FS700 Mark 2?

M

m3rob

Active member
I am really close to making the decision to purchase the FS700. If I had to guess, I think it would be at least 2 years before a new updated model of the FS700 would be released. Especially considering there isn't really any competition in the price range. And they just started the 4k upgrade.

Does anyone have any other information or any guesses based on Sony's history? I would just hate to purchase it now and have it updated by NAB next year. :)

Thanks!
 
I think generally you can avoid losing money by buying used equipment with patience and astuteness. If you're comfortable with getting a used FS700 now, chances are you'll have time to resell it without losing much when the replacement (or some killer product by another company) is announced. Just avoid the initial dumping frenzy and the periodic low tides.
 
why do people keep writing questions like this? the truth of the matter is that technology is a continuing and rapid turn over of products. what is a good value for your hard earned $$$ today, is tomorrow's obsolete technology. spend the money today, enjoy it today...and understand that in 6 months an even better value for your $$$ will be in the marketplace.
 
Look at the NEX-FS100 for clues. It's 3yrs old and still kicking. Once that cam is updated you'll have a good timeline of when the FS700 will be updated. So far you have about 2 more years minimum before a update will come. Then again Sony did show the hexagon prototype that shoots 4K at NAB this year. Who knows when that will be released.
 
I don't think an FS700 Mark 2 is coming for a while. But I have also have a feeling a really good 4:2:2 10 Bit / RAW camera around $10K is coming soon. That is so needed and the first company to make something like that will make a killing. I know BMC technically is doing that, but that camera has so many limitations (Form Factor, ISO, no slow motion, etc) that I couldn't use it.

Maybe Panasonic will fill that void since they need a hit. Or maybe a grown up BMC will come at the next NAB. But yeah, a camera with those specs in an ENG form under $10K will sell like hotcakes.

I think the FS700 is really good, especially with S-Log 2 (Just got my camera back). I think it's a way better value than the C100 or C300 (in the same price range) for me at least, since I do a lot of artsy stuff the slow motion is invaluable.

If they just made the internal codec broadcast safe 4:2:2: 8 bit 50mbps (I'm not even asking for 10 bit), I would be super happy. And before Evilthought chimes in to lecture me, I seriously doubt implementing a slightly better codec in the FS700 is impossible. If something like that even posed a remote challenge, Sony should fire everyone.

I keep reading these comments like: "Sony listens to it's F5 customers, so we added _____ as requested." The company is giving so much love to the F5 and not really listening to customers at all on the FS700. Such a shame as it's a great little camera that is so crippled to save the F5.
 
gene_can_sing said:
I don't think an FS700 Mark 2 is coming for a while. But I have also have a feeling a really good 4:2:2 10 Bit / RAW camera around $10K is coming soon. That is so needed and the first company to make something like that will make a killing. I know BMC technically is doing that, but that camera has so many limitations (Form Factor, ISO, no slow motion, etc) that I couldn't use it.

Maybe Panasonic will fill that void since they need a hit. Or maybe a grown up BMC will come at the next NAB. But yeah, a camera with those specs in an ENG form under $10K will sell like hotcakes.

I think the FS700 is really good, especially with S-Log 2 (Just got my camera back). I think it's a way better value than the C100 or C300 (in the same price range) for me at least, since I do a lot of artsy stuff the slow motion is invaluable.

If they just made the internal codec broadcast safe 4:2:2: 8 bit 50mbps (I'm not even asking for 10 bit), I would be super happy. And before Evilthought chimes in to lecture me, I seriously doubt implementing a slightly better codec in the FS700 is impossible. If something like that even posed a remote challenge, Sony should fire everyone.

I keep reading these comments like: "Sony listens to it's F5 customers, so we added _____ as requested." The company is giving so much love to the F5 and not really listening to customers at all on the FS700. Such a shame as it's a great little camera that is so crippled to save the F5.
Click to expand...


That last sentence makes waiting for IBC even more compelling.

Thank you very much

Fury
 
gene_can_sing said:
I don't think an FS700 Mark 2 is coming for a while. But I have also have a feeling a really good 4:2:2 10 Bit / RAW camera around $10K is coming soon. That is so needed and the first company to make something like that will make a killing. I know BMC technically is doing that, but that camera has so many limitations (Form Factor, ISO, no slow motion, etc) that I couldn't use it.

Maybe Panasonic will fill that void since they need a hit. Or maybe a grown up BMC will come at the next NAB. But yeah, a camera with those specs in an ENG form under $10K will sell like hotcakes.


Well Panasonic already has a 10 bit 4:2:2 camera......remember the hpx370 and the hpx250?
Click to expand...
 
Also,I never understood these question neither. Buy what works for you....you don't need the latest and greatest. Some of you guys act as if, your current camera/equipment will stop functioning as soon as something new comes along.
 
Higher bitrates take less CPU to compress than lower bitrates, especially with H.264. Don't see any reason why 422 50+Mbps Sony XAVC wouldn't run on the FS700. This looks like an F5 product differentiator at this point, so not likely the FS700 will get it. That said, using my Nanoflash at 422 + 100-200+Mbps (Sony MPEG2 codec) only really produces significantly better results with fast motion and low light (by significant, with pixel peeping still frames).
If I want super high image quality (and don't need sound, long recording time, or fast turnaround) I use my 5D3 with 14-bit RAW :nads: (green: 5D3, yellow: FS700). FS700 still has a slight edge in resolution vs. 5D3 RAW (5D3 frames processed in ACR with sharpening). Will be interesting to see how Sony & CD's 12-bit RAW compare to 14-bit 5D3 RAW (FS700 still rocks for slomo and real, high-quality pro audio, plus lots of lens options, including SpeedBooster).
 
Lets not forget that the F5 & F55 have xavc but a higher quality codec. Sony could still do xavc-s which can do 4:2:2 long gop 50mbs. Will it happen? I doubt it :-)
 
jcs said:
If I want super high image quality (and don't need sound, long recording time, or fast turnaround) I use my 5D3 with 14-bit RAW :nads: (green: 5D3, yellow: FS700). FS700 still has a slight edge in resolution vs. 5D3 RAW (5D3 frames processed in ACR with sharpening). Will be interesting to see how Sony & CD's 12-bit RAW compare to 14-bit 5D3 RAW (FS700 still rocks for slomo and real, high-quality pro audio, plus lots of lens options, including SpeedBooster).
Click to expand...

To me, the 5D3 with RAW hack is in the same boat as the BMC. Great RAW image but too many other compromises for it to be my main camera. For me, slow motion has become a huge part of my aesthetic (music videos and artsy pieces) and is an absolute must and after the FS700, I don't feel that 60fps even cuts it anymore. Yes, 240fps is a gateway drug and I want more. Lately I've been using the 480fps for a skateboard piece I'm doing and with shallow focus, it's perfectly useable.

Because of the slow motion, there's a certain feeling you only achieve on the FS700 that you just cannot do with any other camera in the price range.

I posted this already on it's own thread, but a spot like this is unique to the FS700.

http://builtbyugene.com/mov_clients2/tad1/TAD1_Edit_0103a

You cannot do anything remotely like this on the C300, C100, 5D3, BMC, etc... but you can get pretty close to what those cameras do on the FS700 (if you expose and focus right, most people couldn't tell the difference btw RAW and non-RAW). This is why I would take the FS700 over any other camera in it's price range, even with the weak-ish internal codec
 
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Hoot Hoot Gene. I usually hate skateboard vids but that was beautifully cut. So you lose 10 points for content but gain 50 points for editing and shot list. ;-)
 
Hey Gene- indeed the FS700 is great for slomo- nice skate video (ended abruptly?). After shooting 5D3 RAW, I really like the saturated color look. Here's a silly demo a friend and I put together with the FS700, 5D3 RAW, and iPhone 4S (Santa Monica): https://vimeo.com/67540334
See if you can figure out which shot per camera (tried to match FS700 & iPhone 4S to 5D3 RAW colors). Be sure to watch the ending closely ;)
 
jcs said:
Hey Gene- indeed the FS700 is great for slomo- nice skate video (ended abruptly?).
Click to expand...

The skate vid is actually just the dailies put to music. I still have to shoot a bit more and obviously color correct it as it's just the Un-Treated footage.
 
gene_can_sing said:
The skate vid is actually just the dailies put to music. I still have to shoot a bit more and obviously color correct it as it's just the Un-Treated footage.
Click to expand...
Hey Gene, What color profile did you use for the skateboard vid? The footage looks excellent!
 
Hey Rob, I used cine gamma 1. The highlights are a bit better with Cinegamma 4 (which most people prefer), but the mids and shadow detail is much better with Cine 1. Plus, cine 1 has a very nice, vintage feel on the color while I dislike the way cine 4 treats color. The color feels plasticky on cine 4 IMO.

just got my camera back, so it might just be Slog 2 from now on because from what I have seen on others tests, S Log has the highlights of Cine 4 and also the shadow details of cine 1. Going to test tomorrow.
 
Gene, Thanks for the info. I look forward to seeing your Slog footage in the future. Keep up the good work.
 
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