Django

UM has a faster processor allowing higher FPS, more codecs and the new OS which will be a game changer for BM cams.. hence i'd strongly suggest UM over BMPC4K.

FWIW i did get a chance to try the LS300 and sadly it was a rather immediate no-go due to build quality / ergonomics. this thing is extremely plasticky, the buttons, display monitor etc feel insanely toy cheap, like they would break if you applied force. the "palmcorder" handling was also very awkward and strenuous after even only few minutes. IMO JVC really dropped the ball on that aspect. every thing else may be great about it but that was a huge deal breaker for me. i tried a FS5 right after it and it was night & day difference as far as build/handling. i would seriously not pull trigger on the JVC before trying it unless rock solid return policy! imo FS5 is definitely worth the extra cash especially with the latest update.

Image wise FS700 is definitely up to 2016 standard.. especially with external 4K / Raw upgrade. along with S&Q it's still very relevant and in use in many commercial projects. Now obviously FS5/7 replace it and as others mention the new compact form factor of these makes the FS700 feel/appear like a dinosaur. Like most here i come from DSLR and even though i want to now jump to a proper pro a-cam for my growing needs, i'm reluctant to even go the Ursa mini route (even though i love the IQ/codec to price ratio) or any other V-mount cam. C100/FS5 form factor is what i'm looking for but the codecs on those i what is making me wait. I feel/hope that within a year either a DSLR will give us internal 10-bit / strong codec / raw or that the next sony/canon/BM cam will be the one.. right now too many compromises (although FS5 with latest update gets very close to ticking all boxes)

lol @ MF vs AF.. FWIW here is what Philip Bloom had to say about Canon's DPAF: http://www.youtube.com/v/98fwWKXDGqc

don't forget sony is planning to buzzkill 5D4/GH5 at launch with their new professional A9 series which will sport DSLR form factor: http://petapixel.com/2016/04/07/sony-a9-dslr-like-camera-unlimited-raw-burst-report/ http://www.sonyalpharumors.com/sr5-bomb-rumor-first-a9-specs-dual-xqd-card-slot-unlimited-raw-burst/ on the stills side latest rumours say 72MP, unlimited raw burst, dual XQDs.. now if on the video side they manage 10-bit 422, strong codec, raw output that would be a killer cam!

these specs have been rumoured for months and come to no surprise. actually as soon as the 1DX II specs were confirmed we had a pretty good idea what the mk4 would be like. i'm sure it'll have DPAF, Canon don't renew often and the 5D is in dire need of a refresh, besides even the amateur 70/80D got it. C-log not a chance, C line only. ML raw, even more unlikely, Canon killed the hack install on latest 5d3 batches. I'd be happy if they at least put in peaking or zebras but i highly doubt that (even if Nikon added it to latest DSLRS) Canon seem less interested in competing with others then they are at not competing against themselves (and the pricey C line) almost the opposite strategy of Sony (which consumer A7 line sometimes trump FS series)

Most 16mm and film Bolexes had built-in viewfinders.. i think it would have been cool and coherent to have a built-in EVF instead of the poor display but hey it is what it is (and better then nothing indeed!).. maybe on their next camera (hopefully S35). FWIW i think they're a great company with a think different approach. I really miss high-end CCD, triple sensors etc.. although I know why the market ran with CMOS. Sadly i think DB are the only ones looking back (towards golden age) when everyone else is trying to leapfrog each other and often failing at the most basic of requirements..

^ right.. but if you add a zacuto (or atomos) you already got false color etc.. so i don't really get the point of having it on-board if not for the benefit of use on the internal (crappy) display?

Beautiful footage out of this cam (Kodak CCD for the win) and it's great to see such good on-going support/development but there is one gripe I had with the DB16 when I tried it was it's LCD, one of the poorest in terms of resolution/IQ, short of useless for any type of serious feedback. So I'm a bit surprised by the new inclusions although I assume they're mainly for external monitoring (which feels a little lame on this type of camera for some reason)?

^ agreed. yea 10-bit prores 4K would be fine for me too.. but in that case wouldn't an atomos assassin suffice? or will only the shogun/inferno tunnel that upgraded 4K output?

Auto-ND seems cool... need to see more creative examples of it. any word on the RAW output bitrate (8/10/12?)

the codec definitely is an important variable.. and the FS5 & AS7II differ on that as well... interesting you guys mention C100.. i love the ergonomics of that cam and the mk1 is real affordable right now.. the only thing keeping me away is that 24mb/s codec.. yet i've seen some stunning footage out of it. i wonder if it's the fact that it's a 4K sensor downsampling to 1080p, meaning perhaps it's actually got more info then you're standard 8-bit 420 DSLR vid... but out of camera image is one thing, how about gradability on that "shitty AVCHD"? if the image falls apart quickly then that's a deal breaker for me..

^ FS5 shoots 4K at 8-bit 420 (same as A7SII) but I agree it would have been cool and very easy to compare both cameras 4K downsampled to 1080p.. but that wasn't the main goal I guess, just to show that 4K 8-bit downsampled bids well against 10-bit 422 1080p.. and in that I think he succeeds proving something I wasn't aware of. The whole 10-bit 422 1080p advantage of such cameras as FS5 seems more like a sales pitch to me now. I'm still interested in the FS5 for other reasons but it's twice as expensive price tag doesn't seem that justified, especially as far as IQ imo..

nevermind

Just saw this video from Dugdale and thought the conclusions were interesting: https://youtu.be/rz_ZjdwtUQ8 I'm in the market for a new camera atm but is the FS5 really worth almost double the price of A7 Sii/Rii considering these findings?

Relax.. never said you had a problem with any religious group.. I was just explaining to you why they close and it's a valid reason considering they're background, hence I don't understand why it should even be brought up as an issue (especially since you seem well aware of it). As i suspected it appears you goofed and are blaming them for getting what you consider late shipping.. anyways B&H / online purchasing is certainly not flawless but i feel this rant is a bit unwarranted.. feel free to disagree.. i'm out of this thread

not to beat a dead horse but you were the one ranting about their "super strict religious policy which make them close many weeks per year due to Jewish holidays". sounds like you do have a problem with that.. but again if this annoys you shop elsewhere. in their defence they do a fairly good job in notifying their closing periods. +1 on adorama. called them few days ago for product availability.. guy couldn't give me an ETA but insisted pre-ordering was my best option.. needless to say i took my business elsewhere..

Thanks for the honest rundown! I've actually had a chance to try out in store all the cameras i mentioned and have come to similar conclusion: FS5 is the one! I do have a few questions/concerns though.. first the codec.. no all-i does suck.. could you expand further on why it's a good/bad thing? i know it's only 8-bit 420 in 4K (will SDI out give you better?) but i'm more interested in the 10-bit 422 HD. I keep hearing XAVC-L needs a beefy computer..? I'm also not familiar with the workflow of these Sony codecs.. I read you need to use a Sony app to extract/transcode the files if you wanna preview on mac? that extra step sounds annoying.. also about S&Q... still can't figure out how exactly that works.. is it possible to record at let's say 24p and then trigger (super) slow-mo when the action happens with the button combo? i heard super slow-mo records file to a 8 sec max buffer? a bit confused by that..

LOL i take it OP's never been to the brick & mortar store .. FYI, the staff isn't regular type Jewish.. they're mega orthodox Hasidic (basically Amish level Jewish). Staff actually live in a reserve in NJ and have a special bus bring them into work every AM! May come as a surprise to many but strict Jewish observances is fairly common among NYC businesses.. The upside I guess is they remain open on Christian holidays. Regardless ton of other super stores out there, if this causes such grievance. Not sure about the moderation part either , the URSA mini reviews totally rip it to parts calling it horrible, flawed, etc.. if anything i'd say it's a good place to go if not just for the honest user gear reviews!

just read your "evolving review" http://www.gunpowdervideo.com/2016/04/09/the-jvc-ls300-is-it-the-ultimate-video-camera-evolving-review/ answers some of the questions above. would be awesome if you could re-upload the ungraded test footage (link seems to have expired) also looking forward to your report on the gamma/picture profiles as well as WDR & custom settings. this camera is looking more and more fantastic the more i look into it!

Thanks Mattias for putting this camera on my radar.. wasn't even aware of it's existence before you're 5 reasons to buy vid.. I'm in the market for a new camera.. and am hesitating between FS5, Ursa mini & LS300. I know you own several cams including BMCC & Red One which you probably use for more filmic projects and the LS for this type of run & gun documentary stuff. But if like me you could only afford one cam for both types of work, do you think the LS could fit the bill? I'm currently using a D750 with AIS Nikkors ( btw you're videos about the D750 factored in that choice) but I want a proper video cam now and looking ahead that can do 4K. I've shot Black Magics (BMCC with speedbooster & Ursa Mini 4.6K) and the IQ & Raw blows me away. I guess my question is how do you find the LS300 sits as far as IQ & gradability? also how are the video assist with latest firmware? has it got false color etc? Have you been able to check low-light situations and if it quickly gets noisy or has any FPN? Feature-wise it ticks many boxes for me (S35, MFT, XLR, 4K, VSM etc..) and comes ready to shoot at a competitive price. Oh one more thing, how about handling & menu diving? i heard overcranking and stuff is a little convoluted..? Thanks for any feedback on these concerns.

Hey folks, longtime lurker here.. I'm in the market for a new camera.. like many video/film folks i got a feeling there is a strong shift away from DSLRs (and even mirrorless) back to proper camcorders as the features/form factors are getting better and the prices coming down. But there still aren't that many options under $5K for my requirements.. FWIW i'm coming from a 5DIII and now D750 with manual lens background (which i'm still planning to keep for lowlight / B-cam / FF look and stills obviously). Having recently done a few shoots with a BMPC4K & URSA, BM has really opened me up to what kind of IQ and post/grading is possible with +12 DR, 10-bit 422/444/RAW on s35 sensor. Amazing night & day difference. Plus I'm in desperate need of video assist features. URSA mini with the new OS looks amazing. Only thing holding me back is their cams have so many quirks/issues aside from the fact they are more cine cam oriented and hence not the most versatile especially for a one man band such as myself (doable but just not ideal). I mainly shoot indoor/studio interviews/docus/corporate gigs with recurrent artsy cine/docu series (where i'll usually rent/hire gear/DOP) and very occasional wedding/big event. So yeah I'm basically all over the place but whatever the case, once you get a touch of that RAW or really high ProRes 4K (even 1080 downgraded) IQ it is really really hard to be satisfied with crappy 8-bit 420 compressed DSLR IQ. I have also tried the A7S2 and although very impressive for a mirrorless, I hate the ergonomics and overheating is a no-go. Proper XLR audio is also a major factor. DSLR/Mirrorless audio is a nightmare and syncing in post is a PITA for most gigs. So yeah, I want a proper pro video cam! the step up would be FS5 which is still 8-bit 420/422 but manages excellent IQ, E-mount means i can easily use my Nikkor glass and it just seems a workhorse, C100 mk1/2 love the form factor and assist features but no 4K and just slightly above 5DIII as far as IQ. doesn't seem like a really smart investment in 2016. JVC LS300. now i just found out about this cam, it has crazy cool features for lens junkies and it ticks many boxes.. just not sure yet on the IQ (seems kinda too video-ish ungraded), assist features and EVF seem weak. and can't get over the palmcorder ergonomics (silly i know) and heard JVC has terrible support.. and then the aforementioned BM URSA mini (4K as 4.6K has too many issues imo) downside for the 4K model being native 400ISO, no ND's (although i don't shoot outdoors much), CFAST only & rather bulky.. I know there is no perfect camera and I apologise for bringing yet another what cam should i buy thread but you know it's a big investment and no return/rental possibilities in my area/country atm

It isn't really a mystery why no peaking / canon log in Canon DSLR's & you know the answer already: EOS C line. Canon just has to build a distinction between their DSLR & Camcorder lines or at least they feel so, hence certain omissions. 1DC was sort of an experiment.. Canon giving filmmakers some of what they want in a DSLR form factor. Doubt that'll happen again. My prediction for the 5D IV: 4K/60FPs & dual pixel AF. Maybe a bump in DR with the new sensor. That'll make plenty of people happy. For peaking etc people will have to use an external monitor/recorder which is mandatory anyways to squeeze out the best out of the crappy 8bit 420... or install Magic Lantern. But don't expect Canon to give you any kind of video assist or stuff like that, they still view DSRL's as primarily stills camera with video capabilities, but for serious pro video/film making they want you to fork out for the C line. Personally, i'm more curious about what a C100 mk3 would look like (with 4K, 10-bit 422 etc.. now that would get me hyped) I'm sort of done with DSLR's and their lack of advanced pro video/film features (when an iPhone can do 4K & 120/240 slowmo.. resolution & FPS just isn't enough in a pro body)