Tag Archives: mode

iPhone 13 is years behind in Slow Motion!

Apple has finally announced the iPhone 13 which may be one of the most underwhelming refreshes of the handset in many years. While there is a lot of new stuff, nothing added is really groundbreaking in the way previous phones have awed when it comes to features in imaging. It is certainly a clear refinement of nearly every aspect of the hardware and software with better low light gathering and a first for a phone the addition of ProRes recording at 1080p and 4k 30p depending on the phone storage spec.

There are neat features like rack focusing which allows for AI-assisted machine learning depth of field selection based on people’s faces whenever their eyes are visible and or enter or exit the frame.  It is kind of gimmicky as it seems to do away with precise manual control of the feature but this is yet to be explored fully by reviewers. When it comes to Slow Motion capture, we have essentially no change for the 4th year in a row! → Continue Reading Full Post ←

Fuji X-S10 Slow Motion 240fps Samples!

Now that the surprise camera of 2020 has been out for a while, it is time to revisit the 240fps mode included in the video features. At first glance, it delivered 720p quality or less in an upscaled 1080p wrapper.  However many Fuji fans asked us to revisit the slow motion quality of this camera as early samples supposedly did not do justice to what this mode was able to deliver.

We have to agree to some extent that the quality of this camera in 240fps Full HD slow motion is better than other even more expensive options but we still feel that Fuji cut corners when it comes to image quality here by dropping lines and having a pretty noisy output unless there is an ample amount of light.  We have some samples that will let you see what this camera is capable of and make you decide if it is a good enough option for your camera collection.

Fuji X-S10 Slow Motion 240fps Samples:

The camera can shoot up to 6 minutes in high frame rate mode and saves the file in a 60fps Full HD file for playback according to the official manual here. You can always lower the frame rate further to conform for 24p, 25p, and 30p if needed.

Fuji X-S10 Video Samples Below:

Fujifilm X-S10 Slo Mo 240fps test by Abu Habeeb:

Fujifilm X S10 240 FPS slow motion ,IBIS.Handheld Shooting without colour grade (ETERNA) by Aju Eapen: → Continue Reading Full Post ←

Mi 8 and Mi 8 Explorer Get 960fps Firmware Update!

Mi 8 and Mi 8 Explorer

Xiaomi is soon releasing a new Firmware Update:  ROM – MIUI V10.1.2.0.PEHCNFI – based on Android 9 Pie and available first in China now.  The 2.1 GB update will include two new features that will make these phones more competitive. Search online for the ROM – MIUI V10.1.2.0.PEHCNFI  and be sure to follow the instructions while updating your phone.

The first feature is the inclusion of a 960fps slow-motion mode which is a big increase from the 240fps max setting before. As with other Xiaomi releases of the past, the slow motion samples are very hard to find or non-existent and there is a huge likelihood that they will use image interpolation from that same 240p to yield the 960fps. In a previous article, we referenced this test that showed the Xiaomi Mi Mix 3 using clear software interpolation to reach those frame rates.

Mi 8 and Mi 8 Explorer Feature Samples:

We found the following sample which could be real but we cannot corroborate its authenticity. If it is from the Mi 8 then it clearly shows interpolation in software being applied.

Xiaomi mi 8, cámara super lenta 960 fps by juan gutierrez:

The second feature is called: Super Night Scene which works by taking 8 different photos at very high speed and at different exposure values, then merges the result to create a better per pixel output that manages color and noise very well. This may be close to the Night mode on Google’s Pixel 3 Phone in how it does computational photography. Some were quick to call it a copy algorithm but we think this type of code needs quite a little bit of testing and time to do well. In our view, all phone vendors are using incremental camera computational algorithms to beat the hardware limitations in sophisticated software.

This comparison on Youtube shows the Xiaomi algorithm being close to what the Pixel 3 and Huawei Mate 20 X can achieve but really falling behind.

Pixel 3 XL vs Mate 20 X vs Mi Mix 3 – Night Mode Review! by Frankie Tech → Continue Reading Full Post ←

Google Pixel 3 Slow Motion is Lackluster!

Google Pixel 3 Slow Motion

The newly announced Google Pixel 3 and 3 XL phones do impressive things with machine learning when it comes to their camera app. The ability to do resolution comparable 2X  zoom to an optical lens by using exposure merging is genius.  Their portrait mode is also the best ever made on a phone with incredible separation of background and foreground depth of field based on learning algorithms that can tackle hair transitions and other objects all with only a single lens.

When it comes to video however it is not as good as either the Samsung’s or Apple’s latest flagship phones. The pixel tops at 4k 30p and the slow motion while doing 240fps which matches the iPhone XS it is only 720p instead of 1080p. Google seems to have beefed up the phone for still images and selfies and left the video features on a secondary plane. The slow motion mode is essentially identical to last year’s Pixel 2 and 2 XL at 120fps 1080p and 240fps 720p.

Google Pixel 3 Main Imaging Camera Features:

  • Rear Camera
  • 12.2MP dual-pixel
  • 1.4μm
  • Autofocus + dual pixel phase detection
  • Optical + electronic image stabilization
  • Spectral + flicker sensor
  • f/1.8 aperture
  • Field of view: DFoV: 76°
  • Rear Camera Video
  • 1080p @ 30fps, 60fps, 120fps
  • 720p @ 30fps, 60fps, 240fps
  • 4K @ 30fps
  • Dual Front Cameras
  • 8MP wide-angle and normal FoV cameras
  • Wide-angle: f/2.2 aperture, 97° FoV
  • Normal: f/1.8 aperture, 75° FoV

The Pixel 3 and 3 XL phones are competitive and according to initial reviews, it shows it to be the main contender for the still image and selfie picture crown for the year.  Video mode seems improved in dynamic range, low light, and stabilization but there are no new frame rates or even a timelapse feature that is included in other phones.

Dpreview did an incredible interview with the Pixel 3 camera team that goes deep into what the phone is capable of and what is really new and innovative. See the interview here!

Google Pixel 3 and 3 XL hands-on by The Verge:

The video by The Verge above should give you a good indication of the features.

iPhone XS vs Pixel 3 XL Slow Motion?

In the video below it is clear the Google Pixel 3 video mode is inferior to the Apple iPhone XS in almost all metrics except for image stabilization. There is a good direct 240fps comparison at the 16min mark between both phones!

Pixel 3 XL vs iPhone XS Max – The ULTIMATE Camera Comparison! by ZONEofTECH: → Continue Reading Full Post ←

Insta 360 One Has Dual Slow Motion!

Insta 360 One

The Company Insta360, maker of the Insta 360 Pro which is a more high end multi camera solution has released a new 360 degree action camera that can be mounted almost anywhere and deliver pretty good quality for VR and 360 degree videos on the fly. The new Insta 360 One is a democratization of 360 degree cameras and probably a direct competitor to the upcoming GoPro 360 degree camera solution.

The camera includes two slow motion modes that allow it to shoot 360 degree video at higher frame rates but with some drawbacks. Resolution takes a big hit compared to the 4k native resolution which is great. However it is still usable enough to produce web results that allow for some degree of flexibility on smaller screens.

Insta360 One specifications:

  • Aperture: F2.2
  • Photo resolution: 24 MP (6912*3456)
  • Video resolution: 3840*1920@30fps, 2560*1280@60fps, 2048*512@120fps
  • Photo format: insp, jpeg, RAW
  • Video format: insv, mp4, LOG
  • Stabilization: Built-in 6-axis gyroscopic stabilization
  • Compatible devices: iPhone 7/7 plus, iPhone 6s/6s plus, iPhone 6/6 plus iPad Pro(10.5-inch), iPad Pro(9.7-inch), iPad Pro(12.9-inch), iPad Air 2;
  • Android version coming soon

Photo, video specifications:

  • Photo modes: Standard 360 photos, timed 360 photos
  • Video modes: Standard 360 video, time-lapse mode, bullet time
  • Live-streaming: 360 live-streaming, FreeCast (user controls visual perspective)
  • EV: -2EV~+2EV
  • Exposure modes: Auto, Manual, Shutter Priority, ISO Priority
  • WB: Auto, Cloudy, Sunny, Fluorescent, Incandescent

Design:

  • Color: Black
  • Weight: 82g
  • Dimensions: 96mmx36.5mmx25mm(DxWxH)

Storage & Connectivity:

  • Bluetooth: BLE4.0
  • Lightning: Lightning connector for Apple devices
  • USB: Micro-USB 2.0 For Android Devices
  • SD Card: Supports UHS-I, exFAT(FAT64) format; max storage capacity is 128 GB.

Battery:

  • Battery Capacity: 820mAh(5V1A)
  • Charging method: Micro-USB
  • Endurance: 70 min (continuous video shooting)

Introducing the Insta 360 One:

The video above shows the capabilities of the camera pretty well. You will also notice that camera promotion campaign people in many camera releases; seem to act unnaturally and ultra excited by what is happening. Funny thing to watch 😉 !

Slow Motion Modes:

  • 2560*1280@60fps
  • 2048*512@120fps
  • 2048*512@240fps Bullet Time (Interpolated 120fps)

The 2560 x 1280 pixel 60fps mode offers a 3,276,800 pixel 3.27Megapixel footage option which retains the most quality.

The 120fps mode which is a 1 megapixel 2048*512 lower resolution image also has a bullet time mode which when paired with the selfie stick (Which can be removed from footage automatically) Creates a “matrix style” bullet time effect that rotates around the user to generate freeze 360 degree motion.

Insta360 ONE – Bullet Time Tutorial by Insta360:

As you can see from the video above you get a cool effect from the Bullet Time effect. However all of the footage has the unfortunate side-effect of having the camera shooter having his or her arm raised in an unnatural way.   We can imagine creative shooters using a string tethered to a harness or bite with the camera at one end to get better results without arms raised.  However there is no substitute to a real bullet time setup when you want quality and shot control.  Still a fun feature.

The 240fps interpolation or 8x on the software will derive the footage from the original 1 mega-pixel 120fps source.

The slow motion quality will not win any prizes for resolution or detail but it is good to have a mode available. We imagine most of the users will stay at the 3MP 60fps mode or just leave it at 4k 30fps default to get the best quality possible.

Log Shooting:

The Insta360 One camera can shoot in a flat desaturated profile for easy grading later. The Log format will allow better retention of highlights and shadows with the ability to grade it in post to give the desired color profile later.  This is a pro feature that Go Pro and others have implemented as needs by editors for Log footage were met.

Pricing and Availability:

The Insta360 One Price is $299.99

You can get it at Amazon.com Pre Order Here: http://amzn.to/2wdhD6T

Or at the Insta360 Store here: https://mall.insta360.com/product/one?inspm=77c1c2.35e7ad.0.0

The Insta360 One Camera software app is available for the iPhone at launch but will be later released for the Android ecosystem from the Google Play Store. There is a standalone desktop application that comes bundled with the camera for PC editing of the footage, A Phone is only needed for custom control and monitoring. The camera is able to shoot on its own without an external device.

We will have more slow motion samples of the Insta360 Pro When available.  The footage above will give you a good idea of its capabilities in the mean time. -HSC

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Olympus Tough TG-5 Digital Camera 120fps 1080p!

Olympus Tough TG-5

Olympus is announcing the TG-5 rugged camera which is the replacement for the popular TG-4. It has quite a number of new features and what may be a first for this type of cameras; a sensor pixel density reduction from 16MP to 12MP. A welcomed addition that will ensure better low light quality with a BSI CMOS sensor and speedier data acquisition which lets it output 4k and 120fps 1080p video.

It has also a 720p 240fps mode and a VGA 480fps mode which makes it stand out in the slow motion categories. This camera seems to be aiming at the GoPro Hero 5, Yi 4k+ and Sony Action Camera markets with more features, better usability and the features you expect from a portable camera. It can also be used in drones with some creative placement due to its low weight of 250g with battery!

Olympus Tough TG-5 Main Features:  

•New 12MP Hi-Speed Image Sensor for Improved Low Light Performance and Noise Reduction
•Bright F2.0 Hi-Speed Lens
•Dual Quad Core TruePic™ VIII Image Processor
•4x Optical Zoom (35mm equivalent: 25mm-100mm)
•RAW Capture
•New Field Sensor System w/ GPS, Manometer, Compass & Temperature Sensor
•On Screen Field Sensor Data Display
•Olympus Image Track app Plays and Exports Videos and Still Images with Field Sensor System Data
•Waterproof to depths of 50 feet / 15m
•Crushproof to 220 lbf/100 kgf
•Shockproof from 7 ft /2.1 m
•Freezeproof to  14⁰F / -10⁰C
•Dustproof
• New Anti-Fog Lens with Sealed, Dual Pane Glass to Prevent Condensation
New 4K Video Capture at 25fps or 30fps with 102Mbps
New Full HD 120fps High-Speed Video *   240fps 720p and Sub-VGA 480fps!             
•New PRO Capture Mode for Lag-Free Shooting
•4 Macro Modes: Microscope, Microscope Control, Focus Stacking, and Focus Bracketing
•4 Underwater Modes: Underwater, Wide, Underwater Macro, Underwater Snapshot, and Underwater HDR
•Ergonomic Body Design with Convenient Dial Control, Zoom Lever, and Accessory Lock Button
•Built-in Wi-Fi for Remote Shooting and Wireless Sharing
• LI-92B Li-ion battery, F-5AC Li-ion Battery Charger

TG 5 Feature Overview by Olympus:

1080p 120fps Slow Motion Quality:

As you can see from the frame crop above the slow motion quality is acceptable but not class leading. The camera looks more like good 720p at 120fps than full HD. For example, the new Sony a9 which has a very impressive and clear slow motion mode in 120fps 1080p that is really class leading; mops the floor with the Olympus TG-5.  But they are not in the same class with a 10x price difference.
High Speed Movie

  • 1920×1080 (FHD) / 120fps
  • 1280×720 (HD) / 240fps
  • 640×360 (SD) / 480fps

Since there are no samples yet of the 720p and sun VGA modes we cannot really make an assertion as to the quality of the images. However, the 1080p quality is not bad which bodes well for improved quality.  There are no samples of the slow motion released at this time besides the layered shots in the promo videos posted here.

BTW: You can read a comprehensive article on how to choose a diving camera here at: https://www.globosurfer.com/best-diving-cameras/

Quality:

The 20fps stills mode is pretty good and quality with RAW  shooting is better than the previous models. Olympus has been working to improve processing of images in this camera and it shows promise. Still, the small sensor and cramped pixels can only do so much in low light and reduced dynamic range even at 12MP which is very low for today’s pocketable cameras. We are glad to see Olympus steering away from the megapixel race here and offering better image quality than the 16+MP compacts it competes with.  It will still not compete well with Micro 4/3 or APS-C cameras. Even the Sony RX100 and RX10 cameras have an edge in quality with their 1″ sensors which are much larger than the 1/2.3″ inside the Olympus TG-5.

It is an all around good camera with some toughness and good underwater ability. The quality might not be class leading in any of its imaging modes but it does try to offer a well-balanced image quality in both stills and video. The 4k footage is good but lacks the dynamic range of cameras like the Sony RX100 series which is still the preferred value in portable cameras with a slow-motion component that is class leading. Those, however, lack the toughness and element shielding of the Olympus TG-5 which is its main selling point.

Homeward Bound with the Olympus Stylus Tough TG-5 by Adorama:

The excellent first look below by London Camera Exchange, will show you the capabilities of the camera in a rugged setting!

Olympus TG-5 – First Look by London Camera Exchange:

For $449 the Olympus Tough TG-5 is not a bad proposition for a well-rounded travel camera that will stand sand, water, drops and crush up to a point. It is geared for those that are as careless with their cameras as where they left their keychain.  With a “Microscope” Mode it may give some fun output of the unseen worlds but rest assured it is far from the magnification needed to see protozoa and or cells.  It will, however, do better than many macro modes and should do well with small insects.

The slow motion is good quality but not as sharp as the best 1080p 120fps modes out there. We still feel it should be given some consideration if you need a no-nonsense camera that can do a bit more than a GoPro or Competitive action camera.  We feel the abilities of usability, battery life and performance offer good value. It would have been better, however, to have a bit more slow motion punch on the lower modes but 480fps is a good solid start even when it is below VGA resolution. 720p 240fps is always a good feature to have to compete with the latest and greatest.  Sony could step up at any moment with a stacked sensor in a rugged camera and become the de-facto element proof choice among consumers with 1000fps like what they are doing in their RX and Xperia Phone lines.

We will have some more slow motion samples aside from the ones shown in the video sequences above when available from the camera when Olympus or users release them. -HSC

More information about the Olympus TG-5 here: http://www.getolympus.com/us/en/tg-5.html

http://www.getolympus.com/us/en/digitalcameras/tough/tg-5.html

You Can pre-Order the Olympus TG-5 at Adorama camera for $449.99 here with free expedited shipping!  Should ship by June this year!