Part I: So different yet so alike
This is a first brief look at the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4k on the day of its arrival.
Last monday a really exited salesman from Hamburg gave me a call to tell me that I m lucky to be amongst the first 4 folks that actually will get the new Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera (BMPCC4K from now on) this very week while the rest of the line of preorderers will have to wait a few weeks for their new cameras.
So, here it is, and rather than filming an unboxing, I directly went out and wanted to test it right against the Panasonic Gh5s in terms of dynamic range.
Both cameras are supposed to share the same sensor, so the question is, if the 13 purposed stops make a difference in a real life test using the ProRes codec (as long as Blackmagic’s new Raw Codecs arrive this is the more practical way to shoot in therms of file sizes and easy workflow).
So for this first test I went right out the door, shooting in these setups:
The new Blackmagic Pocket:
Ultra HD, 25fps, ProRes LT, Dynamic Range: Film, Iso 800
(BM states that DR is the same amount of stops at ISO800 as ISO400 and this compares better to the GH5s)
The Panasonic GH5s
Ultra HD, 25fps, H264 All-I 400mbps, Dynamic Range: V-Log L, Iso 800
Here is the result:
To be honest, I expected something else…
I didn’t name the cameras in the first test to conduct a blinded experiment. The result was that may viewers were sure camera a(the GH5s) was the new pocket). Interesting enough.
The method I used was to expose to the right in most cases (in some examples I fist slightly overexposed some shots and afterwards exposed to the right), and then in post set the blacks and the highlights to 0 and 100 ire. So this is not about the color science or the different log algorithms, instead just a simple test how much dynamic range can be captured.
This was the first occasion to actually use the new BMPCC4K. I was expecting to get blown away looking at the footage. But this did not really happen just yet. At this point I must admit that I manly use the Panasonic GH Lineup in my day to day work. Sometimes there are shoots where RED is used. When it comes to private projects, my favorit image comes out of the older Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera.
So my expectations regarding the BMPCC4K are high.
An Ursa Minimini.
But now on first sight it feels more like a bigger and chunkier GH5s with added RAW capabilities than an Ursa Mini regarding the overall picture. ( This is of course not having worked with the raw material. I remember the first times seeing ProRes footage of the old BMPCC and the Ursa Mini and I was amazed how much better it was in comparison to the GH4/5 while this feels a lot like looking at the footage coming straight of the gear I use daily, mainly the GH5s. Wrong expectations and a good job done by Panasonic I guess)
First impressions: The bad, the ugly and the good
The Bad:
– It doesn t produce an image to directly fall in love with, other than the Ursa Mini or the BMPCC. Looks more like another Panasonic GH camera with slightly new color science..
– This camera is bulky. It doesn t fit on my beloved Beholder DS1 gimbal. The weight would be ok, but the size and width is too big.
– The screen isn t very good at bright light conditions compared to the GH5s (also because of the lag to swivel it to a better angle.)
– There is no dual / safety recording
– The menu is not very customizable, f.e. false colors can t be set specifically
– No waveform
The Ugly:
– I used the camera for about 1 1/2 hours, and it went through two batteries. I d say its even worth than the BMPCC.
Also, it abruptly turned off while recording without any alert beforehand. This was the original batterie.
The Good:
– nothing bad can be said about a camera so comparable to the Panasonic GH5s with additional RAW recording options, coming with a Resolve Studio Licence included at this price point. 4K60p glory was never cheaper and this is a hell of a professional tool! This might be the best actual tool for budget filmmaking on the market.
– this new codec Blackmagic is talking about and wanting to integrate sounds like a revolution. The best of raw with file sizes smaller then most h264 compressions, in single files with quick handling.
I will constantly update this article so please feel free to check back, thanks for reading.
NEXT UP:
More detailed testing against the GH5s and the older sister, the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 2K
