These Zcam guys are killing it!!

Interesting. Guessing the m4/3rds camera is using the GH5s sensor but the slow motion seems to be better than the GH5s. It shows 240fps in 1080 but does anybody know if the sensor is windowed in this mode? The lack of an LCD or viewfinder is not ideal for non-cinema work imho.
 
Shows you what's possible! I hope Panny takes a no compromise approach to GH6, I think they will (and have to as the market presses more into FF - even with their own S1). The main thing to differentiate on the m43 platform for video is in codecs and fps I would think.

With p4k and z2 cameras pushing the envelope and showing what's possible, might we see a 2020 GH6 and GH6s simultaneously launched (GH6 with 6k/8k, 6S with up to 4K but lowlight focused) with 4K/120, 2K/240, internal ProRes RAW to v90 SD card (or at least HDMI ProRes RAW output). Could they even do something crazy and add an SDI port? If they did a two version up front launch (both with IBIS), with all batteries and official accessories (like audio unit) remaining compatible at around ~$2K price point and specs like that...

Anyway, these z2 cameras are a perfect fit if you need cheap super slow motion, especially if you already own some accessories like a monitor and a few small rig pieces/battery to power it all. Could fit into a lot of workflows nice for that.

How has the reliability been for this company's past products?
 
Hmm...I am on the fence about these. The demo reel M43 version doesn't look very good to me overall and the concept means that by default, these will ALWAYS be a FrankenRig, which is generally horrible as it is on my C200 and X-T3. But the S35 version and the options for frame rates and codecs are interesting.
One of our fellow users here, Alex H just took delivery of the M43 version, I am curious to hear about his experience and to see some of his footage, demo reel footage from companies is almost always a poor way to judge a camera.
 
Have you ever tried to use a Z Cam?

Don't believe the hype - they aren't there yet. They are incredibly buggy, have serious image quality issues, and have a horrible reliability record. I applaud their efforts, but they have a long way to go in anything but specs/numbers wars.
 
I agree with Dan, give me a camera with screens over a sensor in a box any day. I have been using a Sony RX10 II for 240fps in a sports setting and it has done an admirable job but a more recent sensor would be nice. When I look at the Z2 for other uses the lack of visual feedback without a separate monitor makes it feel cumbersome.

Yes, rooting for a GH5si or a killer GH6si with 2k240p.
 
Dan is 100% on target/ very well stated (FrankenRig, no real footage, etc). I too ALMOST pulled the trigger on the Z Cam E2. But after reading REAL forum reviews, watching as much online footage as I could find, I decided against purchasing. On some of the smaller companies, it's sometimes better to "Watch and Wait"! I did recently purchase a BlackMagic Pocket 4K from NorBro (couldn't pass on the overall deal he gave me, including a Panny O.I.S. lens). So far, the Pocket 4K has been everything I expected. I even prefer (for various reasons) over my Kinefinity Terra 4K.........
 
olindacat said:
I saw the $1999 version at B&H, and noticed some reviews were a bit mixed.
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You know...I was actually going to post how the reviews at B&H seem really good for this camera (and people can be pretty brutal).

Out of 19 reviews, 17 gave it 5 stars - 1 is 3 stars - and 1 is 1 star.

That is a pretty rare ratio for a camera like this.

(Not to say you should go buy a camera based on reviews, but just saying.)
 
filmguy123 said:
... With p4k and z2 cameras pushing the envelope and showing what's possible, might we see a 2020 GH6 and GH6s simultaneously launched (GH6 with 6k/8k, 6S with up to 4K but lowlight focused) with 4K/120, 2K/240, internal ProRes RAW to v90 SD card (or at least HDMI ProRes RAW output). Could they even do something crazy and add an SDI port? ...
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According to Panasonic, there won't be an 8K M43 camera. Not that there can't be but they have the full frame models to sell and it makes no sense for them to cannibalize own business. For all we know, they'll just add some sort of an internal Raw (ProRes or Black Magic) to the CFexpress cards and call it a day on the GH line.
 
NorBro said:
You know...I was actually going to post how the reviews at B&H seem really good for this camera (and people can be pretty brutal).

Out of 19 reviews, 17 gave it 5 stars - 1 is 3 stars - and 1 is 1 star.

That is a pretty rare ratio for a camera like this.

(Not to say you should go buy a camera based on reviews, but just saying.)
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Holy cow, were those the stats? I got it all wrong then. (BTW: that movie you made with the pocket is unbelievable! I saw the clip you posted....)

I guess I homed in on the bad one then. I saw it suggested to me in my "Help, I need somebody, Help!" thread and saw it on B&H and was amazed people had some in their hands so quickly! How they are out in the wild and reviewed when they are just being announced has me dizzy!)
 
haha, I don't think that was me...there is nothing I film/edit that's really unbelievable (just being real).

Also, the $1999 has been shipping for a few months. The 6K and 8K are brand new and were just announced.
 
NorBro said:
haha, I don't think that was me...there is nothing I film/edit that's really unbelievable (just being real).

Also, the $1999 has been shipping for a few months. The 6K and 8K are brand new and were just announced.
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Oh, really? What a dummy. That explains it! I hope this camera takes off. It's like an affordable RED.... (Those drone dunes and lighthouse shots... ahem....)
 
Definitely not mine, but I posted that somewhere supporting the BMCC, which was the main camera used (the pocket was used only on the aerials according to a description on the official BM forum).

I share dozens of links weekly...probably maybe should make it more clear none of them are mine, haha.
 
Hopefully these Zcams do a good job of supplementing BMCs continued innovation-at-affordable-prices front. (Well, shooting aside, you still have exceptional taste, then, as that aerial and nighttime outdoor work really does fire on all cylinders, and shows what a BMC, and/or possibly a Zcam can do!)
 
Personally, I think the $2K territory is as good as it will get for them.

I believe that most people looking at a new camera will be okay with dropping that amount, and if it doesn't work out - "oh, well" - they can sell it.

But once you're asking $4K-$5K-$6K and you need additional accessories, you're bordering on a bit too much for 75% of that group.
 
NorBro said:
Personally, I think the $2K territory is as good as it will get for them.

I believe that most people looking at a new camera will be okay with dropping that amount, and if it doesn't work out - "oh, well" - they can sell it.

But once you're asking $4K-$5K-$6K and you need additional accessories, you're bordering on a bit too much for 75% of that group.
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I agree. For that money, there are lots of other interesting choices. Plus, those cameras are like buying Arri or RED in the sense of you just buy a box with a sensor and you also have to source and supply and configure everything else about the camera. Which to me is the opposite of what I want to do these days. Fine for some adventurous souls and really, the bottom line will be the footage but once you are shooting a LOT and shooting for paying clients who are breathing down your neck, you don't want to experiment and have to keep trying combos of support gear to make your box camera work well. At least that's my take on it.
 
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