The Panasonic DMC-FZ2500 has got a name to match its very mighty build. The Panasonic DMC-FZ2500 is a 1”-type superzoom that was seemingly built for filmmaking.
This camera came out in 2016 (it was actually announced at Photokina that year). If you’re a fan of this line from Panasonic, then you’ll be pleased to know that the Panasonic DMC-FZ2500 features the same sensor as the FZ1000 did. All Panasonic did was pair this sensor with a new lens and a slightly different build.
Given the fact that this camera did come out 5 years ago, some of the Panasonic DMC-FZ2500 specs are out of date, however with its f/2.8-4.5 lens, its 4K video capabilities, and its nice electronic viewfinder, I still highly recommend the Panasonic DMC-FZ2500 for photographers and videographers in 2021.
To find out more about everything this camera has to offer, read our full Panasonic DMC-FZ2500 review.
Panasonic DMC-FZ2500 Specs
This camera features a 20.1MP sensor and a 24-480mm equivalent built-in zoom lens, which is a huge plus because you won’t have to go purchasing any Panasonic DMC-FZ2500 lenses for it.
It also features 4K video at up to 30p, a fantastic touchscreen, and an ISO range of 125-12,800. Its 5-axis image stabilization, which is available in movie mode, works wonders. So does its electronic viewfinder which features a 2.36m-dot resolution.
This camera can shoot at 12fps, comes with a built-in flash, and both microphone and headphone ports.
The only spec that is less than spectacular on this camera is its battery life, which is still reasonable at 350 shots.
Other Panasonic DMC-FZ2500 Specs Include:
- 20.1MP BSI-CMOS sensor
- 4K video capabilities at up to 30p
- ISO range of 125-12,800
- Hybrid 5-axis image stabilization in movie mode
- 3” fully articulating touchscreen with 1.04m-dots
- 2.56m-dot electronic viewfinder with 100% coverage
- 12fps burst mode
- Built-in flash
- 2.02 lbs
- 350-shot battery life
Panasonic DMC-FZ2500 Body & Design
The Panasonic DMC-FZ2500 body is hefty. At 2.02 lbs and 5.42” x 4.01” x 5.3” this is not a camera you should expect to be able to bring with you everywhere. Of course, no superzoom camera is.
The Panasonic DMC-FZ2500 build isn’t just large and heavy, though, because it is made entirely with aluminum alloy. It feels like it can really take a beating.
Unfortunately, the design of this camera does drop off a little due to the plastic buttons that feel rather cheap. If it weren’t for the plastic buttons, the Panasonic DMC-FZ2500 design would have been one of my favorites of the last five years for sure.
Learn More:
Panasonic DMC-FZ2500 Build & Handling
The Panasonic DMC-FZ2500 handling can really be defined by the camera’s large size. It isn’t the most comfortable to carry around all day, but Panasonic really tried. The grip on this camera is very large, but not so large that it prevents you from being able to reach all of the dials and switches that you need to.
One of my favorite parts about this camera is its 3” touchscreen, which can flip to its side and also rotate 270 degrees.
Since Panasonic was more interested in making this camera friendly to videographers than anything else, the touchscreen isn’t technically fully articulating because it gets stopped by the HDMI and USB ports. I don’t think it’s that big of a deal, but other photographers definitely disagree with me.
If I’m going to give any time to the handling of the touchscreen, then it’s only fair to also discuss the electronic viewfinder. The resolution of the EVF on this camera rivals many cameras that have just come out this year and it is far better than the EVF on the Sony RX10 III, which is its closest competitor.
Panasonic DMC-FZ2500 Video Performance
Huge thank you to TheCameraStoreTV for the Panasonic DMC-FZ2500 video performance test above.
As I already mentioned, the Panasonic DMC-FZ2500 is a phenomenal camera for videography, which is not only exciting because I rarely get to discuss cameras that are built for videographers, but it’s exciting because this camera has held up to the age test. It’s even more rare that I get to cover a camera 5 years old that is still this good for video.
So, what makes it so good? Well, the Panasonic DMC-FZ2500 shoots 4K video at up to 30p and can output 4:2:2 10-bit video, so long as you use its HDMI port to do so. You can even get V-Log L recording if you purchase it for an extra few dollars.
Conversely, you can shoot Full HD video at up to 60p and 200 Mbps.
This camera also comes with just about every video tool you can think of, including focus peaking, time codes, and color bars. It also comes with zebra pattern, a wind noise filter, and sound output.
If you’ve ever shot with the Sony RX10 III, the shooting experience with this camera is quite similar.
Panasonic DMC-FZ2500 Price
Given the fact that the Panasonic DMC-FZ2500 is five years old, you won’t be surprised to find out that the Panasonic DMC-FZ2500 price has plummeted recently.
When this camera first came out, it was being sold for $1,200. However, it is currently only going for around $900 new and even less if you purchase it used, which I highly recommend.
Like the old wisdom about never buying a brand-new car, I also believe you should try to avoid buying a brand-new camera simply because it loses so much value the second you take it out of the box.
If you’re trying to snatch a Panasonic DMC-FZ2500 for way cheaper, then you should check out MPB.
MPB is a used camera retailer that features a really reliable grading scale, so you know exactly what it is you’re purchasing. Plus, since MPB operates on multiple continents, they offer a far better selection than most used camera retailers.
While there are no used Panasonic DMC-FZ2500 models on MPB as of right now, they rotate through hundreds of products every day, so you should check the Panasonic DMC-FZ2500 page frequently.