Tag Archives: 4/3

Alice Camera and why the Future is Bright!

Alice Camera

The Alice Camera, launched to great success this month has to be the most hopeful product for the future of cameras that we have seen lately. It marries the Sony IMX294, a 10.7 megapixel 4/3 sensor with a custom chipset including the Edge TPU chip from Google for AI and an FPGA for calculations.  The result is a camera body with the same sensor as the GH5s which is a killer low light camera capable of excellent 4k footage and images with super low noise.

Then the camera back is attached to your Android or Apple smartphone to gain an interface and software to control it. The camera is capable of using the latest research for computational photography including HDR with multiple exposures merging, tracking, night mode, averaging of pixels, and as an open-source architecture, you can add features by other coders or your own to make the camera increase the feature set. → Continue Reading Full Post ←

Z CAM E2 M4 Slow Motion With Affordable 4k 160fps!

Z CAM E2 M4 Slow Motion

The new Z CAM E2 – M4 Micro 4/3″ sensor cinema 4k camera offers performance that punches way above its own price weight of just $1,499 @ Adorama which is $500 less than the very similar regular Z CAM E2 just lacking Multicam synch support which is a very minor trade off considering the power and benefits you gain.   It has Triple native ISO of  80 / 160 / 800 and 13 stops of DR using their ZLog profile, and 16 stops of DR in WDR mode which does some HDR processing.

The frame rates are also outstanding for such a low-cost camera and while the higher setting requires H.265 encoding which for many is not ideal considering it lowers the bit depth from 10 bits to 8, it offers what many cameras only dream of.  160fps in 4k in beautiful resolution and up to 240fps in 1080p which has very good quality with some compromises.

Z CAM E2 and E2 M4 Main Specs:

  • Dynamic Range13~15 Stops (Z-Log2) / 16 Stops (with WDR activated)
  • Sensor Type4/3″ WDR CMOS Sensor
  • Effective Pixels10.28M
  • Lens MountMicro Four Thirds  19.0 x 13.0 mm
  • Max Variable Frame Rate120 fps for 4096 x 2160 (H.265 only)
    120 fps for 3840 x 2160 (H.265 only)
    150 fps for 4096 x 1728 (H.265 only)
    160 fps for 3840 x 1620 (H.265 only)
    160 fps for 2704 x 1600 (H.265 only)
    59.94 fps for 3696 x 2772 (Apple ProRes & H.265)
    59.94 fps for 3312 x 2760 (Apple ProRes & H.265)
    240 fps for 1920 x 1080 (H.265 only)
  • MediaCFAST 2.0
  • Max Bit RateH.265 / H.264
    300 Mbps for 4096 x 2160 / 3840 x 2160 / 4096 x 1728 / 3840 x 1620 / 3696 x 2772 / 3312 x 2760 / 2704 x 1600
    200 Mbps for 1920 x 1080
    -ProRes
    Please check “Apple ProRes White Paper” for the bit rate of ProRes encoding.
  • 12-Bit ProRes RAW
    10-bit (H.265 & ProRes) & 8-bit (H.264)
  • Triple native ISO 80 / 160 / 800
  • Video EncoderProRes Raw, ProRes 422 HQ / ProRes 422 / ProRes 422 LT / ProRes 422
    ZRAW (partial debayer) / Proxy / H.265 main 10 profile / H.264 high profile
  • Connectivity
  • HDMI
  • HDMI 2.0 Type A (video output up to C4K @60fps)
  • USB USB 3.0 Type C for camera control & data transfer only
  • I/O  10-pin LEMO port for synchronization (requires additional Sync Cable, not included)
  • COM    DB-9 connector, supports RS-232
  • Remote Control  2.5 mm jack socket (Sony LANC compatible)
  • Audio In – 3.5 mm stereo jack socket for active microphone only, or 5-pin LEMO port for dual-channel XLR microphone (requires additional XLR audio connector)
  • Audio-out  3.5 mm stereo jack socket
  • Wi-Fi 802.11n, 2.4G with external antenna port
  • Ethernet  Gigabit Ethernet port for control, setting & live streaming
  • Power  Battery Sony NP-F series compatible (Battery not included)
  • External Power Supply  – DC 12V 5A (4-pin LEMO socket), with LEMO connector and AC/DC power adapter
  • Material  Aluminum Alloy
  • Weight  757 g (without lens)
  • Dimensions (W x H x D) 91.2 mm x 99.2 mm x 89.1 mm (without lens)

So just from a specs point of view we can see the E2 being a real powerhouse with a variety of excellent options for shooters. If you also ad a speedbooster then you get APS-C like performance on a sensor that performs like that of the Panasonic GH5s with excellent quality up to ISO 6400-12800.

Z CAM E2 M4 Slow Motion how good is it?

The slow motion aspects for the Z Cam E2 M4 are class-leading with 160fps at 4k DCI and UHD with what we have confirmed to be pristine quality with no real artifacts besides H.265 compression. You will of course get 8-bit limitations on gradients and single shade subjects like blue skies but for everything else will be more than adequate.  See the beautiful sample below by Ludeman Productions of the E2 shooting in 4k at 160fps H.265.

ZCAM E2: 160p by Ludeman Productions:

When it comes to 240fps there is of course a trade-off that we have seen in the GH5s and other cameras that use this similar sensor design. The color, dynamic range, and frame rates are beautiful but you do get jagged edges on detail segments of the frame and especially lines with the characteristic stair-stepping of aliasing by the fact that the frames are captured by throwing out some lines.  It is still very good and for many users, it will be just as capable but if you value pixel perfection then the 240fps 1080p mode will disappoint purists.  See the samples below to get a sense of the quality offered here.

Z Cam E2 240 FPS Fountain by Newsshooter: → Continue Reading Full Post ←

Octopus Cinema Camera Upgradeable Slow Motion Kit?

Octopus Cinema Camera Upgradeable Slow Motion

The recently announced Octopus Cinema Camera with a modular sensor, mount, and other components could, in theory, become a customizable professional solution slow motion camera that is unencumbered by firm specs but by a fluid and upgradeable sensor and component path.  The Axiom camera is also something akin to this but has yet to ship. The Octopus has in prototype form been fitted with a 4/3 sensor capable of up to 240fps in 2k RAW and a full-frame that allows 3k up to 100fps.

The body looks eerily similar to Phantom cameras with the white machined exterior with fans and ports protruding the body.  While 240fps at 2k is not what we could call really professional slow motion, it is based on an open architecture in hardware and software that could window the sensor down and possibly offer more frame rates at 1080p and 720p for maybe a 480fps RAW capture in HD.

Octopus Cinema Camera Specs:

The 4/3 sensor is the Sony IMX253 which offers a global shutter mode and high frame rate support. You can read more about this sensor here: Sony IMX 253 information. This sensor should be able to record 480fps at HD 720p if the camera is programmed to do it.

At 4/3 you get 240fps at 2k which will probably allow that at 1080p which is not bad considering you get 12 bit RAW DNG capture. You can also save in HEVC h.265 codec at up to 900mbits/sec which is a great option.

The full frame sensor will be the CMV20000 (Information here) which is a pretty advanced 20MP sensor allowing 5k capture at up to 48fps.  This sensor will be geared more for cinema people while the 4/3 would cater markets for TV, Web, and documentary. For slow motion, it is clear the 4/3 sensor makes more sense.

We can already fantasize of another sensor option that allows higher frame rates and a possibility to program the camera to be a true slow motion powerhouse with pre-record, post-triggering and remote monitoring.

Sample footage Samples Low Light in B&W at normal frame rate:

“INTERCHANGEABLE SPECIALIST IMAGE SENSORS

XIMEA provide a range of high-performance imaging modules which can be interchanged allowing the OCTOPUS CAMERA to have a fully upgradable image sensor.

Specialist sensors available include specifications such as full-frame 35mm, Global Shutter, native Monochrome and more.”

The power of a platform like this is based on what you can do with the customizability. If you could place a 2000fps 1080p sensor, for example, you could have a very capable production camera that really shoots slow video that can be analyzed professionally.

“UPGRADEABLE OPEN-PLATFORM HARDWARE
The OCTOPUS CAMERA uses the compact Intel® NUC as the processing board. Components can be removed and upgraded including the board itself when newer boards are available.”

Since the main component board is also upgradeable you can, in theory, get a board full of fast DDR memory for loop record at a fraction of the cost of a phantom camera.

The big If!

All this sounds great but the release date for the initial camera is sometime in 2020 with no price mentioned. The amount of work this camera needs to become a reality is pretty huge. Projects like the Axiom have thousands of hours of work by really incredible people and has yet to ship in final form.

The Octopus team is small according to information on the web and there is only a prototype product shown.  We saw the Fran camera go down in flames with big promises just recently and there is no reprieve when you mess up in the camera business.

We wish the Octopus team much success and hope to see a high frame rate sample or better yet, a module of sensor and board that shoots 1000fps or more in the future.  A camera like this could allow for an upgradeable slow motion camera system that grows as fast as technology allows, making it a first in the high speed market. Disruption could be the best thing in slow motion gear or just a spark that fizzles out by bad execution. Lets hope is the former. -HSC

You can find more information about Octopus Cinema Camera at the official website. http://octopuscinema.com 

They also have a mailing list to get updates at the same site.

FRAN​ Camera by CINEMARTIN Promises 8k and High Frame Rates!

FRAN Camera 8k

The newly announced CINEMARTIN FRAN 8K Camera claims some huge numbers in terms of resolution and performance.  Up to 8K (8000×6000) RAW / Uncompressed 12 Bit video capture at 24fps and up to 96fps in 2k & 1080p for high frame rates but more on that later in this post.  There is only one image of the camera we were provided with and that is the RED Brain like rendering above which sports a mounting port which in the lab is fitted with a Canon EF Mount which is preferred among cinema oriented users especially if it is an active one.

FRAN also offers in the spec sheet 15.5 stops of dynamic range at 12 bit which competes directly with the best cinema cameras out there. CINEMARTIN claims the camera will come in below the competition in price while offering a true global shutter sensor with no rolling shutter distortion.   Using a 4/3 sized sensor at 50MP with 48MP being used for 8k Capture it may seem overkill when it comes to low light performance. It may be able to deliver resolution levels never before seen on cinema cameras but low-light will surely be a hurdle for the camera to overcome.

FRAN Camera 8k main specs:

  • 8K sensor 4:3 with a resolution of 7920 x 6024
  • 24 fps at 47.7 MP
  • Supports VistaVision 1:47 aspect ratio 7920 x 5388
  • Global Shutter
  • 15.5 Stops of Dynamic Range
  • 12-bit color capture in RAW
  • Fran records in uncompressed stills (dng or dib)
  • 1080p/2k 96fps & 60fps
  • 4k @ 24 & 60fps
  • 8k 30MP 25/30fps
  • Modular body
  • Tentatinve Native ISO 800, may be higher or lower.
  • HDMI output up to 4K
  • Fran by default can record in color up to 6K, 8K is done at monochrome until 2019 when a
    planned firmware / hardware update will bring color to the 50 MP 8K
  • SSD 1TB & 2TB Media Mags
  • False color, Histogram (color and mono) as well as LUT monitoring support + Focus Assist.
  • Limited Availability : Fall 2018
 List of Camera Shooting modes: (*) refers to upcoming functionality to shoot in color at a later date.

color

gray

8K 4:3 (48 MP)

24*

24

8K 1.47:1 (42.9 MP)

24*

24

8K (32.7 MP)

25*

25

8K WS (30 MP)

30*

25, 30*

6K

20, 24*

30

4K

24, 60*

30, 60*

4K WS

25, 60*

30, 60*

2K & 1080p

60, 96*

60, 96*

Notes on the 50MP Sensor & Camera:

Many people think that the camera uses a CMOSIS 48MP – 7920 (H) x 6004 (V) capture sensor but that CMV50000 part is a full 35mm full-frame sensor and not a 4/3ds sensor area like the FRAN camera specs show.  Maybe it is a new sensor in their line that will be released at a later date.

8k will initially be recording in monochrome B&W at launch with patches and software updates in 2019 to shoot in color at that resolution.   We would be shouted at for not mentioning that this camera as it stands right now is a prototype of sorts and not a finished product.  Specs may change or be altered before launch completely.

Big claims are made on this camera and as some already have pointed at we have no real image samples or real images from a finished camera. As it stands now it is not a ready product but at least CINEMARTIN is not asking for deposits on the camera now but only when it is ready to be built and shipped which is comforting.

CINEMARTIN is not a vaporware company as it manufactures and sells several monitoring devices for filmmakers which compete with other high-end monitor companies. See here: http://www.cinemartin.com/monitors/7inch/eclipse/

What about the high frame rates?

We asked Alejandro Barrada Martin, product manager for the FRAN camera about the possibility of higher frame rates  in windowed mode and he had this to say:

Yes, it will be possible. 
Press Release lists some res and framerates available
The user will be able, via setting ROI (region of Interest) to use custom res.  As lower the res, higher the framerate.
Line skipping and binning Will be also possible to increment fps.”

As with many cameras line skipping and windowed mode can yield frame rates well in excess of initial specs. We wished more cameras took advantage of this to record higher fps.   We will have to wait and see if this camera will be able to be at least a 720p 200fps RAW option. As of now, the 96fps 1080p limit seems to be a cut off at that resolution.

We wish CINEMARTIN good luck with the FRAN Camera which is an homage to  (Francisco Martin Ibañez)  which is the Uncle of Alejandro and the dedication comes after Francisco passed away from Cancer at the age of 58.  It is not often that a camera company stems from Spain which may seem odd, but Spain has been expanding its technological and manufacturing base for a couple of decades and is now manufacturing several products like high-speed rail, renewable energy systems with intelligent solar panels, aerospace industrial parts and assembly of aircraft.

Spain is credited after all with the invention of the stapler, mop, the first Helicopter (Autogiro), the first Space Suit in 1935 which the Russians first used and modified for their  first human flights, and the first electric submarine; also for some not so productive inventions like the cigarette, the pocket retractable knife & the first use of Molotov cocktails during the Spanish civil war. If you visit Spain today, cities like Madrid and Barcelona look like first world capitals with booming economies in financial and manufacturing industries. We are not fully sold on the FRAN camera but we are willing to be surprised and excited to see if it makes it to market. We’ll keep you informed about its progress. -HSC

More info on the camera here with the official PDF of the pre-production specs: PDF Guide File Here for FRAN 8k

And the official Product Page here: https://www.cinemartin.com/cameras/fran/