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:
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.
We now have enough footage samples to rank the Samsung NX1 just above the Panasonic GH4 in the HSC Camera guide for slow motion. Analysis of results below:
Samsung NX1 vs GH4 Pros and Cons
By now it is no secret that the Canon EOS 7D Mark II is mostly geared to photographers and video is considered a feature but not primary. It gains 60p at 1080 Full HD and retains 720p 60 but no further improvements for slow motion video.
It is still a good spec sheet especially for photographers and it improves on ISO, Sensor, AF, Timelapse, GPS Geo-tagging, SD Card Plus CF Slot and extra 10fps responsiveness.
We have finalized the analysis on the Sony a7s and the Panasonic FZ1000. We have placed the Sony in 4th place and the Pana in 5th place in our HSC Camera Guide. Even though the a7s is only 720p it has less aliasing than the FZ1000 at 120fps and the resolution seems very close. The Sony full frame also has noise characteristics that are much better than the 1″ sensor on the FZ1000.
All in all the Panasonic GH4 in 3rd place is still a better quality slow motion camera with conformed slow motion in camera to 24p and while a bit soft at 1080p it delivers about 14% better resolution than the a7s.
