Question from John Ohnemus. In view of the of the new ( P.) FZ1000: 1. Discuss the sensor size. Is this a step away from the the present (P.) 4/5th sensor size? There is no reference to how the 1 in. sensor relates to the full frame sensor size. With this new bridge camera, is that kind of reference forever dead? 2. Is the lens 25mm to 400mm size truly the answer to a maidens prayer? In the land of interchangeable lenses, can one lens pretty much solve all of our lens problems, or is this new lens a compromise? On the wide end is it a little shy of the possible need such as the lemon grove shot in Sorrento? On the telephoto end it seems great. 3. Will it meld into all the portrait equipment needs? 4. Is it time to divest ourselves of all the interchangeable lens stuff? Is this the camera that will enable all of that? 5. Will it work with our present strobes, or must they be replaced? 6. What does it cost?
John,
Not sure what you are referring to when you ask about “the present (P.) 4/5th sensor size?” Are you thinking about 4:3 proportions? The 1 inch sensor in the FZ100o is considerably smaller than the Lumix sensor in the Lumix Micro Four Thirds (MFT) cameras. Image below is for comparison. You can read more about sensor sizes on DPReview
Comparison of different sensor sizes all the way up to Full Frame 35mm
Regarding the question about the lens of 25-400mm being the end all-be-all of lenses or as you say, “the answer to a maiden’s prayer?” I have to say that this range would cover 90% of everything I would want in a camera. I would miss having something a bit wider, as you would also by your remarks regarding our lemon grove shots in Sorrento on our Italy tour, since I love super wide angle images. But for most people this lens would cover almost everything anyone would want. Additionally, this lens is relatively fast. F/2.8-F/4 which gives it superb light gathering qualities. That combined with the Lumix Depth From Defocus technology and the fact this lens is customized for a this specific body gives this camera fast, accurate focusing and superb image quality.
In regards to your other questions:
3) Yes, I think it will be an awesome portrait camera based on the excellent lens range.
4) For some I think this IS the camera that will lead to selling the other cameras travelers are using with interchangeable lens options. Many, many people we travel with are tired of all the gear they have to carry. I personally won’t be getting rid of the interchangeable lens systems since I have a wide variety of projects and assignments I need to have a deeper locker of equipment for. But for the general tourist, this camera can just about do it all.
5) As far as strobes go, the FZ1000 takes all of Panasonic’s professional flash offerings. I’ve used FZ1000 with the FL360 and FL500 flash units that are built for the Lumix camera line. If you are referring to other manufacturers, yes, you can still use a Nikon strobe on a Lumix FZ1000 but you will be giving up the TTL features each camera has for their own particular line of strobes.
6) Current cost of the FZ1000 on Amazon is $851.77. The cost on B&H is $897.00.
Hope that helps. Sorry for the length of time it took me to answer this. Let me know if I can you have any further questions.