With the nearly $7,000 Sony Z-280 delivery (this month?) - a fixed-lens three-1/2"-chip camcorder that [unlike FS5] shoots 4:2:2 10-bit 4K video, one wonders what a future DVX300 (my definition: GH5s in DVX200 form factor/functionality) would have to offer that is "better." I'd still say rather a lot ...
Though 3 chips should offer better color, the difference in sensor size vs. MFT should yield large differences in noise and DOF/bokeh - true? For the stated ENG/run-and-gun use, I suppose smaller DOF is advantageous if you don't want to be oft-refocussing with active subjects (if you don't want/trust autofocus).
It is impressive to see Sony jump out with such a fixed-lens camera, though I'm a little surprised to see the three chips were 1/2". While the somewhat (?) arbitrary recommendations from the EBU (see page 11 of this: https://tech.ebu.ch/docs/r/r095.pdf) for their UHD2 tier 1 are no smaller than 2/3", they are OK for tier 2. I suppose we'll have to see real-world tests of the Z280 to know what it really has to offer.
I've been hoping for a "DVX300" with the GH5s multi-aspect sensor, excellent 400-Mbps all-I codec and all the other things that make the GH5s a nice camera for its form-factor. I just wish it was a camcorder, so I wouldn't have to franken-rig (small-rig?) it to get all the goodies incl. switches, ND, XLRs etc. Speaking of the GH5s, the EBU evaluation of the GH5s put it as UHD2 tier 2, but with some asterisks ... perhaps it could have ranked even more highly if not in the tested GH5s 4:3 mode, leading them to conclude "the UHD performance is reasonable for a Bayer-patterned sensor, but not really good enough for high-end television production" (@ Newsshooter article).
There is no DVX300 yet (unfortunately) which leaves me wondering about rigged GH5s vs. still-vaporware BMPCC vs. Sony Z-280 (arguably the EVA1 is a different category when lens and other costs added). For a much larger sensor and Panasonic/Blackmagic's color science, I'd pass on the Sony though there is much to recommend it, thus all the reviews saying "it checks most/all the boxes." Since the real-world testing of the BMPCC is yet to come, and with reliability, FPN and delayed shipping concerns of prior BM cameras, I don't think I'll wait on the BMPCC even with all the boxes it checks. This leaves the somewhat pricy GH5s (esp. with added items) as it has been well reviewed.
What do you all think? Some has said the BMPCC is a GH5s killer and I seriously doubt that, but time will tell. I still want my DVX300!
Though 3 chips should offer better color, the difference in sensor size vs. MFT should yield large differences in noise and DOF/bokeh - true? For the stated ENG/run-and-gun use, I suppose smaller DOF is advantageous if you don't want to be oft-refocussing with active subjects (if you don't want/trust autofocus).
It is impressive to see Sony jump out with such a fixed-lens camera, though I'm a little surprised to see the three chips were 1/2". While the somewhat (?) arbitrary recommendations from the EBU (see page 11 of this: https://tech.ebu.ch/docs/r/r095.pdf) for their UHD2 tier 1 are no smaller than 2/3", they are OK for tier 2. I suppose we'll have to see real-world tests of the Z280 to know what it really has to offer.
I've been hoping for a "DVX300" with the GH5s multi-aspect sensor, excellent 400-Mbps all-I codec and all the other things that make the GH5s a nice camera for its form-factor. I just wish it was a camcorder, so I wouldn't have to franken-rig (small-rig?) it to get all the goodies incl. switches, ND, XLRs etc. Speaking of the GH5s, the EBU evaluation of the GH5s put it as UHD2 tier 2, but with some asterisks ... perhaps it could have ranked even more highly if not in the tested GH5s 4:3 mode, leading them to conclude "the UHD performance is reasonable for a Bayer-patterned sensor, but not really good enough for high-end television production" (@ Newsshooter article).
There is no DVX300 yet (unfortunately) which leaves me wondering about rigged GH5s vs. still-vaporware BMPCC vs. Sony Z-280 (arguably the EVA1 is a different category when lens and other costs added). For a much larger sensor and Panasonic/Blackmagic's color science, I'd pass on the Sony though there is much to recommend it, thus all the reviews saying "it checks most/all the boxes." Since the real-world testing of the BMPCC is yet to come, and with reliability, FPN and delayed shipping concerns of prior BM cameras, I don't think I'll wait on the BMPCC even with all the boxes it checks. This leaves the somewhat pricy GH5s (esp. with added items) as it has been well reviewed.
What do you all think? Some has said the BMPCC is a GH5s killer and I seriously doubt that, but time will tell. I still want my DVX300!
