Which $3000 camera should you buy - Sony A7s II or URSA Mini 4K?

Over the past couple of years, as Sony has introduced more and more capable full frame video cameras in still camera bodies - and as Blackmagic Design has driven the price of 12-bit RAW Super 35 cinema cameras downward - shooters have had an increasingly difficult time deciding whether to buy a high end hybrid camera or a RAW-capable budget cinema camera.

Still/video hybrid cameras have had the advantage that they are relatively light and can do double duty as still cameras. And although their highly compressed codecs and 8-bit color spaces aren't the greatest for grading, LOG profiles and increasingly clever compression algorithms have made up for these shortcomings (especially on the small screens where most content is displayed).

One thing they haven't been able to overcome, however, has been the inherent limitations of the still camera form factor. There isn't the volume to fit XLR input jacks or dual card slots - and shooters generally need to spend extra money on cages for these cameras to mount accessories - plus ungainly shoulder rigs for steady handheld shooting.

But low-budget cinema cameras have had their problems too. Early cameras from Blackmagic didn't have XLR inputs. Nor did they have dual card slots or ergonomics that were conducive to shoulder mounting. And, although the 2013-era Blackmagic Production Camera 4K was a bargain compared to a 4K Super 35 camera from Sony or Canon, it was still expensive (and an ergonomic disaster) when compared to a standard mirrorless still/video hybrid camera - which was typically less than $2000 and had interchangeable batteries, a usable viewfinder and was easier to operate than the BMPC 4K..

This year, however, something has happened that changes the conversation. The two trends have finally met in the middle - with the introduction of the new Sony A7s II (street price $2998) and the $2995 Blackmagic URSA Mini 4K (both likely to ship in October).

Both cameras are relatively lightweight, with decent ergonomics and the ability to record high quality UHD to LOG profiles.  Both cameras have already shown they can create cinematic Super 35 (URSA Mini) or full frame (A7s) motion images.






With body-only prices at just less than $3000, these cameras seem to be similarly priced.  But neither is really ready to take out on a shoot straight out of the box.

This begs the question - once these cameras are rigged up and ready to shoot - are they still price competitive?

To help the typical DSLR or mirrorless shooter looking to upgrade to one of these two cameras, HCR has put together two charts, the first comparing upgrade prices for the typical DSLR upgrader and the second comparing specs.

For the sake of argument, we'll assume that this 'typical' upgrader already has Canon EF lenses and an HDMI EVF (or plans to use the Sony's built-in EVF) - but needs an audio solution and a new cage/shoulder rig compatible with the A7s II. Of course, these assumptions won't be true for everyone, but we have to start somewhere.

Upgrade Price Comparison

For handheld work, URSA Mini needs a battery plate, a battery, the URSA Mini shoulder kit and relatively expensive CFast 2.0 cards, at a minimum, to get started - while the A7s II needs (assuming we want in-camera pro sound and compatibility with EF lenses) an XLR adapter/preamp, a U3 SDXC card, an EF to NEX adapter and a shoulder rig of some kind. Let's run the numbers and see how that prices out:

	Mini 4K EF	A7s II
Body Only Price	$2995	$2998
Electronic Viewfinder	$599 (non-OEM SDI)	Built-in
Battery Plate	$95 (OEM V-Mount)	NA
Battery	$40+$20 (Sony L to V-Mount adapter)	Included
Shoulder Rig	$395 (OEM)	$170-$1100 (avg. ~$635)
Media	$250 (128GB Delkin)	$60 (128GB Transcend)
XLR jacks/preamp	Built-in	$329
EF Adapter	NA	$439

So, micro-budget filmmakers with EF lenses who don't mind shooting with a $599 800x600 viewfinder (instead of Blackmagic's $1495 1920x1080p viewfinder) can get URSA Mini 4K up and running for about $4395 - while a similar Sony A7s II setup would cost a little more, at around $4460.

These totals are approximate - shaving a few dollars off the A7s II shoulder rig and buying an external recorder rather than a JuicedLink preamp would get the price down for the hybrid camera - but the total cost of getting these cameras ready to shoot is about the same (for this set of assumptions).

One of these side-by-sides wouldn't be complete without a specs comparison:

Specs Comparison

	Mini 4K EF	A7s II
Body Only Price	$2995	$2998
Electronic Viewfinder	SDI (additional cost)	Built-in
Sensor Size	Super 35	35mm
Lens Mount	EF (add $500 for PL)	Sony E
Max Resolution	4000x2160	3840x2160
Base ISO	400	3200
Max HD Frame Rate	120fps	120fps
Codec	ProRes 422 or RAW	XAVC S
Shutter	Global	Rolling
Mic Input(s)	2xXLR w phantom	3.5mm
Headphone Output(s)	Yes	Yes
SDI Out(s)	Yes	No
Storage	CFast 2.0	SDXC
Dual Card Slots	Yes	No
In Body Stabilization	No	Yes
ND Filter	No	No
Native Power Zoom	NA	Yes
Still Photos	No	Yes
Weight	5 lbs.	1.3 lbs.

So how do the specs compare? The URSA Mini, with internal RAW recording and a global shutter, generates high quality images that stand up very well to color grading and camera motion. But (outside of 8MP freeze frames) URSA Mini is not a still camera, needs supplemental lighting in low-light situations and has no in-body stabilization.

The A7s II, on the other hand, is lighter, smaller and the clear winner in low light - but is likely to be more susceptible to "skew" resulting from camera or subject motion - and its 8-bit codec will have a more limited color palette in the grade.

HCR's bottom line for these charts - even though the ready-to-shoot costs are similar, these are two very different cameras with unique strengths and weaknesses.  As always, which one you buy or rent depends on your specific needs and preferences and not on comparison charts.

That said, these numbers have broader implications.  They show that you can get an ergonomically friendly 4K Blackmagic RAW cinema camera up on your shoulder and ready to shoot - for less than the price of a RED RAVEN brain or a body-only (8-bit) Sony FS5.

This could be a problem for Sony and RED.

If this post has helped you to make a buying decision, please use the links above or the display ads in the margins to make your purchases.  It won't cost you anything extra, and it will help keep these posts coming.

And please follow HCR here, on G+, on YouTube on Vimeo and on Twitter (button below) for the latest news on micro-budget video and cinema.

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RED Announces Raven - takes on URSA Mini 4.6K, Sony FS7

Seven years after the "3K for $3K" Scarlet debacle, RED is delivering 4K for $6K with the EF mount $5950 (brain only) RED RAVEN.

Ready to shoot, with a V-Lock battery mount, touch screen LCD, 120GB RED MAG and handle, RAVEN will be less than $10,000.  Not quite #4K4ALL, but a lot closer than we've seen from RED to date.

Nice beauty shots in the intro video:



Sadly, there is no footage from the camera yet, but we have seen enough from RED sensors and color science to be fairly confident in Raven's ability to produce theatrical quality images.

With a brain-only weight of 3.5 lbs, 4K/120p and 2K/240p recorded internally to REDCODE RAW and an advertised 16.5(!) stops of latitude - this is going to be a powerful tool for filmmakers. RED says it's versatile enough for "documentaries, online and television" - but indies will almost certainly choose this camera for feature films on a budget.

But it's still relatively expensive.  Ready to shoot, it will cost about the same as a C300 Mark II - but that's not saying much. For shooters upgrading from DSLRs or entry level Super 35 cameras, Raven is going to be a very hard sell  - especially when you add the price of a viewfinder, ND filter and rigging.

A similarly equipped URSA Mini 4.6K EF will be $4995 plus the cost of a 128GB CFast 2.0 card (currently $249) while the Sony FS7 (with LCD, viewfinder and built-in NDs)  is $7999 and a 128GB XQD card is $685.

Here's our usual side-by-side specs comparison with cameras in the same price class (excluding 8-bit cameras such as the Sony FS5, Panasonic DVX200, Canon C100 and JVC LS300):

	Mini 4.6K EF	RED RAVEN	Sony PXW-FS7	Canon C300 II
Body Only Price	$4995	$5950	$7999	$15999
OEM Viewfinder	$1495 option	$3200 option	Yes	Yes
Sensor Size	25.34x14.25mm	20.48x10.88mm	25.5x15.6mm	24.4x13.5mm
Lens Mount	EF (add $500 for PL)	EF	Sony E	EF or PL
Max Resolution	4608x2592	4096x2160	4096x2160	4096x2160
Sensor S/N (advertised)	NA	80dB	57dB	NA
Dynamic Range (advertised)	15	16.5+	NA	NA
Max HD Frame Rate	120fps	120fps (240fps at 2K)	240fps	120fps
Codec	ProRes 422 or CDNG RAW	RED RAW, ProRes 422 (2K only)	XAVC 4:2:2 (ext. RAW)	XF-AVC 4:2:2 (4:4:4 HD)
Shutter	Selectable Global/Rolling	Rolling	Rolling	Rolling
Mic Input(s)	2xXLR w phantom	None	2xXLR w phantom	2xXLR w phantom
Headphone Output(s)	Yes	No	Yes	Yes
SDI Out(s)	Yes	No	Yes	Yes
Storage	2xCFast 2.0	MINI MAG	2xXQD	2xCFast 2.0/1xSD
In Body Stabilization	No	No	No	No
ND Filter	No	No	Yes	Yes
Native Power Zoom	NA	NA	$548	$31K
Weight	5 lbs.	3.5 lbs.	4.4 lbs.	7.4 lbs.

Again, specs aren't everything - and neither is price - but, in my view, it is useful to know what you're getting for your money.

RED RAVEN is a significant camera. With an advertised March 2016 ship date, we should see it on the show floor alongside URSA Mini at NAB next spring.  I can't wait.

Please follow HCR here, on G+, on YouTube on Vimeo and on Twitter (button below) for the latest news on micro-budget video and cinema.

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First official footage from the new Panasonic DVX200!

Here are some very nice 4K V-LOG images from Panasonic's first official DVX200 footage (please watch at 2160p and your monitor's highest resolution:



Behind-the-scenes:



And the "First Look" from Zacuto:



I agree with Jens and Steve - at $4195 (pre-order here), this camera is going to be very popular with wedding shooters, documentarians and run and gunners.

That said, the DVX's 8-bit color space and h.264 compression are still a problem. After recording 10-bit 4:2:2 and losslessly compressed RAW to an SD card on a $1000 Pocket Cinema Camera, I don't understand why Panasonic, Canon and Sony still have such a hard time with this in $4000+ cameras.

For me, and other shooters who want less compression and more gradable images, something like the $4995 URSA Mini 4.6K EF is probably a better option - but for shooters who want the convenience of a built-in power zoom lens and don't want or need a lot of flexibility in post, this is going to be a terrific camera.

JVC GY-HM170 deal - a 4K professional camcorder with free XLR adapter & dual card slots for $1795

The Rodney Dangerfield of camcorders

JVC is a video camera company with many years of professional camcorder heritage - and they make great cameras - but that doesn't seem to get them much respect.

The big buzz in high end prosumer camcorders last year was the Ultra High Definition "4K" Sony FDR-AX100, which lists for $1698 (on sale right now for $1598).

But few reviewers (or camcorder buyers) seem to be aware than JVC offers a professional UHD camcorder at about the same price, the $1795 JVC GY-HM170 (on sale right now with a free XLR adapter and top handle) .

Case in point: there was a big update/review of the Sony AX100 at Cinema 5D recently - in part because Sony recently updated the camera with 100mbps Ultra HD.

Lost in the excitement over the AX100 upgrade, however, is the fact that the HM170 has been recording UHD at 150mbps since its release last fall.

Sony has also recently released an XLR adapter for the AX100. The $598 Sony XLR K2M adapter mounts on the AX100's non-standard hot shoe.  This addition gives the AX100 XLR mic inputs - but appears to make the camera a little top heavy and awkward. There's still no top handle.

The HM170's $399 XLR adapter, on the other hand, is built into a standard pro camcorder top handle. With the top handle mounted, the HM170 looks like its big brother, the HM200.  In fact, they become identical cameras, with the exception of the HM200's live streaming feature.

The pro HM170 has other standard features the prosumer AX100 lacks - such as HD 4:2:2 color subsampling, dual SD card slots and manual control of color (e.g., color gain, gamma, master pedestal).

At $1795, the HM170 is only a couple of hundred more than the AX100 - but, as of this post, it is the only professional 4K camcorder you can buy right now for less than $2000 (the $1999 Sony PXW-X70 doesn't count because you have to pay another few hundred to upgrade it to 4K).

To be fair, the HM170 is a traditional 1/2.3" sensor camcorder and the AX100 (and the X70) sport the larger 1" sensor.  If you need a 1" sensor, the HM170 is not the camera for you.

That said, if your budget is less than $2000 and you want a 4K camcorder with manual color control, XLR inputs and dual card slots, the $1795 JVC GY-HM170 deal with the free XLR adapter/top handle is pretty much the only game in town.

I have shot with the HM170's large sensor 4K stable-mate, the JVC GY-LS300, and the latest generation of JVC camcorders are the real deal.  Great image quality, good low light performance, pro ergonomics and reasonable prices.  They ought to be selling a whole lot more of them.

Super 35 camcorder prices continue to fall - 240fps Sony FS700 now $4999!

First generation large sensor camcorder prices continue their steady march downward. First, the Sony FS100 dropped to $2499. Then the Canon C100 dropped to $2999. Recently, the Panasonic AF100's price was slashed to $1999. Now, it's the Sony FS700's turn with a $1000 drop to $4999.

With its 4K sensor, RAW output, 1080/240p frame rate and power zoom compatibility, the FS700 was a breakthrough camcorder in its time. It's still tough to find a camera in this price class with a Super 35mm sensor and 240fps HD slow motion. As a reminder, here's what that looks like:



If you don't need 4K or RAW right now, but want a very capable slo-mo camera with built-in NDs, SDI out, XLRs and great low light performance, this might be a good opportunity to pick up this great Super 35 camcorder.

Three important new reviews: Bloom on FS7; Johnston on LS300 and Behiri on XC10

Three of my favorite reviewers have published reviews/previews of their thoughts on some of 2014/2015's most interesting new cameras, the $7999 Sony PXW-FS7, the $3995 JVC GY-LS300 and the $2499 Canon XC10. I wanted to put them all in one place for those of you who are interested in these cameras.

Phil Bloom's look at the FS7 is a preview for one of his much longer reviews, which is still to come. He is trying out a new way of funding his reviews, a GoFundMe page, which I support. I just rented the LS300 in order to review it here, and it does cost a lot of time and money to put something worthwhile together.

Here's what the two Phils and Johnnie were able to do with these cameras:







As long time readers know, HCR has been in the market for a large sensor camcorder for a while - but we haven't decided yet. These cameras are all on the list - as is the URSA Mini - and these reviews are certainly helpful as we make the final decision. I am personally very grateful to these three guys for these tests.

I've said it before and I'll say it again, what a great time to be a film/video maker!

JVC GY-LS300 review coming soon!

As some of you know, HCR rented a JVC GY-LS300 UHD "4K" Super 35mm camcorder last weekend to run some side-by-side tests with the GH4. Sadly, our partners at Borrowlenses don't have one yet, so we rented it from the great folks at LensRentals. Still putting the review together, but here's a preview pic:

JVC GY-LS300 with Panasonic 14-140 lens and AT835b mic

It was nice to shoot with a real camcorder again - the UHD image quality is great - and the adjustable crop sensor is really cool - but the camera does have a couple of challenges.

Please check back for the complete review!

Blackmagic wins NAB 2015

Best of Show

Micro-budget and independent filmmakers had high expectations this year after the excitement of last year's breakthrough NAB, which saw the introduction of the Panasonic GH4, the first interchangeable lens 4K camera below $2000; the Sony A7s, the first full frame camera with UHD output; the AJA Cion, the first 4K Super 35 shoulder mount below $10K; and the bargain priced Blackmagic URSA, the first UHD production camera below $7000 with XLR mic inputs and a standard external battery mount.

Canon was the odd man out at NAB 2014, with no major new camera announcements in this category. Their floor display was a live demonstration of the overpriced 4K Canon 1D C, which was already several years old at the time of the show.

So, when NAB 2015 rolled around, more breakthroughs were expected from the major camera manufacturers.  Would Sony introduce a 4K A7000?  Would Canon introduce an interchangeable lens competitor to the GH4 below $10K?  Would Panasonic finally give us a successor to the AF100 - with the GH4's features in a camcorder body?  What did Blackmagic have up its sleeve?

As the smoke clears from the big press conferences and announcements on Monday, it seems that all of the major manufacturers have chosen to rest on their laurels - except Blackmagic.

Sony had nothing to show in this market segment this year - while Canon and Panasonic did have new offerings for micro-budget cinematic shooters, the $2499 XC10 and the "under $5000" AG-DVX200.

Surprisingly, however, both of these cameras turned out to have fixed lenses, and "smallish" sensors. A little disappointing in a marketplace that has shifted towards interchangeable lens, large sensor cameras.

Panasonic's timing was especially unfortunate. In a series of leaks overnight and early on the morning of the DVX200's rollout - Blackmagic pursued their now-standard NAB strategy. They posted banners with images of their new cameras around the convention center for bloggers to find and post on social media. Images of their major new camera leaked from their pre-announcement party. And they posted images and tech specs for their new camera before Panasonic had a chance to make their announcement (even now, the URSA Mini product page is up, while there is nothing official to be found about Panasonic's AG-DVCX200 outside of a stale press release).

By the time Panasonic held its press conference Monday morning, Blackmagic had stolen their thunder with buzz surrounding a camera that both outspec'd the DVX200 and undercut it on price.

But it wasn't just a well executed communications plan that won the show for Blackmagic - it was a new camera with features the market has been asking for; an affordable, lightweight Super 35 interchangeable lens camera with good shoulder-mounted ergonomics, built in XLRs with phantom, standard battery mounts and solid 4K codecs (to include losslessly compressed RAW) - all in a rugged body.

It is clear when you compare the specs between the new Canon, Panasonic and Blackmagic offerings in this class, that Blackmagic has delivered what many micro-budget filmmakers and 'cinematic videographers' have been looking for with the URSA Mini:

	Canon XC10	Blackmagic URSA Mini 4K EF	Panasonic AG-DVX200	Blackmagic URSA Mini 4.6K EF
Price	$2499	$2995	$4195	$4995
Sensor Size	1"	Super 35	Micro 4/3	Super 35
Lens Mount	Fixed	EF (add $500 for PL)	Fixed	EF (add $500 for PL)
Max Resolution	3840x2160	4000x2160	4096x2160	4608x2592
Max HD Frame Rate	60fps	120fps	120fps	120fps
Codec	MPEG-4 AVC	RAW or ProRes	MP4/MOV	RAW or ProRes
Shutter	Rolling	Global	Rolling	Selectable Global/Rolling
Mic Input(s)	3.5mm	2xXLR w phantom	2xXLR w phantom	2xXLR w phantom
Headphone Output(s)	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
SDI Out(s)	No	Yes	Yes	Yes
Storage	1xCFast 2.0 1xSD	2xCFast 2.0	2xSD	2xCFast 2.0
Stabilization	5-axis (HD only)	No	5-axis	No
ND Filter	Yes	No	Yes	No
Power Zoom Lens	No	No	Yes	No
Viewfinder	No (LCDVF)	$1495 option	Yes	$1495 option
Still Photos	12MP	No	8MP	No
Weight	2.29 lbs.	6.6 lbs.	5.95 lbs.	6.6 lbs.

No, specs aren't everything - it will be important to see images from these cameras in the hands of real shooters - but if the indie market wants a 4K RAW (or 10-bit ProRes), large sensor, interchangeable lens Super 35 camcorder with 160fps HD slow motion and a global shutter that can be either handheld or shoulder mounted without breaking the shooter's back (or bank account), then URSA Mini is pretty much the only game in town.

As regular readers know, I've been looking for a replacement for my trusty Panasonic TM900 camcorder for a few years now.  I want a large sensor, interchangeable lens camera with camcorder ergonomics plus pro mic inputs and a strong, gradeable codec to pair with my GH3, and later, my GH4.

I had almost settled on the $3995 UHD JVC GY-LS300 - but its weak 8-bit h.264 compression was a challenge - and made it difficult to sell my Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera, with its robust, gradeable 10-bit ProRes and CinemaDNG RAW.

URSA Mini solves this problem.  I can now sell the TM900, the Pocket Camera, the GH1, GH2, GH3 and all of my MFT glass - then buy an URSA Mini EF (plus a $599 Metabones EF to MFT Speed Booster for the GH4) and skinny down to two cameras and one lens system.

Farewell, BMPCC - we hardly knew ye

So, for offering lightweight Super 35 cameras that shooters can afford - and for solving my personal camcorder dilemma - the Blackmagic URSA Mini wins HCR's first annual "Best of Show" award for NAB 2015.

Working on the awards banquet - perhaps at NAB 2016.

As always, if anything here has helped you to make a purchase decision, please shop using the links above or the displays below and in the margins. And even if you're not in the market for a new camera, please comment and make suggestions below. It won't cost you anything extra, and it will help to keep these posts coming.

And for the latest deals, news, tips and techniques, please follow HCR on Blogger, Twitter and YouTube  - and circle us on Google+.

Five 4K camcorders threatened by the $2995 4K Blackmagic URSA Mini

Images courtesy eriknaso.com

Thanks to Noam Kroll and Erik Naso, we have a pretty good idea of what Blackmagic Magic will unveil in Vegas this morning - to include a truly revolutionary $2995 URSA Mini Super 35 camcorder, with interchangeable lenses, a global shutter, Blackmagic's standard CinemDNG RAW, 4K, 12 stops of DR (15 stops on the $4995 4.6K model), an optional EVF and easy compatibility with a shoulder mount.

Even before we see the detailed specs from the Blackmagic press event, we do know one thing - there has to be consternation in the executive suites at AJA, Arri, Canon, JVC, Panasonic and Sony (which is exactly what Blackmagic CEO Grant Petty set out to do when he started building cameras a few years ago).

If URSA Mini can deliver URSA's RAW image quality (or better) for $2995, here are the five 4K cameras that it clearly threatens:



1. $40K Arri Amira. Recently upgraded to 4K, this camera produces amazing images in a near-perfect shoulder mounted form factor. And with Arri color science, it is a perfect match for industry-standard Alexa. But at $40K, its cost is prohibitive for most indies and micro-budget filmmakers. This camera will continue to see considerable use at the high end of the market, but for indies, the price mismatch between Amira and URSA Mini is ridiculous - you could buy a Mini for less than the price of renting an Amira for a week.



2. $16K Canon C300 Mark II (and $2.5K XC10). Canon's pre-NAB announcement of these cameras was clearly designed to steal the limelight at the show. URSA Mini has pretty much stolen it back. The C300 Mark II costs 5 times is much and lacks the Mini's internal raw recording.  Plus, it requires expensive rigging to get it up on your shoulder. As for the XC10 - it costs almost as much as Mini, but is a fixed lens, 1" sensor toy by comparison.



3. $9K AJA CION. Beautiful ProRes images in good light and nice shoulder mounted ergonomics - but no internal RAW. Overpriced compared to every Blackmagic RAW camera, to include Mini.



4. $8K Sony PXW-FS7. With its shoulder mount, optional viewfinder and extensible hand grip, URSA Mini appears to be a clone of the FS7 - but for $5000 less. Plus, Mini has the internal 4K RAW recording the FS7 lacks.



5. $4K JVC GY-LS300. URSA Mini very nearly strangles the LS300 in its cradle. JVC introduced this promising camera late last year, but has yet to ship it in meaningful numbers in the States. Despite the fact that its h.264 compression gave it the weakest codec of any of the cameras on this list,  it had the advantage of being the lowest priced UHD "4K" Super 35 interchangeable lens camera on the market - until today. Unfortunately for JVC, even with the viewfinder and a shoulder mount, Mini will be about the same price as the LS300 - with higher resolution, wider DR and a superior codec - and the LS300 is another camera that needs expensive rigging to get it up on your shoulder.

As far as Panasonic goes, we don't know much about their new "heir of DVX100" camcorder yet, but if it is not competitive on price, it will be stillborn at this morning's press conference.

Bottom line is that URSA Mini will force prices down even faster and further than we have seen already over the past couple of years.   Even if you never buy a Blackmagic camera, you should send Grant Petty a thank you note (unless, of course, you just bought a $2995 4K Blackmagic Production Camera).

Please keep checking back during the day for more updates - and for HCR's view of what all of this means for micro-budget shooters.

As always, if anything here has helped you to make a purchase decision, please shop using the links above or the displays below and in the margins. And even if you're not in the market for a new camera, please comment and make suggestions below. It won't cost you anything extra, and it will help to keep these posts coming.

And for the latest deals, news, tips and techniques, please follow HCR on Blogger, Twitter and YouTube  - and circle us on Google+.

Five 4K cameras you should buy instead of the $2499 Canon XC10

New Canon XC10

A few days ago, in a post entitled "4K Canon EOS One - the Panasonic FZ1000 killer?", HCR previewed this week's announcement of the $2499 Canon XC10.  We got the name wrong, but we did get one thing right:

"If Canon includes a decent codec, a headphone jack and more than 30 minutes of recording time, the EOS One becomes a very interesting video camera and serious competition for the FZ1000 (depending on price, of course). [emphasis added]"

Well, now we know the price.  Yes, Canon has come up with an interesting 1" sensor, fixed lens camcorder with a solid codec, 4:2:2 color sub-sampling and a headphone jack - but both the price and the still/video feature set are a real disappointment.

As a serious video camera, the XC10 fails on two fronts - if you're going to buy a fixed lens camcorder, you expect a viewfinder and a power zoom.  This camera has neither. And with this lens, Canon has delivered the worst of both worlds.  No DSLR-style interchangeability - and no camcorder-style servo zoom.  Fail.

In still camera mode, its challenges are more serious.  Its maximum still photo frame rate is a snail-like 2.8 fps, it has no built-in flash and it is a JPEG only camera (no RAW).  Many point and shoots can do better.

Worst of all, Canon has taken its usual path of overpricing a new camera and making it non-competitive in the broad marketplace - where there are better options at significantly lower prices.  This is similar to the mistake they made with the EOS M, which was initially overpriced - and now sells for bargain basement prices.

Eventually, we will see the XC10 marked down severely, but in the meantime, it is another pricing disappointment from Canon.

But instead of lamenting the lost opportunity represented by the XC10, HCR would like to offer alternatives to Canon shooters with budgets below $3000 who have been waiting for Canon to give them a worthwhile upgrade from their entry level Canon DSLRs - but who are not willing to pay $2500 for a fixed lens "camcorder" that has neither a viewfinder nor a power zoom.

So, without any further ado, here are the five 4K cameras below $3000 that Canon DSLR shooters might want to consider instead of shelling out $2500 for the Canon XC10:


1. $1498 Panasonic DMC-GH4 with a $599 Metabones EF Speed Booster.  If you need compatibility with your EF/EF-S glass, true 4096x2160 4K, 10 bit HDMI out, time code, color bars, hours of continuous recording, affordable Panasonic power zooms, a fully articulated LCD - plus the option to add the YAGH interface with its XLR inputs and SDI outputs - this may be the camera for you.  Here is a terrific piece from Elif Kalkan shot with the Metabones and Canon glass:


2. $1299.99 (on sale, as of this post) Samsung NX-1 with an $80 Canon EF to NX adapter with manual aperture control.  This camera would be #1 on the list if there was a Metabones-type Canon to NX lens adapter for it.  Its APS-C sized sensor, advanced h.265 compression and LOG-like color profile give it the edge over the GH4.  But, for Canon shooters, its limited compatibility with Canon lenses is a challenge.  That said, Andrew Reid is nevertheless creating beautiful images with the NX1 and adapted EOS glass:


3. $750 Panasonic DMC-FZ1000.  This camera is one third of the XC10's price, shares its 1" sensor size and UHD resolution - but also features the power zoom, electronic viewfinder, serious still photo chops and fully articulated LCD that the XC10 is missing.  No, it doesn't have a headphone jack, but you can buy a pretty nice recorder with the $1700 you'll save.  Here is the video image quality shooters are getting from the FZ1000:


4. $750 Panasonic DMC-LX100.  No mic or headphone jacks and no built-in flash, but this camera has a larger sensor than the XC10 and many of the still and video features the Canon lacks - e.g., a power zoom lens, an electronic viewfinder, 11 fps and the ability to shoot RAW stills.  It's a pretty darned good UHD video camera too:



5. $2695 JVC GY-HM200. If you don't need a large sensor or the ability to shoot stills, but want a 4K camcorder with pro mic inputs, SDI out and built-in web streaming - this camera is the best value for your money in this price range. The HM200 was just released, so there are only a few examples of what it can do - but here is one (please watch at 2160p):


And as a bonus for those who aren't ready to upgrade to 4K, there are still a couple of solid Canon 1080p alternatives:

1. $2499 Canon 5D Mark III. After recent mark downs, the full frame 5D Mark III is at the same price as the 1" sensor XC10.  If you like the "full-frame look", want native compatibility with your Canon lenses plus the option to shoot Magic Lantern RAW - you might want to consider upgrading from an entry level Canon DSLR to the Mark III.

2. $2999 Canon C100. For $500 more than the XC10, you can buy a real professional Super 35 camcorder with XLR inputs, a viewfinder and 100% compatibility with your Canon lenses.  This camera's 4K sensor, downscaled in-camera, still creates some of the best 1080p video in the marketplace.

The bottom line is that you can do a lot better than the XC10  - either near or well below its $2499 price point.

As always, if anything here has helped you to make a purchase decision, please shop using the links above or the displays below and in the margins. And even if you're not in the market for a new camera, please comment and make suggestions below. It won't cost you anything extra, and it will help to keep these posts coming.

And for the latest deals, news, tips and techniques, please follow HCR on Blogger, Twitter and YouTube  - and circle us on Google+.

Adorama offering free lenses or adapters with preorders of new JVC GY-LS300!

As reported earlier, JVC is going all-out to get its soon-to-ship Super 35mm camcorder into the hands of videographers and filmmakers with a terrific promotion - and the major online retailers have started to include it on their GY-LS300 product pages.

Now, when you pre-order your new LS300 from Adorama for $3995, you get your choice of either a free Rokinon 24mm or 35mm cine lens - or a Canon EF, Nikon or PL mount adapter.

This is a real bargain - "4K for $4K" (sorry, RED) - plus compatibility with your existing lenses straight out of the box (unless you're an NEX shooter :)).

And the image quality is top-notch.

I don't know how I missed this, but when Matthew Allard did his LS300 test a few weeks ago (which I wrote about in this post), he compared the UHD and HD output from the LS300 with UHD/HD output from the Sony A7s - both recorded to the Convergent Design Odyssey 7Q+ in ProRes.

Using the same Zeiss lens on both cameras, the results were surprising.  To Matt's eye (and mine), the LS300 produces "a sharper, more detailed UHD image than the A7s."  Here's the video:





This is the camera many shooters have been waiting for since the beginning of the large sensor, interchangeable lens camera revolution - an affordable Super 35 camera with the ergonomics and features of a traditional camcorder - plus image quality that beats (or at least matches) the best of the still/video hybrids.

There will be a lot of DSLR/DSLM upgraders who will want ditch their unwieldy "rigs" and buy this camera - if only to get away from the hassle of screw-on ND filters and XLR adapters,

This is very good news for JVC - and potentially bad news for Canon, Sony, Blackmagic and Panasonic - whose $4000 offerings are either less capable (Canon, Sony and Panasonic) or less ergonomically friendly (Blackmagic).

Panasonic is especially weak in this price class, with the AF100 long overdue for a refresh.

If Panasonic wants to compete with JVC in this market segment, any new "AG-AF200" will have come in below $4000 - especially if they stick with a micro 4/3 sized sensor.  It's going to be an interesting NAB.

As always, if anything here has helped you to make a purchase decision, please shop using the links above or the displays below and in the margins. And even if you're not in the market for a new camera, please comment and make suggestions below. It won't cost you anything extra, and it will help to keep these posts coming.

And for the latest deals, news, tips and techniques, please follow HCR on Blogger, Twitter and YouTube  - and circle us on Google+.

4K JVC GY-LS300 Super 35 camcorder in stock now!

Although it is still on pre-order for $3995 at Adorama, if you need a 4K Super 35 live streaming camcorder right now, you can get the JVC GY-LS300 from Electronics Basket via Amazon.

The camera is in stock and ready to ship. Here are a couple of examples of the images it can produce:







This is the least expensive interchangeable lens Super 35mm camcorder you can buy with a camcorder style body, power zoom compatibility and XLR inputs - plus built-in 1080p live streaming. Please keep checking back here  - I will rent one of these as soon as I can and shoot a side-by-side with the GH4 for you to take a look at.

As always, if anything here has helped you to make a purchase decision, please shop using the links above or the displays below and in the margins. And even if you're not in the market for a new camera, please comment and make suggestions below. It won't cost you anything extra, and it will help to keep these posts coming.

And for the latest deals, news, tips and techniques, please follow HCR on Blogger, Twitter and YouTube  - and circle us on Google+.

4K JVC GY-HM200 live streaming camcorder available now!

If you don't want to wait for your pre-ordered JVC GY-HM200 to arrive, you can get one right now for $2899.99 from Electronics Basket via Amazon.

There is a UHD video sample from this camera at 13:48 into this Videoaktiv review (in German). Please watch at 2160p and your monitor's highest resolution:






The UHD images are certainly crisp and clear - even on YouTube - but for me, the most exciting thing about this camera (and its big brother, the Super 35mm GY-LS300) is the built-in live streaming capability.

Both new JVC 4K cameras have a live streaming encoder built-in and can transmit 1080p via wi-fi or Ethernet to your internet connected phone/tablet/laptop via an inexpensive adapter (such as the $36 ASUS USB-N53 dual band wireless-N USB adapter).

With these cameras, there is no need to buy a more expensive (and less mobile) external encoder such as the Blackmagic Intensity to get to the web.

Alternatively, you can connect a 4G LTE dongle (such as the AT&T AirCard 3131U or the Verizon UML290) to the camera and go straight to the web from the camera's IP address. Here's a video that walks us through the process:




I'm pretty sure I'm going to ditch my camcorder, GH1, GH2 and GH3 and buy the LS300 for this feature alone.

As always, if anything here has helped you to make a purchase decision, please shop using the links above or the displays below and in the margins. And even if you're not in the market for a new camera, please comment and make suggestions below. It won't cost you anything extra, and it will help to keep these posts coming.

And for the latest deals, news, tips and techniques, please follow HCR on Blogger, Twitter and YouTube  - and circle us on Google+.

Sony PXW-X70 getting its 4K upgrade in June - priced at 485€

Click on the image above to order the Sony PXW-X70 from Amazon

A few days ago, Sony Europe announced several new firmware upgrades for its PXW cameras, to include a free 4096x2160 4K upgrade for its shoulder mounted $7999 Super 35mm camcorder, the PXW-FS7.

Seemingly lost in the hoopla around the FS7 news, another important upgrade was part of that announcement - a paid 3840x2160 UHD upgrade for Sony's $2299 1" sensor camcorder, the PXW-X70.

Sadly, at a rumored price of 485€ (about $550USD) for the upgrade, the X70 would become a $2850 UHD "4K" camera - a little more expensive than I had hoped - but also a possible opportunity for JVC.

Click on the image above to pre-order the JVC GY-HM200 from Adorama

With its built-in XLR jacks, ND filters and Wi-fi streaming, JVC's new 1/2.3" sensor camcorder, the $2695 UHD GY-HM200 (scheduled to ship in late March) now becomes the lowest cost pro UHD camcorder on the horizon.

When it ships, the HM200 will become the only game in town for shooters who need a pro UHD or 4K camcorder below the price of the $2799 Panasonic HC-X1000 between March and June (the start of wedding season).

It will be interesting to see whether Sony ends up reducing the price of the X70 UHD upgrade in the face of lower priced UHD/4K competition from JVC and Panasonic.  Let's hope so.

As always, if anything here has helped you to make a purchase decision, please shop using the links above or the displays below and in the margins. And even if you're not in the market for a new camera, please comment and make suggestions below. It won't cost you anything extra, and it will help to keep these posts coming.

And for the latest deals, news, tips and techniques, please follow HCR on Blogger, Twitter and YouTube  - and circle us on Google+.

Free Metabones adapter or Rokinon lens with new 4K JVC GY-LS300 at 3/18 LA event!

4K JVC GY-LS300 - $3995 at Adorama - click image to pre-order

In another sign that JVC is going "all out" with the introduction of the GY-LS300, selected dealers are offering a Metabones adapter (EF, Nikon G or PL) or one of two Rokinon full frame Cine DS lenses (24mm or 35mm) for free with the purchase of JVC's new 4K Super 35mm camcorder.

This would be a savings of up to $799 (for the Rokinon 24mm Cine DS lens).

Three dealers offering this promotion are:

• Adorama in New York
• EVS in LA (Glendale)
• VSA at several locations in the Midwest
• G&G in Saddlebrook, NJ

If you want to see the camera in person before you order, EVS is hosting the LS300's "LA debut" on March 18th from 1:00 to 3:00PM at their Glendale store.  JVC execs and techs will be there - and there will be a free (with security deposit) "rent before you buy" promotion.

And if you don't need interchangeable lenses, you can get the new 4K JVC GY-HM200 with its fixed 12x zoom lens, and 2/3" sensor for just $2695.

The HM200 is going to put a lot of pressure on the much more expensive 4K camcorders from Sony and Panasonic, the FDR-AX1 and HC-X1000 (as well as JVC's own GY-HMQ10) .

My guess is that the prices of these cameras will have to come down.

As always, if anything here has helped you to make a purchase decision, please shop using the links above or the displays below and in the margins. And even if you're not in the market for a new camera, please comment and make suggestions below. It won't cost you anything extra, and it will help to keep these posts coming.

And for the latest deals, news, tips and techniques, please follow HCR on Blogger, Twitter and YouTube  - and circle us on Google+.