Tag Archives: HFR

Upscaling high speed video to usable Full HD and or 4k!

Our of our readers Chinito Pinoy has shared a pretty remarkable video with us that we would like to share.  It is upscaling of sub HD resolution high-speed video at 240p, 480p and 960p from the Sony RX10 IV at 480 and 960fps and the A7S Mark III at 240fps from Sub HD to 4k UHD. 

→ Continue Reading Full Post ←

Panasonic Lumix DC-G100 120fps Slowmo Full HD and why to avoid it!

Panasonic Lumix DC-G100 120fps Slowmo

The new trend this year is the selfie mirrorless camera being bundled so that Youtube and other social media Vloggers get a camera that can easily capture what they need with little fuzz. It is no secret that camera sales are in free fall and companies will try to market anything and everything to get some sales. Such is the case with the Panasonic Lumix G100. It has a very nice microphone, a diminutive body, a terrific bright day screen, and a very portable and good enough image from a micro 4/3 sensor.

So why all this negativity? Well for a camera that wants to compete with the smaller 1″ sensor but better overall featured Sony ZV-1 with excellent dual pixel tracking AF; the G100 is limited in a variety of ways. The 5x stabilization will only work in 1080p and be only electronic in 4k.  4k itself only lasts 10 minutes which is very constrained for 2020, maybe for 2016 as a spec but not 4 years later. Dig in for more info!

Panasonic Lumix DC-G100 Main specs:

  • 20.3MP Digital Live MOS Sensor  m4/3
  • 5184 x 3888 maximum resolution
  • UHD 4K30p Video, Pre-Installed V-Log L (10min limit)
  • 5-Axis Hybrid Image Stabilization (1080p Only)
  • OZO Audio with Subject Tracking
  • ISO 200 to 25600 (Extended: 100 to 25600)
  • Video Modes: MP4 4:2:0 8-Bit
  • UHD 4K (3840 x 2160) at 23.976p/29.97p (10min)
  • Full HD (1920 x 1080) at 29.97p/59.94p
  • Slow Motion 120fps Full HD Mode-
  • 12 to 32mm Lens kit included
  • MSRP: $747.99 with lens and tripod included

For a camera and lens combo under $750 USD it may seem like a pretty good package but when you dig in the details it becomes apparent that you are getting a subpar kit that could have been so much better.

What about Slow Motion?

The video below by Gordon Laing shows a sample of the slow motion on the camera that is very good and will give you a good indication of the per-pixel quality. It is also a very complete review with AF tests and the audio modes.

Panasonic Lumix G100 review vs ZV1 M50 G90 G95 by Gordon Laing:

The full HD 120fps looks to be on par with other Lumix cameras which is not bad but it is also way below others in their line of cameras like 180fps and 240fps which is not even a choice here.

As a slow motion camera, it is competitive with other 120fps cameras in full HD but not much else. We cannot recommend it over other options like the Sony RX series that can do 240fps in near full HD (See Here) with pretty good results.

Other things:

The stabilization which is essential for blogging is limited in the 5 axis mode to 1080p which is ridiculous, you get electronic image shift stabilization for 4k and a 10-minute recording limit on that mode which is very much a non-starter for vloggers.

Ozo audio in the video above is really the most interesting feature of this camera and something we hope to see in the Lumix line from now on. The omnidirectional microphones allow the camera to estimate the location of the person speaking and link the face detection autofocus algorithm so it stays sharp during recording even when you move out of the frame and back in.

The AF technology used is DFD or Depth from Defocus which is used in the Lumix line of cameras and while excellent for still images it still can’t compete directly with dual pixel AF from other brands that use contrast and Phase detection along with object and animal/people tracking to be very consistent in the video modes. DFD has a hit and miss that is hated by many and a clear let down by today’s AF standards, especially for Vlogging.

Panasonic G100: Hands-on look at a lightweight multimedia powerhouse by imagingresource → Continue Reading Full Post ←

Lumix G95 120fps Full HD and Why Its a Pass!

Lumix G95 Slow Motion

Let us start by saying that we are huge fans of the Lumix line by Panasonic and their cameras in general. The GH5 is still a powerhouse of a camera for serious video work and the 180fps FUll HD slow motion is better than many others before or since at that frame rate while at 120fps is as good as the best Sonys out there.  However, the recently announced Lumix G95 drops the ball in several fronts when it comes to really good video performance which has become a trademark for Panasonic.

The G95 has all the looks and character of a great hybrid camera but has a crippled video mode that may put off many buyers looking for the perfect intermediate camera. The 4k, for example, has a 1.25x crop on top of the nearly 2x crop of the micro 4/3 sensor. Making it a little larger than the area of a 1″ sensor. This will sacrifice video quality in the lack of supersampling and low light will suffer from the added megapixels.

Lumix G95 Main Features:

  • 20.3MP Digital Live MOS Sensor
  • Venus Engine Image Processor
  • UHD 4K30p Video, Pre-Installed V-Log L
  • 5-Axis Sensor Stabilization; Dual I.S. 2
  • 120fps, 90fps and 60fps Slow Motion in 1080p*
  • 0.74x 2.36m-Dot OLED Viewfinder
  • 3.0″ 1.24m-Dot Free-Angle Touchscreen
  • Advanced DFD AF System; 4K PHOTO
  • ISO 25600 and 9 fps Continuous Shooting
  • Bluetooth LE and Wi-Fi Connectivity
  • Lumix G Vario 12-60mm f/3.5-5.6 Lens

So the G95 camera has the latest Dual IS 5 axis IBIS stabilization including IS Lock which was on the GH5 and is a near tripod like substitute on the go.  It has a mic jack and headphone jack but all of those great video features including the V-Log L bundled in have little to do with recommending this camera.

The 1.25x crop in 4k is massive as it is added to the already smaller Micro 4/3rds sensor compared to a 35mm full frame camera. It becomes an exercise in frustration to use wide angles here. Sure telephoto and macro video will benefit but you have to deal with cramped pixels and much more noise in low light.

1080p has no crop but the slow motion mode at 120p, 90p and 60p have a lack of manual controls. That means that setting a shutter speed and aperture combination is left to the camera with only exposure compensation available as a setting to aid the shot.  As you know slow motion requires precise control of the shutter speed to be able to avoid motion blur and get a crisp subject.  In a sunny day with bright objects, you might give the camera a pass but anything else and you are leaving the creativity behind and entering the decision making of the software which will surely get it wrong more often than not. That is why the slow motion mode cannot be counted for serious users.

Same fail of DfD Auto Focus, Why?

The GH5, G9 and GH5s all suffer from the use of the Depth from DeFocus AF system from Panasonic. Works amazingly well in still images but it is horrendous in video mode especially when you want to keep a subject in focus and not hunt around the background or foreground. It is always stuttering and breathing in and out of focus even in situations that should be extremely easy.  Panasonic needs to grow up and accept that this AF mode is a keeper for stills at best and a total failure for continuous video AF.  Phase detection with dual pixel AF on the sensor is a proven technology that works wonders for video mode and photo mode. It is time to bring a camera in the Lumix line that uses that tech and eliminates DfD for video.  Competition is only improving on an already great system while the stubbornness of the Panasonic team is only frustrating owners with sub-par video AF performance.

Panasonic, its time to do the right thing and offer Dual Pixel AF in video mode!

The video below by Richard Wong who has been a Lumix AF tester for a couple of years now shows the problem with the DfD system in the G95.  His perseverance is admirable but Panasonic needs to accept defeat here unless they crack real smart AI for a camera AF system.

Panasonic Lumix G90 | G91 | G95 Face Tracking Video Continuous Autofocus Test by Richard Wong:

Lumix G95 Slow Motion Quality:

One good thing about the G95 is that the 1080p video quality is very good and that translates to the slow motion HFR mode as well.

With Lumix G95 Slow Motion we have performance very close to the GH5 and G9 in Full HD which means there is excellent supersampling to 1080p and 90p and 60p on this camera. The detail and overall sharpness is very good at higher frame rates.  You also have to know that you are not getting 4k 60p which is available on the GH5 and G9.

Panasonic G95 slow motion at 120fps by Panasonic Lumix Québec: → Continue Reading Full Post ←

Blackmagic URSA Mini Pro 4.6K G2 Has 300fps in RAW!

Blackmagic URSA Mini Pro 4.6K G2

Blackmagic Design has been working behind the scenes to deliver yet one more professional camera solution that at $5,995 for up to 300fps in RAW recording at 1080p and 2k in windowed mode; makes it possible to have flawless image quality without breaking the bank.  New Super 35mm sensor with 15 stops dynamic range with the ability to shoot at 120fps 4.6k full sensor RAW and 150fps at 4k UHD and DCI 4k makes it possible to really deliver on the slow motion promise for quality projects.

If you need more the 300fps 1080p and or 2k recording in the cropped windowed sensor should help you get that extra edge. It also records in Blackmagic RAW and delivers flawless looking 1:1 pixel footage with no aliasing or moire due to throwing away information. This camera has the capacity to really up your video game with these frame rate options.

Blackmagic URSA Mini Pro 4.6K G2 Camera Features:

Effective Sensor Size

25.34mm x 14.25mm (Super35)

Lens Mount

EF mount included. Interchangeable with optional PL, B4 and F lens mounts.

Lens Control

Electronic control via EF mount pins or 12pin broadcast connector for compatible lenses

Dynamic Range

15 Stops.

Shooting Resolutions

4608 x 2592, 4608 x 1920 (4.6K 2.40:1),4096 x 2304 (4K 16:9),
4096 x 2160 (4K DCI),
3840 x 2160 (Ultra HD),
3072 x 2560 (3K Anamorphic),
2048 x 1152 (2K 16:9),
2048 x 1080 (2K DCI),
1920 x 1080

Frame Rates

Maximum sensor frame rate dependent on resolution and codec selected. Project frame rates of 23.98, 24, 25, 29.97, 30, 50, 59.94 and 60 fps supported.

High Speed Frame Rates

Blackmagic RAW 8:1

4.6K Full – Up to 120 fps
UHD Windowed – Up to 150 fps
HD Windowed – Up to 300 fps

ProRes 422 HQ

4.6K Full – Up to 80 fps
UHD Windowed – Up to 120 fps
HD Windowed – Up to 240 fps

Built in ND Filters

Four position ND filter wheel with clear, 2-stop, 4-stop and 6-stop ND filters.

Focus

Focus button turns on peaking, auto focus available using compatible lenses.

Iris Control

Iris wheel and touchscreen slider for manual iris adjustment on electronically controllable lenses, iris button for instant auto iris settings on compatible lenses so no pixel is clipped in film mode. Scene average auto exposure in video mode.

Screen Dimensions

4 inch

Screen Type

LCD capacitive touchscreen.

Metadata Support

Automatically populated lens data from electronic EF, B4 and i/Technology compatible PL lenses. Automatic recording of camera settings and slate data such as project, scene number, take and special notes.

Controls

Touchscreen menus on 4 inch screen. Push buttons for other controls. 2 assignable shortcut keys.

Timecode Clock

Highly accurate timecode clock. Less than 1 frame drift every 8 hours.

“URSA Mini Pro 4.6K G2 is a more powerful second generation camera with entirely new electronics and a new high performance image sensor that lets you shoot crystal clear slow motion footage. You can record full sensor 4.6K images up to 120 frames per second, windowed DCI 4K at up to 150 frames per second, and regular windowed 1080 HD at an amazing 300 frames per second. A dedicated off-speed button on the camera’s body lets you quickly switch between your preset high frame rate and regular frame rate shooting! When it comes to high frame rate shooting, URSA Mini Pro 4.6K G2 is ideal for fast action sports, high speed nature photography and more!” Blackmagic Design

HSC: As you can see from the video sample above, expect to have incredibly good dynamic range, noise control and color accuracy in the high frame rate modes. As we have seen in previous Blackmagic cameras, there is a tendency to allow frame rates only when quality is not thrown by the wayside. Expect your images to look as good as possible when shooting HFR with no added artifacts because the camera will not throw away lines in the image to achieve these frame rates.

Blackmagic Update March 5th, 2019: → Continue Reading Full Post ←

Sony FS5 240fps Full HD Camera Gets $750 Price drop!

Sony FS5

The original Sony FS5 not the Mark II which does 240fps and 120fps full HD recording with excellent quality as well as 4k 240fps with an external recorder has dropped in price precipitously. The -$750 price drop makes the camera only $3,498 for the body only which is now competitive with pro SLRs and higher-end mirrorless cameras.

The FS5 camera has been used in productions all over the world and it is a favorite of many videographers for its form factor and dependability. We like it here at HSC by retaining the 10th position on our guide with excellent quality 120fps and 240fps full HD 1080p and pristine quality in 4k 240fps using a recorder like the Atomos Shogun series. The camera also allows 480fps and 960fps @ 1920*270px for short bursts much like the Sony RX series but slightly behind in quality to those latest cameras in those higher modes. Is an FS5 Mark III getting ready to launch or just end of product life rebates?

Sony FS5 Slow Motion Video Samples:

Here are a few video samples from the Sony FS5 that may help you see if this camera fits your needs in higher frame rates.  There is no denying that the FS5 is a professional tool capable of greatness in the right hands. -HSC

Sony PXW-FS5 Slow Motion Comparison by KBS visuals:

Track and Field Slowed Down | Sony FS5 RAW 2K 240FPS by DIY ProFilms: → Continue Reading Full Post ←

Sony RX100 VA Is Now Available Worldwide!

Sony RX100 VA

Sony has decided to release the RX100 VA worldwide and it effectively replaces the RX100 V production line. The new camera will have a better EVF refresh, modern Autofocus with improved tracking and a larger buffer of 233 images.  We considered the newly announced RX100 VI camera to be just a longer lens version of the RX100 V but with an increased price tag.  That camera does have a touchscreen and the reach but the fans of the faster f1.8-f2.8 lens of the RX100 V now can get a more up to date version.

We favor the RX100 VA to all other RX100 cameras as the $999 price tag is more in line with the segment. If you already own an RX100 V camera there is no reason to get a VA version as there will not be any improvement to the slow-motion component which is already one of the best out there.

Sony RX100 VA More Info:

The RX100 camera line now looks like this:

Out of the RX100 line, we believe the RX100 VA is the best value as you get the faster lens with improved electronics for the 315 AF points and larger stills buffer. For slow motion, you need better light and the faster lens allows that.  The RX100 VI long lens 24mm-200mm equivalent will be $200 more and only have the touchscreen as the separating factor.  The image quality and slow motion HFR modes should be identical. The cameras share the exact same sensor and software.

RX100 VA Sony’s Take:

“Tweaking an already stellar pocket-sized camera, the Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-RX100 VA Digital Camera improves on the RX100 V by increasing the buffer size to 233 images, reducing display lag time in the electronic viewfinder, and adding several other upgrades. With the 20.1MP 1″ Exmor RS BSI CMOS sensor, the RX100 VA can output detailed images at up to ISO 12800.”

The comparison below shows that besides the long lens and touch screen, the RX100 VA is essentially the same camera and shares the same capabilities for photo and video.

Sony RX100 VA vs Sony RX100 VI Comparison Specs by DSLR VS:

So all in all the RX100 VA at $999 is the best value RX camera that Sony has ever made considering it’s performance.  Unless you find an RX100 V for under $600 we recommend the RX100 VA instead. You can find good bundled deals below at Amazon for these cameras. -HSC

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