hq

[quote author=Andrew Reid - EOSHD link=topic=463.msg2927#msg2927 date=1332625656] $3000 Nikon D800 thrashes flagship $6000 Nikon D4 for video [/quote] Of course it does. Even Nikon's own D4 Product Tour video (@ 0:28s) [url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vP1x2DbS55E#ws]Nikon D4 Product Tour[/url] shows a [url=http://jimbrandenburg.blogspot.com/2012/02/nikon-professional-insights-with-jim.html]D800 image[/url] on its LCD when introducing the D4 video capabilities! The D800 image can be found on [url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/nikonphotostream/6834885055/#in/photostream]"I Am Nikon" Flickr Stream[/url]. You may [url=http://img1.focus-numerique.com/focus/news/Jim_Brandenburg.jpg]download the full resolution D800 image (with EXIF)[/url]. Courtesy of [url=http://www.focus-numerique.com/nikon-d800-24x36-36-3-mpx-4-vps-video-hdtv-1080p-2900-euros-news-3067.html]Focus Numerique[/url].

[quote author=Sara link=topic=405.msg2643#msg2643 date=1332095950] Basically says the Ninja can collect 10 bit color - but doesn't specifically say that it will, when plugged into a Nikon D4. [/quote] I contacted Atomos for clarification, and their response was: [i]"Atomos Ninja record as 4:2:2 10bit Apple Pro-Res"[/i] which doesn't necessarily mean the Nikon D4/D800 will output 10-bit.

Thanks Andrew for the nice summary. This is my first post, and I'm a complete newbie to Video on DSLR. I have few questions that I hope members can answer or point me in the right direction. [list type=decimal] [*]It's clear from the definition that I-frame compression (also referred to as intra-frame or ALL-I) is superior to B-frame compression (inter-frame or IPB). But my question is how much better? Is it the same as RAW vs. JPEG? [*]In your review, you mentioned "[i]D800 is doing a very bad job of downscaling to 1080p, since there’s moire on the sample videos[/i]" but you also contradict yourself by stating that non [Canon/Nikon] have uploaded full 1080p files, so it's difficult to judge - could the artifacts be from further compression for the "Web"? [*]You mentioned the 5D has an amazing 91Mbit All-I, while I couldn't verify that, the specs mention "Variable (averaged) bit rate", so is 91Mbit the highest? [EDIT: Ok, I get it. [url=http://usa.canon.com/cusa/consumer/products/cameras/slr_cameras/eos_5d_mark_iii#Specifications]635MB/s[/url] = 91.33Mbps.] [*]D800 specs mention: [i]"Video compression: uses B-frame  1080p Full HD video at 30p in H.264/MPEG-4 AVC format with [b]unmatched moving image integrity[/b]"[/i] - I take it that's marketing fluff? [*]The fine print in the [url=http://chsvimg.nikon.com/lineup/dslr/d800/pdf/d800_28p.pdf]D800 Brochure[/url] (page 17) says: "[i]*When video is output through HDMI interface simultaneously with recording to a CF/SD card, output image through HDMI interface will be smaller than 1,280 x 720.[/i]" - does that mean you cannot record AND output Full/Standard HD simultaneously? Do they also expect that those with an HDMI recorder will remove the CF/SD memory card from the camera before recording? I don't see how else you can start to shoot video without recording. [*]Some websites claim that D800's uncompressed HDMI output is 8 bit, 4:2:2 - though no Nikon evidence to support that claim (yet?) [*]How important is SMPTE timecode support (which the D800 does not support). Especially in light of software solutions (such as [url=http://www.singularsoftware.com/dualeyes.html]DualEyes[/url]) that solves(?) the sync video/audio sync problem? [*]The 5D Mark III allows you to trim in 1s increments at the start/end of videos - wouldn't most people do that in post? [*]You failed to mention that the 5D Mark III features a touch-sensitive rear dial - this could be a huge advantage while recording video to minimize unwanted camera movement. [*]The 5D Mark III has a buffer capacity that allows 16,000 JPEGs to be recorded in burst. The D800 is limited to about ~100. While no one needs more than a 100, I'm sure some creatives will find a way to utilize the higher capacity. [*]The 5D Mark III has an HDR mode which auto-aligns shots! So HDR can be shot hand-held! The camera also saves the original files (obviously) in addition to the HDR output. [*]The D800 has a Time-lapse feature which creates a movie at the end of the sequence, but it DISCARDS the original files afterwards. However, if you shoot at Full Resolution with the built-in intervalometer, you could potentially create Time-lapse movies that are near 8K / UHDTV. (I'm not sure why Canon does not even include a simple built-in intervalometer in camera.) [/list] Thanks! -hq