What I want from NAB 2012.

^ I'm hoping they do a lot better than a hacked GH2... in every respect except resolution, for which the GH2 already feels crazy sharp and much more than I need
 
I would prefer that Panasonic develop a new 4/3 sensor specifically for video before anything else. I am not prepared to invest anything that is barely better in rez from a slr (except gh2) and clearly lacking in dynamic range. No avc intra will make it much better. They have to develop a proper video sensor like the FS-100/F3 and use the same strategy like the dslr video camera market. Develop a sensor and then build around it a set of functionality, capability and form factor to differentiate it.

They already have some very good tech with their 4/3 large sensor size photo division (gh2). Using the core tech of the gh2/gh3 with much less pixel. A 2.5k or 4k chip would give 2 to 4 times larger pixel that would easily give a good 1 to 2 stop better low light and DR camera. In terms of DR, in raw the gh2 is about 11.5 stop. A 12.5/13 stop DR camera (log profile) with very clean 1600 to 6400 Iso would be achievable and with good resolution.

Now build a line around it.

A $ 2000/3000 8bit avchd codec camera in a small camcorder form factor with clean 8 bit 422 hdmi output. (for the dslr crowd)

A $ 5000 range 10bit 50 mbit avchd ultra 422 codec camera in an af100 type of camera, also with clean 10 bit hdmi output with xlr imput.

A $ 7000/8000 range 10 bit with avchd-inta 100 mbit codec and sdi connection with a better metal build.

They could even depending on market changes bring a $ 10 000 raw camera from the same sensor. Just change the processing back-end etc . Such a sensor basis with the different processing engine could last easily 4 years. This is what the Nikon and Canon of this world have been doing very successfully. Panasonic used to be the champion of innovation at least at indie level but the market has change and very rapidly. The world has moved from the video to the cinematic style look. In fact a completely new market has developed on the side of the eng world and even taken some part of it. Now if they don't embrace it they could perish very easily.
 
If true, we should have a canon announcement on their next dslr next week. Im really curious to see how they will cripple the 5D III so it wont eat into their Cinema EOS teritory. As for the Panasonic GH series, idk they will announce tht product line during NAB.
 
A $ 2000/3000 8bit avchd codec camera in a small camcorder form factor with clean 8 bit 422 hdmi output. (for the dslr crowd)

A $ 5000 range 10bit 50 mbit avchd ultra 422 codec camera in an af100 type of camera, also with clean 10 bit hdmi output with xlr imput.

A $ 7000/8000 range 10 bit with avchd-inta 100 mbit codec and sdi connection with a better metal build.
There's no real reason to limit a camera to 8-bit anymore, other than to hobble a camera to differentiate models in the camera line, and any company that does this from here out should be boycotted. AVC Ultra at 4:2:2 10-bit should be the minimum for Panasonic, and they should extend it to support 60p in addition to 24p, 25p, and 30p. But we probably shouldn't be limiting ourselves to 1080p -- 4K2K (Quad HD) is the next thing, and Panny should be proactive about it.
 
+1:

- videocentric sensors (like Danielvilliers, I'm fine with 2K or 2.5K and would rather have more dynamic range)
- videocentric lenses (parfocal, constant aperture)
- 10-bit, 4:2:2 = new minimum. There's no technical reason otherwise
- loggy curves
 
I would be quite surprised if Panasonic wouldn't update the AF101. Especially with the current rebate ending so closely to NAB. I expect them at least to change the sensor with that of the GH2 if not more - this really wouldn't be a hassle for them at all, they could also start shipping them very soon... It seems like everybody wants a better codec, so it's quite possible that this is coming to. Panasonic is a company that usually listens quite adequately to the markets wishes.
 
Sony F3 capabilities.
High information codec (>99mb/s) straight to internal camera recording.
Better form factor than F3. (Aaton A Minima, this #57, C300, RED, or just smaller like a jvc HD100u, in other words, the current shape is to large to be modular, and shaped wrong to be an all in one solution)
That would be a start.

Tell you the truth, a tiny camera is not so great. I'm hurting for realestate bad with the scarlet...... once I get the monitors, evf, scratch sound, timecode breakoutbox w/ adapters, zoom/focus motors, power, etc... you can't see the scarlet anymore. I kinda wish it was R1 sized, just hollow and lighter so I have real estate to work with....

It seemed great at first.... but its kind of a pain.
 
I want a camera like Canon C300 but made by Panasonic, for $3000 or less, I know, I need to wake up, ok, maybe in 2015.
 
Tell you the truth, a tiny camera is not so great. I'm hurting for realestate bad with the scarlet...... once I get the monitors, evf, scratch sound, timecode breakoutbox w/ adapters, zoom/focus motors, power, etc... you can't see the scarlet anymore. I kinda wish it was R1 sized, just hollow and lighter so I have real estate to work with....

It seemed great at first.... but its kind of a pain.

I don't mind bigger, I am mainly targeting the awkward neither here nor there design of the F3. The F3 is like an HVX200, which was an already awkward body.

Though, the ENG shoulder mount cameras can be too big at times, I do not mind them, because they are complete solutions which cater to a specific style of shooting.

I also agree that a Scarlet is too small. I think the C300 is too small (notice their jenga tower XLR/LCD solution?). Small serves it purposes too.

The ideal is something small and low profile, so as to be readily modular, but long enough to stabilize with a shoulder and supply adequate real-estate for vital connections and controls.

This would sum up my ideals in a camera shape, and would cover all my needs except candid camera work and certain situations were a camera presence must be kept to absolute minimum, in which case, a GH2 size camera or lipstick cam would fill that gap:

Cameraconcept3sides by onesielaff, on Flickr

The end of the butt stock could attach large brick batteries if the onboard one wasn't enough, or if you want to add weight and go more balanced.
 
I would be quite surprised if Panasonic wouldn't update the AF101. Especially with the current rebate ending so closely to NAB. I expect them at least to change the sensor with that of the GH2 if not more - this really wouldn't be a hassle for them at all, they could also start shipping them very soon... It seems like everybody wants a better codec, so it's quite possible that this is coming to. Panasonic is a company that usually listens quite adequately to the markets wishes.

I hope Panasonic does that. The AF100 is a very good camera that gets slagged way to much. However if they drop a GH2 level sensor in the existing body. That would be nice. If they up the codec, then that's icing on the cake. The AF100 offers a great deal of features already, so Panasonic doesn't need to add a lot, because its already a good system. We'll know soon enough.

Pappas
http://pappasarts.wordpress.com/
 
Panasonic is a company that usually listens quite adequately to the markets wishes.

They are indeed - Id say watch this space - somethings coming IMO. Maybe not NAB? Although Panasonic usually announce at NAB. But def. not that far away I'd say.
 
I hope they put more into dynamic range, low light, at least true 1080p resolution and a decent 10 bit codec would sell like hot cakes.
 
I hope they put more into dynamic range, low light, at least true 1080p resolution and a decent 10 bit codec would sell like hot cakes.

Shooting mostly at night and/or indoors, low light is a high priority for me. Shooting without controlled lighting mostly, higher dynamic range is high priority for me. 10bit is a near necessity in anything 1080p.

I want to see time code in dslr's too.
 
What is in real need is a good all rounder. I would prefer a... good enough camera in every aspect than one that is hyper specialised. One example is this latest 4k camera from JVC. It might have very very good resolution, but in the current state of tech I doubt that its going have good low ligth and DR with a 2/3 1/3 sensor size. Everything for me has a threshold where it becomes good enough. A good 2k resolved image, with 12/13 stop DR and very clean 1600 to clean 3200 iso would be ideal. Everything above would be better but not at the expense of the others. A 10 bit codec or at least hdmi output to complete it.
 
Yes, a very clean 1600 and pretty good 3200 iso is useful enough. I think the F3 and C300 do that. It is just at those prices, I would want better ergonomics or 10bit. If it weren't for fan noise, I probably would've picked up a scarlet.

Idk, the FS100 is so close to fitting the bill, but it is such an awful little thing to me. (please know my dislike for the AF100 and FS100 are completely personal!)

Anyway, I am still happy with the camera's I own for personal work, and have reds coming out my ears for anything with a budget. That puts me in a very good position to be a stingy consumer and not buy into all this interim sh*t and marginal Jones upgrades.

Back to the idea, if iso1600 and 3200 were as clean as iso800 is on current cameras, and iso6400 was as clean as iso1600, then I would upgrade. Bare in mind, I loathe this whole HD thing, and wish we had skipped it for 4k. So, these little upgrades and steps back in HD are a nuisance to me, because even if manufacturers gave me everything I want in an HD camera, I would still be upgrading and moving on to the next step.
 
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This is what really gets me. Back in the 90's video technology was actually expensive. These days, it is much cheaper, but we have heritage companies that have to come down slowly. It is hard as a consumer to see one $5K camera with a good codec, and another without. To see a dslr which could be better with clean HDMI out, but won't have that feature unlocked to protect company interests. It's all understandable, but, just saying, as a consumer, it is painful to watch.
 
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