Consumer-Grade Camera Sports One-Inch MOS Sensor, 16x Zoom Lens

Competition in the consumer-grade camera market got hotter this week with Panasonic's announcement that the new Lumix DMC-FZ1000 camera would offer Ultra HD 3840×2160 video recording for $900.

The FZ1000 has a one-inch 20.1 megapixel MOS sensor and can record MP4 files containing up to one half-hour of near-4K footage (3840×2160) at 30 fps. The camera can also record 1920×1080 at 60p. 30p, and 24p. The new sensor is designed to reduce noise at high ISOs, Panasonic said, with native sensitivity of ISO 12800 and an expanded range reaching ISO 25600.

The camera has a fixed Leica-branded 16x f2.8–4.0 25-400mm (35mm-equivalent) zoom lens with a five-step speed control adjustment for smooth zooming, as well as five-axis optical image stabilization. It has Wi-Fi and Near Field Communication built-in, as well as a 3.5mm jack for connecting an external mic (but no headphone jack for monitoring).

Can you use it as an inexpensive B camera for professional projects? Maybe. Take a look at the video embedded above for some early clips supplied by Panasonic. The camera is slated to ship late next month.