NAB 2024 - Rumors and Wishes

Zack Birlew

Zack Birlew

Supporting Member
Hi, everybody, it's getting to be about that time for NAB 2024! Since the last thread was filled with great rumors, wishes, and neat ideas, what are everybody's thoughts for this year's show?

Looking back, it's surprising how many elements of my previous wishlist made it into actual products or at least got really close, like the L-mount Blackmagic Cinema 6K and the cinematic focus for the Fuji GFX100 II! Just in case, here it is again:



As for myself, I mainly would hope for a surprise from Blackmagic Design such as the Pocket 8K or even Pocket 12K but thinking further about things, I have a few ideas that would be pretty cool:

1. Blackmagic Pocket 8K or 12K - Everything great about the Pocket 6K but with updated sensor and, hopefully, a mirrorless mount system of some sort.

2. Blackmagic URSA 16K+ - A full frame version of the URSA 12K, most of the same features as before if not even better, and, again, hopefully a mirrorless mount of some sort.

3. Sony FX8 - An 8K version of the FX9 with all the improvements and features found in the newer FX6 models and below for the most feature rich high end Pro Sony video camera.

4. Panasonic EVA2 - An 8K version of the EVA1 with mirrorless mount and the same unique and very cool Infrared mode switch for specialized applications.

5. GoPro Cinema - An 8K GoPro with Prores RAW and/or BRAW built in with expanded video bitrate for professional applications.

6. Sony 8K Camcorder - Finally moving 8K into the video camera space and with night vision as well as all the other useful features we've come to expect from Sony's video line up to this point but at a 1"+ sized sensor format and with new external RAW recording as a big added feature for the highest end applications.

7. Sony RX0 Mark III - A fully upgraded Sony RX0 with all the great features of the previous models with, hopefully, a slightly wider lens and 10-bit 4:2:2 and external RAW 8K resolution, allowing for a unified 1"+ sensor line for 8K production. Also would have cage units for 360-degree or panoramic use for capturing background plates for VFX and virtual production scenes.

8. Fuji Medium Format Digital Cinema Camera - Using the GFX mount system, this new camera would be based on Fuji's medium format video features but be in 8K+ resolution and entirely based around digital cinema use for large productions and IMAX filming.
 
These days, 99% of camera people are only interested in Canon or Sony.

Half are waiting for a new RF cinema and half are waiting for a FX6 II, and the rest 1% will play here and there with everything else.
 
it lost its magic many moons ago because everyone makes great stuff and a lot of stuff now and there's not that much left anymore that will wow people
 
Well, we now have the global shutter versions of the RED V-Raptor so things are off to a start at least! I think this makes the V-Raptor more of the camera I would have hoped it was when it was initially released but it does have some very stiff competition as it is so if there's new developments from the competition this year on top of that it will be interesting to see how it competes. It is clear that we have great 4K now but the battle for 8K and 12K+ is still ongoing so I don't think we'll see much more 4K development from this point on unless we start seeing more medium format solutions like the Fuji GFX100 II.
 
It will be interesting to see what happens but I don't predict the battle for 8K and 12K being as aggressive as it was for 4K.

They really milked the hell out of 4K cameras and their specs for like 10 years but they can't do that with 8K and 12K because not only are the managements and workflows and media more of a hassle and the screen panels to support those resolutions (or at least 8K) are still wildly expensive, AI is becoming more aggressive every day and it will continue to change the industry and how moving images are created.

A true 16-17 stop 4K/240p crystal clean camera would be highly more appealing, IMO.
 
For the past couple of years the camera manufactures have re packaged old 2019 sensors and try to convince us their cameras are new. *yawn
 
I hope someone brings CCD back! Or how about a mini 1200w bicolor COB light that is the size of a brick? Or perhaps a fantasy video game that simulates what it's like to make a film that does well with critics, packs theaters, and actually makes some real money.

In all seriousness, the only thing that I really want for my professional work is for Accsoon add EL Zone to their app.
 
Paul F said:
So you don't have to spend money on new toys?
Click to expand...

Exactly. I spent a lot in ‘23. It was probably my largest capital outlay in a single calendar year in ~17 years. But I also try to buy things that will serve me and stay relevant for many, many years, and not chase the trends that shift like the winds.
 
Zack Birlew said:
Well, we now have the global shutter versions of the RED V-Raptor so things are off to a start at least! I think this makes the V-Raptor more of the camera I would have hoped it was when it was initially released but it does have some very stiff competition as it is so if there's new developments from the competition this year on top of that it will be interesting to see how it competes. It is clear that we have great 4K now but the battle for 8K and 12K+ is still ongoing so I don't think we'll see much more 4K development from this point on unless we start seeing more medium format solutions like the Fuji GFX100 II.
Click to expand...

8K and 12K is still just a niche in the real world and is largely not needed or even wanted. With the exception of my VariCam’s, every other camera that I own and regularly use is capable of recording 4K, yet the vast majority of what I still shoot and deliver is HD. And a lot of that is still 720P.

I think we all know that there are benefits from deriving a recorded image from a higher rez sensor, but we’ve passed the point of diminishing returns with ever higher resolution recorded files, for the majority of work. Most clients simply cannot handle 8K+. And many just don’t want to deal with 4K, still, outside of small scale projects.
 
I agree we don't need higher res. 6k down ressed to 4k is the sweet spot. I just like 4k 60 without a crop, faster read out with limited rolling shutter, anti flicker technology, internal raw, stacked sensor...
 
I would like to see a Panasonic CX450 video camera announced. An overall improvement to the popular CX350. Better sensor quality/DR etc..., better audio preamps etc... Overall, a more broadcast focused variant which is higher end. I still prefer my PX270 cameras to the CX350 a lot of the time but they are over ten years old now. I have no idea if Panasonic is still considering new cameras for the video space but they did release a 1" chip prosumer model last year. I just want a more pro model of the CX350.
 
Bassman2003 said:
I would like to see a Panasonic CX450 video camera announced. An overall improvement to the popular CX350. Better sensor quality/DR etc..., better audio preamps etc... Overall, a more broadcast focused variant which is higher end. I still prefer my PX270 cameras to the CX350 a lot of the time but they are over ten years old now. I have no idea if Panasonic is still considering new cameras for the video space but they did release a 1" chip prosumer model last year. I just want a more pro model of the CX350.
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I've been wondering this too as while we have 10-bit video being put on all these mirrorless cameras, what we need is more easy to use 10-bit camcorders and pro video cameras. As it is, the old Sony AX100, 53, and 33 are still seemingly the top picks for 4K camcorders, the AX700 being a nice upgrade but essentially the same as the AX100 with some added features. My brother recently picked up an AX53 and it has just as nice 4K video as my AX100 but without the manual controls and he did so because he liked the gimbal stabilization aspect of it for what he wanted to do, which I can't fault him on. Still, I wondered why there hasn't been a 10-bit refresh of these models at the least and manual controls being unlocked at this point for a gimbal model in the line. While we can say that S35 and FF cameras are dominating the industry all we want, these video cameras are still selling and a refresh would be very helpful for those that need them. It certainly would be nice for Youtubers and streamers that resort to their phones and could use a bump in quality.
 
Bassman2003 said:
I would like to see a Panasonic CX450 video camera announced. An overall improvement to the popular CX350. Better sensor quality/DR etc..., better audio preamps etc... Overall, a more broadcast focused variant which is higher end. I still prefer my PX270 cameras to the CX350 a lot of the time but they are over ten years old now. I have no idea if Panasonic is still considering new cameras for the video space but they did release a 1" chip prosumer model last year. I just want a more pro model of the CX350.
Click to expand...

I'd take a CX450 for sure, but what I really want is a AF200 or DVX300. It's been a torutred road, but I've tried to make my peace with hybrids (GH series) cameras. I'd drop them in a heartbeat if a proper M43 camera ( camcorder or ILC- no boxes ) was released. In spite of the increased IQ of mirrorless/ hybrids, they are such a step backwards in so many ways.

Does my wishlist stand any chance of coming true? Of course not. :shocked:
 
Looks like Blackmagic is going to continue their trend of revealing stuff right before the show starts.
 

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