A recent district fun
run proved a good opportunity to
test the FZ1000's sport/action capability.
Recent rains cleared for the day to the delight of all.
In the event the
FZ1000 proved very capable and a pleasure to use.
Settings:
Quality: JPG Fine. I
did not have i-Dynamic set but will do so for any similar event in future to keep highlights in check.
Image size: 20Mpx
Mode Dial S, shutter speed 1/1000sec.
Auto ISO
Burst Mode M, 7fps.
Focus Mode AFC
Focus/Release Priority, Set to Focus. Custom Menu page 3/8.
Autofocus Mode 1 Area, usually at size 5/15 (from the
smallest), mostly in the top part of the frame on the centerline.
Viewing, EVF
I shot in bursts of about 1 second, giving 6-8 shots per
burst with a chance for the camera to write to the card between bursts.
I did not zoom while capturing as the camera will not focus
and zoom simultaneously. I alternated as in
zoom > burst > zoom > burst
etc.
Results
Tonal fidelity With
JPG captures, the FZ1000 has a moderate tendency to clip (overexpose) bright
highlights like the white T shirts in sunlight seen here. I pulled some
tonality back by running these JPGs through Photoshop Camera Raw. In future I
will set i-Dynamic and will use Zebras to apply some negative exposure
compensation if required.
Autofocus speed I found
the AF to be remarkably fast. In several
frames there was no front runner under the AF box, just a back runner or the
background trees or whatever.
In several sequences
the sharp part of the photo alternated between a foreground runner and the
background or a rear positioned runner from one frame to the next at 7 fps. That's fast.
Autofocus accuracy I
made 514 frames and viewed each at 100% on screen.
I rated 88% as sharp, meaning that part of the subject under
the AF box was sharp. I rated about 1/3
of those pictures as very sharp to the extent I could count eyelashes on the in
focus runner.
10% were "just out" of focus, good enough for a
small print or email attachment.
2% were obviously out of focus.
User Experience The camera is very easy to carry and operate
for several hours at a time. I just have a wrist strap, no neck strap. The
controls are easy to operate and efficient. The EVF is of excellent quality,
making for a natural view of the subject. Key camera data are easily seen
beneath the EVF live view image. I use "viewfinder"
style for both the EVF and monitor.
Immediately after photographing the runners I made some
pictures of flowers by the wayside. The camera is very versatile enabling the
user to switch quickly from one style of photography to a completely different
one in seconds, without the need to change lenses, ever.
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