Panasonic's bridge camera with a constant f/2.8 zoom from 25-600mm equivalent.
The Panasonic Lumix FZ200 is a unique bridge camera launched in 2012. Its headline feature is a constant f/2.8 aperture maintained across the entire 25-600mm equivalent zoom range — a feat no other bridge camera has replicated. This constant aperture enables consistent exposure and shutter speed throughout the zoom range.
The Leica DC Vario-Elmarit zoom lens maintains f/2.8 from 25mm to 600mm equivalent, which is genuinely remarkable engineering. Image quality from the 12.1MP 1/2.3-inch sensor is good in daylight but suffers at higher ISOs. The electronic viewfinder is serviceable. 1080p video is available.
The FZ200 occupies a unique niche due to its constant f/2.8 zoom. No other bridge camera offers this. The FZ300 succeeded it with weather sealing and 4K video while maintaining the f/2.8 constant aperture. Competitors like the Canon SX series have faster maximum zoom but much slower apertures.
Cheap used. Check the zoom mechanism across the full 24x range and the EVF for dead pixels. The constant f/2.8 aperture is the entire selling point — verify it maintains this at all focal lengths. An excellent camera for daytime wildlife and bird photography on a budget.