Tag Archives: rumored

Lumix GH6 will do 120fps 4k & maybe more!

Lumix GH6 Panasonic

Panasonic unveiled in May the GH5 Mark II which is a slight refresh of the venerable m4/3rds GH5 with live streaming, better dynamic range in video, better AF algorithms, and slightly better IS on a very similar body with just a few cosmetic red buttons and rings for refresh purposes.  The slow motion remains at 180fps VFR at 1080p and 60p at 4k on the GH5 II since it is using the same sensor and imaging engine. It is a better overall camera than the original but a mild refresh nonetheless. 

That brings us to the pre-announced GH6 which is an in-development camera that aims to refresh the entire Micro 4/3ds line in Panasonic and aimed at professional video users.  It sports a new sensor, new imaging engine, new body and new technologies yet to be disclosed.  According to rumors, this camera should be able to keep micro 4/3rds alive for another five years delivering an array of video and photo features that will set it apart much like the original GH5 carved a place in camera history. We have also received rumored specs that may or may not pan out regarding frame rates which we find somewhat credible.  → Continue Reading Full Post ←

GoPro Being Acquired by Xiaomi?

GoPro Being Acquired by Xiaomi

Last week the site The Information posted a piece stating the possibility of GoPro being bought out by Chinese electronics company Xiaomi which are the makers of the main competitor to GoPro in the same form factor with the Yi camera line.   We liked the Yi 4k+ last year as it delivered pretty acceptable quality in 4k 60p in a GoPro like the body+enclosure design. We were not thrilled by the bit rates or the slow-motion quality but it was in the running for the best alternative action camera with a lower price.

If the rumors are true Xiaomi will be consolidating the Action camera market and improving the Yi camera line overnight by rebranding it to GoPro as the name might be just as valuable as the technology being acquired.  Most of the current Yi camera products share the components with pre Hero 6 Black cameras like the Hero 5 Black as they were based on the Ambarella chips that GoPro used for a decade.

The rumor also states that if an offer is to be made, Xiaomi will be reluctant to overpay for the struggling company as GoPro has been shedding workforce and revenue for several quarters.  The current GoPro Market Cap is around 700 million which means Xiaomi may snatch the GoPro name for less than 1 Billion which is quite a deal considering the company was valued over 10 Billion in 2014 when the stock was on fire.

What could happen with a GoPro sale?

The action camera market is very crowded with many copycat companies eating GoPro’s margin with similar products that sometimes look identical to the Hero cameras. It is clear that this is a case of Chinese tech companies capitalizing on the GoPro success with mostly sub-par copied products that while adequate for many are short of the GoPro quality (See SamplesHere) that has characterized the true brand.  The exception here is Xiaomi which is the best of these cameras with actual innovation and video quality that is getting very close to the Hero 5 Black.

GoPro still has the edge on the video quality front including high frame rates with their excellent Hero 6 Black for MSRP $397.00 But with sales dwindling and the failure of their Karma Drone to take on DJI’s Phantom line, GoPro has had a rough couple of years.  A Xiaomi buy-out offer could put new cash and resources to expand the GoPro line into new frontiers including rebranding the Xiaomi Drones with the GoPro name.

Critics of the rumor will point out that GoPro is more a name than a tech play now as the technology for action cameras is now widely available but the fact remains that GoPro still is the best camera for action pros with reliability and high image quality that is rarely matched. The only camera that comes even close is the Sony Action Cam which is higher in price when you factor in accessories.

So merging the GoPro line including technology like their new SoC the GoPro GP1 processor with the Yi camera line will instantly gain market share of the action camera market by creating a single product range to dominate the segment. The main problem to this remains the adoption of the smartphone as the camera of choice when on the go.

Many phones now can withstand low & high temperatures as well as being underwater for short periods of time at low depths.  These remain the most direct competitor to the action camera market.  The miniaturization of larger sensor cameras is also eating on the GoPro monopoly on the TV and film industries that used them to great effect in the last decade.  The mirrorless camera revolution has better image quality than the GoPro and offers the ability to use a lens selection that is unmatched.

Lots of competition also means there is no easy way out for GoPro. Innovation is not that easy when so many cameras match or exceed their specs and while more expensive, the race to the bottom continues with electronics manufacturing increasing yields on sensors and other components to reduce pricing on large economies of scale.  If GoPro sells itself to Xiaomi it will probably lose most of its independence and become just one more Chinese owned company that may or may not survive the test of time.  For some, it really means giving GoPro a lifeline before it disappears on its own. For shareholders, it may mean getting something instead of nothing over the long term. Not an easy place to be.

GoPro HERO 6 vs YI 4K+!! by AuthenTech – Ben Schmanke:

What if?

What could happen if GoPro released an SC2 chip with the release of a killer GoPro Hero 7 Black camera either this year or in early 2019?  We could see GoPro getting more sales and gain enough time to figure out how to spin the company forward.  GoPro was always an innovator and their products surpassed conventional designs in specs and features with performance that is still best in the market.

If GoPro can innovate itself out of its troubles by streamlining their product range into just a couple of very high-quality products that leave enough profit margin to return to continued profitability that selling itself to Xiaomi might not be the best course of action.

We think that if GoPro could come up with a camera with the following specs:

  • 4k 120fps (Time Limited)
  • 4k 60fps continuous
  • 1080p 480fps 
  • 720p 960fps
  • 180-degree lens
  • Sensor Crop modes
  • 100Mbps codec with ProTune
  • 4:2:2 10 Bit color at 150Mbps for 30p, 24p and 25p video modes at 4k.
  • Optical Image Stabilization O.I.S.

It could bring a lot of attention to the camera line again especially if the quality is not compromised by aliasing and moire on higher frame rates.  Even at a higher price like $599.99 a camera like this would probably sell really well and make GoPro the first choice for action cameras once again. The specs above are not a pipe dream considering Sony is working with similar specs in the labs with their motion eye technology for smartphones and mirrorless cameras.

If GoPro is able to go back to their roots and deliver a truly innovative product then we could have the company return to profitability and gain enough time to figure out the course for a future in which GoPro is able to grow and expand into markets like dashboard cameras, smart doorbells, IOT devices, drone cameras (Not Drones Themselves) and surveillance where it is really just starting to get interesting.

Imagine having a dashboard camera in your car that you can detach and take with you when needed and even attach it to a drone or use as an intelligent doorbell based on a universal dock. That would make GoPro a much more valuable camera with many uses that transcend the action camera market and creates a truly valuable proposition.  We are fans of GoPro and would like to see it succeed and continue creating excellent products.  Let’s hope they can do it for a long time. – HSC

Disclaimer: We do not own any GoPro or Xiaomi stock or have any direct or indirect information about a possible merger between GoPro and Xiaomi or any other electronics company. Our essay is an opinion piece based on the rumors brought up by “The Information” website.  We are not responsible for any misquotes or information you derive from this article. GoPro or Xiaomi did not approach us in any way on the creation of this post.

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Canon M50 Will Have 120fps HD & 4k!

Canon M50

Has Canon finally woken up from the deep slumber that has crippled the progress in their camera line when it comes to video performance?  On paper, the Canon EOS M50 a mirrorless camera that seems to improve in almost every way to previous efforts by the company. We have 4k recording at 24/25 but where is 30P? 120fps slow Motion 720 HD Video in a lower cost body and their excellent Dual Pixel AF System which is one camera feature where the others are playing catch-up.

If the rumors are solid; which seem to be considering the images leaked and detailed information then Canon may finally be releasing cameras that will be worth your while and a clear path out of the EF mount into a mirrorless future.  We remain detached until we have image samples and slow-motion footage but its clear Canon and possibly Nikon will not remain still for much longer and let Sony, Olympus, Panasonic, and smartphones eat their installed user base little by little.

Canon M50 Rumored Feature Set:

  • 24.1 Megapixels APS-C CMOS
  • DIGIC 8
  • Dual pixel CMOS AF with greatly improved performance
    AF area is enlarged by about 38% with corresponding lens (100% vertical × 88% wide in live view image display range)
    The selectable AF point is a corresponding lens with a maximum of 143 points (99 points for non-compatible lenses)
  • Pupil detection AF
  • Dual Sensing IS
  • Silent mode
  • DLO in camera
  • RAW development in camera
  • Video: 4K 25p / 24p, FHD 60p
  • HD 720p 120p Slow Motion
  • Frame cutout from 4K movie is possible
  • 5 Axis Electronic Image Stabilizer · Combination IS
  • Standard ISO: 100-25600 (extended ISO: 51200)
  • Continuous: Up to 10 frames / sec (at servo AF: up to 7.4 frames / sec)
  • EVF: 0.39 type 2.36 million dot Organic EL
  • 3 type 104 million dots Vari-angle touch panel liquid crystal
  • Wi-Fi · Bluetooth · NFC installed
  • Wireless remote controller BR-E1 compatible
  • HDMI HDR output compatible
  • Supports the next-generation CR3 RAW format and the new C-RAW compression format
  • The C – RAW format is 40% smaller in file size than conventional RAW, and it corresponds to in – camera RAW development and digital lens optimizer
  • Battery: LP-E 12
  • Weight: 387 g black, 390 g white (including battery and memory card)
  • Color: Black / White
  • Expected Announcement February 26th, 2018
  • Prices leaked by CanonRumors.com
  • Canon EOS M50 Body Only (Black/White) $779
  • Canon EOS M50 (Black or White) & EF-M 15-45mm f/3.5-6.3 IS STM $899
  • Canon EOS M50 (Black) & Zoom Lens Kit $1,249
  • Canon EOS M50 Video Creators Kit $999

As you can see the camera aims to cater to mirrorless users expecting a competitive feature set that can go head to head with Sony and Panasonic.  However, the released specs seem to be playing catch up and not the lead for the most part.

The IBIS in body stabilization claims 5 axis electronic but it is unclear if it is software based or a real sensor shift mechanism, no mention of 30p or 60p 4k which is becoming commonplace.

C-RAW format is interesting from a storage point of view. If the data can be 40% smaller without sacrificing image quality it will be a welcome format for many cameras to come.  It will be hard to pull of that kind of compression without some sacrifice in either speed or bit depth. It will be a matter of waiting for samples to compare.

The Dual Pixel AF is Canon’s secret video weapon, it is by far the best system out there for consistent video AF tracking and it does it with a natural transition look. Sony has been getting better in recent cameras but the performance is still not as good as Canon’s system.  This M50 if the Rumor is to be believed will be not only better but significantly improved compared to their past systems, that is encouraging to say the least.

It is of note that the Canon EF to EOS M adapter $199 will convert all the EF Canon lenses to be used including AF and Aperture with the M System. So it is an easy transition for Canon Glass owners.

However, as you can see in the M5 review below which is the previous Canon release close to the M50 there are quite a few things they need to improve to make it worth your while compared to competitive options.

Why You Shouldn’t Buy The EOS M5! Review after 2 Months by Max Yuryev:

Final Notes:

The M50 will have a Vari-Angle Screen that is side-hinged, giving an end to the terrible up or down design that has persisted in previous M cameras.  The M50 has the potential to be the first EOS M camera to migrate DSLR EOS owners to the Canon Mirrorless system and be successful in quality and performance.

Will it replace your Sony or Panasonic GH series? Not yet we think as video performance seems to still be limited and probably will not be ideal but if they can get 30p and 60p 4k in this type of form factor and the ability to shoot in higher bit-rates like 200MBit H.264 or H.265 at 10bit then, by all means, it will be a mirrorless option that will make the competition fearful.  Rumors also say Nikon is working on a similarly impressive system with specs that will rival the best out there, it seems that camera companies in Japan have finally woken up in concert to deliver the features that the Micro 4/3 and Sony E Mount crowd have enjoyed for over several years.

Canon has the technical know-how, the lens pedigree and the color quality that most of us can rely on, if they get their mirrorless act together along with professional features in video mode then the EOS M system may become the next big hit for Canon.  Don’t you love when competition forces the hand of the slumbering camera giants?

Stay tuned for the official release, but don’t hold your breath, we expect progress but not class-leading video performance and most probably an artifact prone 120fps slow-motion mode.  Canon is trying to catch up which in the end means others will have to leapfrog even further to compete with the brand recognition. We all benefit in the end from that pressure. -HSC

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Samsung Exynos Camera Rumor With Super Slow Motion!

Samsung Exynos Camera

The folks at Mirrorless Rumors have a new story based on an anonymous source that claims to know information about a super camera being tested at Samsung’s labs that can do among other things 480fps at 1080p resolution.  Its also claimed to be 4k 120fps ready and using the Exynos 9810 SoC which is reserved for their high-end phones up to now.

These claims are too detailed and too extraordinary to be believed but the Exynos Chip should be able to process all of that data.  The Rumor also states that it will be an APS-C chip with ISOCELL Technology on a stacked design capable of 30.1 Megapixels or 6720*4480px at 30p frame rates. The camera is a prototype according to the source and it is not known if it will be released as a real product in the future.

Samsung Exynos Camera Rumor Highlights:

  • – Full sensor (6720*4480) @ 30fps
    – 5376*3024 @ 60fps
    – 3840*2160 @ 120fps
    – 2688*1512 @ 240fps
    – 1920*1080 @ 480fps
  • – full width of the sensor is used up to 480fps 
  • -Dual Pixel AF System with Phase detection
  • Accelerometer-based shutter
  • H.265 codec
  • Up to 120fps should be full sensor read-out, 2.7K and 1080p at higher frame-rates is 2×2 pixel binning and then down-sampling
  • Full rumor specs here: https://www.mirrorlessrumors.com/good-true-high-end-samsung-aps-c-camera-based-exynos-9810-soc/

Our Take:

When you get outlandish rumors with a list of features that leapfrog everything in the current camera landscape you have to remain a skeptic.  However, the frame rates touted are already possible my much lesser processors out there but they have to be paired with super fast RAM buffers in the several GB range and record for very limited time frames.

Super Slow Motion Movie Taken by 3-layer Stacked CMOS Image Sensor with DRAM by Sony:

A Samsung camera with those specs would need a huge stacked sensor cache module and a secondary memory module in the 16-32GB range for just a few seconds or record time.  We also have to expect a sensor with that many pixels to be full of rolling shutter distortion unless they have implemented a Sony RX like electronic shutter 1/32000 which could be also possible.

What is the Exynos 9810 – Gary explains by  Android Authority: → Continue Reading Full Post ←

Slow Motion End Of Year Rumors & Predictions!

Slow Motion End Of Year Rumors & Predictions!

2017 was a very important year for affordable high-speed cameras. We had impressive performance across the board while prices kept mostly in the same brackets as 2016. You get increased recording time in the Sony RX series and incredible resolution on a 1080p camera at over 2000fps with the edgertronic SC2X.

We have some new rumors submitted that can shed some light on the releases for 2018 and beyond when it comes to high frame rate capable cameras. Rest assured that any and all rumors can change, be discredited in part or simply be completely false.  We have chosen only the ones that have a higher chance of being true.

  1. Rumor : Panasonic will jump to 240fps Full HD on their mirrorless consumer cameras: 

There is already much talk about the Panasonic GH5s being a low light monster but what can be lost in the rumor shuffle is the repeated spec of 240fps for full HD recording.  Sadly no improvement in 4k frame rates is in the cards above 60fps for the Lumix line. We would have loved to see 120fps at 4k making an entrance in 2018.  It will come but not just yet. The GH5s with 240fps capability should be announced January 8th, 2018.

2. Rumor: At least one camera manufacturer will have 120fps 4k video at a midrange price in 2018.

This rumor doesn’t give specifics on the specific manufacturer but we estimate it would be Panasonic or Sony to include the feature on midrange $4,000-8,000 USD Cameras.   It is a logical step and with more and more 4k content needed, the higher frame rate will be welcomed.

3. Prediction: 6k will be introduced on higher-end cameras along with 60fps 6k capability.

The road to 8k will take longer to reach the mainstream but production is clearly moving to 6k as stabilization and post-production requirements crave 6k resolution. We already saw the GH5 from Panasonic offering anamorphic 6k recording at 24fps this year. It is only a given that more cameras will move this way.  60fps will be the first step for slow motion in 6k which should also allow for 120fps at 4k when implemented.

4. Rumor: We will see new action cameras from different manufacturers offering 6k and possibly 8k for 360 VR on two 4k streams.

Sony has been quiet on the Action Cam front aside from the RX0 which is their competitive answer for small sized cameras geared to professionals.  However, that will change according to the rumors with an Action Camera based on the Motion Eye technology allowing for ever higher frame rates at increased resolutions and usable recording times.  Will it be named X4000? Only time will tell.  Yi and others will also jump in with more models that should be more capable than this year’s action camera HSC Pick the GoPro Hero 6 Black.

5. Prediction: We will see at least one new dedicated professional high-speed camera this year with 1080p or higher resolution.

We know of some developments in the space but we are in no position to comment further on a specific camera or manufacturer. However good things are coming in affordable slow motion at frame rates above 1000fps in 2018.  If the information we have bears fruit, it could mean more competition and price fluctuation downward in the space.

6. Rumor: We will see at least one new phone with 1000fps 720p and higher resolution with more usable recording times in 2018.

Samsung is probably releasing a 1080p capable slow motion phone in 2018, same goes for Sony with the replacement phones for their Motion Eye Capable Xperia Series.  We do not see Apple reaching for these lofty heights in frame rates but they should be able to squeeze more frames out of their new flagships for 2018. Expect better quality video on phones.

7. Prediction: Phones will start shooting 6k in 2018!

Be it a Galaxy Note 9 or the promised Red Phone, 6k will come to phones in 2018 as a technical exercise. Making your current 4k shooting phone still usable as no one really needs, for now, 6k on a phone. Well, maybe a handful of pros…

8. Rumor: New Sensor will allow for up to 2,000fps in prosumer cameras at full HD.

We have to treat this one with a grain of salt but if we could bet on the manufacturer it would be Sony. Their stacked CMOS sensors are the most advanced when it comes to rolling shutter performance and noise control.  If a 2000fps sensor were to come out it will probably be released in an RX Camera successor.

Happy New Year and thank you for being a visitor to HSC this year!

Opening Champagne in Slow Motion!! by Slow Mo Lab:

 

GH5s More Rumored Specs Emerge With 240fps!

GH5s

The latest info from 43 Rumors stemming from supposed leaks on the GH5s or “Low Light Version of the GH5” suggest a 10.28MP sensor with up to 240fps Full HD recording capability.    There seems to be an out of step rush to deliver this camera compared to previous releases by Panasonic which may or may not end with a product on the specified date of Jan 8th, 2018.

There has been a clear progression of frame rates from Lumix GH cameras from 60p to 96p, 120p and most recently 180fps with the GH5 and G9.  However, if the GH5s ships with 240fps we can safely assume that the spec will now be the bare minimum frame rate for a flagship camera in full HD instead of the 120fps most can shoot in high-quality mode.  The GH5 suffered from quality degradation above 120fps with aliasing and moire taking a toll. If the new camera can deliver 240fps with the same quality as 120fps then it will be a milestone mirrorless camera.

GH5s Supposed Leaked Specs from 43 Rumors:

  • 10.28MP Low Light Sensor
  • 12 fps Stills
  • ISO Standard: 160-51,200 Extended: 80-102,400
  • Cinema 4k up to 60fps 10 Bit 4:2:2
  • Full HD 1080p up to 240fps VFR
  • Mechanical shutter: 1/8,000
  • Electronic shutter: 1/16,000
  • Flash sync: 1/250
  • LCD screen: 3.2″, 1,620,000 dots, touchscreen
  • Same GH5 Viewfinder / Same Camera Body
  • Battery: Pansonic DMW-BLF19PP
  • Two memory card slots
  • 4k photos
  • HDMI Type A / USB 3.1
  • Dust-proof and splash-proof body
  • MSRP $2,500   Announcement Jan 8th!

If Panasonic is able to deliver such camera by early 2018 we can rest assured this will push other manufacturers to up their game when it comes to frame rates.  We expect to see 4k 120fps in a mid-range camera during 2018 and 240fps 1080p should make its way into more affordable segments.

The Sony RX line, for example, has a 4-second recording limit in quality mode at 240fps Full HD which could be made continuous in the next iteration.  One thing that troubles us by Panasonic is that the 240fps mode in their recently released EVA1 professional camera has a quality loss that is severe at 240fps with softness and blotchy noise that makes it look more like 720p.  If the GH5s has the same type of quality then we cannot say in honesty the camera will be groundbreaking for affordable slow motion.   The GH5s needs to deliver the same 120fps quality the current GH5 does at the higher 240p rate for it to be a real step up.

The elephant in the room is the long-awaited Sony a7s Mark III which should be Sony’s answer to Panasonic and Canon offering class leading low light performance with an HDR component in the $3,200 price range.  Sony has also shown that high frame rates are their game with the RX/Motion Eye technology. If the new a7s III includes the first full frame sensor with on-sensor multi-layered accelerated DRAM, it could create a product so advanced that the competition will have to go back to the drawing board in order to compete.   Some rumors suggest this while others just claim a 2 stop improvement in low light capability and dynamic range. We will have to wait and see.

2018 could be the year we have been waiting for to really be excited about high frame rates in affordable cameras that can maintain quality. Samsung and Sony are also launching new high frame rate phones next year. It is an exciting time for high-speed video and especially with portability in mind.

Here is a clip that has caught our attention lately, if you haven’t seen it be sure to do so on a large screen at full 4k.  Excellent work by Dustin Farrell www.dfvc.com    -HSC

Transient – Slow Motion Lightning Strikes in 4k With Phantom Flex 4k: 

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