[3] Along with its main competitor, the 2013 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10, it is part of a new class of superzoom cameras that use larger sensors, better displays and electronic viewfinders.

Out of the two, the FZ1000 has a much larger zoom range (16×); the exact video mode and whether OIS is used determines the crop factor, here expressed as 35 mm equivalent focal length for the inbuilt lens:[10] While the RX10 has a macro focus spot of 5 cm, the FZ1000 is able to record clear-focused photos and videos.

In their review of the FZ1000, DPReview wrote "the FZ1000 has an advantage over ILCs, as any lens you add to one of those cameras will be larger, heavier and pricier" and gave it a Gold Award.

[9] The Leica V-Lux (Typ 114) is based on and nearly identical to the FZ1000 with differences only in exterior design elements, warranty, bundled software, and price.

The Leica V-Lux 5 is based on and nearly identical to the FZ1000 II with differences only in exterior design elements, warranty, bundled software, and price.

[13][14][15] The FZ1000's burstshot mode can record up to 12 JPEG pictures per second with full resolution at highest selected burst speed.