FZ1000 Does the ILC have a future ?

Each of the three photos reproduced in this post was made with an FZ1000 while strolling through Queensland rainforest.  I used the same camera with the same lens with no tripod.  I did not have to change lenses or use any accessory equipment.
This photo of a golden whistler is not of high photographic merit but the fact that I was able to make any kind of photo is notable. The bird perched on that branch for about 3 seconds. In that time I was able to bring up the FZ1000 to my eye, zoom out to E400mm, frame, focus and shoot.

This evening  I have been reading a very favourable review of the new Olympus 40-150mm f2.8 lens for the Micro Four Thirds System. Apparently the lens is excellent.  Even better it comes with a dedicated 1.4x teleconverter which extends the focal length to 210mm at f4.

This is a wonderful thing is it not ?

Well yes……………..

But wait:  sitting on the desk in front of me is a Panasonic FZ1000, my choice for camera of the year 2014.

Here is a little table comparing some basic specifications of the FZ100 with the Olympus kit which would be needed to achieve approximately the same angle of view and maximum aperture:

Kit	E Focal length range mm		Maximum Aperture		Kit mass  grams	Kit price retail Sydney AUD
	Wide	Long	Wide	Long
Panasonic FZ1000	25	400	2.8	4.0	890	1000
Olympus EM1 with 12-40mm f2.8, 40-150mm f2.8, TC1.4x	24	420	2.8	4.0	2000	4000

I am perfectly happy to concede that in some situations the Olympus kit might be capable of making pictures which are in some way better than those I can produce from the FZ1000.

In another part of the forest was a cultivated garden. I had no trouble photographing the flowers using the close up options which are built into the FZ1000. I needed  no macro lens or tripod.

But I can also assure you that with many subjects and in many circumstances the FZ1000 makes absolutely fine pictures capable of enlargement up to A2+ with no problems at all. 

I can also assure you that I will have the FZ1000 out and taking pictures while the Olympus owner is still busy mounting the most appropriate lens. Or removing a lens in order to mount the teleconverter.  Then remounting the lens.  All while finding some place for the three lens caps and hoping none gets dropped or misplaced.

This is not a shot at Olympus. I sold a similarly specified and priced Panasonic kit based on a GH4 soon after buying the FZ1000 because I could not find a reason to keep it.

I saved a heap of money, cut my kit weight in half and simplified the process of picture taking every time I go out with a camera.

I think that when substantial numbers of camera vendors and amateur/enthusiast buyers come to understand the versatility of superzoom cameras like the FZ1000 they will wonder why anyone would buy an interchangeable lens kit (ILC).

This general shot of the rainforest floor is a bit rough. It was quite dark in there requiring ISO 1600 for a hand held shot. I could have made a cleaner photo with almost any camera mounted on a tripod.  My point is that for a better photo I needed a tripod, not a different camera.

If there is any logic to this I guess the ILC will likely remain dominant in the professional arena but “all in one” superzooms will come to dominate the amateur/enthusiast/semi pro sector of the market, which makes up by far the greatest number of units sold.

I think the camera makers understand this and I think that is why they are pushing upmarket with their ILC offerings.

Nikon really wants you to buy a full frame DSLR.

Olympus is claiming a place at the professional table with offerings like the kit described above.

Canon has either lost its corporate way or is planning something really ground breaking. I hope it is the latter.

Apparently Panasonic is doing well with its professional standard hybrid still/4K video kits based on  the GH4.

Samsung, Fuji and Sony are rolling out upmarket camera bodies and lenses, testing their acceptance at the upper enthusiast/professional end of the market.

We shall see how this plays out.