
Several sources are reporting that Panasonic has announced official pricing and availability for the new DMC-GH4 4K camera and its DMW-YAGH pro audio video interface.
Prices and estimated arrival dates will be:
- Panasonic DMC-GH4 body only - $1699.99 (ETA May 2014)
- Panasonic DMW-YAGH interface unit - $1999.99 (ETA May 2014)
- Panasonic DMC-GH4 body with DMW-YAGH interface unit - $3299.99 (ETA June 2014)
Preorder links are up at some of the smaller retailers (and at Adorama) already. They are not up at Amazon
yet, but should be soon (EDIT: the pre-order link is now up at Amazon
).
It looks like my earlier estimate for the price of the GH4 was about right - but my guess on the price of the YAGH was off by $200 to the high side.
It looks like my earlier estimate for the price of the GH4 was about right - but my guess on the price of the YAGH was off by $200 to the high side.
This is very exciting news. It means that existing micro 4/3 shooters will be able to step up to 8-bit 4K from their existing cameras for less than $1700. And new micro 4/3 shooters can step up for $1700 plus the price of a lens or adapter.
For indie movie shooters who want to step into the world of 10-bit 4K motion picture production this means that for less than $7000, they can record true cinematic 4096x2160 4K.
That $7000 number is based on $3300 for the GH4
/interface kit, plus either a $2295 for a Convergent Design Odyssey 7Q or a $3495 Aja Ki Pro Quad).
Yes, this setup would be several thousand dollars more than a $2995 Blackmagic Production Camera (and would lack RAW recording capability) - but it would allow indies to start at the lower $1700 entry point (lower than the price of a $1995 Blackmagic Cinema Camera), and would give them an upgrade path to:
For indie movie shooters who want to step into the world of 10-bit 4K motion picture production this means that for less than $7000, they can record true cinematic 4096x2160 4K.
That $7000 number is based on $3300 for the GH4
Yes, this setup would be several thousand dollars more than a $2995 Blackmagic Production Camera (and would lack RAW recording capability) - but it would allow indies to start at the lower $1700 entry point (lower than the price of a $1995 Blackmagic Cinema Camera), and would give them an upgrade path to:
- Real 4K recording as opposed to UHD
- The same bit depth and color space as ProRes
- 2 XLR mic inputs on the YAGH (and 2 more with the Ki Pro Quad) with decent sound quality - instead of the Production Camera's 1/4" input jacks and dodgy preamps
- The ability to perform simple camera functions, such as the ability to erase clips in-camera
- A built-in EVF
- A pretty good still camera to boot.
As for Canon and Sony 4K cinema cameras - when it comes to price, they are not even in this conversation.
Welcome to the next phase of the hybrid still/video camera revolution!
Welcome to the next phase of the hybrid still/video camera revolution!


You realize that every link you posted is dead or doesn't work, right?
ReplyDeleteFixed it. Thank for the heads up! Appreciate it.
ReplyDelete