Camera releases with Hi Speed Components!
Gizmodo got an exclusive look at the new firmware for the GoPro Hero 4 Black that adds new features including the coveted 240fps at 720p mode. From the sample video they posted it looks like a very good quality upgrade to an already good camera. It is great that GoPro is letting the inner power of the camera surface and show it’s full potential. It will also shoot 2.7k Video at 60fps a consumer first!
Today Panasonic has released the GH4 Firmware v2.1. It is mainly a usability/performance and external recorder update. No slow motion bit rate or frame rate improvements on this release. We analyzed a before and after on the files and detected no change in data. However recorded 4k footage has performance improvements. It is good to see that the camera continues to be updated by Panasonic and adding features filmmakers care about.
The following features are included:
What had been just a rumor just a few months ago before the release of the Hero 4 Black now its a reality. The camera will regain the feature of 240fps at 720p which it was rumored and lost at launch. All rumors speculated that this frame rate would be included but was scrapped at the last minute. Be it stability or heat concerns, the extra slow motion spec is now going to be brought to life by a firmware update.
Full Firmware Specs:
Warning: The parent company of FPS cameras “The Slow Motion Camera Company Ltd.” went out of business and entered liquidation proceedings. No further development of cameras is expected. More information here on Google Search!
We had a few questions for Graham Rowan the creator of the fps1000 that our readers had requested answers to. We got a status update on development and some interesting tidbits!
The Monochrome version of the edgertronic high speed camera is now $200 USD cheaper due to a price cut based on higher than expected sales for the model. From an initial $5,695.00 to a now $5,495.00 – This puts it in parity with the color version of the hardware. The Monochrome version is more sensitive to light and it is a better fit for resolution and light constrained needs. Many scientific applications work well with monochrome cameras as the Bayer pattern is scrapped for a full resolution black and white raw image that preserves the full linear res.
Edgertronic Quote “The monochrome camera has been selling very well in the industrial, scientific and research markets. Due to it’s strong sales, we’ve been able to negotiate a better price on the monochrome sensor and pass the savings on to you. So, now both color and monochrome are available for $5495 (shipping and options are extra of course).”
Last year’s CES star camcorder marvels were the W850 and the V750 from Panasonic. Both cameras were capable of 1080p at 120fps progressive with a 240p interpolation mode that looked pretty good with low motion and high shutter speed.
This year we get the replacements in the line the HC-VX870 retails for $899US and the HC-VX970 will be $999US. Both shoot 4k video yes… let me say that again… both shoot 4k! They are carbon copies of themselves with one differentiating feature. The VX970 has an integrated selfie picture in picture camera attached to the flip screen. This is the same feature the W850 introduced last year. The VX870 has no selfie camera but allows a phone to connect and feed the secondary image to record in tandem. It is kind of gimmicky but for filming parents wanting to film their reaction when their toddlers take their first steps it can be a pretty priceless feature.