Tag Archives: stabilization

Fuji X-H1 Aims to Compete in Pro Video!

Fuji X-H1

The Fuji X-H1 just announced does a lot of things right; It has a 200mbps 4k codec in UHD / DCI, 120fps Full HD which from the initial looks of it looks gorgeous and it finally has the 5-Axis Stabilizer on the sensor 5.5 stops worth that had eluded Fuji cameras for two years now.  It even has a new Eterna color profile which makes it easy to color correct without being too flat or too processed.

However, the X-H1 is based on the same 24MP X-Trans APS-C sensor found on the X-T2 which while overall good, it has problems with color moire and fine textures due to the processing on the unconventional RGB pattern which has 4 adjacent green pixels and differs quite a lot from Bayer sensors. See this article from PetaPixel comparing both technologies here.  But as far as video mode is concerned it looks to be a good contender to options like the GH5 and Sony 7 series. → Continue Reading Full Post ←

Panasonic Camcorders CES 2018 WXF1K & VX1K

Panasonic Camcorders CES 2018

Panasonic besides formally announcing the GH5s Lumix camera at CES 2018, also introduced 3 new camcorders that will replace their current offerings, in what could be a dependable yearly occurrence.   Panasonic seems to avoid the fact that camcorder sales are probably as rare as Blackberry devices these days but whatever their motivations are, it seems Panasonic, Sony & Canon are keeping the flame alive.

With every introduction, Panasonic seems to improve steadily in image quality and features with continued innovation especially in the areas of HDR imaging and O.I.S Optical Image Stabilization which now sports a hybrid system that uses three technologies to create what might be the best stabilized camcorder ever produced. The demo is certainly impressive and should make every high zoom fan excited about the possibilities of this technology in higher end gear. → Continue Reading Full Post ←

GoPro Hero 6 Black Slow Motion Samples!

GoPro Hero 6 Black Slow Motion Samples

With a few weeks of use around the world, the GoPro Hero 6 Black is becoming one of the favorite slow motion affordable cameras for all sorts of activities.  While the quality is not the best out there compared to cameras like the Sony RX series, it is competitive within its price bracket.   Aliasing and moire at 240fps are apparent but mostly non-intrusive for action shots. If you need it as a broadcast quality recorder then the slow-motion mode is not at the required level.

The camera does not have a 480fps mode or higher which could have been a fantastic surprise for high-speed fans. After all, GoPro had been the go-to camera for higher frame rates in the affordable category for nearly a decade.  The Hero 6 Black is still an excellent option with the highly improved sensor, processing, codec, and frame rate varieties that should be able to produce anywhere from broadcast quality 4k 60p to pretty good 120 2.7k and 240fps web ready 1080p. → Continue Reading Full Post ←

GoPro Hero 6 Black & Sony AX-700 HFR Details!

GoPro Hero 6 Black

The GoPro Hero 6 Black was announced yesterday and is identical to the leaks that appeared last week from packaging. This is a good thing but we were expecting the 720p mode to allow for 480fps and VGA to allow 960fps as it is customary for GoPro to include higher frame rates the lower the resolution windowed on the sensor drops.

The camera however now takes the crown once again for performance in higher frame rates and includes the 4k 60fps spec which we saw debut earlier on the Yi 4k+ action camera. Also, it brings in an unexpected 2.7k 120fps spec that takes it one notch higher than any other portable cam out there.  1080p 240fps was expected and brings it in line with Phones like the iPhone 8 and X. → Continue Reading Full Post ←

GH5 Firmware 2.0 Has Huge Improvements!

GH5 Firmware 2.0

The just announced Firmware for the Panasonic GH5 offers the promised improvements when the camera was launched like 400Mbps All-I compression for 4k 10 bit recording and or 200MBPS 1080p.  Also promised was near 6k Anamorphic shooting and HDR Ready Log Recording Gamma. All of that is in the firmware but the surprise comes from all the extra improvements that made the way into the 2.0 firmware release.

The new unexpected features range from a full tethering option for Mac or PC with free downloadable software to improved autofocus recording which was one of the weakest features of the camera.  As far as slow motion related improvements it seems the firmware is not making any headway there. The bitrate improvements do not mention the VFR mode. → Continue Reading Full Post ←

Panasonic GH5 Firmware 1.1 Allows 10 Bit 60p 1080!

Panasonic GH5 Firmware 1.1

The Panasonic GH5 ushered the era of 10-bit video recording on a portable prosumer interchangeable lens camera for the first time. Panasonic promised some features which at launch would not make the cut but would be added when firmware was released that would improve the spec sheet.  The new 1.1 version of the Firmware will enable 10bit recording on 1080p 24p, 25p, 29.98, 29.97p, 59.94p & 50p all at 100 Mbps.

While the camera offered 10 Bit recording at 4k from the get go it was not available above 29.97fps which left the 60fps 4k mode out in the cold for the increased color space. The update and all subsequent ones will also do not allow 10 Bit to be used above 30p in 4k so the 60fps UHD spec will remain at 4:2:0 8 Bit color. → Continue Reading Full Post ←