Warning: The parent company of FPS cameras “The Slow Motion Camera Company Ltd.” went out of business and entered liquidation proceedings. No further development of cameras is expected. More information here on Google Search!
We had a few questions for Graham Rowan the creator of the fps1000 that our readers had requested answers to. We got a status update on development and some interesting tidbits!
Last year’s CES star camcorder marvels were the W850 and the V750 from Panasonic. Both cameras were capable of 1080p at 120fps progressive with a 240p interpolation mode that looked pretty good with low motion and high shutter speed.
This year we get the replacements in the line the HC-VX870 retails for $899US and the HC-VX970 will be $999US. Both shoot 4k video yes… let me say that again… both shoot 4k! They are carbon copies of themselves with one differentiating feature. The VX970 has an integrated selfie picture in picture camera attached to the flip screen. This is the same feature the W850 introduced last year. The VX870 has no selfie camera but allows a phone to connect and feed the secondary image to record in tandem. It is kind of gimmicky but for filming parents wanting to film their reaction when their toddlers take their first steps it can be a pretty priceless feature.
Sony has today unveiled the next crop of direct GoPro line Competitor action cameras. There are two new cameras with improved specs as follows:
FDR-X1000V 4k Action Cam:
We now have enough footage samples to rank the Samsung NX1 just above the Panasonic GH4 in the HSC Camera guide for slow motion. Analysis of results below:
Samsung NX1 vs GH4 Pros and Cons
The edgertronic camera has been used for a while now in the field and the v2.0 software release is stable and solid. The latest 2.1 Beta Software will add several improvements as follows:
Beta Un-released Version 2.1 Software Specs:
The Blackmagic URSA 4k Professional camera is one awesome powerhouse for standard frame rate productions with it’s three high quality LCD screens and RAW / Prores recording at just $5,995 USD. Prior to the most recent 1.9.9 Firmware it was capped at 60p for 1080p and 4k but after the update the camera gained 80fps for both 4k and 1080p.
Although the frame rate at 80fps is still low compared to most high speed offerings, the fact that it is 4k makes it a special milestone for the resolution. The URSA uses the CMOSIS CMV12000 Global shutter sensor which is the same to be used by the prototype 4k fps1000 camera upgrade option. The sensor is capable of producing from 150-300fps at full sensor resolution and it will be exploited by the fps1000 4k in full resolution. The URSA will record in a 12 Bit 3:1 RAW format for the high frame rate of 80fps costing no quality but saving space in memory and cards. As of this writing the URSA is the highest quality RAW 80fps image under $8k. It is an expensive camera which cost it some points in our camera guide as quality is not a definitive factor in final ranking . Price and workflow also are important. If you need RAW 4k up to 80fps the URSA at $5,995 is your cheapest option until the fps1000 ships. You can also get 4k at higher frame rates like 240fps on the Sony FS700 or FS7 but you will need an expensive external recorder or Sony module which is orders of magnitude more expensive. If you don’t need RAW or 4k Slow motion other cameras like the FS700 plain or the edgertronic are less costly options with higher frame rates.