I've rented a Varicam LT and what surprised me was how filmic the image is - it's clearly Panasonic trying to do a take on the Alexa and the footage has a genuine film print like quality - hard to see on TH-cam but when you see the footage on a decent calibrated monitor before exporting it looks stunning - I'd say it has 50% of the Alexa wow factor which ain't too shabby. Also the noise pattern is rather pleasing but if it needs to be removed - the camera responds so well to NR. I think with some careful grading of the red channel and maybe a smidgen of magenta removal in the skin - you can get an image that sits in the Arri/Red Dragon ballpark quite comfortably.
I want Blackmagic to put their BMPCC 6k pro into the similar Cube body with internal ND filters. and a mini display on the top just like Komodo, mainly for the menu.
They still sell Micro Cinema and Studio models. I wonder what's the reason those models haven't been updated while all the other models have been refreshed since then.
Not gonna happen. The obsession with cube shaped cameras is as rational as the flat earth belief. Blackmagic makes the best menu of any camera system out there. Such a menu system cannot be squeezed into a tiny screen unless it's stretched out into multiple pages.
@@AllThingsFilm1 they can offer a good quality external monitor with BMPCC menu and a BM app with similar menu which let you control the camera. its a small compromise to have a camera which will be easier to balance on the gimble and will have better battery performance.
I've enjoyed using every panasonic camera available from (apart from S1 and S5). Once I saw that could use the S1H and get the quality in that small package I longed for something that removed all the photo related components. I'd be happy to get a firmware update that removed everything photo related as an option. And now I have that option. Happy camper. The one thing missing is the beautiful varicam highlight rolloff. You do get some of that, it's just not Varicam level. Anyone want to buy a Komodo?
great video guys, I do often see a higher bit depth of colors in cinema cameras like the varicam that are not seen in a specs sheep, but are seen a subtle detail in the final image :) I think a lot of cameras say they can produce 10 bit or even 12 bit color, but lack the A/D converter to do a true 12 bit image like the varicam.
Would be nice if Panasonic made the colour science more uniform across the product lines similar to how Blackmagic has gen1, gen2, etc. Most likely it's down to the different sensors but it would be nice for them to give it some concern. I have the BGH1 and GH5, either which can be my A or B cam depending on the shoot, and a couple GH4's for studio use, and I'd love to not have to do too much in post.
New the VariCam is about $10k, which is not bad. But yes, rent unless you have a full time production company. You can rent the stunning Arri Alexa Mini LF for about $3500 a week, which is not bad if you shoot fast. And you want Hollywood quality. Which you may not need, say for a doc or corporate use.
@jesserban9791, are you still using the eva 1 or have you jumped to the varicam lt? I'm curious as I just bailed on a varicam full on kit with everything including lenses and rigs for 8500 euros. Kinda eating my fingers regretting i didn't but curious to know if, with everything new coming out if its still worth buying as a A camera for all types of shoots.
I’ve been using the BGH1 for more then a year rig it with a Meike 12mm 2.2T and honestly even when 10 Bits color it has a super nice color also super portable as you said on gimbal.
Panasonic is in an unusual position with their camera lineup. Most camera manufacturers bottleneck / limit their cheaper video cameras as to not effect the sales of their more expensive cinema cameras. With Panasonic their Varicam was essentially a commercial failure and Panasonic has for the most part pulled out of the high end cinema camera business. This leaves Panasonic with their cheaper pro-sumer cameras that they have the liberty of packing as many cinema features as they can into since they will not be in competition with themselves on the higher end.
This video you made looks great! Of course talent is a major contributing factor, but I'd like to know, which camera did you film this review video with?
I personally find the obsession with box shaped cameras to be quite laughable. I've filmed with DSLR cameras for years, and had no problem rigging them with accessories.
@@AllThingsFilm1 the one thing I miss with my S1H like with all other DSLMs/DSLRs before is the difficulty of shoulder mounting. Hdmi cables sticking out the left side, lag with hdmi viewfinders, weight balance/form factor problems etc
Very nice video. First time I see the S1h (sensor) next to the EVA1 and Varicam. I'd have to say that they look very similair in the indoor shot. EVA1 and Varicam are actually close. In the outdoor shot I actually preferred the BSH1 by quite a bit, looks less contrasty and more saturation. What makes you like the Varicam more?
Thanks AVICIIZ. I think it's important to note that there are things I saw in the footage that never made it into the video - but that every time I saw the Varicam footage in comparison (in Resolve), there was a highlight gradation similar to that in other cinema cameras (Alexa, RED, Venice). It's subtle, and I'll be honest - it might just be my imagination. That said, if you showed me the BS1H footage and told me it was the Varicam, I'd have no justification for not believing you. Also - these tests I did... they are very cursory. Not a shred of science went into them. Who knows what I may or may not have done with the lighting, the grade, etc that could have drastically changed the image. But the differences in the image were consistent - which was all I was really looking out for.
@@vistek Thanks for the clarification! I honestly can’t tell a difference in highlight rolloff, but I'm guessing that's caused by TH-cam compression. I like how you talk about color a lot, you're review of the S5 helped me buy it! Did you buy the Varicam? Why?
Do you think Panasonic would be looking to update these cameras anytime soon, I'm looking for a great doc camera but wondering between these cams, c200 mk ii (whenever it comes out) and the FX6
Do box cameras will be weather sealed as DSLRs? How is BSIH compared to S1H? Can we shoot with this like in rain with an umbrella, with some drops on it ?
IMO what makes Varicam more filmic is the lack of oversampling. Both Eva and S1H have 6k sensors and they look a bit too sharp. I would love to see a comparison where s1h is in pixel to pixel mode.
The best color is still film, no question. Second best? Arri Alexa. Then you can take your pick. Venice, Red, Canon C700, Varicam, it's just personal preference. My preference? Alexa, hands down. Next to film, it's the best, the richest, best skin tone.
True. But if controlled, the image is top. The build quality too. It's a shame they seem to be letting it slide into irrelevance with a lack of firmware support. Otherwise I'd be buying one myself.
Yes, but how is the autofocus? I rented the BGH1, and the AF was as unreliable as Panasonic is known for. I own the BMPCC4K, and its a great camera. But, I want a 2nd camera that has reliable autofocus. I think Blackmagic would do a great service to filmmakers by coming out with a camera that has consistent and reliable autofocus. That would be a game changer.
I've rented a Varicam LT and what surprised me was how filmic the image is - it's clearly Panasonic trying to do a take on the Alexa and the footage has a genuine film print like quality - hard to see on TH-cam but when you see the footage on a decent calibrated monitor before exporting it looks stunning - I'd say it has 50% of the Alexa wow factor which ain't too shabby. Also the noise pattern is rather pleasing but if it needs to be removed - the camera responds so well to NR. I think with some careful grading of the red channel and maybe a smidgen of magenta removal in the skin - you can get an image that sits in the Arri/Red Dragon ballpark quite comfortably.
Thanks for the great comment Girafingo. I've noticed precisely the same thing.
I want Blackmagic to put their BMPCC 6k pro into the similar Cube body with internal ND filters. and a mini display on the top just like Komodo, mainly for the menu.
Mannnnnnn is BlackMagic did that…. I would 600% buy it
They still sell Micro Cinema and Studio models. I wonder what's the reason those models haven't been updated while all the other models have been refreshed since then.
Not gonna happen. The obsession with cube shaped cameras is as rational as the flat earth belief. Blackmagic makes the best menu of any camera system out there. Such a menu system cannot be squeezed into a tiny screen unless it's stretched out into multiple pages.
@@AllThingsFilm1 they can offer a good quality external monitor with BMPCC menu and a BM app with similar menu which let you control the camera. its a small compromise to have a camera which will be easier to balance on the gimble and will have better battery performance.
@@AllThingsFilm1 totally agree
I've enjoyed using every panasonic camera available from (apart from S1 and S5). Once I saw that could use the S1H and get the quality in that small package I longed for something that removed all the photo related components. I'd be happy to get a firmware update that removed everything photo related as an option. And now I have that option. Happy camper. The one thing missing is the beautiful varicam highlight rolloff. You do get some of that, it's just not Varicam level. Anyone want to buy a Komodo?
great video guys, I do often see a higher bit depth of colors in cinema cameras like the varicam that are not seen in a specs sheep, but are seen a subtle detail in the final image :) I think a lot of cameras say they can produce 10 bit or even 12 bit color, but lack the A/D converter to do a true 12 bit image like the varicam.
What a a/d converter ?
@@charlesjones5210 analog to digital converter?
Those colors are close enough to match in post for most shooters, but that Varicam footage is noticeably a step above as it should be.
Would be nice if Panasonic made the colour science more uniform across the product lines similar to how Blackmagic has gen1, gen2, etc. Most likely it's down to the different sensors but it would be nice for them to give it some concern. I have the BGH1 and GH5, either which can be my A or B cam depending on the shoot, and a couple GH4's for studio use, and I'd love to not have to do too much in post.
Eva1 owner here. Tempted to buy a used varicam for around $6000, but at the end of the day, on a production that warrants a varicam, I’ll rent one.
New the VariCam is about $10k, which is not bad. But yes, rent unless you have a full time production company.
You can rent the stunning Arri Alexa Mini LF for about $3500 a week, which is not bad if you shoot fast. And you want Hollywood quality. Which you may not need, say for a doc or corporate use.
@jesserban9791, are you still using the eva 1 or have you jumped to the varicam lt? I'm curious as I just bailed on a varicam full on kit with everything including lenses and rigs for 8500 euros. Kinda eating my fingers regretting i didn't but curious to know if, with everything new coming out if its still worth buying as a A camera for all types of shoots.
I’ve been using the BGH1 for more then a year rig it with a Meike 12mm 2.2T and honestly even when 10 Bits color it has a super nice color also super portable as you said on gimbal.
any lag from the sdi output?
Panasonic is in an unusual position with their camera lineup. Most camera manufacturers bottleneck / limit their cheaper video cameras as to not effect the sales of their more expensive cinema cameras. With Panasonic their Varicam was essentially a commercial failure and Panasonic has for the most part pulled out of the high end cinema camera business. This leaves Panasonic with their cheaper pro-sumer cameras that they have the liberty of packing as many cinema features as they can into since they will not be in competition with themselves on the higher end.
This video you made looks great! Of course talent is a major contributing factor, but I'd like to know, which camera did you film this review video with?
6:02 Eva1 was the winner for me here 🦾
I think for the same price, I think the S1H is the better choice for most people. Unless you really need it in a box.
I personally find the obsession with box shaped cameras to be quite laughable. I've filmed with DSLR cameras for years, and had no problem rigging them with accessories.
@@AllThingsFilm1 the one thing I miss with my S1H like with all other DSLMs/DSLRs before is the difficulty of shoulder mounting.
Hdmi cables sticking out the left side, lag with hdmi viewfinders, weight balance/form factor problems etc
@@AllThingsFilm1 Its all just preferences
Very nice video. First time I see the S1h (sensor) next to the EVA1 and Varicam. I'd have to say that they look very similair in the indoor shot. EVA1 and Varicam are actually close. In the outdoor shot I actually preferred the BSH1 by quite a bit, looks less contrasty and more saturation. What makes you like the Varicam more?
Thanks AVICIIZ. I think it's important to note that there are things I saw in the footage that never made it into the video - but that every time I saw the Varicam footage in comparison (in Resolve), there was a highlight gradation similar to that in other cinema cameras (Alexa, RED, Venice). It's subtle, and I'll be honest - it might just be my imagination. That said, if you showed me the BS1H footage and told me it was the Varicam, I'd have no justification for not believing you. Also - these tests I did... they are very cursory. Not a shred of science went into them. Who knows what I may or may not have done with the lighting, the grade, etc that could have drastically changed the image. But the differences in the image were consistent - which was all I was really looking out for.
@@vistek Thanks for the clarification! I honestly can’t tell a difference in highlight rolloff, but I'm guessing that's caused by TH-cam compression. I like how you talk about color a lot, you're review of the S5 helped me buy it! Did you buy the Varicam? Why?
Great to hear AVICIIZ! I'm happy to know I made a positive contribution. I don't own the Varicam. It was leant to me by Panasonic.
@@vistek would it be possible to upload 10 bit tiff or dpx stills from these comparisons without colorgrading?
@@vistek what's highlight graduation mean?
Do you think Panasonic would be looking to update these cameras anytime soon, I'm looking for a great doc camera but wondering between these cams, c200 mk ii (whenever it comes out) and the FX6
Do you prefer the image from eva1 or bs1h
This is the video I’ve been looking for. I have a S1 but I want to know if the BHS1 has IBIS
Great review man. Looks very tasty to me...
It's all so tasty!! Thanks bud!
Do box cameras will be weather sealed as DSLRs? How is BSIH compared to S1H? Can we shoot with this like in rain with an umbrella, with some drops on it ?
Weather sealing is the same as the BGH1. You shouldn't "need" the umbrella - but obviously keeping it dry isn't a bad idea.
@@vistek ok.. 😅
IMO what makes Varicam more filmic is the lack of oversampling. Both Eva and S1H have 6k sensors and they look a bit too sharp. I would love to see a comparison where s1h is in pixel to pixel mode.
he probably did not turned down the sharpness in camera also the eva1 is a 5.7 sensor
BGH1 has GH5S colors (same sensor), not GH5 colors (different sensor).
Nice run-through!👍🏾🙏🏾
Thank you Eugene!
The best color is still film, no question. Second best? Arri Alexa. Then you can take your pick. Venice, Red, Canon C700, Varicam, it's just personal preference.
My preference? Alexa, hands down. Next to film, it's the best, the richest, best skin tone.
Can I just say, I love the Intro!
Thank you Wito!
The varicam looks like it has pretty bad IR pollution.
The VariCam has beautiful footage. Really, if you have the $$$ and the need, it's the best color from Panny IMO.
True. But if controlled, the image is top. The build quality too. It's a shame they seem to be letting it slide into irrelevance with a lack of firmware support. Otherwise I'd be buying one myself.
Which has better image quality, EVA1 or BS1H?
Great stuff. Woof
Yes, but how is the autofocus? I rented the BGH1, and the AF was as unreliable as Panasonic is known for. I own the BMPCC4K, and its a great camera. But, I want a 2nd camera that has reliable autofocus. I think Blackmagic would do a great service to filmmakers by coming out with a camera that has consistent and reliable autofocus. That would be a game changer.
Do a comparison between s1h and bs1h
They need to add a display on the body and i will buy it
A bit more shadow details on the EVA1 and LT. About 1/2 stop. Look at the beard. interesting
Made in China.