AJ-PX270 OIS Problem: Panasonic, we need to hear from you

A

alan barker

New member
Dear Panasonic,

It is clear that the AJ-PX270, which is otherwise a great camera, has a severe OIS problem. There are many reports of the image jump that happens during hand-held work. A number of cameras have been returned because of this problem - including mine. I have tried to get a response from you both through my dealer (Abel Cine) and by emailing you directly. There has been no reply. The firmware update of 9/8/14 makes no mention of the problem. Will it be fixed?

Also, the camera I had would not accept 23.98 time code. Will that be fixed?

Thank you,

Alan Barker
 
Alan, I share your frustration, and have already returned 1 of my 3 PX270s.

On a bright note: A representative from Panasonic has indicated to me that an OIS firmware "upgrade" is expected within the next few weeks. Though I'm somewhat skeptical that whatever is wrong with OIS can be fixed entirely in firmware, I'll be thrilled to be proven wrong.

Going to request a slightly wider return window from my dealer just in case...can't afford to have another shoot like I had several weeks ago.

....and as an aside: The lack of upfront, forthright communication from Panasonic is troubling. Based on what I've witnessed over the years, unlikely that anything like this would have transpired during Jan Crittenden's reign.
 
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Thanks for the reply. I too received an email saying that there would be an upgrade in the next few weeks but there was no information about which issues would be addressed. I asked for specifics and have not heard back.

I didn't know there had been a change at Panasonic. I agree that this is troubling. Panasonic's credibility is at stake.

Have you come across the same problem I had with 23.98 time code. The camera would generate it but would not jam to it.

Also the detail was too high on the unit I had, didn't have time to fiddle with it.

Best,

Alan Barker
 
How bad is this OIS problem? Is it bad enough to discourage potential buyers?

I shoot a lot of action sports via handheld with OIS. I just purchased a new HPX250 from B&H because the price dropped a bunch after the HPX255 came out. I'm contemplating if I should send it back in favour of the PX270. It just seems like this OIS problem could really cause me grief. Thoughts?
 
FYI, the OIS problem is already solved (or, at least, addressed) by the latest firmware out. So it shouldn't be an issue.
 
How does the OIS (when working properly) of the PX 270 compare to the AC90/a which I think is quite remarkable?
 
Barry_Green said:
FYI, the OIS problem is already solved (or, at least, addressed) by the latest firmware out. So it shouldn't be an issue.
Click to expand...


From what I've read in the other thread in the topic. Even with the latest update in October, it's still having ois issues and the problem is not fully cured. Can anyone confirm this or deny this?

Thanks,

-Jared
 
Reply to Barry Green: I wish that were reassuring but three things jump (no pun) out at me. 1. Panasonic has not acknowledged the problem. 2. The post indicating that the problem was addressed by the 10/24/14 update includes this: "Although not specifically mentioned in the accompanying release notes, this firmware release also includes improvements to the AJ-PX270 Optical Image Stabilization performance. While significantly improved, work continues to further improve the OIS performance." 3. It is speculation that the problem has been dealt with. I will be working on a long-term verite project starting in December and I would like to use the AJ-PX270. We are still shooting with the HPX-170 but that can't go on. We tried the HPX250 when it first came out and got one with a defective lens, not going there again. Panasonic has made some great verite cameras over the years and this could be one of them - if fixed.
 
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Alan Barker, how was the lens defective on the HPX250?

I would like to hear from people who have used the OIS since the October update. Is the skipping/jumping problem still there?

Thanks,

-Jared
 
The final fix is complete. It will go out to the world shortly. I know this because I have it, but I cannot distribute....
 
Dear Jared, The HPX250 I had (Serial #I1TCA0176) had a number of problems. The image was soft. In 720 24PN it was softer than my HPX170. The center of the frame being softer than the edges. It would not hold focus. If you zoomed in and focused while rolling, six or more feet away to avoid the macro, zoomed out, paused the camera then zoomed back in - it would be out of focus. It had significant lens flare wide open, more than the HPX170. Another problem was that night scene highlights would begin to flicker part way through a take, this with incandescent lights. Sensitivity was 10 IRE points lower than the HPX170, that with equal gamma, knee, matrix and shutter settings. I returned the camera to the dealer. They agreed the lens was defective, no comment on other issues.
 
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