Videographers are a fickle bunch. Having myself written a half dozen posts touting the virtues of DSLRs as video cameras I now find I’m drooling over the idea of the Panasonic AF100.
To be honest, everyone saw it coming a mile away.
The creation of a stills camera that shoots fantastic looking HD video may or may not have been a happy accident, but has ignited a revolution of filmmakers obsessed with shooting Shallow DOF and firing their gaffers in favor of “available light”.
Even so, the limitations of DSLRs as video cameras are evident the minute you try to shoot something more involved than a series of really cool visuals set to a music track.
The AF100 solves all of these problems of DSLR while keeping the super sexy things that indie shooters like about them.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p3zsNquZ_zE
Let’s recap shall we? DSLR limitations are as follows:
- No XLR input: The AF100 has two.
- No 1080p monitoring: AF100 has HD-SDI out (at 1080p).
- Aliasing, Moire, Line Skipping Rolling Shutter: AF100 has none of the above (supposedly).
- High compression codec: AF100 shoots AVC-HD or goes HD-SDI out to whatever deck you want.
These are the big ones, but the list goes on.
Now considering this is an actual “video” camera, we should not really be surprised it has the features, but for those who’ve gone to great lengths to turn their DSLRs to cinema rigs, the AF100 could successfully manage the tension between the convenience of using a real video camera and the HD DSLR video images we’ve grown to love.
From a church perspective, this camera looks amazing to me; specifically because it can function as both a broadcast/studio camera on Sunday and then be taken out for field shooting the rest of the week. I’m all about church-gear that gets used every day.
But I put the cart before the horse… this camera doesn’t exist yet. It’s only 2/3 of the way done and it will supposedly list at around $5000. We certainly won’t be turning our 7Ds into door stops, but at the same time, I can’t wait to get my hands on one of these.
What do you think, DSLR shooters? Is the cost of this camera worth the benefits it provides over DSLR shooting?
Michael Jones says
Yeah until the prices are comparable i don’t think DSLR’s are in that big of trouble…but if this thing drops down to 2,500…then i see no reason to buy a 5d…but last i saw the first models are 10,000…not 5,000
BrianNotess says
It’s listed at $4795 on B&H right now.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/731509-REG/Panasonic_AG_AF100_AG_AF100_Micro_Four_Thirds.html
I agree, the price difference is a big deal, but the improvements in the AF100 are well worth 2 grand if you can afford it.
Michael Jones says
thats good…and in a year it will probably be right around 3,000 (wishful thinking)…having xlr inputs is a HUGE deal…canon and nikon need to somehow build this capability in or they could very well be in trouble
BrianNotess says
I think everyone is scrambling to produce something like the AF100.
We must all remember that the 5D is a still camera that accidentally shoots amazing HD footage. 🙂
Michael Jones says
i see she says in the video $5,000…but last panasonic rep i saw talking about it said 10,000…so i guess we’ll see
Eric says
This looks much better than the sony vg-10 which didn’t have xlr inputs.
BrianNotess says
Yeah but the VG-10 is almost $3000 cheaper.
I’ve never understood Sony’s obsession with trying to capture “surround” audio.
Tanner Cade says
yes yes yes. I knew Panasonic wouldn’t wait very long to compete with the DSLRs. I love the AF100 but the price will be the biggest issue for me.
BrianNotess says
I think price is a big issue for everyone who bought a Canon DSLR for video.
This is an amazing camera for an amazing price, but it’s still out of the price range for a lot of Indie and Church shooters.
I’m trying to figure out how I can afford one 😉
Paul says
If they can shoot an entire episode of House MD on a couple of Canon 5DmkIIs then I think it’s more than I’ll need for quite awhile..
– paul
BrianNotess says
Fair point Paul.
Tthe house crew spent tons of time and money getting their 5Ds (still cameras) to function like video cameras. They also had to keep swapping in new 5Ds every time they got a dead pixel.
The AF100 tries to take some of the work-around out of shooting 5D-ish footage.
Paul says
Yeah fair enough.. I’m primarily a stills shooter at the moment with my studio, but we’re in the process of refining our video so we can get a great fusion of video and photography on DVD for our weddings. Also it will be great to be able to offer both video and photography for our commercial clients.. for those purposes, the 5D is perfect. Being in the early days of my studio, I’m not all that keen on single purpose cameras just yet.
– paul
PhillipGibb says
I think that the AF100 is well priced for what it offers. It is the perfect upward step for an HDSLR shooter.
However the HDSLRs are great as simple camera to pop into your bag and film where ever without anyone thinking twice what you are doing.
Also, while the AF100 is way better than an HDSLR it is too expensive for me – that’s why I am going for a Canon 550D. Most people in my position will say “what? how can the AF100 be a better alternative? It is in a completely different price bracket” but one could spend the same amount to money on HDSLR accessories.
I for one am looking to invest in the Lenses and accessories that I will carry over to a better HDSLR or something like the AF100 – in the far future.
That, or if I am able to raise money for a film project – then I would go for the AF100 🙂
BrianNotess says
Right, I think for most Indie film guys, the AF100 won’t be practical.
But you do have to factor in the added costs of stabilization, audio and monitoring on the DSLRs.
I won’t be able to afford one for a while either.
Josh Collesano says
camera looks sweet. We employ 4 7D’s at NorthRidge right now. We also still have our Sony HD rigs as well. As far as Student Ministries goes:
we love our 7D for tons of reasons. The price point is a huge benefit for the 7D as we in SM operate on a much smaller budget than other areas of the church.
Josh
BrianNotess says
Wow, it seems like every commenter mentioned the price issue. I totally agree, not everyone who can afford to shoot 7D can afford an AF100.