GH4 JVC just owned Panasonic.

C

CustomerGH4

Well-known member
The company unveiled that their 4K Micro Four Thirds camcorder will also get a new firmware update which will add the following new features:
1) Cine 4k and 2k so 4096×2160 and 2048×1080 modes.
2) Flat profile! New gamma option now you have 3: J-Log1 Cinema ITU709
3) Histogram Spotmeter
4) Sensorzoom 20% in 4k and 60% in 2k

And the firmware is free.

Here is the video about it:
 
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It's nice that JVC is adding features. Especially nice for current owners, who are getting surprise bonuses above and beyond what they paid for.

As to how that's "owning" Panasonic, though, I'm not so sure. Assuming you're comparing it to the DVX200, which is the only camera Panasonic offers that's remotely close to the LS300:
1) The DVX200 already has the Cine 4K mode.
2) The DVX200 already has the VLOG-L profile.
3) The DVX200 already has a histogram and a spotmeter, and a waveform monitor
4) The DVX200 already has 54% sensor zoom in 1080p mode.

So yes, there's some differences, but -- is adding the same basic features another camera already has, "owning" them?
 
Barry_Green said:
It's nice that JVC is adding features. Especially nice for current owners, who are getting surprise bonuses above and beyond what they paid for.

As to how that's "owning" Panasonic, though, I'm not so sure. Assuming you're comparing it to the DVX200, which is the only camera Panasonic offers that's remotely close to the LS300:
1) The DVX200 already has the Cine 4K mode.
2) The DVX200 already has the VLOG-L profile.
3) The DVX200 already has a histogram and a spotmeter, and a waveform monitor
4) The DVX200 already has 54% sensor zoom in 1080p mode.

So yes, there's some differences, but -- is adding the same basic features another camera already has, "owning" them?
Click to expand...

Two minuses for DVX200 is that you can´t change the lens and the sensor is still M3/4 not S35. And it costs more than LS300.
The owning part actually came from the fact that this is such a good firmware update including a log profile and they don´t ask money for it. In my opinion this makes JVC look in a very good light.
At the moment as I am looking for a new cam this makes me consider JVC over Panny.
 
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CustomerGH4 said:
Two minuses for DVX200 is that you can´t change the lens and the sensor is still M3/4 not S35.
The owning part actually came from the fact that this is such a good firmware update including a log profile and they don´t ask money for it. In my opinion this makes JVC look in a very good light.
At the moment as I am looking for a new cam this makes me consider JVC over Panny.
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So -- I presume you're comparing this situation to the GH4 then? Where Panasonic's consumer division charged for a firmware update to add VLOG, where JVC is making a free update. I can see how you would view this positively; I'm just going to point out that this is nowhere near a fair comparison; you'd be comparing the professional division of one company against the consumer division of another company.

That said, it is still quite encouraging that JVC would add such a level of features to an existing camera, for free.
 
Barry_Green said:
So -- I presume you're comparing this situation to the GH4 then? Where Panasonic's consumer division charged for a firmware update to add VLOG, where JVC is making a free update. I can see how you would view this positively; I'm just going to point out that this is nowhere near a fair comparison; you'd be comparing the professional division of one company against the consumer division of another company.

That said, it is still quite encouraging that JVC would add such a level of features to an existing camera, for free.
Click to expand...

JVC beats GH4 firmware update.
With the update it also beats the Dvx200 which is a new camera, but LS300 is from last year.
 
CustomerGH4 said:
With the update it also beats the Dvx200 which is a new camera, but LS300 is from last year.
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So the firmware update adds UHD/60p recording to the LS300? And a 13x power zoom? And a color-accurate LCD and EVF?

Look, they're entirely different camcorders aimed at different users. Why does one have to "beat" the other? If you want an interchangeable-lens version, the JVC is the far better choice. If you want what the Panasonic offers, it's a far better choice.
 
I will agree it's super cool JVC is trying to improve upon their cinema camera. However, after trying it out at NAB, I certainly don't feel like I'm missing out in any way. I think the camera has some really cool features, that crop to lens feature is pretty unique in it's own way. I just didn't care for the image or the way it handles motion to much. I haven't looked to closely at the LOG footage and if it has improved the lackluster dynamic range, or if the highlights have improved in any way, but then again, I know this is not the camera for me so why would I bother. I also felt the body had a cheap plastic feel in hand which would explain the many complaints on quality control and cameras failing. I do give them credit for going after some market share for the price point though. I still fail to see how this owns Panasonic being that Panasonic came with full 4k, true 24p and has released free firmware to increase the feature set. Only thing they charged for was V-LOG which I agree should have been free.
 
Listen, the JVC-300 is a pretty awesome camera overall. A lot of recording options, the sensor modes are great for different lenses, awesome feature. This camera had a very videoish look to me (I only used it, borrowed, twice, and it was only a month after it came out, so take that review with a grain of salt), so hopefully this new log profile shores that up nicely. The EVF was downright bad, borderline unusable for me, and only saved to a certain degree by focus peaking. The flip out screen wasn't bad, but not as good as the GH4's. Unfortunately these were the worst part of the camera.

Features to price, though, it really is a good camera overall. But, like Barry mentioned, I don't feel like Panny got owned. Are free updates more appreciated? For sure. But JVC hasn't been a major player, IMO, as of late and they're trying to work their way back in. Same with Samsung. So they're trying to create buzz by adding features. Good for them! I think Panny should do the same to continue carving out their market. But the GH4 has been a tried and true workhorse for a year and a half, and while they bungled the whole V-log thing a bit, they've not been owned by JVC just yet.
 
GaryinCalifornia said:
lol so then Panny really owns themselves...
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Panasonic - then under a name that is censored out by DVX User, i.e., Matsus-h-ita Electric - - sold a large share of stocks JVC in 2008 after a 50+ year long "cooperation". JVC merged with Kenwood a little earlier. Panasonic may still own some though.
 
The only "owning" going on here is JVC 'owning' up to the fact that they released a lackluster camera.

Now they're forced to respond to the wave of cameras coming from their competition. Ursa Mini, FS5, DVX200...

So in order to keep LS300's from collecting dust on store shelves, JVC is 'adding' features that probably shoulda been there from the start.

Also, still missing from the list of freebies- High Frame Rate capability...
 
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TFilipiak said:
The only "owning" going on here is JVC 'owning' up to the fact that they released a lackluster camera.

Now they're forced to respond to the wave of cameras coming from their competition. Ursa Mini, FS5, DVX200...

So in order to keep LS300's from collecting dust on store shelves, JVC is 'adding' features that probably shoulda been there from the start.

Also, still missing from the list of freebies- High Frame Rate capability...
Click to expand...

so....for $3500 you would like 4k 60p as well?
Why not adding a small microwave behind the LCD and a little expresso machine under the EVF?

Really, we are talking $3500 for a camera with plenty of functions and 3 years of warranty.
Let's keep things real please.

If you don't like it, don't buy it
Cheers
 
diegocervo said:
so....for $3500 you would like 4k 60p as well?
Why not adding a small microwave behind the LCD and a little expresso machine under the EVF?

Really, we are talking $3500 for a camera with plenty of functions and 3 years of warranty.
Let's keep things real please.

If you don't like it, don't buy it
Cheers
Click to expand...


Unfortunately, I did buy it. Back in in May, so I'm speaking from experience.
In my opinion: the camera falls into that weird no-man's land of- not cheap enough to be consumer but not enough features to be professional.
C'mon, it is interchangeable lens but has (had) no way to monitor exposure(???)
So now they are adding some much needed features, but I have since returned mine.
 
TFilipiak said:
[/COLOR]

Unfortunately, I did buy it. Back in in May, so I'm speaking from experience.
In my opinion: the camera falls into that weird no-man's land of- not cheap enough to be consumer but not enough features to be professional.
C'mon, it is interchangeable lens but has (had) no way to monitor exposure(???)
So now they are adding some much needed features, but I have since returned mine.
Click to expand...

now I see your point.
Sad that you returned it. It should become a very capable camera in a few weeks.
The tests of j-log that I've seen look promising.
 
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