Then also the fact it is missing a viewfinder makes it even less suitable for handheld shooting, that means you have to hold the camera in front of you instead of against your eye and you"ll loose another point of contact to stabilize. You can also forget to shoot with unstabilised lenses.
This is a tripod camera or one to put on a shoulder rig.

Then also the fact it is missing a viewfinder makes it even less suitable for handheld shooting, that means you have to hold the camera in front of you instead of against your eye and you"ll loose another point of contact to stabilize.
Perhaps it is only me but I find my footage more stable when I hold the camera in front of me and watch the screen.

No matter how you handhold the camera, if there is no lens or sensor stabilisation it results in unusable footage, unless you are ok with the jitter or you like the look of post stabilisation.

Oh, that's a bummer!

There is absolutely no other way to power the camera apart from batteries when the USB-c port is in use for recording? Would we be able to use a fake battery connected to a power supply as is the case on the GH5?

The BMPCC4K has a locking DC connector for external 12vDC power supply.

The BMPCC4K has a locking DC connector for external 12vDC power supply.
Great, then as far as I am concerned there is no issue in using the USB-c connector.

No matter how you handhold the camera, if there is no lens or sensor stabilisation it results in unusable footage, unless you are ok with the jitter or you like the look of post stabilisation.

Yes, but for years you and others shot handheld with optically-stabilized lenses only. IBIS for *video-capable* ILC cameras is relatively new. There are plenty of MFT lenses with stabilization built in. So it is nonsense you cannot use the camera handheld.

Great, then as far as I am concerned there is no issue in using the USB-c connector.

Sure, if you are happy with a rigged up camera on sticks - a 12v power supply is big and heavy. The point, again, is that this camera is *in (large) part* specifically designed for handheld or gimbal use, so big attachments defeat one of its major purposes. You can mount a small usb battery pack (+CFfast) or a small usb ssd drive (and replace small batteries a lot) and still carry it around to shoot.

Yes, but for years you and others shot handheld with optically-stabilized lenses only. IBIS for *video-capable* ILC cameras is relatively new. There are plenty of MFT lenses with stabilization built in. So it is nonsense you cannot use the camera handheld.

Read my post again, I was refering to lenses with no stabilisation and in that case it's not possible to shoot handheld without post stabilisation.
I and others did shoot with a very limited lens choice handheld in the past, but now I can shoot handheld with my gh5 with every lens I have which is a huge difference.

Yes, but for years you and others shot handheld with optically-stabilized lenses only. IBIS for *video-capable* ILC cameras is relatively new. There are plenty of MFT lenses with stabilization built in. So it is nonsense you cannot use the camera handheld.

But only 2 are faster than f2.8 and weddings are lots of low light situations.

It was a constant frustration of mine that I could not use all my primes handheld so that same frustration will be present when using the pocketcam handheld as your lensselection will be limited; with the gh5 it doesn't matter what lens you use, every lens makes handheld shooting possible.

Read my post again, I was refering to lenses with no stabilisation and in that case it's not possible to shoot handheld without post stabilisation.
I and others did shoot with a very limited lens choice handheld in the past, but now I can shoot handheld with my gh5 with every lens I have which is a huge difference.


Read my post again, and be less defensive (I am defensive when someone implies I cannot comprehend a post). Duh, I know you know that handheld without any stabilization at all is impossible for good video, and I agreed (read my post again, and again). That I said it is nonsense that you cannot use the Pocket PC 4K handheld is not an implication that you believe that - it is a statement aimed at those who deny it is designed to be handheld (which a number of people have asserted as they dress up the camera with heavy attachments).

So, it really comes down to a more limited lens choice, not inability to use the camera handheld. This is exactly the same as for the GH5s. And we learned that IBIS itself has disadvantages.

I agree that the GH5 is better for handheld use because of greater lens choice (and that is a big deal), if one likes the baked-in look from the camera, and the crippled 4K 60P (so no HDR using that, for example). Trade-offs.

I did read your post and I don't see you agreeing on anything I said.

Well, I certainly read *all* the posts in this thread, and then I read 'em again, and I'm not quite sure where the disconnect is.

So let's agree to disagree, or disagree on whatever we've agreed upon, and move forward in a polite and cordial manner.

Thanks, everybody!

I agree that the GH5 is better for handheld use because of greater lens choice (and that is a big deal), if one likes the baked-in look from the camera, and the crippled 4K 60P (so no HDR using that, for example). Trade-offs.

I have the vLog upgrade, so no baked in look for me and technically HDR is possible in 50p 4K, though more potential for issues due to not being 10 bit. There's no perfect camera for every video job.

Of course if you use an Atomos external recorder with the GH5 ( S ) you can get ProRes, 10bit 4:2:2 50/60P using V-LogL or HLG . To record for an extended period of time the BM too will need external recording though nice in its case it is just a USB C SSD. It would be good if the GH5's could record using their USB C connector just like the BM. Maybe a firmware upgrade !!!

The recent announcement of a new Black magic RAW sounds promising and further extends the potential of this camera, should it be passed down to it and not just the URSA. I wasn't sure if it use this camera for RAW as I've heard the DNG files are a pig to edit. I planned to stick to Prices, but if this new RAW is included either on release or in upgrade, I can see me using it for some smaller jobs.

Yes, but for years you and others shot handheld with optically-stabilized lenses only. IBIS for *video-capable* ILC cameras is relatively new. There are plenty of MFT lenses with stabilization built in. So it is nonsense you cannot use the camera handheld.

Yup, or just use a monopod / shoulder rig / easyrig / etc for quick and easy stabilisation of your shots, I've never owned a camera with IBIS and instead I do that.

This just proves my point that the pocket cam is not a camera designed for handheld shooting, it can be for a very limited choice of lenses but even then not being able to look through a viewfinder and a lcd screen that doesn't move makes this a camera that is best used on sticks or any other kind of support.

All my real video camera's that I used in the past had stabilization build in, my vx2100, dvx100, xh-a1 and small handicams I used like the cx730, it was only when people decided to start shooting video on photocamera's that this so important feature was for a large part lost, my GH5 is my only camera so far that is giving me that freedom back of just handholding the camera with any lens I put on it, for some people this might not be a big deal but for me it is.

I like some of the features of the camera but BMPcc4K does not really suite my shoots. A lot of the time camera is way above my head on tripod. I can control the GH5 with Olympus power zoom lens completely with the Android app on my tablet. Full camera control and framing of the lens. I think the BMPcc4K fails on all these accounts. As far as I can find out it does not have an app and likely just iOS if it does. I like the RAW recording though to future proof more the full stage archive.

The BMPCC4K is still a massively more user friendly camera to use than what I started out doing weddings with: a Panasonic GH1. And even that I found to be just fine.

But more importantly: the BMPCC4K will give a much much nicer image!

The BMPCC4K is still a massively more user friendly camera to use than what I started out doing weddings with: a Panasonic GH1. And even that I found to be just fine.

But more importantly: the BMPCC4K will give a much much nicer image!

Even if you factor out the lack of IBIS, the lack of flip screen, poor battery life, larger file sizes and possible issues - have we forgotten the infamous black sun - will make this camera less ideal for run n gun work. Which is what most Weddings tend to be. I capture between 350gbs and 800gbs per Weddding as it is.

Given the larger file sizes, I see this for small promo work, music videos and even documentaries and indie movies. Or as a b camera for the URSA. As I replacement to my very useful and versatile GH5, it's a definite NO.

Shoot BMD's new braw format, or ProRes LT

The data rates would hardly be much more unreasonable than you'd be getting with the best out of your GH5

Shoot BMD's new braw format, or ProRes LT

The data rates would hardly be much more unreasonable than you'd be getting with the best out of your GH5

Best out of GH5 and that's 400mbps. I don't shoot that for Weddings. Shooting 150mbps every Wedding and I've got so many hard drives already, I'm almost out of letters to assign them to. :). I'm creating 2 hour videos for my Weddings, 80 a year. It'll be madness to shoot RAW with that number.

I did bump into an assistant Photographer who boasted he filmed Weddings on a Red camera with enormous file sizes. I assume he was targetting the Highlights only customers. Those who feel a Wedding Video is 5 minutes long. With that sort of output, RAW becomes viable. But unless you're charging 3k for your Weddings, it's not sustainable and probably why this guy scratches a living working as an assistant to a Professional Photographer.

I'm sure there'll be those who will find a way to work the Pocket 4K for Weddings. Some have worked phones, 16mm cameras, Canon cameras and others with some major restrictions, so the Pocket 4K is no different. However the original Pocket became quite famous for its wonderful image and yet those who purchased it rarely seemed to use it or even talk much about it after a few months of use. You have to wonder why?

I did bump into an assistant Photographer who boasted he filmed Weddings on a Red camera with enormous file sizes. I assume he was targetting the Highlights only customers. Those who feel a Wedding Video is 5 minutes long. With that sort of output, RAW becomes viable. But unless you're charging 3k for your Weddings, it's not sustainable and probably why this guy scratches a living working as an assistant to a Professional Photographer.

I'm sure there'll be those who will find a way to work the Pocket 4K for Weddings. Some have worked phones, 16mm cameras, Canon cameras and others with some major restrictions, so the Pocket 4K is no different. However the original Pocket became quite famous for its wonderful image and yet those who purchased it rarely seemed to use it or even talk much about it after a few months of use. You have to wonder why?

Yeah I have a friend who uses 2x REDs for weddings. Madness! As even worse, is a RED ONE :-o

Anyway, $3K is a pretty mainstream price for a wedding, so not unreasonable from that perspective

Best out of GH5 and that's 400mbps. I don't shoot that for Weddings. Shooting 150mbps every Wedding and I've got so many hard drives already, I'm almost out of letters to assign them to. :). I'm creating 2 hour videos for my Weddings, 80 a year. It'll be madness to shoot RAW with that number.


Of course not raw! I'd use ProRes LT with my BMPCC, a single card would last me all day long and more!

Of course not raw! I'd use ProRes LT with my BMPCC, a single card would last me all day long and more!

I use 128gb cards and go through 2 for most Weddings. Occasionally 1 and a bit for smaller Weddings and 2 and a bit cards for big Weddings. I'm not sure what the file size is for the Pocket 4K. They've given numbers but I'd rather know number of minutes I get per 128gb card.

The lack of IBIS and no flip screen limits it anyway. It can't be my main camera as I need the versatility. A gimbal camera if it can balance on my Ronin S maybe. However unlike the GH5 and GH5s which were roped into Weddings straight away, I'd be running tests and rests before committing to any shoot.

The most important part of any weddingcamera is how fast you can change different settings, there are enough situations where you need to get a shot so you either have to rely on the camera all auto functionality (if that is any good) or change whitebalance, shutter, f-stop, iso or focus on the fly.

I never liked shooting on a dslr because I was used to shoot with actual videocamera's that had nd-filters build in, could do smooth zooms with controllable speeds, change f-stop without exposurejumps, had no recording limits, had build in stabilisation and had good auto-focus if needed, could punch into the screen while recording to check focus, had good audio and that all in one package without having to invest in anything else.

The gh5 is the first dslr I feel comfortable with to replace a "real" videocamera though it's far from perfect but it does have the necessary functionality to allow me to use it as a run and gun camera.

The 4K pocketcamera seems like it's way easier to operate then the original version but I don't see it as easy to operate or as versatile as the gh5, I"m sure it will be great with a 2 videographers shoot but not so much for solo shooters.

It's been confirmed that the Pocket 4K can fit onto the Ronin S, so I may well have a use for it at Weddings. I could use a dedicated camera just for gimbal, leaving my GH5s which I currently use as tripod only. The 50p 4K is of better quality on the Pocket, so would work well. Except for AF performance, but then Pansonic is hardly a winner there either.

If the rumours about the Panasonic Fullframe are true, latest suggests both a budget and pro version both with IBIS, then next year's Wedding season could be much easier to film. Now if they can finally get AF right, all my problems will be sorted. Well those with my gear anyway.

Great comments! Nice to share with pros. We try different things, not just cameras, tripods, monopods, lights, gimbals, they don't all work out as expected. Even between monopods, it would be easy to lump them together as if they all work the same benefit but they don't. Same with anything. A mistake for me is trying too hard to make something work that I have this picture in my mind is ideal, but once in the field of battle the problems are revealed, have to learn and move on. Speed and readiness most important, and a certain minimum level of acceptance. For example, it's twilight, it's been bright, the clouds roll in and wind picks up just as the bridal procession begins. There's no time to fumble with ND filters. Before you've gotten to that point there is so much to do, mic'ing the groom, plugging into pa or soundboard, recording acoustic musicians, having lights staged for the grand entrance/toasts, being able to switch from outside to inside shots, remembering how you have set your camera presets, remaining situationally aware to be in position for the shots and not forgetting where you have to be at any moment.

For me, one of the keys is not to try and do too much and go into sensory overload, not try and combine too much complication. Make it as simple as possible. With so many great tools and options, it's easy to fall into traps, and fail to remember the most important thing is to keep a record button ready to press instantly.

it's easy to fall into traps, and fail to remember the most important thing is to keep a record button ready to press instantly.
Haha, every weddingvideographer that says they never had their camera in standby mode while they thought it was recording is either lying or about to shoot their very first wedding. :)

You gave a very accurate description about the issues we often face at weddings, this year especially my frustrations have been building up more then usual, I have a perfect picture in my head how I want to capture but there is always something not going as planned.

This is one reason why I use several cameras and audiorecorders to cover for things that go wrong but it adds a lot of complexity to my solo shoots, I had several photogs laugh when they saw my gearbag this year, "the man with the many small camera's" one photographer called me. :)
Like many videographers I too suffer from the gas syndrome thinking that every new piece of acquired gear will make my work look or sound better and sometimes it does but currently it becomes hard to keep track of all gear I use and I have lost some small accessories because of that, mainly while moving fast between locations, lenscaps in particular seem to want to escape my gearbag a lot. :)

As my backproblems are getting worse again I made a decision 2 weeks back to make a more radical change in my work and will start to do photography but am looking to see how I still can combine it with video but with a much lighter gearbag, my lumix camera(s) will continue to play an important role because of their ibis but I decided not to buy any new camera for video anymore, unless one of my current camera's would break down. I'm going to sell some of my videogear and keep only the essentials, I got myself a Sony A7III with 2 primes, a 35 and a 85mm and a flash last week which I am primarily going to use to take pictures, I know it shoots good video as well but for that my Panasonic cameras will be used.

That means I won't get the 4K pocketcam as I initially planned but it will stay interested to see what other users will do with it.

I've had photographers comment on the amount of gear and cameras I have. Then again I've encountered teams of 3 Photographers covering a Wedding not to mention those packed with lighting gear, lugging lighting stands, portable power packs and professional lights on outdoor shoots. So Photography doesn't always equal less gear. Though many get by on less.

I never lose lens caps, it's always more important gear I've left behind and forcing me to return, sometimes the next day. Such experiences have helped me to adopt a work practise that minimalises such mistakes cos they are a pain in the ass when it happens and costly.

The rumours of the fullframe Panasonic have led me to a few wobbles with my Pocket 4K pre-order, but the fact is
1. I can afford it.
2. I get to play with it over the quiet winter months. A few Personal projects to keep me busy.
3. It comes with Resolve, which was already on my radar, even if just for having non subscription based editing software.
4. Be nice to work with a non Panasonic camera for a change.
5. Image looks nice.

As I've done some Photography work this year, a camera better than the GH5 is something I'm considering. Though I'm prepared to wait and see how this Panasonic rumour turns out. If not, I'd be more interested in Fuji or Nikon. Fuji do lovely colours, so as a proper hybrid I'd more pick that than Sony to be honest.

I am certain the BMP4K can be used, but I don't trust enough to go from the unboxing video to a paid wedding shoot, to not be skilled in its usage, to be caught by surprise by I can only imagine what, a long boot time, short battery life, problem seeing the lcd screen etc. It looks pretty good though with buttons on the outside. I never question what the 2nd shooter brings, but I am hoping he sure as hell knows what he's doing with it. Sometimes they appear on the outside secure and experienced, only to realize, he's not even pointed in the right direction. I always have an eye out, looking ahead of the viewfinder, looking for the upcoming action, keeping track of the other shooter, ready to change angles, and always before I stop recording.

Personally, I am wary of FF for video, mainly due to size and weight. It's one thing to be a photographer, she swings the camera into a point, gets the shot, takes a different angle, shoots another. The videographer could be stuck hand holding the camera steady in one angle for an extended period, and he can't move or break the pose because if he does and there's no backup, the shot ends right there. That can be extremely tiring, you can't be too light, just remaining that still for a long time can wear you out. And yet, these hand held shots can be the best, better than what you get on the tripod, more dynamic, framed tighter, focus and zoom in synch with the action. Tripods and monopods are acceptable when everything is static, horrid when you move or recompose. I try to keep the tripod for a backup/safety shot, wide, don't change the framing composition, i.e. boring footage! But the handheld shots, they have a style and dynamic that keeps them interesting, even better than gimbal except for walking around, but even walking handheld can work. This is the advantage of dslr shooting style.

Personally, I am wary of FF for video, mainly due to size and weight.

Well the GH5 is hardly small and some of the MFT lenses are hardly light. Some pair the sigma 18-35 lens with the GH5. It's not that far off a FF camera with lens for weight and size.

I've just seen the Panasonic announcement. I'm sold. I can see me adding a S1, 24-105 and the 50mm lens to my kit next year when it comes out. With my GH5, GH5s, Pocket 4K, and a couple of GH4r, I've got all bases covered for my Business. Can't wait.

Size and weight is not a issue anymore with mirrorless full frame camera's, the a7III is smaller and lighter then a gh5, some lenses however can add quite a bit of weight.

I've just seen the Panasonic announcement. I'm sold. I can see me adding a S1, 24-105 and the 50mm lens to my kit next year when it comes out.

I"m usually sold when I see how a camera performs :) On paper it all looks nice but from what I can see it's focus is still contrast based dfd technology like the gh5 and we know how that works out. Panasonic promised very good autofocussing on the gh5 but it basically suxs so I would not trust much from them anymore untill it's proven in the field.

I"m sure it will do great though but it's a very premature system that has to grow, that 24-105 will most likely be a f4 lens and it will take a while before Panasonic and other lens manufacturers will deliver a broader range of affordable lenses, they have to as the Leica L mount native lenses are very expensive.

Noa, you're speaking to a guy who pre ordered a pocket 4K back in April and who got the GH5 literally on the day of release and was shooting a Wedding with it 2 hours later. :) I go with my instincts with gear sometimes.

Yeah I'm a bit concerned about the AF, but hoping that there's more to it. AF does work on the GH5, it's just unreliable. Apparently we have yet another update end of October to add some improvements. If they can eliminate the loss of focus at critical moments, then who knows, maybe DFD can work. We'll see. It's the only downer I can find so far in this camera.

Either way, it's fullframe with 50p 4K. I can see it fitting in nicely with my other cameras. Rumours it can take MFT lenses with an adaptor would allow me to still make use of my current lenses in a pinch if needed. If I want fullframe, and it would be nice to have that option, then it's either this or Sony, or Nikon. Pansonic has served me well and I'm prepared to wait. I'll need further specs of course but what I've seen so far interest me.

I jumped in with great interest the moment the Panasonic email arrived with me at 13:49 this afternoon; I've used Panasonic a lot in the past. But soon I was feeling underwhelmed and the thoughts I'd made for myself have now been articulated by Tony Northrup in his initial video:

Panasonic Lumix S1 & S1R Preview: Full-frame mirrorless, 4K/60, 47 megapixels! - YouTube

He had even expressed what I was going through: "Is this the end for micro 4/3?"

There are so many unknowns for now. It hadn't occurred to me that 4k 6fps might have to be cropped. Perhaps there will be a viable competitor to dual pixel auto-focus. Perhaps it will all come good.

There is another new video. I tried to watch it but the editing is so awful I couldn't finish it:

Panasonic LUMIX S1 and S1R Full Frame Cameras Explained – Video Interview - YouTube

BTW think carefully, very carefully, if you are considering the Nikon Z7 if your work involves a lot of low-light scenarios:

Depressing Low-Light Specs of the Z7 - FM Forums (http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1562812)

Yikes.

But soon I was feeling underwhelmed and the thoughts I'd made for myself have now been articulated by Tony Northrup.

He had even expressed what I was going through: "Is this the end for micro 4/3?"

There are so many unknowns for now.

I kind of skimmed the video. Seriously how can anyone make a 17 minute video out of the little we have been told about the camera. Basically he was just doing the press release over again. Some people have too much time on their hands to post this kind of stuff. A video for video sake. Alas a trend with YouTube with lots of 'look at me' vloggers popping up everywhere for their 15 mins of fame.

Plus he's got his facts wrong. I've seen the LCD screen and it's a bit more than 3 axis tilt. Not quite sure what it is, but basically it comes out on some levers and can swing out and also tilt. Weird choice. But nothing like he described.

And the fact Panasonic have developed a lovely new 10 to 25 mm 1.7 lens for the 4/3s suggests they are still committed. After all, even Canon run different size sensors as do Nikon with fullframe and APS-C, so why not Panasonic, albeit with a larger difference in size. There's room for both and this is just Panasonic offering a fullframe camera in their line up. Something many have called for. Given Canon and even Sony are stalling here as they protect their cinema camera lines, it's a welcome move.

However the camera is 6 months from release, so I'm not sure what people were expecting in terms of wow news. As the guy in the video put it. Bit like the GH5, we won't get specs till the New Year. However if we are getting the GH5 in fullframe form, I think that's pretty wow enough for me. :)

Seriously how can anyone make a 17 minute video out of the little we have been told about the camera

Because that is how they make money, with over 1 mil subcribers and many viewing I bet he can cash in real nice by simply repeating what we all allready know.

I never care that much about those early "reviewers", I often look for reviews from people who have been using the camera for months instead of a few days just for the sake for getting attention and making extra YouTube money.

I instead will be waiting for Steve to tell us how bad the camera is once he receives his pre-order. :)

Oh dear Steve you're coming across a bit bit shillish again :- )

Northrup isn't any old Youtuber, he has well over a million subscribers, has an enormous amount of detailed info online with just the odd bit of wrong info here and there (which he corrects when his detractors to their enormous delight find mistakes), and is one of the very first to get the physical gear from the manufacturers e.g. Canon EOS-R mirrorless. He has been a huge advocate of the GH5 / GH5s in the past though he seems to be less enamoured with them in recent months. Personally I've never liked what I regard as the CGI look of some of his GH5 videos.

But the main thing that jumped out at me was that to all intents and purposes many people looking at the Panny full-frame and lenses will look at it as a complete change of system. Why do that when Nikon, Canon, and latterly Sony have vast and proven kit. And by the time the Panny bodies arrive next year and the more varied Panny lenses in 2020 the competition will have moved ahead as well.

All the stuff about 4k and 10 bit and 4:2:2 etc sorry but you could not be more wrong. Kit for the masses is already close to mature. Just think what the audiophiles are like as a comparison; they bang on about features that no-one else knows about or cares about - they embarrass themselves. I do use a cinema audio system - 5.1 on a 7.1 AV receiver with KEF eggs but thats mainly because the recent flatscreen TVs have such poor onboard audio. My recent AV receiver does Dolby Atmos but I won't bother with that. I upgraded it because it does an Audio Return Channel and that wasn't available the last time I upgraded one 10 years ago. Does anyone bother having a separate CD amp anymore or separate speakers. Ha ha.

My daughter can shoot 4k on her iphone. I can shoot 4k on my Galaxy S9. 4k is about as interesting as 3D and curved TVs :- )

Noa: Stop Press- Northrup does loads of extended training videos some 90 minutes and more and highly detailed. He could only report of the Panny fullframe details as they exist obviously but his channel is the go to place for first info as well as full-on.

Noa: Stop Press- Northrup does loads of extended training videos some 90 minutes and more and highly detailed. He could only report of the Panny fullframe details as they exist obviously but his channel is the go to place for first info as well as full-on.

He only made that video for the sake of attention and earning some extra cash and who can blame him for doing so because that is for a part how he makes a living :) I"m just stating a obvious fact that such early "previews" have no value whatsoever as he only repeats what has been officially announced and then shares some personal opinions like his "prediction" that Panasonic will leave the MFT system soon and that it would be ridiculous that Panasonic would develop 2 systems simultaniously. Is that a part of the odd bit of wrong info he trows out there? :)

Oh dear Steve you're coming across a bit bit shillish again :- ) Northrup isn't any old Youtuber, he has well over a million subscribers

Peter I have a personal dislike of vloggers and that includes the famous ones too. Its an annoying trend nowadays for any Tom, Dick or Harry to suddenly decide they can be a presenter and tell everyone things their viewers could quite easily figure out for themselves. The fact they are successful speaks more to their charisma than their knowledge. Its the same all the World over; is Arnold Schwarzenegger the greatest ever actor - no, but well paid and popular over many who can do better acting. I'm sorry but a million subscribers made up with people with too much time on their hands to give these kind of videos their attention is hardly a ringing endorsement.
Maybe he has done some excellent instruction videos. In which case, stick to them and leave trash opinion piece videos to the same place I'd stick most vloggers, Room 101. :)

Sorry, but I just don't get this modern thing of vlogging. I'd rather read a good book frankly - I'm old fashioned in that extent. :) Seriously I just don't see the point of videos like these and they seem merely there to justify the existence of these people who feel they'd be forgotten if they don't post videos regularly, regardless of content. It is basically a repeat of the press release that video you showed, so why do it. His opinions seem almost scaremongery and not even accurate to anyone who actually watched the Press release. I saw a bit of it and enough to know micro 4/3s is not dead or else why release such a wonderful new lens for it. Its not rocket science.

But the main thing that jumped out at me was that to all intents and purposes many people looking at the Panny full-frame and lenses will look at it as a complete change of system. Why do that when Nikon, Canon, and latterly Sony have vast and proven kit. And by the time the Panny bodies arrive next year and the more varied Panny lenses in 2020 the competition will have moved ahead as well.

Because someone like me who has a liking for Panasonic and who hasn't invested in Sony cos their colours are crap, or Canon because they fail to innovate on their smaller bodies for video or Nikon because they are still new to video, would gladly invest in said system. Before this announcement I was considering getting a fullframe camera anyway, which would require news lenses as all my lenses are 4/3s. So there's no great cost beyond what I would incur if I did go down say the Sony route as Noa has done. I'd prefer to stick to Panasonic if I can. It's easier matching colours and I'm use to how they do things.

All the stuff about 4k and 10 bit and 4:2:2 etc sorry but you could not be more wrong. Kit for the masses is already close to mature.

Not sure what that means or how I could be more wrong. A better codec is a better codec if you wish to colour grade. And if that isn't important, I take it your Photographs are all shot on Jpegs rather than RAW. If you do shoot RAW, why do you feel Photography needs a better codec and Videography does not. Probably because you are a Photographer first and a Videographer 2nd. I'm the other way round, though really have little interest in Photography. So we are approaching our work from two different and opposing perspectives. So I appreciate you feel 4K, 10 bit and 4:2:2 is meaningless. However not to me, and as my demands and needs for my work are my own, my opinion on the subject is not wrong, being as it is applicable to my work, and clearly just different to your own perspective. Nothing wrong with that.


My daughter can shoot 4k on her iphone. I can shoot 4k on my Galaxy S9. 4k is about as interesting as 3D and curved TVs :- )

And yet no one has asked me to shoot 3D or to make my videos suitable for curved TV's. ;) My Parents own a 4K TV though not 3D or a curved TV. I have had many clients ask me if I shoot 4K. 4K also gives me better stills than HD which some of my clients pay for. 4K makes for better HD, something you wouldn't know using Canon. :) 4K has allowed me to crop for some videos where clients have asked me to. So 4K may not be interesting to you, but then you're not my client. I'm not that interested in 3D, but I am in 4K and ultimately in HDR one day. Is it essential to my work, no, but then as it's my own work, surely I'm allowed to invest as much time and resources and technology as I feel like.

I instead will be waiting for Steve to tell us how bad the camera is once he receives his pre-order. :)

Perhaps Panasonic should put that quote on their marketing for the camera. :)

Besides I haven't pre-ordered it yet. I'll wait for final specs; I'm just sold so far on the concept. Fullframe, IBIS, 4K 50p, weather sealing, 2 card slots, adjustable screen for low and high angle shooting unlike the Pocket 4K. Good starter lenses for me too with more eventually for me to buy into once released, plus this collaboration with Leica and Sigma should extend the lens line up too. All sounds good so far and Panasonic don't have a history of crippling their products. However we know little beyond those facts - it's just a pre-announcement saying they plan to release this camera. So if it turns out 4K is indeed cropped, then forget it. Deal breaker for me. But I doubt it.

Now I should stop talking about this camera or I am as guilty as that vlogger spending 17 mins waffling and speculating over a camera we know very little about. :)

Oh dear Steve you're coming across a bit bit shillish again :- )


BTW, I was intrigued in how you were insulting me Peter. So I googled the word. I got the results 'Red Cherry'. Now either you're calling me cherry, which almost sounds like a term of endearment or you meant something else. :)

Closest I could find was shill, which is an assistant to a confidence trickster, who poses as an ordinary customer. Hmmm, doesn't quite fit either.

Seriously I am the sort of person whom many a good and commonly used insult can be properly thrown against me, and in fact have already been used against me :); so you hardly need invent something new.

The Northrups do some good stuff and are also invested in GH5's but I do not really agree with him. We will have to wait for more information because all of us only have the smallest info that has been released so far. I see not reason for Panasonic not to have both MFT and full frame products.

Perhaps Panasonic could provided a M43 adaptor for their new FF camera to encourage their high end MFT customers (GH5, G9) to purchase the new camera? MFT could be their equivalent of Nikon DX lenses which are designed for APS-C but can be used on Nikon FF in APS-C mode.

Perhaps Panasonic could provided a M43 adaptor for their new FF camera to encourage their high end MFT customers (GH5, G9) to purchase the new camera? MFT could be their equivalent of Nikon DX lenses which are designed for APS-C but can be used on Nikon FF in APS-C mode.

The early rumours about this camera did mention such an adaptor, but it wasn't part of the announcement. Whether the new L mount allows for such an adaptor is the question here. If it does, I can't see Panasonic not providing one given their investment in 4/3 lenses. If not someone else will make one. However it is a new lens mount so what is and isn't possible with it hasn't been revealed yet.

The Northrups do some good stuff

Ofcourse he does, I have seen good reviews from him or other usefull tutorials but the Panasonic fullframe video is just clickbait with no substance and ridiculous claims.

Well the launch of this camera is getting itself covered on BBC News. Did Nikon or Canon mirrorless announcement warrant a BBC news article? :)

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-45627055

Side note, still not sold on the screen. Looks a bit dodgy to me.

Back to the Pocket, apparently they're shipping now to stores but there's tonnes of pre-orders to get through. I ordered early but likely I am 1 in a very long list for this popular camera, so will probably have to be patient. :(

Well Santa finally delivered me the Blackmagic Pocket 4K before Christmas and I've spent the last 2 week's getting to know this camera. All I can say, there's a lot I really love and a few things I don't. If only it had IBIS, swivel screen and better battery, it'll be my top camera. Dodgy Focus I've learnt to deal without from Panasonic.

With a Wedding last Friday, I even got to use it as a Wedding and shot quite a bit of it on it. Bridal Preps, 90%, none of the Ceremony, 60% of the Reception and Photo shoot, none for the Speeches or 1st Dance and about 50% of the evening footage.

I have another Wedding tomorrow, and I'll be using in there too.

Frankly the things I love about it, the colours, the menu, the large screen, the ergonomics and codec.... Oh to see footage load on photoshop and watch those thumbnails spring to life rather than chug slowly away, I am already looking forward to editing the material. It's a lovely camera to use and I'm coping with its drawbacks; no swivel screen, no IBIS, poor battery life and some limitations in software.

I've got a lovely cage for it, not something I got for the Panasonic cameras, plus a battery unit that can power the camera for longer periods. Plus a few other accessories. I see this as a good production camera and look forward to tackling a few Promos, 1 of which I shoot in January, where this camera really comes into its own.

So far, the issues of batteries being stuck, battery door being loose and a few other issues have skipped over my one. I had 1 case where the unit locked up, but t was not recording anything, so I just removed the battery. But I've shot loads on it over the last 2 week's. I've yet to edit the material, but what I've seen looks great. :)