The Ugly Panny Camera

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ZGtFZoSyhA

Price: $6500+ USD.
PHOTOS:
http://www.gizmag.com/panasonics-ag-af101-dslr-killer/16353/?utm_source=Gizmag+Subscribers&utm_campaign=473395e287-UA-2235360-4&utm_medium=email

Look at image #30 to see the Sony prototype. It is not pretty but not as ugly as the Panny. They say that it is going to be less expensive than the Panny.

There was a Panasonic spokesman last week saying the price was more like $4900 without a lens and will be released in December.
There is already video from the camera. Looks pretty good.
Much less Moire and jello than DSLR's

I'll have to look at video that people shoot when it starts selling but I'll probably get one in January unless Canon comes out with something which I'm sure they will.

What is the model of the Sony? Is that the one released without autofocus and shoots interlaced?

I have not seen the model number of the Sony camera on any of the articles I have read.

Both B&H and AbleCineTech have the Af100 listed at $4795 and to be shipped in December.
Can't wait to see some real world tests with it. But I'm sure I'll order one before the end of the year. Unless as I said, Canon announces something. Which I haven't heard any rumors.

This does look very attractive... the only issue I see is the avchd codec... isn't it 24mbit or something on the low end?

I was looking at upgrading my fx1000 to the xf305, then started looking at this panasonic. I think the xf305 is a better deal for doing corporate type things, even though it is a few $k more

I could not understand the sensor size. How does it get the DOF?
And for OP: negative advertising=advertising.

A large sensor size creates a greater circle of confusion.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Circle_of_confusion
Which means more DOF, and it has a larg Spatial resolution.

This panasonic camera should theoretically look similar to a 7d or a red one down resed in terms of DOF, spatial res, and low light.

The avchd thing varies a lot from camera to camera, they are not all the same Scott. It should look really good coming from this camera. They aren't using it because its crap.

The Panasonic is a 4/3's sensor size. About the same as the 7D I guess or maybe slightly smaller. Anyway, I was looking at the 305 or others that have high bit rates but they all have small sensors so everything will be in focus.

I would rather have shallow DOF so if the Panasonic doesn't look good when they get out in the real world, I'll wait until something does.

The bottom line is I'll keep using the DSLR's until a camcorder comes out with a large sensor that looks good for my stock or corporate work.
I don't want to go back to the "everything is in focus" look anymore.

?? hmm someone told me it was 35mm size and it was equal to 7d. I guess I was misinformed. 4/3 is still OK though.

Bitrate is kind of a bad measurement, on an old avi codec with a high bitrate is going to look bad when compared to a low avchd bitrate video. Its not really a standard measurement of quality because some compression methods are more efficient at sorting and storing data than others. You can test this out yourself on AE.

Oh I agree Jake, plus if you want everything in higher focus you can always just crank up the fstop. Then its like having a smaller sensor (optically speaking) less Circle of confusion and less light. For me personally there is no camera coming out that I really like, but thats just me. If you love the features on this camera you should get it and not care what anyone else thinks.

I wonder when Canon is going to release the "Nicolson" firmware for the 5d, or if they will. Its a version of the firmware that allows for a lot less compression on the 5d. I have a feeling they are holding on to it deliberately until a competing camera comes out. Canon always keeps extra cards up their sleeves.

5D MK III probably. It's about past time for an updated camera to replace the 5D