Finally the production model arrives for review and the first thing I am looking at is noise. A few bloggers have noted the engineering sample was noisy in the blacks. The camera comes set to SCENE FILE 1 which is noisey but set it to SCENE FILE 5 and you are looking at a different camera.
This trick was noted with the Panasonic AF101 the default setting had noise while setting a scene file to CINE V made all the difference.
Still early days finding my way around but for the life of me I can’t find the eye sensor off switch that Luc told me had now been included via a user switch ?
We have one week to produce a full review of the DVX-200 so if you have any questions please post them and I will endeavour to answer you ASAP.
I will be trying out V-LOG during the review, Panasonic told me they have worked on the noise in the shadow detail seen by a few of us on the pre production model.
Update : Since choosing SCENE file 5 the daylight pictures are stunning far better than anything I saw at London, UHD 16:9 at 50fps on a 50″ Panasonic plasma are fantastic at 0dB. I will try and get you a few stills later today, these are just getting to know the camera shots nothing exiting.
Hi Philip.
I am looking at this camera for broadcast work, mainly doing documentaries but also corporate stuff. I am interested in knowing if this camera will be up to broadcast requirements. I have pretty much lost track of codecs these days. Also interested in low light performance, battery life and how it performs with FCPX. Any input appreciated. I have been using Sony EX1Rs in the past and been very happy with them, hoping the DVX 200 will perform just as well.
One good thing worth checking is the ease of changing the ND filter switch.
Too bad they did not provide an electronic ND filter change. Does any manufacturer?
I would not want ND filtering to be automated, just available via a remote zoom.
It’s often awkward to get to buttons/sliders on a cam, not to mention the risk of jarring the camera when you press buttons or slide switches.
Maybe it’s assignable from the menu?
I’m excited to see this review. As I recall we’re looking at a MFT sensor in this camera.
I’m really interested in how sharp the image is, how much control you have over image elements.
But I’d also like to request you consider re-reviewing the JVC GY-LS300 with this major upgrade they’ve just released. I have it in my JVC and it has transformed it in so many ways it’s hard to describe
HDW : JVC told me they would send it back after the new FW update, So I will remind them after I’m finished with the DVX-200.
The other important issue I forget to mention is the Dual Record feature on this cam. On my 160A, it appears that if one card fails, the cam shuts down. This sort of spoils the purpose of dual recording. I do get it that dual recording is nice if you want/need to give a client a copy of a recording immediately following a session but cards do fail so the real only safe measure is to have two cams. Probably best to always have two cams in any case.
One more thing worth checking. I did extensive measurements on the AG-AC160A on actual distance vesus metered distance and found the metered readings to be off – on top of this the error was non-linear.
For stage presentations, I used to like to measure with a tape the distance from the camera to front stage, middle stage and back of stage then dial in the focus. Since actual distance proved to be unreliable, I now have to remember to map 00-99 to actual measured feet.
I used to have a laser distance meter mounted on the camera.
I don’t recommend this unless measurements are made when no one is on stage because of the risk of pointing directly at someone.
Please compare the low light with some 1/3 or 1/2inch 3cmos camera. Thank you.
I’ve seen several examples of moire in sample footage. Are the stock settings over-sharpened? Can this be adjusted?
Please, could you check the green mud in shadow skin tones? I’m using the hc-x1000 and I’m not sure if it’s my error or something expected. I saw them too in a couple of videos and now I’m concerned.
The DVX200 looks like the perfect camera for everyday use. I’m eagerly waiting for your review!
Touch spot focus and AE shift operations would be interesting to me as well as a comment on the wide angle at UHD 50P/60P
hi could you test the slow mo settings as i been reading that the higer frame rates have been bit soft.
cheers stu
HDW : Yip the 120fps I tried yesterday and it changes the field of view therefore using less of the chip causing a drop in quality.
I know low light is going to get some rigorous testing, which is important for a 4K camera.
How about the sound? Is the manual sound level recording completely manual. Can you do some testing by connection to a sound desk and record different levels from high to silence to make sure the sound recording is as close to studio level as possible, or is the sound recording just like a toy gimmick?
Yes a the full skinny on whether or not this camera meets current EBU broadcast specs out be interesting.
Despite the 4K-ness of it all, what we really need to know if whether it will do 10bit 422 50mbps in HD….
Thanks
HDW : Only if you output to an external recorder.
Very excited about this camera and your test. I will be using it for a trip to Colombia early next year shooting in various locations, light and other conditions. I’d be very interested if from your test you are able to advise how best to set up the camera such that it is ‘ready to go’ whatever the conditions.
Hi !
I wish to know if the rolling shutter is a real issue on this camera.
Thanks.
Greetings.
Jean-Eric
Not that it would stop me buying it, I use electric to run my cameras at shows but I have found with modern Panasonic cameras have absurdly short cables from the power box to camera, so that it hangs when connected to camera via a tripod. Is the power cord on the NVX200 more reasonable length, or stupidly short just to save a few pence?
HDW : The cable is 1m 20cm from the box not any shorter than Sony give, if I come up against a short cable I gaff the box onto the tripod and run a long 2pin power cable. On the whole I do not use in house power at events as a prefer to run on battery…1. If power goes down so does the camera. 2. Less chance of mains hum. 3. H&S no trailing mains cable.
My 200 just showed up 2 days ago, so you are WAY ahead of me. I wonder if you have evaluated other Scene modes. I know you are impressed with Scene 5, but as a run and gun camera, I would like to know when I might want to use Scene 3 and 6.
Thanks
Is the DVX-200 EBU approved to record for Broadcast in 4K 4:2:2 10 bit colourspace?