Tag Archives: microphone

Action Cameras, Camera News, Rumors

GoPro Hero 10 Leaks with 240fps in 2.7k!

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It seems the leaks have come down heavily on the to be formally announced Hero 10 Black from GoPro. The latest by Winfuture.de & @rquandt. The most important part of the leak speaks about the use of the new GP2 chipset which is at least 2x faster than the already long in the tooth GP1 which was a great processing unit when released a few iterations back but now has a bit of catch up to do.

The leak also talks about new Hypersmooth 4.0 which seems to use also the oversampled sensor to deliver gimbal-like motion stabilization performance for the camera without the use of a physical stabilizing unit. We really like Hypersmooth 2 and 3 and if the GP2 is such a better processing core, it should in theory yield even better smoothness on most footage resolutions.  Frame rates have also taken a big leap here, and we speculate on what it could mean for slow motion enthusiasts. → Continue Reading Full Post ←

Announcements, Camera News, Media Showcase, Previews, Reviews, Slowmo Samples

Panasonic Lumix DC-G100 120fps Slowmo Full HD and why to avoid it!

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Panasonic Lumix DC-G100 120fps Slowmo

The new trend this year is the selfie mirrorless camera being bundled so that Youtube and other social media Vloggers get a camera that can easily capture what they need with little fuzz. It is no secret that camera sales are in free fall and companies will try to market anything and everything to get some sales. Such is the case with the Panasonic Lumix G100. It has a very nice microphone, a diminutive body, a terrific bright day screen, and a very portable and good enough image from a micro 4/3 sensor.

So why all this negativity? Well for a camera that wants to compete with the smaller 1″ sensor but better overall featured Sony ZV-1 with excellent dual pixel tracking AF; the G100 is limited in a variety of ways. The 5x stabilization will only work in 1080p and be only electronic in 4k.  4k itself only lasts 10 minutes which is very constrained for 2020, maybe for 2016 as a spec but not 4 years later. Dig in for more info!

Panasonic Lumix DC-G100 Main specs:

  • 20.3MP Digital Live MOS Sensor  m4/3
  • 5184 x 3888 maximum resolution
  • UHD 4K30p Video, Pre-Installed V-Log L (10min limit)
  • 5-Axis Hybrid Image Stabilization (1080p Only)
  • OZO Audio with Subject Tracking
  • ISO 200 to 25600 (Extended: 100 to 25600)
  • Video Modes: MP4 4:2:0 8-Bit
  • UHD 4K (3840 x 2160) at 23.976p/29.97p (10min)
  • Full HD (1920 x 1080) at 29.97p/59.94p
  • Slow Motion 120fps Full HD Mode-
  • 12 to 32mm Lens kit included
  • MSRP: $747.99 with lens and tripod included

For a camera and lens combo under $750 USD it may seem like a pretty good package but when you dig in the details it becomes apparent that you are getting a subpar kit that could have been so much better.

What about Slow Motion?

The video below by Gordon Laing shows a sample of the slow motion on the camera that is very good and will give you a good indication of the per-pixel quality. It is also a very complete review with AF tests and the audio modes.

Panasonic Lumix G100 review vs ZV1 M50 G90 G95 by Gordon Laing:

The full HD 120fps looks to be on par with other Lumix cameras which is not bad but it is also way below others in their line of cameras like 180fps and 240fps which is not even a choice here.

As a slow motion camera, it is competitive with other 120fps cameras in full HD but not much else. We cannot recommend it over other options like the Sony RX series that can do 240fps in near full HD (See Here) with pretty good results.

Other things:

The stabilization which is essential for blogging is limited in the 5 axis mode to 1080p which is ridiculous, you get electronic image shift stabilization for 4k and a 10-minute recording limit on that mode which is very much a non-starter for vloggers.

Ozo audio in the video above is really the most interesting feature of this camera and something we hope to see in the Lumix line from now on. The omnidirectional microphones allow the camera to estimate the location of the person speaking and link the face detection autofocus algorithm so it stays sharp during recording even when you move out of the frame and back in.

The AF technology used is DFD or Depth from Defocus which is used in the Lumix line of cameras and while excellent for still images it still can’t compete directly with dual pixel AF from other brands that use contrast and Phase detection along with object and animal/people tracking to be very consistent in the video modes. DFD has a hit and miss that is hated by many and a clear let down by today’s AF standards, especially for Vlogging.

Panasonic G100: Hands-on look at a lightweight multimedia powerhouse by imagingresource → Continue Reading Full Post ←

Announcements, Camera News, Development

Insta360 Pro VR Camera 100fps at 4k!

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Insta360 Pro VR Camera

Like coming out of a science fiction movie like Oblivion; the Insta360 Pro VR Camera with it’s six independent cameras and futuristic spherical design creates an immediate reaction to anyone that sees it. This is a real product not a concept and can record 8k at 30fps with post processing stitching required but full 4k 3D 360º degree footage at 30fps or 25fps with real time hardware stitching ready to post the end footage on the web.

The slow motion component comes at 4k where the camera can shoot 4k at up to 100fps for a slow motion result or super life like motion.  The Slow Motion mode lacks real time stitching but you can use post production to merge the final footage on your PC or Mac. → Continue Reading Full Post ←

Announcements, Availability, Camera News, Media Showcase

Panasonic HC-X1 Packs Some Serious Performance!

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Panasonic hc-x1

In a launch that was mostly subdued, a new camera was launched in August; the Panasonic  HC-X1 which is a mid range professional fixed lens ENG or EFP camera with some serious specs to go behind it.  For starters there is 4k at up to 60fps a format that we hope to see in upcoming ILCs like the GH4 successor and Sony Cameras.  The other is 100fps PAL or 120fps NTSC 1080p which is now a must have slow motion standard for any serious camera.

The qualities of the new Panasonic HC-X1 do not stop at higher frame rates; it features a fantastic 3 independent fly by wire ring system for focus, aperture and the last for zoom which starts at a very wide 24mm to 480mm at the long end or 20x optical. The camera also features  a built in ND Filter wheel from 1/4th to 1/64th for effortless 180 degree shooting outdoors.

Panasonic HC-X1 Specs:
  • Advanced Optical Image Stabilizer (4K/UHD/FHD) and 5-Axis Hybrid O.I.S. (FHD)
  • 1″-Type MOS Sensor
  • DCI 4K Recording at 24p
  • HDMI and A/V Outputs
  • VFR UHD (2 to 60 fps) /HD Super-Slow Motion (120/100 fps)
  • Supports 4K, UHD, FHD; 60p/50p/25p/24p
  • High-performance LEICA DICOMAR 4K Lens 24mm f2.8-F4.5 with optical 20X zoom (24-480mm).
  • Built-In ND Filters
  • 2-channel XLR Audio, Wired/Wireless remote control, triple Manual fly by wire Rings, user switch, timecode, Live HDMI output.
  • Simultaneous 4K UHD/FHD dual codec recording to two SD cards.
  • Three independent ring system on lens focus/aperture/zoom.
  • Optional Shotgun style external microphone.

For a suggested retail price of $3,199.99 USD the camera is one of the best values in price/performance/features we have seen lately.  This is a complete production ready camera for documentary, B Roll and interviews all in one inexpensive package.  This is a real option for those looking for 4k performance up to 60fps for overcrank at that resolution and with the ability to save on dual SD Cards as continuous recording but also as 4k and 1080p saved simultaneously make it a must have for news delivery with extreme portability.

The sensor seems to perform as good as you would expect from a BSI 1″ sensor from current technology which is very clean.  We will need more samples to judge quality and in HFR mode see if compression hinders the video quality.   There is also an Infra Red Shooting night option (Green Image) which is coming back to cameras as an added feature once again. This used to be very popular in the 90s and early 2000s with Sony Camcorder Night Shot Mode.

The 5 axis image stabilizer from Panasonic is one of the best in the business and should do well with this Leica Branded 20x Optical Zoom.

Our Take:

All in all we are very impressed with this camera and what it offers for the price. Not too long ago features like dual cards, dual codec recording, 4k at 60fps and 120fps at 1080p plus all in a do it all package would have cost way above 5k.  Panasonic is very aggressive with the HC-X1 and should take away customers from Canon, JVC and Sony with this camera.    Our Panasonic pick is still the excellent DVX200 Camera which offers even more punch for Just under $4k.  That camera offers a micro 4/3 sensor which should yield even more impressive low light.  However the HC-X1 is a mini version of it with a great balance of features for $800 USD less.  We like what Panasonic is doing and can’t wait for what they have in store for the future.  See the video below for a cool rundown of the Panasonic HC-X1 features including the slow motion feature.

Panasonic 4K UHD Camcorder HC-X1 Launch Video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rRI4-r75S7U

We will have slow motion video samples as the become available. In the mean time you can read more at the pre-order pages below:

Adorama Camera has the HC-X1 for Pre Order Here:

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Camera Deals, Firmware/Software, Slowmo Samples

JVC Camcorders Get 120fps Firmware Update!

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jvgyhm200

Our reader Andy Urtu alerted us to the firmware updates for the JVC prosumer camcorder line which add among other improvements the 120fps high speed video mode at full 1080p 1920*1080 resolution to the popular camera line. Thanks Andy! → Continue Reading Full Post ←

Announcements, Camera News, Media Showcase

Sony PXW-Z150 has 120fps with Stacked Sensor!

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PXWZ150

Announced just last week the Sony PXW-Z150 gets a lot of right for the low end pro video market.   It has 4k 4:2:0 as many in the competitive price range of $3,595 MSRP. It has 4:2:2 1080p 10 bit at 50mbit  which is a good surprise and it seems to be carried to the also included 120fps full HD 1080p slow motion mode.

The sensor is of the stacked kind and it is 1″ sized, the same as the ones in the RX100 IV and RX10 II from Sony which are really good at slow motion for a low price. However those full specs are not carried through in the high frame rate mode or HFR.  It maxes out at 120fps 1080p instead of 240fps on the RX series in the 1k range and the FS5 which is a tad more expensive than the Z150.

Sony PXW-Z150 Main Specs:
  • 4K and Full HD  Video Capture
  • 1.0 type 120 fps HFR HD stacked CMOS
  • Sony G 12x zoom lens
  • 4K QFHD Long GOP 4:2:0 8bit 100Mbps
  • Full HD Long GOP 4:2:2 10bit 50Mbps
  • 12x Optical Zoom with servo
  • Built-in Wi-Fi

Super Slow Motion Function:

  • XAVC HD: Frame rate selectable 120 fps [NTSC]
  • XAVC HD: Frame rate selectable 100 fps [PAL]

Sensor specs:

1.0-type (13.2 mm x 8.8 mm) back-illuminated Exmor RS CMOS sensor

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To deliver imaging performance previously impossible for a compact camcorder, Sony has developed the world’s first 1.0 type stacked CMOS image sensor for professional video applications. A 2x increase in read-out speed, compared to a conventional 1.0 type sensor, enables beautiful 5x slow motion image capture up to 120fps in Full HD and high resolution 4K recording with full pixel readout without binning at 10 bit 4:2:2.

PXW-Z150 High Q 4K and 120fps HD sample footage by Sony:

So in the end the camera is an event workhorse with 4k at 100Mbit and excellent 1080p with a slow motion 5x 120fps function.  It has 2 XLR audio inputs and Sony battery compatibility.  It has a full sensor read out with perfect per pixel quality at 1080p and that carries to the HFR 120fps mode which is ideal.   Does this package warrant a purchase or buying an RX10 II makes more sense?  There is no question that this camera will do better in terms of image quality but for less that 2k USD more you can get a Sony FS5 with a lot more features and slow motion modes, not to mention interchangeable lenses.   The camera is great for what it does and for small news outfits and wedding or event videographers this makes a lot of sense without hassle.

Adorama has the camera for pre order now with estimated shipping in April 2016:

SONY PXW-Z150 at New York Fashion Week : Adorama Exclusive: → Continue Reading Full Post ←