OVERVIEW:
I'm pretty close to being convinced that the FZ1000 is a legit budget filmmaking tool. After years of testing, I've figured out how to make the camera produce a professional "non-digital" looking image by (using my custom camera settings which you can find on my website). I use the FZ1000 as a #3 camera, mostly for TELE shots, and in a certain way I would buy this camera before I’d buy an expensive telephoto lens, because it can do the same thing (with sufficient light). It isn't very good in LOW LIGHT however, so I only say this if you’re mostly using it OUTDOORS...but it’s not weather-sealed, so you'll have to cover it in bad weather.

MAIN POINTS:
PART 1: IS IT PORTABLE?
PART 2: IS IT AFFORDABLE?
PART 3: IS IT COMMON?
PART 4: HOW’S THE QUALITY?
PART 5: IS IT EASY TO USE?

PART 1: IS IT PORTABLE?
The funny thing is, this camera has a smaller sensor than Micro Four Thirds cameras, but it’s bigger than most of the M43 cameras I use (especially the GX85 and G85). The reason is, it has a built-in lens with a really long WIDE to TELE zoom range (25-400mm). There is no Micro Four Thirds lens that can be competitive to it, but if there were the size of it may make the comparison null. So the FZ1000 is a little big, but overall it's still small for what it does, especially compared to actual video cameras, which the FZ1000 is more similar to (than M43) in what it can do (with the motorized zoom and all).

PART 2: IS IT AFFORDABLE?
I've seen the FZ1000 on the used market for around $500 consistently, but there are times when all I can find is one around $300. I think it's worth that $500 (because of what this camera can do) but I try to get them for around $300 if I can. Just make sure they're in good condition. There is an FZ1000 version 2, and while it is less common on the used market, it can also be available for around $500, which is a really good deal (for what you're getting).

PART 3: IS IT COMMON?
I think version 1 is more common than version 2 (on the USED market) for sure, but compared to other budget Panasonic cameras (like the G7) that are almost everywhere, the FZ1000 is a little bit harder to find in my area.

PART 4: HOW’S THE QUALITY?
First I'll give an important update about my concern regarding the FZ1000 not being good in low light situations: I updated my custom “lens-sensor specific” settings and I think now it’s doing much better in low light. I still only go up to ISO 800 though, as you have to be careful to not go above that, or you'll get the problems the small sensor produces (increased grain, noise and/or the look of too much noise reduction). The custom settings I'm using are also doing a really good job insomuch as they allow me to set the exposure lower due (to the lower CONTRAST, and Highlight Shadow curve) which essentially lets me get an extra stop of light...These are just tweaks to the Natural "Photo Style" but they really work!

Let's talk more about the "small" 1-inch sensor. I know there are many professional (and more expensive) video cameras/camcorders that have a 1-inch sensor a well, a lot of which are considered professional tools. So, the 1-inch sensor in the FZ1000 isn't a deal-breaker in some scenarios. So, after testing the FZ1000 (for over 2 years) I'm excited to say that I've found its lens, sensor and processing team to be quite capable. The lens is really good at all focal lengths, even though it isn't an interchangeable lens (and even though it doesn't have that constant f/2.8 aperture of its smaller-sensor sibling, the Panasonic FZ300). I used to believe that having a non-interchangeable lens was a bad idea, but after doing hundreds of lens-sensor tests (and changing lenses more times than I felt was safe) I'm starting to appreciate the value of having a camera with a good lens, that DOESN'T come off.

Another thing to note about the camera is that it really needs an ND filter when used OUTDOORS...but (for some optical reason) it doesn't work with a VND (variable ND). It's interesting and somewhat distressing, but at the longer telephoto focal lengths a VND filter makes the image look so bad, you would have to try it yourself to believe it! It's even more interesting that a similar thing happens with a lot of the 70-300 lenses I've tested (also at and near the long end of the zoom range). My theory is it has something to do with the enormous amount of space between the optics when the lens is in the extended telephoto position. The solution I've found is to use a straight ND filter, and ND8 has been the best strength.

My last concern I had about the FZ1000 in terms of being a full-featured, useful camera is that it’s not good for macro (it doesn’t focus close except at wide angle). The solution, I've been told (haven't tested this yet) is to attach a Raynox DCR-150 Snap-On Macro Lens. I've seen great pictures made with this combo, and the close-up attachment is less than $100 US (sometimes less). So, I may need to confirm this, as I consider macro to be an essential part of photography and video (at least for me) so I'm glad this solution exists.

PART 5: IS IT EASY TO USE?
It’s easy to use after a bit of practice, so I’d rate it as INTERMEDIATE in terms of ease of use. The CONTINUOUS autofocus isn’t that good, and there isn’t a touchscreen that makes picking the focus point easy (like the FZ1000 ii and the FZ2500) but the SINGLE SHOT AF is good enough, and having a lens with a WIDE to TELE zoom range saves a lot of time, so I do think it’s pretty easy to use.

RECOMMENDATION:
I think the FZ1000 is a really useful tool in the role of a #3 camera (especially OUTDOORS). The reason is that it has a wide zoom range (from WIDE to TELE) which you can use to quickly set up a #3 shot, without much fuss. I wouldn't say the FZ1000 would be good as a main (A-camera) but it's still one of the best cameras for the price, if you know it's limitations.

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These reviews are just my opinion and are focused on my Q.P.A.C.E. packing method, so they're not comprehensive. I wrote these mostly to help me remember what items worked for my KIT PLANS (and which didn't). If I said anything negative I apologize, as these products still may work well for you in your situation, but they were not Q.P.A.C.E (Quality, Portable, Affordable, Common, Easy-to-Use) enough for my budget filmmaking KIT PLANS.