So will the BMC push the FS700's in-camera codec?

G

Gene Sung

Veteran
The Black Magic Camera is getting glowing reviews so far.

For me, it's not really the right choice since I prefer super 35, I love the FS700 slow motion and I can tell I would hate the BMC ergonomics since I shoot a lot of barebones handheld; but the images look great from the BMC.

Do you guys more in the know regarding Sony's history, think that they might release a 4:2:2 50mbps in-camera codec? I would gladly pay a premium for a firmware update like that. I would actually prefer a 4:2:2 50mbps 2.5K in-camera codec over the 4K RAW codec since I'm not a big fan of recorders. Would a 4:2:2 50mbps 8bit (10 would be better of course, but super unrealistic) 2.5K image even be possible on the FS700 in camera to SDHC cards?

Seems like Sony should do something to answer to BMC which will surely cut into FS camera sales.
 
In-camera codec upgrades are unlikely in my opinion. Most of these cameras probably have encoding hardware components that are not that flexible but are very low power and very reliable. Also any camera recording non-raw images scaled to anything other than 1080p in camera is unprecedented. And why would they want 2.5k when they have a 4k sensor and advertise a 4k RAW upgrade. The 4k RAW upgrade will be the answer. If you are looking for a better recording codec, just get a Hyperdeck Shuttle 2 and some SSDs. If you are looking for more than 1080p, then wait for the 4k RAW upgrade which some have said is a few weeks away. Unclear if it will unlock any abilities without an external recorder though. BMCC is an interesting camera but it lacks many things that the FS700 has. BMCC has some great IQ strengths and a great price, but it doesnt go over 30fps or ISO1600, has a lot of aliasing due to lack of OLPF, and is more of a camera head than a camera system as it is missing a lot of functionality and ease of operating most camera operators might expect.

It certainly would be interesting if the 4k RAW upgrade allowed 4k internal recording or at least non-raw 4k external recording that isnt quite so bulky as 4k RAW uncompressed.
 
gene_can_sing said:
The Black Magic Camera is getting glowing reviews so far.

For me, it's not really the right choice since I prefer super 35, I love the FS700 slow motion and I can tell I would hate the BMC ergonomics since I shoot a lot of barebones handheld; but the images look great from the BMC.

Do you guys more in the know regarding Sony's history, think that they might release a 4:2:2 50mbps in-camera codec? I would gladly pay a premium for a firmware update like that. I would actually prefer a 4:2:2 50mbps 2.5K in-camera codec over the 4K RAW codec since I'm not a big fan of recorders. Would a 4:2:2 50mbps 8bit (10 would be better of course, but super unrealistic) 2.5K image even be possible on the FS700 in camera to SDHC cards?

Seems like Sony should do something to answer to BMC which will surely cut into FS camera sales.
Click to expand...

I'm not sure where the rumor's coming from... but, I'd be surprised if there are any updates to the FS700's recording format outside of purchasing an external recorder and getting 4K. Maybe they'll lower the price of the recorder three months after release (see: F3 Updates), but FS700 owners and every other camera owner got what they paid for, and knew about it when they put their money down. Those who need a large sensor, slow mo, built in NDs, built in XLR, so on and so forth will plunk the money down regardless.

Also, 2.5K is irrelevant, really. It'd likely be a windowed deal (if at all even possible with the hardware etc) and if the camera's doing a good job of the 4K to 1080 conversion, you aren't getting anything more out of it aside from the actual 4K, when that's available.

It seems like FS700 owners are happy with what they have, why would Sony need to answer Blackmagic when they've got a product that's for a completely different market?
 
Didn't the F3 get an internal codec bump through firmware from 35mbps to 50mbps?

Well, it's probably just wishful thinking. But the camera is solid anyways and I really like it. But I do noticed that when shooting 60fps, the codec breaks up more which a bump up in mbps would help for sure.
 
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