Tag Archives: video mode

OnePlus 9 Slow Motion mode gains 4k 120fps!

OnePlus has finally released its new flagship 2021 phones. And they have built a new 3 year partnership with medium format camera maker Hasselblad to build their phone camera modules.  On this first iteration, we get Ultra Wide 50MP, Wide 48MP or standard and a 3.3x telephoto with 8MP which is the lower quality of the bunch.

OnePlus has respected its own heritage when it comes to frame rates as the new 9 handsets retain the 240fps in Full HD 1080p and 480fps in HD 720p mode for somewhat super slow motion and a new mode of 120fps in full 4k which is exciting. OnePlus had the edge in recording duration in previous phones and this new variant might keep that edge. However, we feel disappointed the resolution did not go up to full HD at 480fps and allow for a 960fps HD mode like many other phones out there. → Continue Reading Full Post ←

Sony Xperia 5 II 120fps 4k Slow Motion in Leaked Info!

Sony Xperia 5 II 120fps 4k Slow Motion

Sony has been relatively quiet about phones since the Xperia 1 II roll out. However, rumors have been heating up on the Xperia 5 II, which is a lower-cost alternative to the flagship phone but very nearly as capable without the best screen or construction but not skimming on features. The latest rumor mentions a spec sheet that makes it a 4k 120fps recording phone which may show that handsets still are seen as innovators when it comes to cameras since very few consumer devices in the camera world can record at that frame rate.

We were not very happy that Sony basically killed the super slow motion mode on the Xperia 1 II phone which kind of showed that Sony was putting stills and regular video at the forefront without making compromises in sensors that needed to shoot at higher frame rates. Sony chose to do cleaner regular frame rate video and stills that were better than any Sony phone before at the cost of not having a do it all sensor.  Slow motion from Sony was all but killed but the Xperia 5 II now makes us second guess that fate…

Sony Xperia 5 II leaked spec sheet:

  • 6.1-inch FHD+ OLED display with 21:9 aspect ratio
  • 120 Hz refresh rate
  • 240 Hz touch sampling rate
  • Snapdragon 865 chips
  • 8GB of RAM
  • 128GB of expandable storage.
  • 4,000 mAh battery
  • USB-C Port
  • 3.5mm Headphone Jack makes a comeback (YES 🙂 )

Rear camera module specs:

  • 12 MP  f/1.7 aperture, 24mm equivalent lens, with 82-degree field of view.
  • Telephoto camera 12 MP, with f/2.4 aperture, and 3x optical zoom.
  • Ultrawide 12 MP with  f/2.2 aperture, and 16 mm equivalent focal length – 124-degree field of view.
  • 120fps video recording in 4K with HDR.

Leaked images by evLeaks!

Rumors also state that the phone might launch with a $999 price tag up from the Xperia 5 of 2019 at $799 now just $599.   The Xperia 1 II as a comparison shipped with a  price tag of  $1,199 which is enormous.

We certainly hope prices start going down soon after as with any phone, expect heavy discounts after the first 4 months of shipping units pass.  We wouldn’t be surprised to see the Xperia 5 II at $699 by the first quarter of 2021.

We really like that the 3.5mm headphone audio jack is making a comeback in this phone. Many many people still use wired headphones for quality and no battery hassle as those conscious of radiation from earbuds or the headaches they can cause many people. We rather see all phones keep this port or at least offer it as an option on a variant.

Sony event on September 17th:

There have been changes in the Facebook and Youtube pages from Sony regarding an Xperia event on September 17th which we believe like many others that will be the launch event for the Xperia 5 II handset.  You can see here the Youtube header changed!

Sony is no stranger to pro video and the latest a7s III camera can shoot 120fps at 4k as well, you can see the footage from it below which plays with the new format very well:

【4K 120FPS】SONY A7S3 by Mediastorm影视飓风:

Now, all we have to do is wait for September 17th to arrive and see what the phone can do, and no… no talk about 240fps or 480fps or 960fps modes has been leaked but we can always hope, right? – HSC

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Canon EOS R5 Makes it Expensive to record 120fps 4k Video!

Canon EOS R5

Canon has now released the final specs and estimated release dates for the EOS R5 and R6 cameras. There is a lot of good advancement in features especially in video mode as what many believe is an afront to Sony and Panasonic who dominate video recording on ILCs.  The R5 can record 24fps and 30fps 8k video or 8192 x 4320 pixels in RAW quality which is a staggering 1TB of storage or 2600 Mbits/s for only 51 minutes of recording time. That means that every hour you will eat up through a full TB of your RAID backup storage. We see this mode being transcoded to an intermediate format like Blackmagic RAW or BRAW or Apple ProRes as soon as possible.

There is more bad news, on the 120fps 4k front there is no other option of recording but All-I which saves every frame independently in 10-bit 4:2:2 which is good for excellent quality but at the cost of 1,880 Mbits/s  which is 224MB/sec or 13,447MB / minute of recording time. Better get a ton of memory cards and hard drives ready!

EOS R5 Video Specs:

Video Rec Modes Raw 12-Bit
DCI 8K (8192 x 4320) at 23.976p/24.00p/25p/29.97p [2600 Mb/s]
H.265 4:2:2 10-Bit
DCI 8K (8192 x 4320) at 23.976p/24.00p/25p/29.97p [680 to 1300 Mb/s]
UHD 8K (7680 x 4320) at 23.976p/25p/29.97p [680 to 1300 Mb/s]
DCI 4K (4096 x 2160) at 23.976p/24.00p/25p/29.97p/59.94p/100p/119.88p [170 to 1880 Mb/s]
UHD 4K (3840 x 2160) at 23.976p/25p/29.97p/50p/59.94p/100p/119.88p [170 to 1880 Mb/s]
Full HD (1920 x 1080) at 23.976p/25p/29.97p/50p/59.94p [28 to 230 Mb/s]
H.264 4:2:0 8-Bit
DCI 8K (8192 x 4320) at 23.976p/24.00p/25p/29.97p [470 to 1300 Mb/s]
UHD 8K (7680 x 4320) at 23.976p/25p/29.97p [470 to 1300 Mb/s]
DCI 4K (4096 x 2160) at 23.976p/24.00p/25p/29.97p/50p/59.94p/100p/119.88p [120 to 1880 Mb/s]
UHD 4K (3840 x 2160) at 23.976p/25p/29.97p/50p/59.94p/100p/119.88p [120 to 1880 Mb/s]
Full HD (1920 x 1080) at 23.976p/25p/29.97p/50p/59.94p [12 to 180 Mb/s]

You read that right 120fps 4k video on the EOS R5 is only possible at the 1,880Mbits/sec data rate even in H.264 mode. Also interesting to know is the lack of 120fps Full HD 1080p or higher fps modes which are common on cameras from Panasonic or Sony.

 

Overheating what?

Yes, the R5 gets overheated after recording video on the following modes and times:

  • 8k RAW 30p/24p – 20 Minutes rec time
  • 8k NON-RAW 30p/24p – 20 Minutes rec time
  • 4k 120fps – 15 Minutes rec time
  • 4k 60p – 35Min Rec Time No Crop
  • 4k 60p – Crop Mode 5.1k Oversampling – 25 Min Rec Time
  • 4k High-Quality 30p- 8.2k Oversampling- 30 Min Rec Time
  • 4k 30p – No Overheating Limit

We do not find any of these limits to be unbearable if you shoot clips of a few minutes but for event shooters, this is not the camera for you for many reasons, chief among the rec time limit, and secondly, the massive recording space needed.  For slow motion, the limit of 4k 120fps at 15 minutes is probably more than you will ever need so that is not a problem. See the video below:

Canon EOS R5 the TRUTH about OVERHEATING!: Armando Ferreira

It costs what :-0?

Yes, the EOS R5 costs a staggering $3,899.00 US Body only and expected to ship at the end of July on the 31st.   The camera it stems from the venerable 5D Mark IV DSLR went on sale in September 2016 with a retail price of $3,499 (Now about $2,000USD), so the new R5 is now $400 USD more expensive at launch plus the new lenses are really expensive plus also needed to get the most out of this camera’s 45MP sensor and be able to get the 8 stop Sensor IBIS Stabilization with lens+body.  A good R5 kit will probably cost you around $10k for a three-lens setup with body and memory cards.  Having the latest and greatest from Canon or any other big brand will cost you, and this is a prime example of it.

4k 120fps Mode samples?

Gladly we were able to find 4k 120fps video samples from the R5 and they look very good along with full AF which is an excellent feature to have in slow motion recording see below:

Canon EOS R5 Field Test – with 4k 120fps samples:  Jarrad Seng → Continue Reading Full Post ←

Galaxy S20 Slow Motion Samples Revisited!

Galaxy S20 Slow Motion Samples

Due to reader demand, we are posting new slow motion samples for the Galaxy S20 line.  We see just slight improvements over the Galaxy S10 in terms of detail and color but since the phones are the new flagship for the defacto Android international brand, there is a lot of weight in what it can do when it comes to the video mode.  There is no secret that Samsung has stagnated in slow motion since the Galaxy S8 and the S20 is an evolutionary step with better reproduction and more intelligent capture but not really groundbreaking.

There is no increase in frame rates above 960fps at 720p and the resolution is not even true 720p as it is jagged and stair-stepped in detailed shots. We kind of see it as a 480p mode upsized to 720p.  We do gain a 1 full second record time instead of 0.4sec on the S10 which is a big improvement even when the resolution is still kind of identical.  It would have been great if Samsung could have done a solid and created a true 960fps 1080p Full HD Mode.  We will have to wait for another crack at it on a future phone.

Galaxy S20 Slow Motion Samples Revisited!

Before you start looking at the samples it is important to revisit the S20 line slow motion specs. Below is the breakdown:
Super Slow-mo only supports HD resolution. On Galaxy S20 and S20+ 5G, users can record approximately 1 second of video captured at up to 960 fps with approximately 32 seconds of playback. On Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G, users can record approximately 1 second of video captured at 480 fps and digitally enhance the video to 960 fps with approximately 32 seconds of playback. Playback time can be edited in Super Slow-mo player.

So to break it down:

  • Galaxy S20 5G – 960fps 720p with 1 second recording time.
  • Galaxy S20+ 5G – 960fps 720p with 1 second recording time.
  • Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G – 480fps 720p with 1 second recording time then it can be interpolated to 960fps 720p for 2x the frame rate.

The good news is we gain recording time from the earlier generation of 0.4 seconds to 1 full second or close to it “We will have to see when the phone ships”. That is a lot to like.  There is however no mention of the quality of the video and if it is improved with less pixelation and aliasing.

So if you want better slow motion the Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G top of the line is not for you as the true real highest frame rate is 480fps. The other cheaper models make more sense here. Time for the samples now…

Slow Mo Video samples below from the S20:

 

Galaxy S20 plus Super slow motion – Dragonfly Dance by JemSpot:

Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra Cinematic Footage Slowmotion by rocket raccoon: → Continue Reading Full Post ←

Canon EOS R5 gets serious about high frame rates!

Canon EOS R5 Slow Motion

We were very skeptical earlier in the year when the R5 specs were just a rumor. Canon has not really been delivering powerful video features out of their Cinema line and we expected this new camera to be a crippled continuation of the trend.  We were not only wrong but now know that Canon is banking the future of the EOS line on cameras like the R5 with features that really put it in a class all by itself.

The original video darling was the EOS 5D Mark II which made it possible to use the EOS line of lenses with a video mode that delivered good enough quality for the web and some careful productions.  The camera had issues like severe rolling shutter and a tendency to moire and alias so bad that many shots were really ruined.  However, the excellent Canon color quality and lens choices made it so popular that it really forced companies to change the video options forever.  Now Canon intends to do as big a splash with the introduction of 8k video internally on the new camera.

Canon EOS R5 Released Specs:

  • 8K RAW internal video recording up to 29.97 fps
  • 8K internal video recording up to 29.97 fps in 4:2:2 10-bit Canon Log (H.265)/4:2:2 10-bit HDR PQ (H.265).
  • 4K internal video recording up to 119.88 fps in 4:2:2 10-bit Canon Log (H.265)/4:2:2 10-bit HDR PQ (H.265). 4K external recording is also available up to 59.94 fps.
  • No crop 8K and 4K video capture using the full-width of the sensor.*
  • Dual Pixel CMOS AF available in all 8K and 4K recording modes.
  • Canon Log available in 8K and 4K internal recording modes.
  • A Canon first, the EOS R5 will feature 5-axis In-Body Image Stabilization, which works in conjunction with Optical IS equipped with many of the RF and EF lenses.
  • Dual-card slots: 1x CFexpress and 1x SD UHS-II.

Yes, Canon grows up the video mode…

You read that right we have 8k 30p and 24p using the full-frame sensor width with no big crop “excellent for punch-in interviews” and also up to 120fps at 4k 10 bit 4:2:2 color which beats Panasonic’s 60fps limit on that mode. The R5 is a beast of a camera that is set to deliver on every front.

We love that it has the dual pixel AF on all modes with the latest intelligent AF modes including eye AF for people and animals. This is probably the most advanced and useful video AF that produces excellent results without much stutter.  The nightmare of focus pullers as their job just got harder.

What about 1080p HD frame rates?

Sadly Canon has not released any information regarding the HD modes on the camera but we have an idea of what that may be.  Since 4k will have 120fps in NTSC and 100fps in PAL, we expect at least to have 240fps in Full HD 1080p with probably no 720p modes due to redundancy.

We may see a sensor crop on full HD to allow such frame rates at 120fps and 240fps but we do not expect a crop on 24p, 25p, 30p and 50/60p which should be full frame.  Crops on higher frame rates are common as many sensors cannot scan that fast for the entire sensor area. We may even see some crop at 4k 120p which is not specified in the released information.   It will be interesting what Canon shows when the full specs are out including the price which we may see reach a range of $3,299 to $3,999 USD as an educated guess.

Interesting Developments:

We cannot be left unimpressed by the EOS R5, Canon has finally awakened from their video slumber in the midrange lines and is delivering a hard punch to the competition.

Sony and Panasonic will not stay put and allow Canon to take the praise without some hard releases.  We expect Panasonic to have a new S1 camera that may shoot 8k as a GH camera in a GH6 or similar that should be able to shoot 8k also. As for frame rates in HD resolution, we may start to see higher than 240fps on competitor cameras. Panasonic, after all, has had 240p on the GH5s and 180p on the S1 series with good results.

Sony may also release a new sensor with a higher memory buffer allowing super slow motion like their RX line of cameras.  Could we see the first Alpha camera with 480p or 1000p in reduced time recording modes? That will be a nice sight to see.

We commend Canon for pushing the industry forward with a Camera that may be just as important as the 5D Mark II was over 10 years ago, now as an 8k capable powerhouse with incredible quality and features like sensor/Lens Hybrid Full-frame IBIS stabilization and full-time Dual Pixel AF with machine learning.

We just need to get that Virus beat so we can go out and test these awesome cameras. More information on the R5 as it becomes available -HSC

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Sony Xperia 1 II and Xperia 10 II, Pro Give up on Super Slow Motion!

With all the COVID 19/Coronavirus news it seems out of place to fret over smartphone maker decisions. However, we have to mention the latest Sony smartphones which prioritize photo and video quality with one gigantic omission. All of the new lineup from Sony the Xperia 1 II, Xperia 10 II, and Xperia PRO 5G lack super slow motion features.  Yes, the 960fps 1080p mode is gone and the only spec remaining is a paltry 120fps 1080p Full HD pseudo-slow-mo frame rate.

If you recall in years past, the Sony brand was incorporating their Motion eye™ technology which pairs a sensor with ultra-fast memory on the same package to allow for large datarates and super slow motion capture. In the lab, the phones were able to shoot up to 1000fps at full 1080p HD with excellent quality.  What came out in the Xperia phones was a somewhat odd translation of 0.1 seconds recording time at 1080p 960fps/1000fps which came out to be extremely short and a kind of useless feature. Now that has been abandoned.

Camera Features Sony Xperia 1 II:

Quad 12 MP, f/1.7, 24mm (wide), 1/1.7″, Dual Pixel PDAF, OIS
12 MP, f/2.4, 70mm (telephoto), 1/3.4″, 1.0µm, PDAF, 3x optical zoom, OIS
12 MP, f/2.2, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/2.55″, Dual Pixel PDAF
0.3 MP, TOF 3D, (depth)
Features Zeiss optics, LED flash, panorama, HDR, eye tracking
Video 2160p@24/25/30/60fps

HDR, 1080p@30/60/120fps;

5-axis gyro-EIS, OIS

We get excellent quality capture in both 4k and 1080p at several frame rates but the super slow motion has vanished.  No 240fps, no 480p no 960p.   Has Sony given up?

We believe Sony has prioritized per-pixel quality and low noise along with deep learning features over any higher frame rate features.  It seems slow motion phones peaked sometime in mid-2019 and now the new features sought after are more hardware-oriented with multi lenses, multi-camera, and higher pixel densities with extreme zoom features instead of the frame rates. We have seen this in the Samsung S20 but those phones keep 960fps except in the 5G variant see here!

So, all in all, we at HSC cannot recommend any of the new Sony Xperia phones for slow motion enthusiasts unless you are happy with 120fps 1080p which is almost a low-level spec now.  Check our Camera Guide and our Best phones of 2019 feature for guidance on which phones are Slow Motion capable.

RIP Sony Motion Eye Slow Motion Technology for 2020, We hope you resurrect sometime in the future!

Sony Xperia 1 Slow Motion Video @960fps (1080p Sample Video) by Danny P.: (FEATURE NO LONGER IN NEW PHONES)

Stay safe out there and follow the guidelines to combat the spread of this virus! -HSC