Detailed Panasonic GH4 rumoured specs - 10bit 4:2:2 and 4K video

[theSUBVERSIVE]

There is will be competition around the same time (NAB  2014) I am betting Canon and Sony would be showing their new FF cameras. Sony for sure will be showing this as 4K video camera with FF sensor

 

 

Yeah but I'm pretty sure that one will cost much more than $3K. Will that really be a direct competition for the GH4? If feels like Sony is aiming higher with that cam.

[zephyrnoid]

Some revision and a little mantra ( attached) to chew on.
1) Resolution is not as important as Color space. I'll take 10Bit 2.5K over 8Bit 4K any day
2) Built in ND filters matter a lot since many of us need them to knock down the sensors in bright light and NO I do not like taking the time to constantly deal with filters in my mattebox every time I change shots.
3) Panasonic will be wasting time and an opportunity if they release anything 'Pro' in a M43sensor ( Please forget the Speedboosters- that's more unweildy hardware between the rear-element and the sensor than I care to deal with in a supposedly 'Pro' camera)
So have a look at my mantra and goodnight all !
 

[Tone13]

Some revision and a little mantra ( attached) to chew on.
1) Resolution is not as important as Color space. I'll take 10Bit 2.5K over 8Bit 4K any day
2) Built in ND filters matter a lot since many of us need them to knock down the sensors in bright light and NO I do not like taking the time to constantly deal with filters in my mattebox every time I change shots.
3) Panasonic will be wasting time and an opportunity if they release anything 'Pro' in a M43sensor ( Please forget the Speedboosters- that's more unweildy hardware between the rear-element and the sensor than I care to deal with in a supposedly 'Pro' camera)So have a look at my mantra and goodnight all !

I agree with you on point number 1 and 2.

I don't think Panasonic will be waisting time making this a MFT sensor camera. Look at the huge uptake and acceptance the BlackMagic cameras have had at the $1000- $3000 price point and they all have a smaller sensor than MFT. I don't see how a little Speedbooster is considered 'unwieldy'? On the contrary, It's a small addition that negates the need for an APS-C sensor unless you need Auto focus (which lets face it, pros are happy to do without) while at the same time making your lenses faster and giving your lenses a smooth iris if you go for the Nikon version. Also, the MFT sensor with a Speedbooster becomes a 1.4 crop factor. That's better than using a Canon 1.6 crop APS-C or 1.5 crop Nikon camera if your worried about things like that.

Look at the Digitaloptik Converter, this will be used on higher end productions and the 'extra hardware' is not seen as a hindrance. Seriously, with a Speedbooster, the MFT sensor size is a non issue.

[Den]

You people crack me up. You finally get an affordable 4K Panasonic GH model that you've been begging years for, finally has ALL the video-specific features for audio, proper codec, MFT lens, portable ergonomics... and your first reaction?

 

"No ND filter?!  WORTHLESS!"

 

Ungrateful kids...

 

_{*curmudgeon curmudgeon*}

 

perfectly said! +100000000

 

 

Some revision and a little mantra ( attached) to chew on.
1) Resolution is not as important as Color space. I'll take 10Bit 2.5K over 8Bit 4K any day
2) Built in ND filters matter a lot since many of us need them to knock down the sensors in bright light and NO I do not like taking the time to constantly deal with filters in my mattebox every time I change shots.
3) Panasonic will be wasting time and an opportunity if they release anything 'Pro' in a M43sensor ( Please forget the Speedboosters- that's more unweildy hardware between the rear-element and the sensor than I care to deal with in a supposedly 'Pro' camera)
So have a look at my mantra and goodnight all !
 

i would NOT agree on 3. Look how many great movies were shot on super16, it is not that Super35 or FF is a must for everyone/everything! There is room for m43 imho. Lens line is very well developed apart from one thing - at least one pro(sumer) video-oriented lens. If Pana releases for starters something like Sony 18-105/4 power zoom - that would be awesome. 

 

In any case, I am personally very happy to hear those rumors cos I was quite disappointed by Pana dropping of AF line and by the absence of developments/new products from their side in pro m43 segment. Let's hope they are back to the game. 

[Tone13]

The film 'Gravity' was shot in 2k and looks fantastic on a 50ft screen. Do we really need 4K?

Just a thought.

[markm]

 

You people crack me up. You finally get an affordable 4K Panasonic GH model that you've been begging years for, finally has ALL the video-specific features for audio, proper codec, MFT lens, portable ergonomics... and your first reaction?



"No ND filter?! WORTHLESS!"



Ungrateful kids...

 

 

Who asked for 4k? Mostly just a marketing thing.

Actually what people have been angry about is the crippling of cameras and codecs that make sure you can never compete professionally. Would it be so HARD to put a 10 bit 4.2.2 clean hdmi out on a DSLR Black Magic did it at a great price so come on whats the excuse.

Wont be long before there is triple triple crippled raw on iphones so people like you can tell us we don't need an alexa.

[jgharding]

I'm really not bothered about 4K apart from for compositing, the rest is good though. If 1080 is even higher quality, great I'll take it!

 

Unfortunately, retina displays will soon be everywhere and people will want video to match their dimensions... so 4K is kinda inevitable

[Tomas]

My ideal camera is like this:

 

Body of th FS-100 (I love it too!)

active MFT-Mount and chipsize

2,5k-Raw 10 bit

4k- 25p -10-bit-Prores

1080p/120, 720p/240

ND-Filter 3 stops

XLR

HDMI-out

changeable battery

global shutter

SSD-disks

OLED-Viewfinder 2k

1080p/120, 720p/240

16MP stills

13 stops dynamic range

foldout-monitor

editable timecode

sync timecode with other cameras

Peakmeter Audio

Peaking

Zebra

waterproof

rocksteady body

max 1kg (plus lenses)

remote control on tripod AND via computer, tablet and smartphone

second recording 720p on sd-card

„good shot“-markerknob

decent iris-control

 

3000 US$

 

Please fulfil my dreams, Panasonic.

 

The Specs won´t be a problem today, I think.

[Nikkor]

I'm really not bothered about 4K apart from for compositing, the rest is good though. If 1080 is even higher quality, great I'll take it!

 

Unfortunately, retina displays will soon be everywhere and people will want video to match their dimensions... so 4K is kinda inevitable

I think internet streaming is not up the task (will be some day), if watching 1080 on youtube can be a pain in the ass, 4K will be...

But anyway, 4K is the way to go. This camera will be great.

[AaronChicago]

My ideal camera is like this:

 

Body of th FS-100 (I love it too!)

active MFT-Mount and chipsize

2,5k-Raw 10 bit

4k- 25p -10-bit-Prores

1080p/120, 720p/240

ND-Filter 3 stops

XLR

HDMI-out

changeable battery

global shutter

SSD-disks

OLED-Viewfinder 2k

1080p/120, 720p/240

16MP stills

13 stops dynamic range

foldout-monitor

editable timecode

sync timecode with other cameras

Peakmeter Audio

Peaking

Zebra

waterproof

rocksteady body

max 1kg (plus lenses)

remote control on tripod AND via computer, tablet and smartphone

second recording 720p on sd-card

„good shot“-markerknob

decent iris-control

 

3000 US$

 

Please fulfil my dreams, Panasonic.

 

The Specs won´t be a problem today, I think.

Why not make it $999 since we're dreaming.

[zephyrnoid]

perfectly said! +100000000

 

 

i would NOT agree on 3. Look how many great movies were shot on super16, it is not that Super35 or FF is a must for everyone/everything! There is room for m43 imho. Lens line is very well developed apart from one thing - at least one pro(sumer) video-oriented lens. If Pana releases for starters something like Sony 18-105/4 power zoom - that would be awesome. 

 

In any case, I am personally very happy to hear those rumors cos I was quite disappointed by Pana dropping of AF line and by the absence of developments/new products from their side in pro m43 segment. Let's hope they are back to the game. 

AS A DP, I am interested in controlling my background blur for compositional and lyrical effect. Sure, the Speed boosters will increase that some but not enough for me and the bokeh looks inferior. There's a reason the Alexa uses a Super35 sensor. Thanks!

[Tomas]

Why not make it $999 since we're dreaming.

OK, why not?

[zephyrnoid]

The film 'Gravity' was shot in 2k and looks fantastic on a 50ft screen. Do we really need 4K?

Just a thought.

As I have written before on 4K
1) It's an excellent archive resolution for forward thinking filmakers as long as the footage is 10Bit or higher RAW or comparable
2) It allows for excellent cropping leeway so your Editors and Directors love it too.
3) It helps the makers of HW make more money off you since you need more expensive Edit systems and storage
4) The TV business drives this to an extent and they are always looking for the mide/long term consumer upgrade path. That's how they make thier money. For now, 2K, 1080p are here to stay but I'm sure 4K delivery will be the norm in the future. Anyone with really good 4K foottage now will be banking cash in 5 years. That's what we call an investment

[zephyrnoid]

I think internet streaming is not up the task (will be some day), if watching 1080 on youtube can be a pain in the ass, 4K will be...

But anyway, 4K is the way to go. This camera will be great.

There is always the possibility of positive regression.
What with all the privacy issue on the Internet, I predict some reversion to older pathways.
For example: I just invested hugely in DVD & BluRay media for distribution as it's WAY more private than internet distribution.
My Millennial kids are thinking of taking chemical photography classes for heaven's sake :(
I think that unless CODECs improve substantially and the disctriubtion models are made more private, a lot of people will stream back to good-ol theaters and home movies ;)

[Den]

AS A DP, I am interested in controlling my background blur for compositional and lyrical effect. Sure, the Speed boosters will increase that some but not enough for me and the bokeh looks inferior. There's a reason the Alexa uses a Super35 sensor. Thanks!

there is also reason why Super16 was there, right?

different strokes for different folks

[nigelbb]

Another reason I believe this rumor to be either true, or on the right track is that face it, no one buys Panasonic cameras primarily to take photos with

Your enthusiasm does you credit but also gives you tunnel vision. Sorry to burst your bubble but the predominant market for Panasonic stills cameras even quite capable hybrids like the GH3 & G6 is overwhelmingly for taking still photographs.

[theSUBVERSIVE]

The film 'Gravity' was shot in 2k and looks fantastic on a 50ft screen. Do we really need 4K?

Just a thought.

You guys are not thinking the big picture here.

Since when technology is moved based on just needs? It's moved by several reasons.

It's not a matter of needing it, did we really need 3D? NO! It's a matter of pushing tech forward and creating new things to sell, some you will need, some will work and some will not.

Just for a second, if they don't push 4K for consumers how in the f**** world will they even sell their TVs, how will they push the movie industry, sell these new stuff or have 4K content? You have to create an ecosystem and fill every possible gap and at some point 4K will matter, people will be able to extract something out of it.

You can crop while keeping 1080p~2.5k, as someone said, if it's not sharp at 4K, maybe you can get it at a lower res and in the future there will be more ways to use it.

Questioning if you need or not at this point doesn't make much sense, no matter what, they will push 4K forward.

[Germy1979]

You guys are not thinking the big picture here.

Since when technology is moved based on just needs? It's moved by several reasons.

It's not a matter of needing it, did we really need 3D? NO! It's a matter of pushing tech forward and creating new things to sell, some you will need, some will work and some will not.

Just for a second, if they don't push 4K for consumers how in the f**** world will they even sell their TVs, how will they push the movie industry, sell these new stuff or have 4K content? You have to create an ecosystem and fill every possible gap and at some point 4K will matter, people will be able to extract something out of it.

You can crop while keeping 1080p~2.5k, as someone said, if it's not sharp at 4K, maybe you can get it at a lower res and in the future there will be more ways to use it.

Questioning if you need or not at this point doesn't make much sense, no matter what, they will push 4K forward.

 

 

Porn just took the leap.  I was apprehensive until that happened.  lol.

[Oliver Daniel]

4k will bs useful for most at some point. It's a bit like saying 'there's no point in a 16bit codec, the general public can't tell the difference.'

More tools = :)

[Andrew Reid]

The film 'Gravity' was shot in 2k and looks fantastic on a 50ft screen. Do we really need 4K?

Just a thought.

 

IMAX version was 2K? If so, yeah, looked fine.

 

Don't forget however that 4K makes for more dynamic range, as there's no (or little) pixel binning. It also makes for much cleaner 1080p when downsampled in post, with less aliasing.