Tag Archives: SHOOTING

CNET Makes Basic Phone Slow Motion How-To Video!

 We find that while the video is simple, it does a good job in explaining the methods on Apple’s iOS and Android to get slow motion footage ready for posting on the web or social media.   There is some basic editing and trimming for cutting the nonaction parts.

You can find the official video link here if needed: https://www.cnet.com/videos/make-slow-motion-videos-on-a-phone/

Sony RX10 IV & AX700 Slow Mo Samples Surface!

Sony RX10 IV & AX700 Slow Mo Samples

There is a lot of interest on the new Sony RX10 IV and new Sony FDR-AX700,  HXR-NX80 and PXW-Z90V Palm 4k Cam-Corders.   We have found a couple of new sample videos showing these cameras in action with HFR high frame rate modes. We estimate all four cameras to have comparable image quality in HFR mode but depending on the price a better overall codec with more detail retention.

However the best value out of all of them could be the AX700 which costs about the same as the RX10 IV but in a more professional body with lots of control that the SLR form factor lacks.  Also for a paid job you may be inclined to go with the more professional looking body to avoid judgmental stares. → Continue Reading Full Post ←

Sony RX10 IV Improves HFR Resolution!

Sony RX10 IV

As expected Sony has released the RX10 IV super zoom camera.  It is a good update to last year’s RX10 III which had a maximum HFR recording rate in quality priority of 2 seconds. This new model is, in essence, the exact same Sensor and HFR spec combination as the excellent Sony RX100 V which was our camera pick for 2016 when it came to price/performance for high-speed recording.

The RX10 IV has, however, a brand new AF system with 315 AF phase points in total with also 25 region contrast AF areas for extra accuracy.   The camera is mostly identical to its predecessor in appearance with improvements and refinements like a better screen and improved weather sealing. However, the imaging system processing is the exact same upgrade we saw in the 2016 RX100 V. → Continue Reading Full Post ←

Solar Eclipse Slow Motion Recording?

We have received quite a few messages about how to shoot the solar eclipse next Monday, August 21st 2017 in slow motion.  After all the more frames you capture, the more temporal detail that will be preserved but there is a threshold when diminishing returns from shooting high fps take a toll on image quality, dynamic range and color accuracy.

In short, the rule of shooting the total solar eclipse at high speed will be based on timing on one hand and detail retention on the other. We have found in our research that you really do not need more than 120fps in order to get a great solar corona snapshot with enough detail and variance.  24 and 30fps regular frame rates are also good and perfectly acceptable. → Continue Reading Full Post ←

Is Slow Motion In Movies a Passing Fad?

Slow Motion In Movies

In a new column written by Dann Gire of the Daily Herald, Slow Motion is questioned as a passing moment in film history where it is overused and loses power and effect over time.  We agree that some movies rely so heavily in slow motion effects that it becomes a primary role in the movie.  Movies such as Sherlock Holmes and 300 1&2 take it above the regular mundane level and truly makes art out of the technique.

We feel that with the democratization of slow motion devices in consumer pockets with phones and now professional high-speed cameras are dropping in value while improving performance. We expect the slow motion trend of screen time will not diminish but increase for years to come as gear is now flooding the market with high frame rates. → Continue Reading Full Post ←

Sony Xperia XZ Premium Slow Motion Shooting!

Sony Xperia XZ Premium Slow Motion

We already stated that the Slow Motion performance of the Sony Xperia XZs & XZ premium should be identical given that they share the exact same camera module based on a stacked memory sensor design. However many readers have asked if there is a difference between both phones.  Considering the latest samples released we can state that when it comes to slow motion shooting the XZs & XZ premium are identical.

The camera has a slow motion mode that takes very short bursts about 0.2 sec each to generate slow motion video in a 720p H.264 video stream. It is limited and you need trial and error to succeed but in the end, you can get terrific looking high-speed video that simply is unmatched by any other smartphone to date. → Continue Reading Full Post ←