HDSLR Killer…Death of HDSLRs…
These phrases have been used in many articles talking about the upcoming Panasonic AF100. A lot of people are quick to latch on to the next great thing and throw away the frustrations of the past. While this is not a bad thing, I think some perspective is needed before we write off HDSLRs.
The Panasonic AF100 is the first of it’s kind: a large sensor video camera at a sub-$10k price point. While I’m sure there are more to come, the AF100 is the first to beg the question:
Is it a HDSLR killer?
And to that, I say: No.
HDSLRs were never intended to be video cameras. The video function was added as an after thought for photo journalists. When indie filmmakers started seeing the quality the HDSLR sensor put out, they jumped on board and so the “HDSLR Revolution” began.
I am thrilled that the demand for a large sensor video camera has finally caught the ear of major manufacturers and that Panasonic is the first to deliver us their version. Will I be buying one? Heck yeah! Will I be getting rid of my 5D MkII? Only when the 5D MkIII comes out!
As great as the AF100 may be, it can never “kill” the HDSLR. HDSLRs have a unique place in a cameraman’s arsenal and should be used as the proper tool, but not the perfect camera. Let’s go over a few of the advantages.
Size
As compact as the AF100 is, it can’t beat the size of a HDSLR. Hang it from your neck, stick it in your suitcase, or carry it around with your hand, they are small, lightweight, and have a familiar form factor.
Discrete
Stick a HDSLR in someone’s face. Most people will smile and pose. Stick a video camera in their face. Most people will put their hand up. HDSLRs can be used in locations that a video camera would be too intrusive.
Hybrid
The “H” in HDSLR stands for hybrid; a camera that shoots stills and video. The AF100 can shoot still frames in HD (1920×1080) but nowhere near the 21 megapixels of the 5D MkII. If you are out and need a stills and video camera, a HDSLR is still your best option.
Extremely Shallow DOF
As we talked about in our last article: There is Such a Thing as “Too Shallow”, the extremely shallow DOF look that HDSLRs give us isn’t really the “film look”. But it is a unique look that you can only accomplish with the massive sensor in HDSLRs. No matter how fast the glass is on your AF100, the 5D MkII will beat it when using the same glass. This can be useful when wanting that “HDSLR look”.
So why get the AF100?
Because it will be your “I don’t have to worry about ____ anymore” camera. Let me explain. With the 5D, you had to worry about aliasing, moire, rolling shutter, recording audio separately, 12 minute record times, etc. With a camera like the AF100, those problems are gone. It is, in fact, a true video camera. Check out Philip Bloom’s tests with the AF100 to see how well it performs:
My HDSLR will always be a great tool in my kit. Once I get my AF100, it can go back to being what it was meant to be: a stills camera that shoots video. It will have its uses, but not as my primary camera. So maybe the “HDSLR Revolution” is over, but I believe HDSLRs are here to stay.
It’s nice that you’re in a position to run out and buy a $6K camera but I can’t even afford a 5Dmk2.
You ‘pros’ with your affiliated links and corporate discounts need to take that into account when your writing your bullshit blogs.
It may sound like sour grapes and maybe it is, but I just find the tone of your article condescending and patronising and in absolutely no way useful or insightful.
I won’t be “running out” and buying an AF100. I’ll have to budget for it. But my camera is my livelihood and if I don’t have a good one, I can’t make money.
I don’t have corporate discounts. I’m a “one-man-band”. My sponsors help pick up the costs of producing regular video content and keeping up a website. I really don’t make a profit off of this site.
I’m not sure how this article is condescending. I like HDSLRs and I like the future of large sensor cameras. Pick the best option for you and buy it. I can’t control if you can afford a 5D MkII. Buy what you can afford.
Tony you are right.
Roger, If you can’t afford the AF 100, you can start by buying
the GH2, you will end up with some lenses and then the AF 100
or AF 200 WILL COME EASIER, By the way GH2 DOES MUCH BETTER VIDEO THAN THE CANON 5D MARK II
Wow Roger…it probably took you longer to think of and write that meaningless response than it did to read this entire article. If you don’t like it, move on. The only thing condescending was your response.
Thanks for the article Tony. A whole 2 minutes of my life that I didn’t mind spending 🙂
I think,someone is behind you tony,panasonic maybe?
Why the no proof yet af100 is being talk about pros and cons.This is a marketing strategy,right?
Let the time tell.
The truth is,af100 will end up like another video cam like sony ex3,canon xl hd,etc.The price only goes for professional.No indie will affort that.
And for the aliasing,moire,audio,rolling shutter…please talk to iron man 2,house finale season,and a lot more great movie shot with hdslr.
so let the time proof.
Price does matter.
@jisk
No, Panasonic is not behind me. I wish they were; I’d love to get an AF100 review unit.
If you’ve read my blog, you’d see I’m very much a proponent of HDSLRs. I use them and believe in them. That was the purpose of this article: to keep people from dismissing them as soon as the “next great thing” comes out.
As for budgets, the AF100 is aimed very much at the indie filmmaker. The indie market is considered sub $10k (HVX, EX1, etc.). Professional is considered over $10k (RED, HPX, etc.). Whether your personal budget can afford the AF100 is not as relevant as the market it is aimed at.
And for the proof, just look at Panasonic’s history. They have successfully launched revolutionary cameras in the past, DVX100, HVX200, etc. I have faith that they will produce another successful camera with the AF100.
…and no they didn’t pay me to say that. It’s just my opinion.
I’ll say to Canon get rid of aliasing,moire,audio,rolling shutter
or sell the company to Panasonic
@tony
the “next great thing”?? sound like marketing quotes again for me.
the success of the past dvx100 and hvx200 was because there were no other camera came out with same price with feature like hvx and dvx that time.dvx win over for price and feature,and the hvx win over the revolutionary p2 card.
This time,with a lot of feature come from hdslr,lets say:you can choose between filmlook or hdslrlook,the compact size,and the most important is price.
Diggin’ the fresh retro look of the AF100.
http://www.rewindmuseum.com/images3/hvc2000pside1.gif
I’d love to see the HDSLR “devolution” end now. Our 5D sits on the shelf alot. Not because people don’t want it, I just don’t push it. I think the image quality is too poor, so I end up pushing my RED as much as possible. I can’t stomach the flat flesh tones, clipping, soft image and wimpy codec. It’s good for discreet or real run n gun. Most of my clients in NYC, thank God, our over it. I think they got tired of it’s restrictive codec in post.
I’m looking forward to the AF 100. I truly believe this will acceptably fill in the lower budget/indy tier that the 5D failed at. Can’t wait. Go panasonic.
The AF 100 is actually more competitive price wise than meets the eye. Once you factor in, eyepiece, monitor, rig, double system sound, the AF 100 gets a lot closer. If you use it for work, the lack of hassle, synching and transcoding begins to make the AF 100 on a pro level look cheaper.
I think any small indy operator would be a fool to pass this up. If it’s for work, I believe it’ll pay itself much faster than a 5D rig. Clients, at least in my neck of the words have become weary with all the HDSLR shortcomings. The AF 100 truly fills the gap.
Can’t wait for my 5D to return to full time stills duty.
I’m a pro that’s completely unaffiliated. I shoot for a living as well as rent cameras out. So I try to keep an eye out for gear that makes money. The AF 100 is a no brainer. It’ll pay itself off quite quickly as the only thing close to it will be from Sony at 2x the price. The difference in price from a 5D isn’t so great if you plan to use it for work or rent it out.
5D Package (with comparable feature set to AF100):
5D 2500
Small HD Monitor 800 or cineroid viewfinder
Red Rock handheld rig 800
Zoom Sound Recorder 350
Total 4450.00
AF100
4795.00
The difference in price is negible easily made up on the first day in time wasted with tweaking your hdslr rig, lighting for highlight clips, re-composing to avoid moire, etc. From experience, the difference in demand will be huge.