4K Chat

First picture of the Panasonic GH4 4k camera:
http://i1266.photobucket.com/albums/jj524/picrumors/picrumors001/gh4k_panasonic_zps093a085b.png

16mp
1/8000 shutter
1mil dot OLED screen
21mm OLED viewfinder, 3,000+ dot.
Time code
200mbps mp4 All-i/100mbps IPB
4k/30p
4:2:2 10/8bit output
3G-SDI and XLR adaptor (An adaptor that the camera sits on with XLR x2, HD-SDI x4)
Price: €2799

What i need/want is a 4096 by 2160 DSLR with uncompressed signal out and 10 or so stops of dynamic range for a lot cheaper than the c500.

physics, then the gh4 sounds like it might be the solution.

Im sure Canon comes up with something like a C400 with 4k. Hopefully they make it right this time (4:2:2 10Bit) and stop crippling the hardware.

Btw. here is a newer link including the first 4K video from the AX-100 by Sony. Looks really good "so far" and for 2000,- USD should be okay:

http://www.hdwarrior.co.uk/2014/01/07/new-sony-4k-camcorder-fdr-ax100/

1 inch sensor for low light and low(ish) noise may be good.
Also will do 120 fps slow motion. Not in 4K mode though.

Built in ND filters. Something larger cameras don't have.
It will be very interesting at NAB this year....

Can't wait. I want a GH-4K.

WHStock with his 4k camera ;-)

OK ... here's my final decision on the new Sony Z-100 ... it went back for a refund.

After talking to Sony tech support and he kept saying it was a low end 4K camera with a sensor that was not good in low light and they were all like that. I told him all my clips from it were very bright daytime using both auto settings and manual. He said they all are noisy and Sony knows it. Even though Sony calls it the professional line and the AX-1 as Prosummer he kept saying they were both low end 4K cameras. So I decided to believe him.

Yesterday I did some clips where a lot of blue sky was showing. When the aperture was opened up for a better depth of field I noticed when processing two "dust bunnies" or blurry spots in the lower 1/3 right side. These spots were similar to what dslr get. Problem is it's a fixed lens so cleaning the sensor is not possible by the user.

Sony released a camera with an immediate announcement that firmware upgrades would be needed to become fully functionable. I feel they did this in a race for CES and NAB as well as trying to get a jump on BMC 4K and others that will shortly be announced or released. The camera is just not ready for prime time release. It will do the job and those who keep it will get a little head-start on 4K sales and portfolios.

Some positives: Although the XQD cards are expensive and it takes a lot of memory to capture a long clip, they are small and much more solid than the Micro or standard SD card. Similar to a very small CF card. I like them except for the cost.

The controls on the camera are easy to use if you have used any other auto or manual video camera. The eye view and the flip-up lcd are easy to see and read. I loved having a swivel lcd unlike most dslr. All the needed information is on the lcd.

It comes with a built in mic as well as a wind shielded boom.

Full controls of zoom and basic camera operation on the boom handle as wll as side handheld location. The zoom was very controllable as a fixed speed or variable speed. Easy to use and control. The three level ND filter was great to have. The 20X zoom lens was perfect in every respect.

Overall I loved the camera as far as shape, form and size. The controls were easy to use and navigate. It was great using a video camera again for video. BUT, the sensor noise, grain , appearance of small black dots, the dust bunnies on the sensor and then Sony tech saying it was considered their low end 4K entry camera. Sorry Sony, ya messed up on this one.

Maybe 4K and current sensors are just not compatible at a reasonable price yet. BMC has been finding the same thing. Their sensor maker has come out with an advanced version of the sensor BMC was using, speculation is BMC delayed so as to use it instead of doing a half ass job like Sony.

My recommendation. If you really need a 4K jump in, if you can wait six months to a year there will be far better choices. If Sony replaced the sensor they are using now I would jump right back in now. It was very difficult sending it back since I have a several week trip scheduled soon and 4K was going to be my primary reason for going.

This is just my opinion after using the camera for a few weeks. It's not intended to embarrass or belittle anyone else who has one or like the way theirs work.

Thanks Don for your thoughts, I wonder if the new AX-100 will be the same or the larger sensor might have better noise performance. You have saved me some money thanks.