Category Archives: Announcements

MISC Announcements

Announcements, Drones, Hardware Development, Media Showcase

DJI Spark Mini Drone Lacks High Frame Rates!

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DJI Spark

The newly announced DJI Spark Selfie Micro-drone is a thing of beauty when it comes to capability vs size.  At just $499 it is also half the price of a DJI Mavic Pro and while it lacks a 3 axis gimbal and extended flight time; this is geared to the people that want a no nonsense experience that is truly portable for their flight camera needs. It has a camera capable of 1080p video of pretty good quality at 30fps.

The downside is that it lacks 4k for one thing and any other frame rates besides 30fps full HD.  It does do  12MP still images with good dynamic range and color accuracy which could become the best use of the drone for markets such as real estate, surveying and aerial imaging that is ready at any moment without the bulk. → Continue Reading Full Post ←

Announcements, Development, Hardware Development, Media Showcase

Sony New IMX382 Sensor Tracks Objects at 1000fps!

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Sony New IMX382 Sensor

Sony is not only pushing the frame rate boundaries of CMOS sensors with their Stacked technology; but now it’s implementing and improving on the design with circuitry that can track objects with pinpoint electronic precision based on pixel colors, contrast, and motion vectors. The result the IMX382 is a complete tracking sensor solution that could one day be used for full AF during high-speed video capture by accurately representing the scene.

While 1000fps is not the end all be all of high-speed frame rate, the fact that it can accurately track with very little lag the object motion in front could one day translate into perfect autofocus capability for many types of cameras. Not only the focus department is improved by this technology but now you can use the sensor in all sorts of industrial, law enforcement, traffic cameras and monitoring solutions for robotics. → Continue Reading Full Post ←

Announcements, Camera News, Firmware/Software

Jvc LS300 Firmware 4.0 Outputs 4k 60p!

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Jvc LS300 Firmware 4.0

The JVC GY-LS300 camera had a firmware update last year that permitted the camera to shoot at 120fps full HD. Now the company is releasing a new update that adds the capability of recording of 4:2:2 (8-bit) 4K @ 24/25/30p video to internal storage. The camera previously only recorded at 4:2:0 color space.  Not only that, the camera now can output to the Ninja Inferno external recorder a 4k UHD stream at 50p or 60p for 4k slow motion goodness.

The Version 4.0 firmware upgrade is free of charge for all current GY-LS300 owners and will be available in late May.  This camera seems to continue to be supported by JVC due to its popularity and seems, for now, to be their best bet to offer a camera that competes with the Sony FS5 or Panasonic DVX 200 for example with a low price of around $2600 USD. → Continue Reading Full Post ←

Announcements, Firmware/Software, Hardware Development, Media Showcase, Slowmo Samples

Panasonic GH5 Firmware 1.1 Allows 10 Bit 60p 1080!

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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 ←

Announcements, Firmware/Software, Hardware Development, software

NAB 2017 Sony & Panasonic Firmware Slowmo Updates!

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NAB 2017 Sony

There has been a lack of big camera announcements at NAB 2017, with more and more saturation and less camera replacement by TV studios and Filmmakers there is talk of good enough gear already purchased for 4k and 2k/1080p production.  The Alexa, RED, Sony F55 and Varicam LT cameras released in the last few years already exceeds most delivery methods in quality and completely obliterates the compressed cable delivery streams for hove TVs.

However manufacturers like Sony & Panasonic have released information about new firmware updates that will improve high frame rate recording on some of their cameras as free updates. This in turn makes for a practical camera line refresh that gives more longevity to the existing hardware while permitting more high speed latitude to current owners. → Continue Reading Full Post ←

Announcements, Camera News, Media Showcase

Panasonic Lumix ZS70 / TZ90 with 120fps HD!

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Panasonic Lumix ZS70

Panasonic has released a new compact super zoom camera in the  Lumix DC-ZS70 (TZ90 outside of US & Canada). The camera is no slouch with a 20.3 MP new MOS Sensor with their Lumix Depth from Defocus or DFD AF technology; present in cameras like the GH5 & GX85. The camera also re-stocks the bundle with the compact lens that is able to offer 30X, 24-720mm in 35mm equivalent terms.

The camera also has 4k video at 30fps but excludes for some reason the 24p mode which film makers crave. Slow motion features are present but modest at 1080p 60fps and 720p 120fps which work across the entire 30x zoom range.  This camera is a powerful point & shoot option that won’t break the bank at $447.99 USD MSRP. → Continue Reading Full Post ←