Nice in lots of ways, but the lack of 10bit 4:2:2 onboard recording is a huge letdown, considering what this body will cost. I'll probably hang back until BMD Pocket v2.

I find good the limit of 6400 on movie mode, since over that is really of no use. I use the red epic until 3200 for black and white footage, for color never more than 1600, never.

Well I have one pre-ordered and since I already have a separate sound setup I bypassed buying the interface addon for $1k extra. At that price point I would rather look at the BM4k camera. At around $2k I can give this bad boy a try.

German video

@joesiv

All except last item is restricted and made according to hardware, most probably.

but I would note to those complaining about the 30 minute limit that the tech specs talked about so far say that EACH body has a switch to go from non-EU to EU at any time. Non-EU of course means the frame-rates don't allow the 25/50fps of EU and the PAL frequency rates.

Where you found it? As it looks strange.

@vitaliy_kiselev that'd be too bad if it was locked in hardware, I guess we will have to wait and see. Super exciting camera though! I'd love to know what actually goes on in that grip (what actually gets sent through the pins of the bottom of the camera).

Not using the 200 Mbps recording mode for 4k is extremely strange. Hacked bitrates in that range were necessary for good quality 1080p. 4k has quadruple the pixel depth, so 4k looks to be more of an after-thought in this model. That assessment might have changed had Panasonic used an advanced, visually lossless codec like RedCode or something similar to make 4k recording outstanding.

I think the lack of 120 fps modes with sound recording (even in 1080p mode) was one way for Panasonic to gimp this camera, so as not to compete with their pro-range.

That add-on module is ugly and unwieldy as sin. The way it transforms the GH4's svelte form factor into a clunky monster makes me wish Panasonic had gone with an interchangeable lens video camera body rather than a DSLR shape.

Sony's PXW-Z100 may have a fixed zoom lens, but it allows for internal 4k 10 bit, 4:2:2, All-I in-camera recording at up to 60 fps and it's only $5,500 right now with much better ergonomics (they're releasing new models, so the price will drop). Once you add the Franken-rig to the GH4, you're probably looking at a camera system that's closer to this price range.

Also notice that no one with a pre-release model tested for rolling shutter or other supposedly improved issues. If Panasonic is so impressed with its new sensor, why be afraid of video tests being released?

Maybe Panasonic will surprise the industry and blow everyone away, but as of right now I would hold off and wait to see what the competition brings this season. Don't start the mad pre-ordering dash just yet.

@JohnTollwannabe

< Sony's PXW-Z100 may have a fixed zoom lens, but it allows for internal 4k 10 bit, 4:2:2, All-I in-camera recording at up to 60 fps and it's only $5,500 right now with much better ergonomics (they're releasing new models, so the price will drop). Once you add the Franken-rig to the GH4, you're probably looking at a camera system that's closer to this price range. >

Im with you on this, since i expect a 10 bit 4:2:2 recorder for GH4 from panasonic. This MODULAR design is now talkig form and price. What you exange in PXW-z100 is lens changing, and small form factor.

The worst thing about the pxw-z100 is an ISO of about 40. Even with bitrates between 220 and 600, the compression artifacts are very obvious while pixel peeping. Also shadow detail is very smudgy. Yet final output to devices is astonishing.

@Jspatz At those bitrates on the Sony 4k video cam you're seeing compression artifacts, so at only 100 Mbps for 4k in IPB mode, I can only imagine the issues that will crop up with the GH4 footage on a large 4k monitor or projection system.

I think Panasonic, like a lot of companies, is playing fast and loose with the numbers game. There's a lot that has to go into 4k video to make it look outstanding besides pixel count (like no moire, no aliasing, no rolling shutter, 10 or 12 bit pixel depth, wider color gamut, much higher DR, etc.). I think they threw in 4k just to compete rather than giving it top priority. You'll have to wait for the GH5 or GH6 for that... or spend the money on a pro-level 4k video camera.

The MSRP is going to be closer to $2,000 for the GH4 body, so that's still very much in the consumer range for 4k currently rather than the pro-sumer or professional range. Expect consumer grade 4k video quality.

@Mirrorman if you see the German video is pretty clear that you need 12V ext. Power

@No_SuRReNDeR

It is always good to know that pause here is for a reason. And it can still be few surprises from GH4 in spring.

BM 4K camera just does not exist except few (may be even one) test samples. And it is not camera made for everyday tasks.

Most people are also very fixed on XLR attachment size and possible price. It is good to know that if GH4 will be more or less popular Chinese will make you other options. They are looking and asking already.