Atomos Blade with 4K cameras

[Anaconda_]

Hey all,

I'm new to external recorders, but since buying a GX80 for mess-about films (holidays, family etc.) I've been looking into external audio options. Surprisingly the Atomos recorders (second hand and HD only) are one of the cheapest ways to get an audio in. BUT I'm wondering if it's worth it? Setting audio input aside, will the image benefit from recording from the GX80 HDMI over internal 4K?

Would it be worth recording the internal 4K along side the 1080p on the Blade, and then using the prores files as a proxy to edit quicker, and sync it all up to the 4K later? If the Blade shot 1080p50 I'd go without blinking and have the 4K and slowmotion at the same time... shame. On that not - how would the internal 1080p50 match up to the Blade 1080p25 - I imagine they'd be totally different, but that might be one useful way of using it.

I'm really attracted to the size of these and the Ninja Star. The Blade for example is more or less the same size as the GX80, so wouldn't make the camera so intimidating. If I went for a 40K recorder like the Ninja Assassin, it's so big in comparison, it defeats the point of buying a smaller camera.

Kind of thinking out loud here, but what are people's thoughts? Is there a chance of a smaller 4K recorder coming out relatively soon? (asked this here before, but information changes on a daily basis with this kind of stuff)

 

[jonpais]

A 5" 4K monitor/recorder will most certainly come out: but only just after you've purchased the HD model. ? I don't own the GX80 or Atomos, but the 1080p ProRes files shot with my G85/BMD Video Assist are lovely and a breeze to edit.

[Anaconda_]

Thanks John, that's exactly what I fear haha. Do you prefer the BMD file over the internal 4K of the camera? any chance you could share some comparisons, with raw files, not YouTube? I'm guessing the g85 and GX80 won't be all that different in this test  

[jonpais]

@Anaconda_ Sorry, i don't have two files to compare at the moment, but here's a ProRes clip straight out of the BMD Video Assist.

Edit: until I get my 5K iMac later this month, I really can't make any comparisons between 1080p and 4K.

[aldolega]

Don't forget about the Video Devices PIX-E5. It only does 4k up to 30fps, so it's not the best choice for a GH5, but it is smaller than the huge 7" recorders. Built like a tank too, which is good but also kinda bad (weight).

[Anaconda_]

Thanks guys, @jonpais, that looks lovely!

@aldolega - It's certainly an option, but also like €1000 more. If I was spending that much I'd say hell to the size and grab an inferno for 60p haha.