http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/12/panasonics-af100-micro-four-thirds-video-camera-considers-itsel/ Engadget Comments for Panasonic's AF100 Micro Four Thirds video camera considers itself 'professional' http://www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/12/panasonics-af100-micro-four-thirds-video-camera-considers-itsel/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/12/panasonics-af100-micro-four-thirds-video-camera-considers-itsel/Apr 12th 2010 3:27AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/04/12/panasonics-af100-micro-four-thirds-video-camera-considers-itsel/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/12/panasonics-af100-micro-four-thirds-video-camera-considers-itsel/Apr 12th 2010 3:41AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/04/12/panasonics-af100-micro-four-thirds-video-camera-considers-itsel/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/12/panasonics-af100-micro-four-thirds-video-camera-considers-itsel/
Well that's pretty obvious]]>Apr 12th 2010 4:15AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/04/12/panasonics-af100-micro-four-thirds-video-camera-considers-itsel/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/12/panasonics-af100-micro-four-thirds-video-camera-considers-itsel/Apr 12th 2010 6:59PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/04/12/panasonics-af100-micro-four-thirds-video-camera-considers-itsel/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/12/panasonics-af100-micro-four-thirds-video-camera-considers-itsel/I want to post to defend, clear up and extoll the virtues of this camera. I am at NAB as we speak and got some super great infomation on the camera. Expected price is $5995, it has a 10-bit HD-sdi out, ballanced xlr with phantom power, and hdmi out. The big excitement here is the sheer quantity of lenses you can put put on the front, most notably the fact that pl mount lenses fit nicely with only a 1.2x magnification. The folks at abelcine, who know more about "professional" cameras than the entire engadget ediorial staff put together, seemed to think this was the most imporant non 3D camera on the show floor. This camera, plus pl lenses, and a convergent designs nanoflash via the 10 bit hdsdi is a camera for $9000 plus lens rental that very likely will match the quality of behemoths such as the Sony f800 for 1/8 the price. This is the camera everyone hoped canon would release, but didn't. Also, this killed scarlet, and if ted cares to counter that, bring it on. ]]>Apr 12th 2010 10:34PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/04/12/panasonics-af100-micro-four-thirds-video-camera-considers-itsel/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/12/panasonics-af100-micro-four-thirds-video-camera-considers-itsel/Apr 12th 2010 3:27AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/04/12/panasonics-af100-micro-four-thirds-video-camera-considers-itsel/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/12/panasonics-af100-micro-four-thirds-video-camera-considers-itsel/
Back to the future called...they want their video camera back]]>Apr 12th 2010 11:21AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/04/12/panasonics-af100-micro-four-thirds-video-camera-considers-itsel/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/12/panasonics-af100-micro-four-thirds-video-camera-considers-itsel/Apr 12th 2010 12:29PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/04/12/panasonics-af100-micro-four-thirds-video-camera-considers-itsel/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/12/panasonics-af100-micro-four-thirds-video-camera-considers-itsel/
Regardless, I'm not hot about the Panasonic's industrial design here. Hmm...]]>Apr 12th 2010 3:28AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/04/12/panasonics-af100-micro-four-thirds-video-camera-considers-itsel/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/12/panasonics-af100-micro-four-thirds-video-camera-considers-itsel/
Of course, if you don't need XLRs or HD-SDI or live autofocus, then a DSLR may well be better value.]]>Apr 12th 2010 4:30AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/04/12/panasonics-af100-micro-four-thirds-video-camera-considers-itsel/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/12/panasonics-af100-micro-four-thirds-video-camera-considers-itsel/
You want manual control and a good focus puller.]]>Apr 12th 2010 5:28AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/04/12/panasonics-af100-micro-four-thirds-video-camera-considers-itsel/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/12/panasonics-af100-micro-four-thirds-video-camera-considers-itsel/
As far as price point... considering the price of the rest of the micro 4/3s equipment right now... wouldn't it be a safe bet to say that it'll come out closer to $2,000 with video kit lens?]]>Apr 12th 2010 8:14AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/04/12/panasonics-af100-micro-four-thirds-video-camera-considers-itsel/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/12/panasonics-af100-micro-four-thirds-video-camera-considers-itsel/
"Professionals" consist of more than artistic-type filmmakers. Consider one of these being used to record video for a news program in, say, Afghanistan. If I were a cameraman in that situation, I wouldn't want to be manually adjusting my aperture every time I run inside a building or cave, or every time a cloud blocks out the sun. That is just one instance I can think of off the top of my head but I'm sure there are others, maybe sports videos?

Also, if this is a true video camera, the faster motion should be much better than the typical dSLR "jelly" motion.]]>Apr 12th 2010 11:03AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/04/12/panasonics-af100-micro-four-thirds-video-camera-considers-itsel/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/12/panasonics-af100-micro-four-thirds-video-camera-considers-itsel/
You want to have the option for both, which it appears this will have. Most people using DSLRs and even midrange to higher end video cameras rarely are afforded the luxury of a full-time focus puller. When you need one it's nice to have, which should be the case with this camera. But where the GH1 shines (and this one should as well) is that it also allows you to autofocus (accurately and quietly I might add with the 14-140 Lumix lens) when needed. If you're shooting an event or even for some documentary work, this is a VERY helpful feature.]]>Apr 12th 2010 11:56AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/04/12/panasonics-af100-micro-four-thirds-video-camera-considers-itsel/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/12/panasonics-af100-micro-four-thirds-video-camera-considers-itsel/Apr 13th 2010 8:16AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/04/12/panasonics-af100-micro-four-thirds-video-camera-considers-itsel/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/12/panasonics-af100-micro-four-thirds-video-camera-considers-itsel/Apr 12th 2010 3:38AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/04/12/panasonics-af100-micro-four-thirds-video-camera-considers-itsel/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/12/panasonics-af100-micro-four-thirds-video-camera-considers-itsel/Apr 12th 2010 3:44AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/04/12/panasonics-af100-micro-four-thirds-video-camera-considers-itsel/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/12/panasonics-af100-micro-four-thirds-video-camera-considers-itsel/Apr 12th 2010 9:38AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/04/12/panasonics-af100-micro-four-thirds-video-camera-considers-itsel/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/12/panasonics-af100-micro-four-thirds-video-camera-considers-itsel/Apr 12th 2010 3:47AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/04/12/panasonics-af100-micro-four-thirds-video-camera-considers-itsel/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/12/panasonics-af100-micro-four-thirds-video-camera-considers-itsel/Apr 12th 2010 4:24AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/04/12/panasonics-af100-micro-four-thirds-video-camera-considers-itsel/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/12/panasonics-af100-micro-four-thirds-video-camera-considers-itsel/Apr 12th 2010 3:52AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/04/12/panasonics-af100-micro-four-thirds-video-camera-considers-itsel/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/12/panasonics-af100-micro-four-thirds-video-camera-considers-itsel/Apr 12th 2010 4:18AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/04/12/panasonics-af100-micro-four-thirds-video-camera-considers-itsel/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/12/panasonics-af100-micro-four-thirds-video-camera-considers-itsel/Apr 12th 2010 2:35PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/04/12/panasonics-af100-micro-four-thirds-video-camera-considers-itsel/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/12/panasonics-af100-micro-four-thirds-video-camera-considers-itsel/It would be interesting to know what kind of sensor it has. A special sensor or one from the Photo 3/4 series.
Though 1080p doesn't sound all that impressive given the big sensor. Then again should be more than enough....
M.]]>Apr 12th 2010 3:57AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/04/12/panasonics-af100-micro-four-thirds-video-camera-considers-itsel/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/12/panasonics-af100-micro-four-thirds-video-camera-considers-itsel/There's a big difference between "more than enough" and "professional". Like, you could call the Honda Accord a very nice car and certainly "more than enough" but that doesn't make it a luxury car.]]>Apr 12th 2010 5:14AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/04/12/panasonics-af100-micro-four-thirds-video-camera-considers-itsel/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/12/panasonics-af100-micro-four-thirds-video-camera-considers-itsel/Yea, but I don't think resolution is the bit that makes it professional or not.
Other than luxury where there is always the desire for more, professional is professional when it does not stand in the way of doing the job, and more features don't necessarily make it better.
A crappy cap car is professional. All you need is it being big.
A small Lexus may be more luxurious expensive and better in pretty much any way, but not exactly a good car for a cab.

The Panasonic has a large sensor, so it will create that special professional look that no small sensor camcorder can.
M.]]>Apr 12th 2010 6:26AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/04/12/panasonics-af100-micro-four-thirds-video-camera-considers-itsel/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/12/panasonics-af100-micro-four-thirds-video-camera-considers-itsel/Apr 13th 2010 12:22PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/04/12/panasonics-af100-micro-four-thirds-video-camera-considers-itsel/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/12/panasonics-af100-micro-four-thirds-video-camera-considers-itsel/Apr 12th 2010 4:12AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/04/12/panasonics-af100-micro-four-thirds-video-camera-considers-itsel/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/12/panasonics-af100-micro-four-thirds-video-camera-considers-itsel/
Actually they shot Crank2 on A1s.

I don't know that the definition of professional is a hollywood blockbuster...]]>Apr 12th 2010 10:17AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/04/12/panasonics-af100-micro-four-thirds-video-camera-considers-itsel/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/12/panasonics-af100-micro-four-thirds-video-camera-considers-itsel/
If it's a GH1 with pro features like timecode, XLRs, HD-SDI etc and it's in the $5K range, it will be more than competitive with existing professional video cameras.]]>Apr 12th 2010 4:22AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/04/12/panasonics-af100-micro-four-thirds-video-camera-considers-itsel/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/12/panasonics-af100-micro-four-thirds-video-camera-considers-itsel/I don't think Canon XL-H1 is a fair comparison. The Canon is a nice piece, but it has a 1/3" sensor, but the Panasonic has a 4/3" sensor - 4 four times the diagonal or 16 times the area.
O.K, the canon has 3 sensors so make that only 3/16 times the area, but still.
Even more important the large sensor will behave much closer to the APSC sensor of the RED camera with respect to depth of field and all these things.
So the Canon is no real competition. It's a while ago, but I had a chat with a few film students not long ago they said that digital video is no option for real film to them, precisely because of the small sensors and the look that comes from them.
So for those folks the Panasonic is a real alternative.
M.]]>Apr 12th 2010 5:33AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/04/12/panasonics-af100-micro-four-thirds-video-camera-considers-itsel/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/12/panasonics-af100-micro-four-thirds-video-camera-considers-itsel/Apr 12th 2010 11:02AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/04/12/panasonics-af100-micro-four-thirds-video-camera-considers-itsel/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/12/panasonics-af100-micro-four-thirds-video-camera-considers-itsel/
Unless you want to start arguing about Bayer-equivalent pixel counts, but that would just get messy...]]>Apr 12th 2010 6:18PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/04/12/panasonics-af100-micro-four-thirds-video-camera-considers-itsel/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/12/panasonics-af100-micro-four-thirds-video-camera-considers-itsel/
or is every thing done with multi-touch gestures?]]>Apr 12th 2010 4:41AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/04/12/panasonics-af100-micro-four-thirds-video-camera-considers-itsel/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/12/panasonics-af100-micro-four-thirds-video-camera-considers-itsel/Apr 12th 2010 5:29AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/04/12/panasonics-af100-micro-four-thirds-video-camera-considers-itsel/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/12/panasonics-af100-micro-four-thirds-video-camera-considers-itsel/
Nonono.. I kid the Japanese... they have a very... interesting culture...

Wait, $3000? You mean this isn't an iSight replacement???

*heartbreak]]>Apr 12th 2010 5:59AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/04/12/panasonics-af100-micro-four-thirds-video-camera-considers-itsel/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/12/panasonics-af100-micro-four-thirds-video-camera-considers-itsel/
If it does higher frame rates at 1080p it will be much more awesome (say, 60p).

But just imagine how stupid it would look with one of the pancake lenses on it...]]>Apr 12th 2010 7:29AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/04/12/panasonics-af100-micro-four-thirds-video-camera-considers-itsel/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/12/panasonics-af100-micro-four-thirds-video-camera-considers-itsel/Apr 12th 2010 8:42AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/04/12/panasonics-af100-micro-four-thirds-video-camera-considers-itsel/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/12/panasonics-af100-micro-four-thirds-video-camera-considers-itsel/
To be able to play nice in the edit, you're going to need to transcode all footage first, just as you do with DSLRs. But the DSLRs will have better sensors, and look like they'll be cheaper (but who knows for sure?)]]>Apr 12th 2010 10:18AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/04/12/panasonics-af100-micro-four-thirds-video-camera-considers-itsel/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/12/panasonics-af100-micro-four-thirds-video-camera-considers-itsel/
How about uncompressed HD-SDI is that attractive to the pro? The codec on this camera is 24mb/s so don't be surprised if the codec is improved just like everything else.]]>Apr 12th 2010 10:28AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/04/12/panasonics-af100-micro-four-thirds-video-camera-considers-itsel/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/12/panasonics-af100-micro-four-thirds-video-camera-considers-itsel/Rumored price is $6000, but will most likely be less when it does come out. here is an actual picture.
http://dvxuser.mikkowilson.com/NAB2010_WebPhotos/AG-AF100_2.jpg

credit to Mikko Wilson.]]>Apr 12th 2010 10:22AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/04/12/panasonics-af100-micro-four-thirds-video-camera-considers-itsel/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/12/panasonics-af100-micro-four-thirds-video-camera-considers-itsel/Same story when you compare it to the recently announced Canon XF range - bigger sensor, less color info captured.

The SDI out could be useful - i wonder if it does 4:2:2 over the SDI. If it does, then yes, it could be on a level closer to the big guns in certain situations.]]>Apr 12th 2010 10:36AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/04/12/panasonics-af100-micro-four-thirds-video-camera-considers-itsel/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/12/panasonics-af100-micro-four-thirds-video-camera-considers-itsel/Apr 12th 2010 11:04AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/04/12/panasonics-af100-micro-four-thirds-video-camera-considers-itsel/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/12/panasonics-af100-micro-four-thirds-video-camera-considers-itsel/ ]]>Apr 12th 2010 11:18AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/04/12/panasonics-af100-micro-four-thirds-video-camera-considers-itsel/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/12/panasonics-af100-micro-four-thirds-video-camera-considers-itsel/Apr 12th 2010 11:35AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/04/12/panasonics-af100-micro-four-thirds-video-camera-considers-itsel/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/12/panasonics-af100-micro-four-thirds-video-camera-considers-itsel/Apr 12th 2010 1:25PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/04/12/panasonics-af100-micro-four-thirds-video-camera-considers-itsel/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/12/panasonics-af100-micro-four-thirds-video-camera-considers-itsel/Apr 12th 2010 2:34PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/04/12/panasonics-af100-micro-four-thirds-video-camera-considers-itsel/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/12/panasonics-af100-micro-four-thirds-video-camera-considers-itsel/Apr 12th 2010 11:07PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/04/12/panasonics-af100-micro-four-thirds-video-camera-considers-itsel/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/12/panasonics-af100-micro-four-thirds-video-camera-considers-itsel/Apr 13th 2010 2:39AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/04/12/panasonics-af100-micro-four-thirds-video-camera-considers-itsel/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/12/panasonics-af100-micro-four-thirds-video-camera-considers-itsel/
Since when equipment is judged by size to determine whether it's professional or not?!
"Professional" cameras are not about size and even not about resolution. It's about the quality of materials and craftsmanship, the ability to withstand heavy usage and compatibility with other equipment which is standard in the industry - like XLR inputs, TimeCode, Dolby, switchable 50/60Hz etc. etc.

And by the way mr. Ricker, HD /like in 1920 × 1080/ and 2K /which was an industry standard for years/ are not that different in terms of resolution.
]]>Apr 13th 2010 5:29AM