Panasonic Lumix FZ1000 MII

Panasonic struck a chord with the enthusiast-friendly FZ1000, and with the announcement of this FZ1000 II, they are sure to find some new converts, as well as some return fans. With its large 1-inch 20MP sensor and stunning Leica-branded 16x optical zoom lens, the FZ1000 II does the fundamentals right, providing jaw-dropping pictures in a wide range of shooting scenarios. The wide range of the lens is suitable for framing everything from landscapes to portraits and wildlife shots, while the impressive f2.8-4 maximum aperture throughout the lens assures the camera retains a consistency of quality throughout. A built-in 5-axis optical stabiliser also goes a long way towards upholding this consistency.

As well as its still-photography prowess, which is notably excellent throughout the 100-12800 ISO range, the FZ1000 II is a good fit for video shooting, thanks to its 4K resolution video mode. The LCD screen at the rear of the camera will come in handy when framing these home movies, while its tilting function is also ideal for those who experiment with the occasional, or frequent self-portrait. For those that prefer a traditional method of image composition, or just find it hard to see LCD screens in the bright outdoors, you will be pleased to find a newly-designed electronic viewfinder, which has 2.360k dots and a 100 percent field of view.

In the FZ1000 II, Panasonic has included their speedy and precise depth from defocus AF technology, which is great for making the most of that 4K resolution movie mode, as well as keeping up with the cameras burst shooting mode, which can shoot as quick as 12 frames per second. This sports-friendly suitability extends to the camera's top shutter speed of 1/16000 second, using the electronic shutter. Also new in the FZ1000 II is zoom compose assist, which helps you acquire an accurate framing of your subject at long magnifications.