View single post by Eric
 Posted: Sat May 2nd, 2015 13:24
Eric



Joined: Thu Apr 19th, 2012
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 4424
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Was subjected to a friends home video, yesterday. Admittedly on a 55” curved mega screen, but the video quality was quite outstanding!
I fondled the camera and was amazed at the quality of the viewfinder. Much brighter and more accurate colour rendition than the Fuji electronic viewfinder. The wife fell in love with it!!!

:8-)

I hadn't really thought too much about bridge cameras and their role in the grand scheme of ....video. But apart from the excellent viewfinder and results it occurred to me they have two very relevant advantages when it comes to video.

Firstly (it's amazing how the obvious can be missed) the absence of the pentaprism/mirror means you can see the videoing through the viewfinder.
One of my big critiques of DSLR video, is the need to hold the camera at arms length to view the action on the rear screen. It's not stable when handheld, on most bodies the fixed screen constrains viewing angle and is not ideal in strong sunlight. Being able to hold the camera up to the eye is far more stable and familiar. Yes I know a tripod is a part solution.

Secondly....motorised zoom. Whilst it's not good practise to zoom while filming (perhaps occasionally if combined with a pan) having the facility motorised is far better than trying to do it manually from the zoom ring of a DSLR lens.

The wife has a Panasonic camcorder...a high end one. But she has been less than happy with the stills she gets from it...so much so, she always wants to use my DSLR for stills.

She has flirted with the Fuji for the stills and a few videos. But the lack of motorised zoom and the revelation of how good a digital viewfinder can be, has probably put a nail in the Fuji coffin....for her at least.

So the Panasonic was very good.....anyone got a comparison or opinion on other makes?

Last edited on Sat May 2nd, 2015 13:29 by Eric



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Eric