New Panasonic MFT cine camera?

[DLD]

I think there is a typo somewhere in that chain. It doesn't make sense to have 8-bit 4:2:0 HEVC. Technically, it's possible but it's been capable of 10-bit since 2012.

[ahalpert]

It's probably 420 in 60 and 10bit 422 in 24/30?

[DLD]

It's probably 420 in 60 and 10bit 422 in 24/30?

Maybe even in higher frame rates.

In any case, given that some of the specs have leaked, the official reveal shouldn't be far away. The GH line appears to have moved downstream, so this should be Panasonic's big salvo in the MFT niche.

[davedv]

The main specifications of Panasonic’s cinema 4K box camera “LUMIX BGH1“
10.28 million effective pixels Four Thirds sensor
Micro Four Thirds mount
C4K60P 4: 2: 2 10-bit RAW video (HDMI output)
C4K60P 4: 2: 0 10-bit (H.265 / HEVC) Internal recording
dual native ISO
Double SD card slot
Wi-Fi / Bluetooth
11800mAh VBR battery compatible
size 93.0×93.0x78.0mm
weight 545g (main unit only)

From the physical dimensions it seems to be very similar to the form factor of the Z Cam E2, or actually about a half inch less in depth and 200g (7 oz.) lighter than that camera. So it's a camera that is not too much larger than the lens mount.

By way of comparison, the 11800mAh VBR battery mentioned weighs 441g and is 90mm tall (almost as tall as the camera itself). But that style battery (same as used in the EVA1, DVX200, and other larger camcorders) has a fairly large attachment area on the camera. On the Z Cam E2 which uses similarly sized batteries, most of the back of the camera is the battery plate.

So I guess it's like a small form factor GH5S, although it's a bit odd that there's no 4K 120fps since that sensor is clearly capable of full pixel readout at 120fps (as seen on the Z Cam E2). Perhaps it will have integrated live streaming and improved remote camera control features so that it could be used as a live output camera (to accommodate current trends) in addition to more traditional cinema applications.

I'm reminded of this article evaluating the Z Cam E2 as an alternative to the GH5S for usage in in-car camera systems on shows like Top Gear and The Grand Tour. I suppose it is a pretty good form factor for those types of applications:
https://definitionmagazine.com/revie...-cam-e2-camera

It does seem strange that this camera would be coming out 2.5 years after the GH5S with largely similar internal recording specs though.

[DLD]

It looks like the same sensor as Z Cam E2 - M4 as well but Z Cam doesn't just have 10-bit 4:2:2 ProRes (Standard and LT) but 10-bit HEVC/H265 at up to 60 fps (they may be pixel binning at 120). And it's priced at $1,499.

It also claims 16 stops and has been shipping since June. If the leaked Panasonic specs are in the ballpark, this model may be a tad late to the party. And the GH owners can cry if they want to.

[davedv]

It looks like the same sensor as Z Cam E2 - M4 as well but Z Cam doesn't just have 10-bit 4:2:2 ProRes (Standard and LT) but 10-bit HEVC/H265 at up to 60 fps (they may be pixel binning at 120). And it's priced at $1,499.
It also claims 16 stops and has been shipping since June. If the leaked Panasonic specs are in the ballpark, this model may be a tad late to the party. And the GH owners can cry if they want to.

Since it's only a 10-megapixel sensor, there is no oversampling or pixel binning when doing a 4K (8-megapixel) 17:9 or 16:9 readout. The additional 2-megapixels are only used when doing a 4:3 readout (for additional vertical area) for anamorphic shooting.

The sensor does drop to a 10-bit readout in 4K 120fps rather than the 12-bit readout that is possible at lower frame rates.

Here is the sensor datasheet: https://www.sony-semicon.co.jp/produ...9CJK_Flyer.pdf

From what I understand, the 16-stop high dynamic range feature on the Z Cam E2 is kind of a gimmick as it captures with two different exposure intervals, which can result in some strange visual artifacts. Real world dynamic range in the standard capture modes is pretty much the same as the GH5S as you might expect, given that they share the same sensor: https://www.cined.com/z-cam-e2-cinem...ands-on-review

[stoneinapond]

....And the GH owners can cry if they want to.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IT8XvzIfi4U

[DLD]

Since it's only a 10-megapixel sensor, there is no oversampling or pixel binning when doing a 4K (8-megapixel) 17:9 or 16:9 readout. The additional 2-megapixels are only used when doing a 4:3 readout (for additional vertical area) for anamorphic shooting...

I meant that Z Cam is pixel binning to get 120 fps at the same bit rate (230 Mbps) as the 60 fps.

And the sensor itself looks to be 41 MPX capable with Quad Bayer (sorry, Quad Buyer) turned on. Which could have made GH-6 a quality stills camera. And kept Olympus in the game a while longer.

Ah, well. Big boys don't cry, yi-yi-yi.

[DLD]

Or Z Cam could compress more for 120 fps. Overall, it probably comes out half a dozen anyway.

R5 does both and the results look kind of the same.

[ahalpert]

Wow. It's only got V-Log L. What a nothingburger. I guess that's all the sensor can do.

https://www.43rumors.com/more-leaked...mcorder-specs/