I love when new cameras come out because it drives pricing down, fuels competition, and increases innovation.  But my emails to my friends on these things is turning into spam.

I was encouraged to share the information, so I decided to blog about it.  And just so you know, I am really approaching it from a video/motion picture standpoint.  Not from a stills standpoint.  Plus, this is not news.  These are my opinions and thoughts.  Our work and workflow are specific to us.  Your opinions will vary.

Canon 6D

The New Canon 6D.  Looks interesting but still no headphone jack (at least what I could find).

Some Highlights:

• Full Frame
• New sensor
• New processor
• High ISO
• Continuous Shooting Time
• Based on 8GB Memory card
• [1920 x 1080]
  • 30 fps/25 fps/24 fps:
  • 32 min. with IPB compression
  • 11 min. with All-I compression
• [1280 x 720]
  • 60 fps/50 fps:
  • 37 min. with IPB compression
  • 12 min. with All-I compression
• * The maximum recording time is limited to 29 min. 59 sec.

The 6D is a step up from the 5DM2 for me because of the new sensor and processor, the longer record time, and higher ISO performance.

And I just keep recording sound in dual system as we are now. Even if I got the 5DM3 I would still probably record dual system sound.  So 6D makes a lot of sense for me since I don’t need all the stills photography bells and whistles.

For f-stoppers’ thoughts: http://fstoppers.com/canon-announces-the-full-frame-eos-6d

Panasonic GH3

I asked my friend Mark M to chime in on the GH3.  Mark is a big GH series fan and user.  I saw the footage and it looks awesome but I am very invested in the Canon workflow.

Gh3 has 1080p at 60fps that’s pretty cool. And M4/3 mount is really fun.

http://blog.planet5d.com/2012/09/panasonic-gh3-video-leaked-ahead-of-panasonics-announcement/

Here is what Mark M had to say:

I’ll say that, unless you need SMPTE (I can hear Jeff saying “Plural Eyes” as I type that), I think a (used and hacked) GH2 is a better value. Given how much Panasonic has emphasized video on the GH3, I’m very disappointed that they did away with the multi-aspect sensor, and they didn’t include focus peaking or zebras. Also, HDMI is reportedly 4:2:0, and once you add an external recorder, you’re up in the Black Magic price range, so I’d go that way unless you already have a bunch of m4/3 lenses (which will be essentially non-functional on the passive m4/3 Black Magic mount).

And finally, if the GH1 and GH2 are any indication, we’ll be lucky to be able to buy a GH3 in the U.S. before 2014

Sony NEX-VG 900

Also, the new Sony NEX-VG900 looks very interesting to me.  As you may have figured out, I am a full frame fan.  I love the look of full frame, there are tons of affordable lens choices for full frame cameras (DSLR), and I really understand focal length characteristics.

The Sony full frame camcorder has an XLR adapter, a flip screen, Auto Focus (most likely with Sony Lenses).  I don’t think it has a recording time or size limitation (don’t quote me on that).  The codec is AVCHD but you can record uncompressed HD from the HDMI output.  It can also shoot RAW stills.  I have not had great experience with AVCHD but it works.  Basically, I could use the AVCHD in run and gun situations and if we need the boost in quality, we can record uncompressed to an external recorder.  Though honestly, I  have not tested the difference between the two.  Maybe you only need the uncompressed to aid in post effects work.

Did I mention that it also does 1080p at 60fps in addition to 24fps?  That is pretty cool.  It’s not 240fps from its uncle, the Sony FS700, but that is over double for some 1080p slow motion.

Plus the price is under $3300 for the body.  Sounds like the perfect camera.  I might be getting this.  The hope is that Metabones makes an adapter that utilizes my investment in Canon lenses.

Here is Engadget’s take on the camera:

http://www.engadget.com/2012/09/12/sony-nex-vg30-vg900-hands-on/

Hopefully it can take the metabones adapter.

Here is a link to the Sony Store:

http://store.sony.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&productId=8198552921666489355

The Black Magic Cinema Camera:

Man, this camera has a ton of hype and I am adding to it.  It’s a pretty amazing camera for a first camera from a company and especially for what it does.  And really the only thing that it does is shoot RAW while only costing $3000.  That is the breakthrough for this camera.  The codec it uses is the highest quality codec that I know of.  Other cameras that can shoot this format but start at over 5 times the price (to actually shoot something because viewfinder, media, accessories are sold separately).  Those cameras shoot the big budget productions of Hollywood in the theaters and TV screens around the world.  Basically, you can shoot the same exact format as those high budget productions.  This camera has leveled the playing field.

But the Black Magic Cinema Camera is not perfect.  Cons include:

• 2.5x crop factor (I’m pretty invested in full frame Canon lenses and I think that way too, that it would be quite a switch for me.)
• 1/4″ audio inputs
• Non-changeable battery (It’s key in the field to be able to change batteries)
• It’s version 1 of a camera (There are always quirks to be worked out in a first draft)

 Sony FS700

Wow.  Interchangeable lenses, 4K upgradeable, and 240fps at 1080p for $8000.  This is a great time to be a filmmaker.  It also has great low light performance, XLR input, a small form factor, and up to 960 fps at lower resolution.

Canon C100

Great camera but not the greatest codec.  Why AVCHD?  Maybe it’s easier and cheaper to produce this hardware/software combination.

Conclusion

I’m leaving out some other cameras that were recently announced just because they are not so relevant to my current workflow.

Use the best camera and tool that you can get your hands on and that is best suited for the job.  I personally believe content trumps format, technology, etc.  Content is king.  As you know, you can have the world’s greatest gear but if your content stinks no one cares.  And the converse is also true, if you have terrible gear but your content is amazing, you can change the world.  Or at least change someone’s world for a moment.

At the same time, I enjoy looking at, using, and buying these new tools.  These tools can inspire us to push ourselves in many ways.  It can push us to produce content that is worthy of being shot on a quality format.  It can inspire us to produce content that allows us to afford these toys.

And if you’re wondering what camera I will get next, who knows.  I think I am leaning toward the Canon 6D.  It fits my current workflow really well and the price is really attractive.  I may get the Sony NEX-VG900.  Price is really attractive as well and has a ton of great features, the only concern is how it will fit in my current workflow.  I guess it comes down to figuring out if changing workflow is worth those extras that come with the VG900.  I believe the VG900 comes out in October, so will examine it there.

P.S.  If you read this, cool.  I am just putting it out there as a way to organize my thoughts and, I guess, to actually do what a “blog” is supposed to do and be a “web log.”  I was encouraged by a few colleagues to post this type of stuff on the blog.  More to come.

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