G1 and video

[tbarker13]

So I finally got my hands on one of these cameras here at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. The manual focus worked much better than I thought it would.

Anyway, this may not be anything new. But Panasonic did have a video-capable prototype G* model displayed in a glass box. It has two tiny little speakers on the prism assembly. They were playing some video shot with the thing. I don't know much about video, but it looked nice.

I asked one of the Panasonic guys there if I should hold off on a G1 and just wait for the model that shoots video. He just kind of of smiled and said the video model was a prototype with no release date. Of course that doesn't mean much - they could announce the video version tomorrow.

Another one told me the 20/1.7 would be out by summer, for whatever that's worth.

 

[back alley]

i for one am glad the g1 has no video capability, it's just not my thing. i wonder if they will wait to see how well the g1 does, sales-wise, before they release a second version.

i am looking forward to that 20/1.7, could be a killer street lens.

 

[scho]

Thanks for the report Tim. Do you know if the video capable G can do high resolution frame capture? That would be a big plus for sports, wildlife, etc photography.

Carl

 

[tbarker13]

I wish I had more video details, but they didn't offer anything else.
I can say that the video was playing on a fairly large TV screen, and looked quite good. And I guess there is no reason this wouldn't be the case, but he said the video would work with manual lenses and adaptors.

One interesting thing. The guy said their target market is all of those consumers who go into stores, look at a DSLR and then settle for a point-and-shoot. Panasonic sees it as a bridge between the two. Couple of the reps also talked about their surprise at how much interest there has been from more advanced users.

 

[Gary Sandhu]

Imagine, video on a G1 with a noctilux -- what would that look like?

 

[Avotius]

Just today I was out shooting and wanted to take a video clip of this old lady talking to me, sadly all I had to do it with was my phone, and I was kind of thinking about that video thing too with he G1 at the same time and wishing it had video capture for those moments you might need it. If you never need it, then dont use it, its a digital camera after all, there are 357 things you wont use on it anyway so one more doesnt mater.

 

[Tuolumne]

I rarely use video, but I suppose it would be nice, unless they screw-up the camera features when they offer it. The video is supposed to be HD quality.

/T

 

[tbarker13]

I feel the same way. I don't really have any use for video. But I could see the very rare occasion when it might be nice to have the option. Still, I don't plan to wait for it.

 

[tbarker13]

Here's a bit of goofiness.
When I was at the Panasonic booth, i put an SD card into one of the cameras and fired off a few frames just to have a couple files to look at. I just realized that one of them includes the G* video prototype. Or at least parts of it.
So I'll post it here.

A - the camera in its display case.
B - the video screen showing video shot with it.

 

[Gary E]

Imagine, video on a G1 with a noctilux -- what would that look like?

Holy dreamy bokeh video Batman!

I've been following a little on G1/M lens developments, and all I can say is Panasonic is doing good since the L1. Can't wait till I get my hands on one to try. Though I would have just liked an L2 with an M mount... 😛