Panasonic FZ1000 Shooter’s Report Part I: The Sony RX10 rival heads out of the lab, into the real world!

Although I love cameras in all their shapes and sizes, it's not just any digicam that can have me sitting on the edge of my seat in anticipation of its arrival. The Panasonic FZ1000 -- for which I've just posted my first Shooter's Report -- is just such a camera. When it cleared our lab testing and shipped out to me for review, I found myself checking its tracking number regularly, hoping against hope to see the magic words "Out for delivery".

Since I reviewed the Sony RX10 last year, it made perfect sense that I would do the same for its first clear rival. The FZ1000 is about as direct a competitor to the RX10 as one could ask for, and both cameras answer my personal desire for generous zoom reach without sacrificing too much on portability and image quality. Once the Panasonic FZ1000 showed up, I wasted no time in clearing my desk, finding an attractive shooting opportunity, and getting out for some one-on-one time with the latest member of the high-end bridge club.

When I first laid hands on the RX10 last year, I was amazed how quickly I fell in love with it. Can the Panasonic FZ1000 sway me in my affections? Read the first part of my Panasonic FZ1000 Shooter's Report now, and find out! (And if you've not already done so, be sure and take a look at the Panasonic FZ1000 gallery photos I shot -- as well as those taken by my colleagues, Labmaster Luke Smith and senior lens technician Rob Murray, both of whom were also keen to get their hands on this long-zoom, large-sensored beauty!)