A New Age is Coming
There is a new age in the world of camcorders and cameras and it is just around the corner. Since the invention of the camera and the later creation of the motion picture camera, the two realms have been closely related. The advent of digital promised that one day soon, the devices would converge. For a while know, we’ve had camcorders that can shoot 3mp images and cameras that can shoot VGA video. Albeit, neither one performs the task well but the merge had truly begun. Only recently, however, has there arisen some viable options that promise to forever change both cameras and camcorders.
A few months ago, Nikon introduced the D90, a DSLR that could shoot 720p, 24p HD video. The camera has hardly any manual control, is limited to short recording times, has severe shutter rolling issues, skips exposure levels in huge steps, and is plagued by a poor compression scheme, in addition to many other problems, but marked the first of this crossover breed. The huge sensor of the DSLR meant the camera had low-light capabilities matching camcorders many times more expensive, the DSLR now costs around $1200, and the 24p framerate along with the shallow depth of field innately present in 35mm cameras (though the D90 is not a fullframe SLR) meant a uniquely filmlike look could be had for relatively cheap.low
Shortly after, Canon refreshed one of their pro cameras, the Canon 5D Mark II. The 5D is the first DSLR to shoot 1080p HD. It’s full frame sensor gives unbelievable low light that rivals camcorders all the way up to the RED One. Furthermore, shutter rolling is greatly reduced and there is some semblance of manual control which means no jumping exposures. The catch? The significantly higher pricetag ($2700) and the enormous oversight of Canon of only including a 30p mode. There are rumors, however, that this will change in the near future via a firmware update. We can only hope and wait for Sony to realize that the largest group interested in a $2.5K camera, besides professional photographers, are filmmakers who salivate after 24p.
Canon 5D video:
http://www.vimeo.com/2581629Most recently, Panasonic has introduced the Panasonic Lumix GH1. This is a micro four thirds camera meaning it looks like a DSLR, shares an SLR’s interchangeable lens and large sensor, but lacks a true viewing prism instead opting for an electronic viewfinder. The benefit of the four thirds system is smaller camera size and a lower weight. This new camera offers 1080p HD video at 24p or 720p HD video at 60fps in the AVCHD codec. Low light performance is currently unknown as the camera was just announced but if it performs like its competitors it should be fantastic. All of this for a price that is estimated to list for comfortably under $1500.
These cameras are wonders of engineering that take fantastic photographs on top of shooting stellar video, but they are still plagued by problems. Only one sensor, shutter rolling, terrible manual control, lack of autofocus (though this is increasingly irrelevant in the world of 35mm adapters), and several other problems need to be overcome. Alternatively, they deliver fantastic low-light, a great form factor, affordability, and most importantly a beautiful, shallow depth of field that independent DP’s all over the world lust after. Still, this is the first generation. In the world of SLR’s, a new generation is released much faster than is typical for camcorders speeding up technological achievements.
One can only imagine how these cameras will be able to shoot in even their second generation. We may see cinematographers the world over clutching the tools formally restricted to their photographer bretherin.
More Canon 5D videos:
http://www.vimeo.com/2486544 http://www.vimeo.com/2787054
I’m a 19 year-old Telecommunications Arts major at the University of Georgia. I write about film, photography, and technology in addition to sharing ideas, reviews, and materials.
