20Jun Panasonic HX-A500 4k POV camera for $399
Many were expecting to see a 4k Gopro Hero 4, but it looks like Panasonic is going to beat Gopro to the punch with the release of the Panasonic HX-A500 POV camera. The HX-A500 uses a very similar design to Panasonic’s HX-A100 released last year with a new small 1.5 inch monitor added to the dongle.
Seems as though Panasonic is really staying ahead of the competition in the low price 4k market. First the GH4, then the FZ1000, and now the HX-A500 POV camera. There isn’t really much competition yet in the 4k consumer market which could give them a big jump over Canon, Nikon, and Sony. If Panasonic can offer 4k recording in a $400 device, it’s only a matter of time before we start seeing others do the same.
Not sure yet how well the new “1/2.3″ Back-Illumined MOS Sensor” will perform, but i’m guessing it’ll keep up with the Gopro’s slightly smaller “1/2.5″ Back-illuminated CMOS Sensor” at the very least. Hopefully Panasonics 4k efforts will push other manufactures to join in the game. We probably don’t really “need” 4k at this point, but it seems like it’ll become the next “must have” spec over the next year or so and I’m fine with that.
June 20th, 2014 at 2:57 pm
I was eyeing on this 🙂 And also found this commercial by Panasonic shot with Canon… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0vo5B92GgI#t=15
June 20th, 2014 at 11:32 pm
cool in paper but hard to handle it while you shot it.
June 21st, 2014 at 10:22 pm
After working with the GH4, it’s hard to argue that 4K isn’t a good thing. I think footage from my GH4 looks better than the footage I’m getting from any of my way more expensive 1080p cameras including an FS700 and Black Magic – even better than raw from the Canon 5DIII. I haven’t had too much trouble with grading GH4 footage either, despite that it’s 8 bit. 10 bit is possible with an external recorder too.
June 23rd, 2014 at 12:42 pm
I kind of wonder how much 4K helps on a smaller device like this. Or is it pure marketing hype? Undoubtedly, the GH4 can make use of 4K because of its full sized lenses and larger sensor. But these small action cams have camera phone sized optics and sensors. I’ve seen the GoPro’s 4K and wasn’t too impressed. I’d prefer to have something like 200 fps slow motion on an action camera.
July 12th, 2014 at 1:00 pm
Are you alive? Please confirm.
July 24th, 2014 at 5:28 am
Yes, please confirm.
August 24th, 2014 at 3:32 pm
Seriously, what happened to you deejay? Are you OK?
September 6th, 2014 at 9:32 am
The same, are you ok?
September 29th, 2014 at 10:33 am
3 months off the grid. I hope all is well dude.
October 1st, 2014 at 7:45 am
Ha, DJ is alive and well, he has just had to start working like someone in the movies biz (no time of your own!)
https://twitter.com/DSLRFILMNOOB
October 1st, 2014 at 9:05 am
Cfreak,
thanks for the info, I’m now following him on twitter.
Jim McNair.