carry around and use as a B camera would be nice. I need to start working on that. Let us know if you acquire one.
 
I'd love to be able to have a gig where I could destroy cameras. :D

The only thing dissimilar about the FZ2500 compared to DVX200 is the former's 1" chip. Otherwise, it's the same camera in a tiny wittle body. I just turned down a job doing a multicam shoot because I'd need a few more DVX200's and several FZ2500's to do it (plus the manpower...and the support...and a live switcher). I demo'd a FZ1000 a while back and liked it. The FZ2500 is only $1200 new ATOW and so would make a lovely crashcam.

CORRECTION: I demoed a FZ1000, not FZ2000 (FZ2500 in some regions).
 
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