Panasonic AG-AF100 4/3 camcorder SPECS LEAKED!
by Rich on Jun.22, 2010, under Gear
First of all, there’s one thing about this camcorder that I can’t get over. I’m not a fan of the Panasonic GH1, I think the quality of picture is what is most important and Panasonic just doesn’t have nuthin’ on Canon. This camera is most likely going to emulate the GH1, but hey, they had me at HD-SDI outputs for uncompressed recording!
Looking at these specs, I’m quite impressed. The SDI outputs being the most tempting, but factor in the variable framerates and conveniences that we’re used to on regular video cameras and I’m starting to calculate in my head how much a month I need to put aside until this baby comes out!
Two things that would prevent me from nabbing one up next year are:
- If Canon puts together a full frame 5d/video camera hybrid, and/or
- The AF100′s picture looks like the GH1′s…including those annoying vertical lines in high ISOs and the overall obvious picture quality (when compared to the Canons).
Enough of my talking…onto the good stuff!
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June 22nd, 2010 on 10:51 am
Have you seen the new firmware hack for the GH1? It’s still not the greatest dynamic range, but at up to 50Mbps MJPEG compression the image quality is awesome. Beats the 5D in my opinion. But I can’t get over the fact that there’re just not enough lenses – particularly primes – for the 4/3 format. Besides that, I’m all about using full frame 35. I don’t get what’s so hard about building a bigger sensor now.
July 11th, 2010 on 6:08 pm
Have you looked at the JVC GY-HM100U? In Documentary work we (and our nonprofit org clients) are having exceptionally positive results with them. The big brother 700U is also an amazing camera. 100 is about $3500 and 700 about $7k with a variety of glass options (lenses). I prefer the Cannon glass. Both have good battery/power options and if you are in a final cut world easy file transfers.
We have a doc scheduled to shoot 1080i in 2011 and this is still our camera of choice. I’d prefer a fig rig on the 100 though in tripod work it’s amazing. Even hand held in a Blair Witch mode is exceptional. Not that Panasonic isn’t. My preferences for a decade has been Sony DVCAM in 4:30 SD. In an HD world and a scope aspect radio I’m amazed with JVC.
Food for thought. Hope whatever you choose you will post about your work with the camera of choice with pro/con comments. Best of luck on your feature.
July 11th, 2010 on 6:29 pm
Well, I think the JVC is a nice camcorder, but it’s just that…a camcorder. It uses 1/4″ ccds which provides none of the benefits that a DSLR provides. That’s one of the great things that made the “DSLR” revolution, the LARGE cmos sensor with unparalleled DOF, dynamic range, and resolution. I’m not saying the JVC and any other camcorder in its range is a bad thing…I’ve used the HVX200 for years and is my preference for a camcorder, but I also use a Canon 5d and 7d for the reasons I mentioned above. Camcorders have XLR inputs, ND filters, audio meters, and a ton of other useful things that the DSLRs do not.
The cool thing about the AF100…it’s the first camcorder to be a true hybrid between camcorder and DSLR. You get the best of both worlds.
There are 5 types of cameras: 1) The consumer camcorder, 2) the prosumer camcorder (like the JVC and HVX), 3) professional video cameras, 4) DSLRs, 5) Digital cinema cameras like the RED and Alexa. Now there seems to be a new breed…the DSLR/Camcorder Hybrid.