Hasta La Gadget!

We’ve talked about Blackmagic before, but overall they’re not all that well known in the mainstream world. However, they make some pretty interesting and high-quality cameras for professionals and enthusiasts alike. Today at NAB 2013, the company unveiled two new cameras, one of which is the Production Camera 4K and the other being the Pocket Cinema Camera.

The two cameras actually leaked earlier this morning, thanks to premature marketing banners that were put up during the show. However, Blackmagic has made it official, introducing a video camera capable of filming in 4K resolution, as well as a compact micro four thirds shooter, both of which are necessarily cheap. The design scheme is similar to Blackmagic’s Cinema Camera that they launched last year, but this compact model has a much lower price tag.

The Pocket Cinema Camera is a $1,000 camera that packs in a Super-16 sensor, and it’s capable of recording full 1080p HD video in RAW format. The camera also features 13 stops of dynamic range. Users will be able to slap on their existing Olympus and Panasonic lenses, since the Pocket Cinema Camera utilizes an active micro four thirds mount.

The Production Camera 4K is a $4,000 video camcorder that shoots in 4K resolution (meaning four-times the resolution of full 1080p HD). This camera sports a Super-35 sensor with native 4K video support, as well as a built-in SSD recorder. The camera also supports compressed CinemaDNG RAW and compatibility with traditional EF lenses for those who want to play around with different glass.

Both cameras begin shipping in July, although a solid release date is not yet known. Engadget ended up getting a hands-on with the Pocket Cinema Camera, as well as a brief session with the Production Camera 4K. Filmmaker John Brawley also got quite the in-depth look into the Pocket Cinema Camera, and while we don’t get to see any photo samples from the new camera, it seems image quality is superb on these new shooters.

Lead image via John Brawley

Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera and Production Camera 4K official is written by Craig Lloyd & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

It’s interesting that some Hollywood level movie and TV show recording is performed on DSLR and other handheld cameras rather than full-sized movie cameras that we typically think of when it comes to filming movies and TV shows. It makes a lot of sense that in a tight environment, a smaller handheld camera would be easier to use for movie and TV producers. We talked about a company called Blackmagic in the past when it unveiled the Cinema Camera that uses micro four thirds camera lenses.

That camera first turned up last September and an issue with its camera sensor led to a delay in its launch. It looks like Blackmagic is set to launch a smaller and significantly cheaper version of that camera for consumers. This camera is called the Pocket Cinema Camera and the little shooter has turned up on a large banner display at NAB ahead of its official launch.

According to the banner, the Pocket Cinema Camera will use micro four thirds lenses. The camera will feature a Super-16 Cinema 1080HD sensor and feature 13 stops of dynamic range. The camera will also support lossless CinemaDNG RAW recording.

Another feature of the camera that users will appreciate is the micro HDMI monitoring capability. The banner calls out a retail price of $995. It’s not a bad price for a micro four thirds camera and with the movie recording features, independent film makers should be all over this once it launches.

[via Engadget]

Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera leaks a little early is written by Shane McGlaun & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Two professional-grade HD digital video camera models, with removable handles, will be released by Canon in mid-June.

Compact, “run-and-gun” HD camcorders with improved optical performance from a new powerful Canon 20x HD Video Lens with a new 8-Blade Circular Aperture, capable of focusing down to just 60cm.

Approx. 3.09 total megapixels (2.91 effective megapixels), 3.5-inch OLED Touch Panel Display with the equivalent of 1.23 million dots of resolution, tiltable electronic viewfinder, – together with a choice of industry-standard MP4 (up to 35 Mbps) and AVCHD (up to 28 Mbps) codecs.

The high image quality and recording versatility make the XA20 ideal for independent and documentary filmmaking, as well as event videography and educational institutions, law enforecement and military, etc.

XA25 has multiple HD/SD recording rates – including 24p for a “cinematic” look.

Estimated retail prices:
XA25 – 250,000 yen
XA20 – 170,000 yen

The Samsung Galaxy Camera is finally ready to make its wi-fi-only debut here in the United States after both the AT&T and Verizon-ready iterations have been on the market for some weeks. This version of the device is essentially identical to the mobile data-toting versions of the smart camera, here appearing for a cool $449.99 USD straight from Samsung in the USA. That’s with no contract attached and no mobile data abilities onboard, mind you!

The Samsung Galaxy Camera has been working like a boss for SlashGear over the past few weeks and months, appearing in such features as “Our Secret Star of CES” and our full Samsung Galaxy Camera review. This device is essentially a high-powered photography machine able to allow photographers of any skill level the ability to take excellent photos right out of the box. Using a custom Android user interface, Samsung has made it easy to get onboard with the future of smart photography.

The oddest part about this release is the price – while the difference in prices between off- and on-contract devices has been evolving over the past few years, it’s always strange when one is so extremely close to the other as this one is. If you pick this Galaxy Camera up from AT&T attached to a 2-year data contract, you’ll be paying $499.99 USD. You’ll be paying that same price if you buy it off-contract.

It’ll be up to you whether you want to pay an extra $50 for the ability to slot your microSIM card into the device if you’re on AT&T or Verizon this week – we’re thinking it might be worth the few extra bucks. Your other option is to connect to your smartphone in your pocket with your wireless hot-spot using the wi-fi capabilities of the camera – either way, you’ll be tossing down a few bucks this summer!

UPDATE: It would appear that the Samsung Galaxy Camera is now $549.99 on Verizon and still $499.99 on AT&T (but you’ll get an accessory bundle, too!) It’s still up to you!

Have a peek at our fabulous Samsung Galaxy Camera timeline below and let us know if you’ll be picking one up soon!

Samsung Galaxy Camera Wi-Fi edition hits USA at $449.99 USD is written by Chris Burns & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

While the image of the amateur camcorder user still revolves around a parent recording baby’s first steps, Canon knows that at least some of us want high-quality footage without venturing too far into pro camera territory. Witness its new VIXIA HF G30, which rolls in image quality and control that are still rare outside of big shoulder-mounted cams. It includes a larger CMOS sensor than its ancestors, a new DIGIC DV 4 processor and an equally fresh 20X (26.8-536mm equivalent), f/1.8 lens; together, they should cut back on visual artifacts, improve stabilization and produce a gentler depth of field effect. Canon is also expanding its WiFi support to include DSLR-like remote control of the camcorder through the web browsers of most modern devices. The upgrade rounds out with a handful of firsts specific to the G series, such as dual recording in AVCHD and MP4 as well as a 3.5-inch, OLED touchscreen. Be prepared to sacrifice some time and money for the upgrade in home video quality, though — Canon doesn’t ship the HF G30 until June, when it will cost a not-quite-pro-level $1,700.

If you really do make a living from moving pictures, Canon also has a pair of compact pro models that share the same underlying technology. Both the XA20 and XA25 (pictured after the break) carry the same 20X lens, DIGIC DV 4 processing, WiFi and OLED display as their home-oriented cousin, but throw in pro-level expansion such as XLR microphone inputs and holders, independent audio level adjustment and (on the XA25) SDI connectors. The two will ship later in June and should carry premiums that lift their official prices up to $2,699 and $3,199, although we’re seeing them on Canon’s site for $500 less — we’ve reached out and will let you know how much they cost in practice.

Update: Canon tells us that the real pricing sits in between. The XA20 will cost $2,499, while it will take $2,999 to call an XA25 your own.

Filed under: Cameras, Canon

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