Tag Archives: SDI

Panasonic Lumix BGH1 Slow Motion at 240fps is good!

Panasonic Lumix BGH1 Slow Motion

The Panasonic Lumix BGH1 is a strange camera if you are used to DSLR or Mirrorless camera body styles. It is tiny and full of connections with no screen unless you provide one via a computer that is tethered or an HDMI field monitor.  It uses the same dual ISO sensor found on the Panasonic Lumix GH5s which is a very good low light camera in a Micro 4/3ds package.  The BGH1 has a better internal recording set of options than the GH5s but it is more intended as a tethered studio solution with the addition of Genlock synch and SDI out.

The camera also has VFR or a Variable frame rate mode which is identical to the Lumix GH5s as it records from 1fps to 240fps in Full HD 1080p and delivers pretty good performance up to 200fps then lowers the quality along with providing a small added crop to the image at 225fps and 240fps. It is still not as sharp as regular 1080p video and the codec is saved at a lower bit rate but having 240fps as an option is great. → Continue Reading Full Post ←

Sony PXW-Z90V Footage Starts to Show!

Sony PXW-Z90V Footage

We were excited last September when Sony announced a trio of Palmcorders based on their latest 1″ stacked image sensor. The FDR-AX700, the HXR-NX80 and the PXW-Z90V share essentially the same sensor and lens along with other common features but differ when it comes to codec bit rates, broadcasting output like SDI out and or HDMI but what interests us is the HFR high frame rate mode.

The Sony RX100 and RX10 series share the same 1″ stacked CMOS sensor in their latest iterations to these cameras but with a new form factor that is aimed at more professional shooters, there is a lot of expectations to see if quality has improved in Slow Motion.   We have gone thru the manuals on the cameras and have not been able to find the exact resolution specs when recording HFR but we estimate they are identical to the latest RX10 IV all in one prosumer camera. → Continue Reading Full Post ←

Sony RX10 IV & AX700 Slow Mo Samples Surface!

Sony RX10 IV & AX700 Slow Mo Samples

There is a lot of interest on the new Sony RX10 IV and new Sony FDR-AX700,  HXR-NX80 and PXW-Z90V Palm 4k Cam-Corders.   We have found a couple of new sample videos showing these cameras in action with HFR high frame rate modes. We estimate all four cameras to have comparable image quality in HFR mode but depending on the price a better overall codec with more detail retention.

However the best value out of all of them could be the AX700 which costs about the same as the RX10 IV but in a more professional body with lots of control that the SLR form factor lacks.  Also for a paid job you may be inclined to go with the more professional looking body to avoid judgmental stares. → Continue Reading Full Post ←

Sony Palm 4k Camcorders Have 960fps!

Sony Palm 4k Camcorders

Sony has released three new Palm Sized 4k camcorders on the wake left by the RX10 IV all in one  1″ Sensor camera, these new cameras aim to produce professional results in 4k and with the use of broadcast features like 3G-SDI in the case of the Z90V allow for real time ENG and EFP production.

These cameras have the same  sensor and buffer mode as the RX10 IV camera but in a more traditional non SLR like form factor. The FDR-AX700 at the lower end of the range lacks a Proper microphone mount and XLR inputs with volume controls but they all share the same specs in lens 12x – and internal codecs aside from broadcast features.  This includes the HFR mode which seems to be identical to the RX10 IV offering 120fps continuous and up to 7 seconds of 240fps near full HD and reduced resolution 480fps and 960fps. → Continue Reading Full Post ←

Varicam LT offers up to 240fps in HD!

VaricamLT

Panasonic has released the specs of a new smaller version of their Varicam professional video camera with an S35mm sensor. The Varicam LT is the low cost version of the Varicam 35 which has higher end specs at a significantly higher price.  The Varicam 35 has a 4k mode that allows up to 120fps at full 4k resolution while the Varicam LT has less power at a maximum of 4k 60fps.

The LT is mostly identical after that 4k downgrade in the rest of it’s capabilities with dual native ISO of 800 ISO and 5000 ISO for extremely clean image quality at those native ISOs.  The Sensor itself is built for those opportunities that need higher sensitivity but also allow to shoot at reduced sensitivity for bright conditions.  This is great news for the use of the high frame rate feature. The inclusion of EF mount and PL  signify the seriousness of the product for an installed base of videographers and film makers with a growing arsenal of Canon and PL glass instead of Panasonic only lenses. They also state that EF lens compatibility will need to be tested and they will not support it directly. → Continue Reading Full Post ←