Nikon D5: You Will Struggle to Miss Focus
Nikon D5 is Best DSLR Camera using For the Photography? Nikon D5 isn’t a namesake upgrade to D4, but something truly different and exceptional. It is a highly professional equipment with which you will struggle to miss the focus.
Adding to the other features – including the videos, low-light performance, image quality and fast shooting – D5 is a professional photographer’s dream.
The Packaging
Nikon D5 comes in two forms – a dual XQD slot and CF slot version. The body is priced at $ 5496 approximately for the 20.8MP FX format CMOS Sensor on amazon.
The Expeed 5 Image Processor is one of the finest in the industry, and the image quality doesn’t take a beating even at high ISOs. There’s a second processor just to make sure the auto-focus isn’t hampered a bit.
The Beast of an Auto-focus
User reviews for the D5 suggest that you will struggle to miss autofocus. And it isn’t just good or great it is actually something exceptional. While D4 also had a class autofocus in its own right, D5’s Multi-Cam 20K AF sensor module can focus even on paper.
There are staggering 153 AF points, out of which 99 being cross-type sensors. And a second processor just for the focusing powers to reach pinnacle. Those who shoot action would truly love the camera.
The Speed – Higher Buffer and Frame Rate
Nikon D5 includes a new shutter and mirror sequencing mechanism which makes the shooting at 12fps with full time AE and AF a breeze. Add to that a speed of 14 fps at fixed focus and AE, and you know you aren’t likely to miss a moment.
You can shoot up to 200 NEF and/or large JPEGs in one buffer which means you can shoot for almost 17 seconds with full-time AE and AF at 12 fps without lifting your finger off the shutter. Usain Bolt completed a 100m sprint in 9.58 seconds, so you now know the powers of Nikon D5
The Low Light King
The Nikon Ds were always known for their incredible low-light performances, and D5 takes it further. The ISO range of 100-102,400 is widest native ISO range. It is expendable further to 50-3,280,000.
Noise reduction, color reproduction, and a focusing ability even at -4 E.V. makes it the king of low-light shooting. The fact that you don’t lose much sharpness or details at even extremely high ISO is something that sets this model apart from the contemporaries.
The Filmmaker’s Dream
You can shoot time-lapse in camera at 4K UHD, while also being able to shoot regular videos at 4K UHD at up to 30fps in crop mode (1.5x). Auto-ISO allows shooting in any conditions, and you can shoot slow-motion up to 60fps at FHD resolution.
Professional video capabilities include ability to record clear sound with internal as well as external microphones. And you can shoot at log profile to enhance post-production capabilities.
Nikon D5 is a king among the cameras, even the contemporaries. There’s hardly anything that is flawed in this near-perfect model.
Canon 6D Mark II: The Budget Pro Best DSLR Camera
Canon 6D series is Best DSLR Camera using For the Photography? Canon 6D series conveniently placed between the Canon Rebel series and 7D series (crop-frame) and 5D series (full-frame) – delivering a combination of both and packing it in a full-frame sensor.
It provides an ultimate tool for professional filmmaking and photography for the professionals who can’t yet go higher on budget – without compromising on quality.
The Full Frame Sensor and More
At just $999 on Amazon, Canon 6D Mark II body is one of the cheapest full-frame DSLRs which doesn’t compromise on performance even one-bit.
It is available with standard Canon kit, 24-70 f2.8 or 24-105 f4 – or even the body alone – which is useful if you are already using Canon and have lenses in your arsenal.
The 6D Mark II packs all the pro features along with a full frame CMOS sensor into a compact yet fully featured DSLR.
The 26.2 MP CMOS Sensor when combined with the DIGIC 7 Image Processor helps in delivering results even in low-light situations.
Canon’s manufacturing of sensors, processors, and other parts including the lenses – all in-house, means that the overall equipment is built with a higher technical compatibility.
Capable of delivering low-light performance with a wide ISO range of 100-4000, expandable to 50-102400, the 6240 x 4160 pixels images produced by the camera are pixel perfect.
Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, NFC, and GPS: The Pro Features
NFC technology3 helps connecting compatible devices faster based on the Wi-Fi. Wi-Fi also helps in using phone for viewing images, as also controlling the camera to compose and shoot, while also having some advanced features like time-lapse shooting.
The transfer is also possible via a low-power consumption in-built Bluetooth device. GPS enables tagging the pictures with date, time, and place stamp – enabling a better photo-essay and video presentation while also enabling remote sharing with correct location data.
Vari-Angle LCD and Optical Viewfinder
Vari-Angle LCD is a touch-screen marvel that not only lets you compose some impossible angles otherwise, but also helps you in controlling the camera with simple touches.
You can also focus easily during photography as well as filming, that makes it a tool worthy to hold for a filmmaker. The LCD helps in viewing even in daytimes and sun, and the 1.04 million dots are all aimed to aid your endeavor of shooting with ease.
The optical viewfinder is similarly very easy to use, and the 45-point all cross-type focus points allow focusing even in low-light at up to -3 E.V., while also having the ability to track motion with ease.
The Dual-pixel CMOS AF further speeds up the focusing speed. The 6.5 fps shooting speed helps in shooting action further, and make this into a complete camera at the budget that is almost half as that of 5D Mark IV.
The dust and water resistant body is rugged to the core, being weather-proof for shooting in messy conditions. The 6D Mark II is simply a massive upgrade over already highly functional and practical Canon 6D.
Sony A7III: A Full Frame Experience at Fraction of Weight
Sony has, in recent times, revolutionized the camera market with its range of mirrorless and DSLTs.
The lighter best DSLR cameras with higher dynamic range and better low-light performances have broken through the market trends. Sony A7 III is one of their finest full-fledged equipment, a full-frame mirrorless camera.
In the Box
The A7 III body is priced at $1998, while you can add a 28-70 kit lens to the combo at $200. There are other combos available like a 24-105mm, a 24-70mm G master, a 50mm, or a Tamron 28-75mm f2.8 Sony mount.
You can also buy an adaptor separately that can make your Canon lenses compatible with Sony body.
The BSI Sensor and the Processor
24.2MP full-frame Back-illuminated Exmor Image Sensor works in combination with front-end LSI – doubling the readout speed and preventing high ISO noise while delivering a superior performance.
A 1.8 times faster processing speed as compared to A7 II is due to the BIONZ X processor. The magnesium alloy body is weather proof – being dust and moisture resistant allowing its use in difficult weather.
The Auto-Focus and Image Stabilization
The 693 focal-plane phase detection AF and 425 contrast detection AF points work parallel to provide a hybrid 4D FOCUS system that delivers a focusing system that can work faster, quieter, and reliably in any conditions.
Add the reliable eye-AF, which can detect and focus on the subject’s eyes – and the focusing system is pretty staggering. The focusing system also possesses the power to track subjects through the frame.
In-built 5-axis in-body stabilization provides an image-stabilization that helps both videos and pictures in creating sharper results.
The 4K Advantage
One of the key-talked about features of A7 III is the video, and the 4K resolution at 3840×2160 pixels provides videos with exceptional depth and detail.
The ability to shoot at two different log modes helps in giving the control back to the post-processing artists, while also adding a significant dynamic range to the scene.
The touch AF functions complete the filmmaking experience, which is also aided by a 15-stop dynamic range and a high-ISO performance that is simply staggering.
The expandable ISO range of up to 50-204800 for still images, coupled with regular range of 100-51200 for both videos and stills while producing noise-free results is a boon for natural-light filmmakers.
The Tru-Finder
The camera’s electronic viewfinder, or Tru-Finder as the Sony calls them, was one of the weaker features. However, it is 40% faster and more reliable as compared to A7 II.
It includes ZEISS T coating to greatly reduce reflections while providing corner-to-corner clarity. The 922K-dot 3 inch LCD screen is versatile in its operations, and supports touch focus operations while providing detailed viewing.
The camera supports up to 10fps of high-speed burst mode shoot and can track subjects for up to 177 JPEG images shoots or 89 compressed RAW pictures or 40 uncompressed RAW images. It aids in shooting action.
Sony A7 III is a complete camera, capable of producing staggering results – both in the field of photography and filmmaking.
Nikon D7200 DX-Format: A Mid-range Beast
What do we get once we take our Best DSLR Camera such as D7100, and add some of the modern features and upgrades on it? It is D7200 – a beast of a camera, especially for its range.
What’s in the Box?
The body only for the D7200 costs $978. There are kits available in various combos like:
- 18-140mm telephoto
- 18-55mm + 70-300mm
- Portrait & Prime lens – includes Nikkor 35mm DG 1.8
- Compact Zoom & Telephoto – includes Nikkor 70-200 mm f2.8E FL ED VR
- Travel & Landscape – includes Nikkor 10-20mm f4.5-5.6G VR
- Also available Amazon Basics Bundle with the cameras.
The Best DSLR Camera and Sensor
The camera is packed with Nikon 24.2 MP DX-format CMOS image sensor which produces images up to 4000 by 6000 pixels. There’s Expeed 4 image processor that is faster and better than its predecessors.
The crop-sensor doesn’t interfere in low-light performance; conversely, it has been tested to give an amazing high-ISO performance when there’s the requirement.
The NFC Feature: Wi-Fi and More
Nikon D7200 happened to be Nikon’s first DSLR with built-in NFC. What it means is that using Android 4.0 or above NFC compatible devices, you can establish a secure connection with the camera using Wi-Fi.
You can easily view or transfer images over the phone from the DSLR, or also, use the phone as a remote control instead of purchasing additional remote.
You can also frame better shots using phone, because the phone becomes your LCD when connected – like a tethering mode.
Better Buffer Size, Faster Continuous Shooting
Nikon D7200 can shoot up to 7 frames per second on JPEG and up to 6 frames per second on RAW. It is one frame per second higher.
The buffer size is much higher than the predecessor – with the possibility of 100 JPEG pictures instead of 50 on D7100, and 18 RAW pictures instead of 6 on D7100.
It truly is an upgrade with the ability to shoot continuous mode that can help catch extra important frames during sports or wildlife shoots.
The Focus System – Focus Even in Really Dim Situations
Even if you go as dim as -3E.V., the D7200 is equipped to be able to focus there. The advanced Multi-CAM 3500 II autofocus has 51 focus points to focus anywhere in the frame, with 15 cross-type focus points helping achieve difficult focusing results with ease.
While using teleconverters, one cross-AF type allows you to focus up to f8, which helps in bird and wildlife especially.
The Time-Lapse and Videos
Time-lapse feature on D7200 is in-built, and can help in easily creating time-lapse videos without the need of any external remote or intervalometers.
The HDMI connection allows you to share videos to external device while also saving it on internal memory card. There are options for using monoaural and stereo mics to record clear audio for the videos that can be shot up to 1080P at up to 60fps.
Nikon D7200 is everything a crop-frame sensor camera can achieve, and even more. The imaging features and the filmmaking features – both offer useful and modern upgrades, some of which are only found in premium cameras.
Canon 5D Mark IV: An Upgrade to One of the Best DSLR Camera
Canon 5D Mark III was one of the Best DSLR camera with photographers and filmmakers alike. An upgrade was rumored for over a year before it actually came out, and it truly lived up to the promise it held.
The Packaging
Canon 5D Mark IV body is priced at $3200, but there are regular Canon full-frame bundles available like the usual 24-105 f4 and 24-70 f2.8, while other options include adding a 16-35 mm for completing the kit for shooting both films and pictures. There’s also option of adding an accessory bundle, a storage bundle, or a speedlite bundle, depending on the usage.
The Sensor and Processor
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV features a 30.4 MP Full-frame CMOS Sensor that offers wide dynamic range for natural results. DIGIC 6+ processor is an upgraded version to suit the shooting requirements for the faster model to enable smooth shooting – be it pictures or the videos, and enabling the trademark Canon 5D quality at high ISOs and in difficult conditions.
The Auto-Focus Powered by New Technology
Canon’s Dual Pixel Auto-Focus, which is used in 5D Mark IV, has two photodiodes per pixel. This makes each pixel capable of phase difference autofocus, thereby delivering sharp and natural imagery that has been a trademark of the Canon 5D Mark IV line. Throughout 80% of the image plane, you can get fine autofocus imagery and videos, and also a smooth focus transition during auto-focus while filming. Canon’s AI Servo AF III for high-precision focus tracking, along with a 61-Point High Density Recticular AF that has an amazing 41 points as cross-type AF points.
The Filmmaking Experience: Truly Rewarding
Canon 5D Mark II was perhaps the earliest DSLRs to bring DSLR Filmmaking revolution, taken further by Canon 5D Mark III. The Mark IV takes it further with the introduction of 4K Videos at 30fps, and 60fps Full HD Videos – the couple of features missing from the arsenal of 5D Mark III. Touch focus, and smooth transition from one focus plane to another makes shooting videos with Mark IV a truly cinematic experience. An upgrade of Canon Log profile boosts dynamic range up to 800%, thereby creating more options for capturing data that can be color-corrected, processed, and graded with more creative freedom.
NFC Technology 7 and GPS3: The Wireless and Tagging Partners
NFC Technology 7 makes connection with compatible devices a breeze. Canon Camera Connect 2 App helps in connecting the camera to the phone making transfers and remote controls easier. Clubbing that with the GPS3 – which is one of the most accurate location tagging, and you can remotely send images with correctly tagged time and place stamp from anywhere in the world.
Canon 5D Mark IV, like its predecessors, continues to set benchmark in equipment build to be used by both filmmakers and photographers. The ergonomics were always a primary feature for Canon, and with each upgraded feature – it becomes even more meaningful to own a 5D Mark IV.
Sony Alpha A6000 – Old Beast, Still Relevant(Is Best DSLR Camera)?
Is Sony Alpha A6000 is Best DSLR Camera? Sony Alpha one of those revolutionary cameras that changed the way the beginner crop-sensor cameras were looked at, because it packed so much punch, being fast, having competitive features, and being amazingly light with the ability of using different lenses.
The Build and the Kit
The Sony Alpha A6000 is 468 grams camera with the kit lens and battery all included. The new 24.3MP EXMOR APS HD’CMOS sensor camera comes with a 16-50mm lens kit along with other bundle options including memory cards et al. The kit is priced competitively at around $600. The camera feels, like the NEX-6, extremely comfortable in the hands because of light weight and a small size, and continuous shooting isn’t likely to cause any wrist aches, like the DSLRs usually do.
World’s Fastest Autofocus
An ultra-fast focus is actually the world’s fastest autofocus system based on the hybrid model of phase detection and contrast detection. It has 179 phase-detection AF points along with 25 contrast-detection AF points. Together, they produce a focusing time of .06 seconds. Continuous shooting mode comes with 3 different modes. The first is Large JPEG, which can shoot 11.4 fps for 49 shots continuously. At 11.6 fps, a total of 22 RAW images can be recorded. At 11.5 fps, RAW+Fine JPEG settings, a total of 21 images can be recorded continuously.
The Lock-on focus to track subjects and shoot is activated on half-pressing the shutter button. There aren’t any controls on the persistence of camera tracking the subject, but you can always select the area to look in with the focus point selection tools. For videos, especially, the tracking option is more pronounced and provides consistent high quality results.
Video Features
The camera is capable of recording Full HD videos at 60 fps, 30 fps and 24 fps in AVCHD mode. It can shoot 30fps 1080P in MP4 codec (1440 x 1080). Dolby Digital Audio is supported, while the stereo audio can be recorded via internal microphone or external microphone. The Auto-ISO feature while shooting video in manual mode allows you to define the look of the video with shutter speed and aperture while the camera maintains the exposure using the sensitivity.
AF-C or continuous Autofocus is available for shooting, as also the manual focus mode where three modes of focus peaking allow you to keep the subjects fairly in focus. Autofocus can be set to subject tracking, and it can be controlled persistently the subject is to be tracked.
Additional Features
Wi-Fi and NFC are a couple of features that empower the photographers and cinematographers in this consumer level equipment. There’s also a USB charging option, which is convenient and improves the opportunity of charging while on the go. The small body isn’t ergonomically awkward, but the controls are delightfully placed to optimize shooting.
The image quality of the Alpha A6000 is brilliant, and the results are sharper. Videos are especially splendid at this price point, and the video controls are phenomenal. This little piece of equipment is worth it, especially if you have a more hybrid use of both photos and videos.
Canon EOS Rebel T7i: A Complete Best DSLR Camera at a Low Cost
Canon Rebel series Is Best DSLR Camera? Canon rebel has been aggressively presented by Canon since the beginning, right from Rebel T2i, which brought Full HD videos in a crop-frame camera in the market. Rebel T7i is an extension of a fantastic imaging experience in crop-sensor cameras – providing for both the budding photographers and filmmakers a tool that allows more than it costs.
What’s in the Kit?
Canon is selling the Rebel T7i, also called EOS 800D, is a 24MP APS-C CMOS Sensor with a complete kit including 18-55 STM lens (which is quieter, faster, and better than the earlier non-STM versions), bag, memory card, and filters. The kit lens offers a 4 stop Image Stabilization which is not common for a beginner kit lens. You can buy only the body and kit lens too. The kit, priced at $899, works in the easier way for the beginner or casual family photographers, but also works in an advanced manner if you wish to take control of the features.
The Simplified Functions
Rebel T7i can shoot Full HD videos at 60fps, which even the much loved Canon 5D Mark III doesn’t do. Add to that the touch screen interface of its vari-angle 3″ 1.04 million dots LCD. It not only makes it easier for shooting for the beginners and casual photographers, it also helps in having them track the subjects on the live-view, without worrying about the technicalities. The DIGIC 7 Image Processor helps in keeping operations simple and fast.
The ability to transfer images via Bluetooth, NFC, and Wi-Fi is another feature that would be loved by the casual photographers who simply want to shoot and share the images without falling into the intricacies of post-processing. The fact that the camera produces brilliant images right off the camera because it is optimized for simple usage makes this an even more casual photographer friendly camera.
The Focusing: A Marvel
The 800D offers 45 cross-type AF points which isn’t common for a mid-range Best DSLR Camera. The AF points are phase-detect AF points, and are capable of delivering easy focusing modes both in viewfinder as well as the LCD. Touch-focus for both pictures and videos is a feature that is also rare in the range. It uses Canon’s own Dual-pixel AF system that improves focusing even in low-light situations. The focus tracking is also possible, and when coupled with a 6fps shooting speed for burst mode, it is an ideal camera to capture action without missing a beat.
The ISO and Dynamic Range
T7i has improved both its dynamic range and high-ISO performance over its predecessor. The performance of the camera is very similar to Canon 77D. The ISO range is between 100-256000, and expandable up to 512000.
Canon Rebel series is the most sold camera series across the globe, and the reason is in its name. it offers something more than the starter cameras, and often fuses the features of top-end cameras at an affordable price range.
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II: The High-Speed Equipment(Best Dslr Camera)?
Is This Best DSLR camera? Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II isn’t merely an upgrade over the Mark I from the same series – it is like a completely new and advanced camera that is capable of really fast shooting while it also provides great professional features for a mirrorless body.
The Camera and the Kit
The 20.4 Megapixel Live MOS Sensor camera is a four-third sensor mirrorless camera with features usually found in high-end cameras. The body only is available at $1699, with various kit lens options like 12-100mm, 12-40mm, 14-150mm II, or a 300mm lens. The Truepic VIII Dual Quad Core Image Processor is one of the finest from the manufacturer.
The Focusing Speed and Burst Mode
The focus system constitutes 121 point all cross-type focus points. For a mirrorless four-thirds camera, it is rare. Add to that the ability to continuously track and shoot moving subjects at 18fps in live view mode. The RAW buffer is 77 images, which increases to 105 while shooting JPEG. The mechanical shutter can shoot at up to 10fps, with a 148 image RAW buffer, and JPEGs devoid of any limit while shooting.
The Pro-Capture mode lets you keep not only the images that you clicked when you hit the shutter, but 14 previous images when the shutter was half-pressed to focus in the burst mode shooting. This is one of feature that can really take the action and wildlife photography to new levels in the hands of a knowledgeable photographer.
The In-built Stabilization
The in-built five-axis image sensor stabilization system is measured to provide 5.5 stops of stabilization. Combine it with some pro Olympus lenses that offer lens stabilization, and you may be able to take a one-second exposure handheld (although the movements may create artifacts as stabilization doesn’t work well with subjects moving in frame).
The 4K Videos and Other Features
You can shoot 4K videos in Olympus E-M1 Mark II at 30fps. The 2160P resolution produces data at the rate of 102 Mbps or 237 Mbps depending on codec. You can shoot 60fps at 1080P resolution. With external records, you can record uncompressed video using the HDMI output.
Some of the additional features of this feature-rich camera are focus stacking and bracketing being in-built. The camera can stack up to 8 images, processing it in-camera. The Live-bulb and Live Composite modes are tools that can power up night-time photography to new levels with an ability to create star-trails in-camera. A 50MP composite is created in High Res Shot Mode – where the camera captures 8 images within a second, nullifying the image blur by subject movement. The Live MOS sensor helps in capturing distortion-free images of moving subjects.
The Olympus E-M1 Mark II is a lightweight camera that is also weather-sealed. The manufacturer’s claim it to be dustproof, splashproof, and freezeproof (up to -10 degrees Celcius). This product deserves to be treated with respect because it is one of the most feature-rich mirrorless cameras packed in small size.
Nikon D5300: The Perfect Beginner Best DSLR Camera
Is Nikon D5300 Best DSLR Camera using For the Photography ? Nikon D5300 provides the perfect beginner DSLR for anyone interested in photography and a knack for videos, and looking to explore it further. The camera is a beautiful amalgamation of some of the finest features, along with some pro features too, like WiFi and GPS.
Low on Price, High on Features
Nikon D5300 with 18-55 kit lens is available at $491 on amazon. It is a 24MP DX-format CMOS sensor camera lacking an optical no-pass filter. It is also available with extended kit of 18-55 and 55-300, 55-200, and 18-140mm at various add-on prices. It is a crop-frame camera (Nikon F-mount), which a crop factor of 1.5. The best DSLR camera features the improved new Expeed processor that makes it above the previous D5200, with whom the model shares the sensor.
3D Tracking Focus
One of the biggest features, which are rare for entry-level DSLRs, is the 3D tracking it provides. Not only does it work in better action shots, but also works in providing live focus tracking in videos. The 39 point AF system with 9 cross-type focal points provides for sharper imaging, and quicker and finer autofocus than the predecessor. 2016 pixel RGB sensor is used to 3D track images and follows them across the frame to help in finer videos and photos production with consistent focus.
Smart Video Features
A Full HD video feature at 60fps, 30fps, and 24fps ensures that there’s a slow-motion footage possibility at full HD, which even many of the full-frame cameras lacks. This is an additional tool in the arsenal of filmmakers and cinematographers apart from the amazing 3D tracking feature. The availability of in-built stereo, microphone is an add-on that goes farther in helping the filmmakers in capturing the live sound in-camera.
Tilt-able Smart LCD
Smart LCD that can be tilted at various levels makes it easier take difficult angles. You can now shoot from above your shoulders or low-angle shots. without having to climb unnecessarily or get really low in some tricky situations. The 3.2″ vari-angle LCD has 1,037, 000 dots. It is using LCD only that you can get the focus tracking feature.
WiFi and GPS
Built-in WiFi allows greater control of the camera via remote control on smartphone apps. It not only works as a remote, but also allows the camera to be controlled for time-lapse and hyper-lapse etc, for which earlier, there was a requirement of an intervalometer. Then, there’s also this remote-sharing feature, which helps in transferring files easily, and even viewing it over the smartphone. GPS feature helps in geo-tagging photos, which is a brilliant feature to get the best out of an entry-level camera.
Shoot RAW & RAW+JPEG
The camera can shoot RAW and RAW + JPEG. Continuous shooting at JPEG at 5 frames/second and at RAW at 4 frames/second. Can help in action photography when you need to shoot multiple frames per second.
Nikon D5300 is a dream-camera in the segment with focus tracking, WiFi, GPS, and a processor that’s faster than the predecessor. At this price range, it is definitely worth buying.
Panasonic Lumix DMC G-85 – a Four Thirds Wonder(Best DSLR Camera)?
Panasonic Lumix series is Best DSLR Camera using For the Photography?Panasonic Lumix series has come a long way, and now they are producing mirrorless cameras with interchangeable lens choices. Panasonic Lumix G-85 is one such offering that is complete in respects of the build and features list. And rides high purely because the manufacturer has given due preference to the ergonomics while not losing out in the race of features.
The Kit
The G-85 kit is available at $799, and consists of 12-60mm Lens along with memory card, backpack, tripod, flash, and tele and wide lens kit. What it means is that for what you pay – you get a system that is ready to start shooting both photos and videos. The G85 front, as opposed to G7’s plastic, is magnesium alloy. It provides further stability, while also numbing down the sound of the mechanical shutter in the unofficial predecessor, the G7.
G85 – the Budget Filmmaker’s Friend
At the cost that it comes, the Panasonic Lumix G-85 is capable of shooting 4K videos at 24fps, whole also providing a Full HD shooting option at 60 fps – thereby adding an additional ability to create slow-motion. Focus peaking and zebra highlight warnings help immensely in creating professional level videos. Microphone level adjustment is available with the ability to use external microphone – although the microphone jack isn’t ergonomics friendly.
Gamma D profile isn’t a log profile but provides a flatter output that result in more versatility for post-processing. Cinelike V profile gives ready-to-use videos with lesser options while editing and correcting. Rack focusing and touch focusing make focusing a breeze, which can be reviewed fairly easily. It might struggle at some places because it is essentially contrast detection AF system.
AutoFocus and Tracking
A 49-point contrast detection AF is present in the camera along with Panasonic’s Depth from Defocus technology – which works only with Panasonic lenses. DFD works by the lenses understanding how out-of-focus subjects appear in front or behind the focus plane, helping quick focus drive movement while focusing.
You can shoot 6 fps in live-shooting with focus tracking – similar to GX85. The subject tracking is consistent and good. There’s face tracking, in which the viewfinder displays a yellow box around the detected face. Once you touch it, and it turns green on focus confirmation. If the eyes are detected, they are displayed as a cross-hair within the box. The problem comes when there are more than one faces in the frame, and the camera tends to bias towards the faces in front. You need to turn to subject tracking to work smoothly there.
Raw Performance of G85 is boosted by the removal of AA filter – which gives it more punch. The high ISO performance is also better than the contemporaries, especially at this price point. The camera can produce fairly distinguishable results at ISO 1600 – especially for a Four-Thirds. There’s also a 5-stop image stabilization system built-in the system.
Panasonic Lumix G85 is a budget camera that is high of features and performance, especially if it is considered for its filmmaking potential.