Panasonic's new AG-CX350 camcorder

[philiplipetz]

I ran into a guy shooting on an UX180, and I asked him about the lens since it is probably the CX350 lens. He said it was fine. No problems. I asked if there were any problems. He said rolling shutter.

Is the rolling shutter on the CX350 any better?

 

[Danilo Del Tufo]

Barry, considering you're testing the camera, how the autofocus performs? Is similar to GH5 or better? Thanks!

 

[philiplipetz]

Barry, considering you're testing the camera, how the autofocus performs? Is similar to GH5 or better? Thanks!

As a gh5 shooter I hope it is better or the CX350 is not good for its market

 

[Barry_Green]

I don't have a GH5 to compare to. The last GH I bought was a GH2.

 

[Jarek Zabczynski]

Do we have a better release date besides “end of February” ?

 

[Danilo Del Tufo]

Barry, I see. I'm interested to see some sample about how autofocus performs, but also I'd like to know your opinion about it.

 

[philiplipetz]

sizzle reel with brief snippets

 

[philiplipetz]

It looks like the AF goes out of focus for a few frames

 

[Danilo Del Tufo]

Thanks Philip Lipetz, looks promising considering it's coming from an engineering sample, I suppose. I would like to read what Barry thinks about autofocus. Image looks very good and nice.

 

[morgan_moore]

sizzle reel with brief snippets

To be honest that looks really good. And it is intelligently diverse with subject matter and shows some grading and different looks.

An excellent promo.

 

[leteeci]

I am interested in lowlight capabilities.. Better or worse than Sony EX3 ?

 

[nutmegger]

Here is a new Panasonic promo piece on the CX350 with video footage.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IxSzBGrZ7gE

Enjoy.

 

[Bassman2003]

Thanks for posting. Barrel distortion looks like it is quite under control on the wide shots. Bravo.

 

[Barry_Green]

I am interested in lowlight capabilities.. Better or worse than Sony EX3 ?

Well, according to Sony's specs, the EX3 was rated at f/10 at 2000 lux. The CX350 is rated at f/12 or f/13 (depending on if you're shooting 60Hz or 50Hz) when using the HIGH SENS setting. So you'll get brighter images under the same conditions when using the CX350 at the same f-stop. Plus you'll probably have notably cleaner footage, as well as UHD footage. However, the EX3 had an extra f-stop of capability at the widest setting (f/1.9, vs. the CX350's minimum f/2.8). So -- without testing them side by side, my guess is they're probably basically about the same.

 

[philiplipetz]

Does the CX350 HD mode raise sensitivity by using the full sensor and then downsizing UHD to HD?

 

[Barry_Green]

It always uses the full sensor and scales down, yes.

That doesn't raise sensitivity, per se, but it does result in averaging down the noise, so you can then "gain up" about 6dB and have an equivalent noise level. So effectively, yes.

 

[Ruggerpro]

Anyone know if it's possible to rent a 350 by the end of the week here in socal? We'll be filming a wedding with a pair of gh5s, and the 180, but would love to add this is the mix to compare results and see if it's worth selling the 180.

 

[Jarek Zabczynski]

Oh this is a massive step up from the 180 without even using one. I’m probably getting two.

 

[nutmegger]

Here is one of the first reviews of the CX350 by Brian Hallett at provideocoalition.com.

https://www.provideocoalition.com/panasonic-ag-cx350-4k-single-len-camera-review/

Enjoy.

 

[philiplipetz]

Not very helpful review. No AF. No low light. No profile comparisons. Tested only 2 of 3 stabilization modes. Hard to tell if the review was so short and content free because he hated the camera and did not want to say anything bad, or he was just pressed for time. LATER EDIT, but the IR pollution needs investigation.

On to the next one.