Panasonic G6 Marked Way Down!

As of this post, the best price for the terrific Panasonic G6 still/video camera is at Samy's via eBay or Amazon.

The price on this deal is too low to post - but if you're looking for the absolute best large sensor, interchangeable lens video camera in this price range, you should click on one of the links above or the display ads below and pull the trigger on this deal now. There are only 6 left at this price.

Sony RX10 with Atomos ProRes Recorder - Pocket Cinema Camera Killer?

The biggest challenge with the new Sony DSC-RX10 still/video hybrid camera for serious video projects has been its relatively low bitrate AVCHD codec. Despite this limitation, with a good grade, this camera can produce decent results (see Andrew Reid's RX10 test video, Run and Gun).

But what if you could combine the RX10's downscaling algorithms with a decent codec?  Last night, Atomos posted this tutorial on how to use their Ninja 2 external monitor/recorder with the RX10:



The Atomos Ninja 2 gives the RX10 the ability to record 233mbps ProRes 422, the same codec available on the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera when it was first released.

This codec takes up less space on cards and drives than RAW, and some shooters prefer it as a good compromise between the limitations of 8 bit and the complexity of dealing with RAW.

If you're planning to buy the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera for ProRes only, don't need a lens faster than f2.8 or longer than 200mm, and don't want to deal with RAW, you might want to look at the $1298 RX10 plus a $675 Ninja 2 instead (and don't forget the $6.99 micro-HDMI to HDMI Cable).

Add the fact that the RX10 is a 20.2MP still camera; has a bright OLED viewfinder; a great de-clicked Zeiss constant f2.8, an 8x power zoom; a built-in ND filter; 1080/60p; usable onboard sound plus audio level meters (not to mention little niceties such as a recording time remaining indicator, the ability to delete files in camera and a battery that lasts more than a few minutes) - all features the Blackmagic lacks - and buying a finicky $995 BMPCC plus some kind of viewfinder or LCD shade, an expensive constant f2.8 lens, a superfast SanDisk Extreme Pro card, extra batteries and a screw on ND filter just to shoot gradeable ProRes 422 doesn't make a lot of sense.

If you're a low budget RAW shooter (or want to be), the BMPCC continues to be the absolute best straight out-of-the-box solution.

ProRes shooters, however, now have another, very usable, option.  I'll say it again, it's a great time to be a hybrid photographer/filmmaker!

As usual, if anything here has helped you reach a buying decision, please click on one of the links above or the display ads below to order your RX10, Ninja 2 or BMPCC.

If you don't need a camera or external recorder right now, please shop with our other sponsors, Adorama, Amazon, BorrowLenses, CoolLCD, DigitalRev, uBid, Vimeo, the the Warner Brothers Shop and others whose display ads you see in the margins.  It won't cost you anything extra, and it will help to keep these blog posts coming.  Thanks so much!

Canon 60D Closeout Price - $664!

The venerable Canon 60D is on closeout just about everywhere. Marked down as low as $649 a few months ago, it is now selling for $699 at all of the big online retailers - to include our sponsors Amazon and Adorama.

But if you want to save even more, you can get a brand new, USA model Canon 60D with a 12 month factory warranty for $664 from getitidigital via eBay.

As usual, the listing says, "limited quantity available" - so if you've been looking for a great price on a high end prosumer Canon DSLR, you may want to pull the trigger on this deal.

If this post has been helpful in making your buying decision, please order through one of the links above or the display ads below.  It won't cost anything extra, and it will help keep these blog posts coming.  Thanks!

Panasonic GH3 Bundle - $1299 at Adorama!

For just $1 more than it costs to buy the camera body-only, you can get a Panasonic GH3 body with a 16GB Class 10 SDHC card, a camera bag, a cleaning kit, 6' of HDMI cable and the Red Giant Adorama Production Bundle. I'll buy that for a dollar!

Panasonic GX2 must be on the way - new GX1s marked down to $199 on eBay!

The terrific little enthusiast compact, the Panasonic GX1, is now marked down to $199 from Roberts Camera via eBay.  According to 4/3 Rumors, this may be related to the expectation that the GX2 will be announced in August.  The GX1 is still a great little still/video camera - and at $199 it's a steal.  They won't last long at this price.