crevice

I have conducted a bunch of tests comparing shots between the XT-3 and the Pocket 4k, which unfortunately I can't share because they are of my wife and she won't let me post them online. I will see if I can do some shots of other folks whom are comfortable having video of them shared online. But for now I can give a bit of insight with my findings. The highlight retention/roll off of the Pocket 4k is miles ahead of the XT-3. Having the ability to have RAW, is also miles ahead of the XT-3. Both of these are obvious to me and I pretty much knew them going in. I think we all knew this. The colors straight out of the camera, again, blackmagic wins. So is the obvious choice the Blackmagic Pocket 4k? No. Keep reading...

After all that, the combination of a more organic/slightly softer looking image and much MUCH smoother motion cadence of the Fuji XT-3, make it look more cinematic, with less work. When both cameras are out of harsh light, I prefer the video of the XT-3. Just the way the movement looks is immediately apparent and almost jarring. I know a lot has been talked about whether the pocket 4k is the same sensor of the GH5 or not, personally I am not here to say it is or it isn't, but the actual movement (motion cadence) reminded me of my old GH5. You can soften the video all you want, add grain, but tweaking motion cadence is not an easy thing. So I really value the way the motion looks.

With both arguments out there, I still don't see it as a clear choice for the XT-3 or Pocket 4k, unless you start factoring what you want out of it. If you do gimbal work, the XT-3 is hands down a better choice with its great auto focus. If you need RAW, then you don't even need to read or bother with your choice and I am not sure why you even read this far, the Pocket 4k is your choice. Screen on the pocket 4k is amazing, fujis is small and harder to use. But, you can use a small Ninja on the Fuji and record prores. With the Pocket 4k, unless you are using CFAST, you will need to mount an SSD on a cage. So with either one, chances are you will have either an ssd or monitor on top of it.  I prefer having a monitor on top, because thats an added bonus of easier to focus and choose angles.

Here is where I stand. I shoot video and do photography, pretty much 50/50. The specs of the pocket 4k blow my mind. They are amazing. But, for what I do, I am not sure if its worth having 2 cameras, 1 for photography and 1 for video, which means more gear I need to carry - as opposed to just my Fuji to do both.I bought the pocket 4k to see if it would blow my mind. It has impressed me, but has not blown my mind. I lose some, no RAW, not as great of a color science, and far better codecs. But, I also gain some with the Fuji, smaller body, easier to balance on gimbal, autofocus for gimbals, and no need to lug around 2 cameras and more lenses for each system. This last argument is whats making it harder to just keep both. The fuji regardless is staying, because its my main photography camera. Its a keep the fuji or keep both choice for me.

I am going to do more tests once the sun goes down a bit and see how they fair outside of the harsh light I tested today. Right now, I am leaning toward sending the pocket 4k back, just to simplify things. When I have too much gear , over stimulated/whelmed with choices - I end up NOT being creative. This is why I have always liked hybrids as a photographer, the camera is always on you and ready to shoot video when you need.

Decisions, Decisions...

I am open to answering any questions on either camera.

I bought the XT-3 recently and then today randomly found a pocket 4k in stock, so I said why not try em both! The XT-3 is my photography camera as well, so its here to stay. The pocket 4k is in a weird spot. I have been eyeing it since April and the initial footage didn't impress me, but in the last week or so there has been some better footage.  I am going to test out the pocket 4k and see if it has a place in my setup as well. I do like the idea of a separate camera for just video, that I can keep in cage, partially rigged up, etc.

Financially speaking, I am invested in Fuji for the future, which feels good, because I really like what they are doing and I like their future. I plan on testing both cameras this weekend, grading them, trying similar shots to see how they look, see how they both handle, etc. and then make my decision if I will even bother keeping the pocket 4k. Everything for the pocket 4k is returnable, including the lenses (bought from amazon today) so it will be a simple few clicks of a button to go back to only Fuji.

6 minutes ago, androidlad said:

Pretty impressive except for the harsh blownout highlights outside the car window, most camera will struggle with this so from a production standpoint, they could have put a sheet of ND gel over the window to bring the highlights down a bit.

From the youtube description it sounds like this was simply a test of the camera, so they probably didn't put much into it. ND gel would have been a good idea though. I might actually look into some myself. 

Some more impressive footage here :

1 hour ago, thebrothersthre3 said:

Canon has really pleasing color science, Panasonic doesn't have that. The 10 bit codec on the GH5 and S is definitely more robust. Most people aren't that good at color grading though. Having nice colors out of he box is easy. Fuji has nice colors though which is another reason I'm buying it. Banding is another issue for log profiles that 10 bit handles much better then 8 bit. Not everyone needs log but it definitely gives you more dynamic range. 

Yes - colors and how the image looks are so much more important than specs. I used a canon c200 which used an 8 bit codec when recording mp4 and the 8 bit codec looked better than most cameras. In deciding which camera I want, the thing I kept going back to was color and feel and so far all the footage I have seen with the xt-3 looks better than the pocket 4k, GH5/s, or any Sony series camera. Add the fact that it takes great stills as well and THAT is the reason why I am contemplating selling my Sony gear. Specs are specs, but how does the footage look, is whats important to me. 

5 minutes ago, padam said:

With the Sony it can even hit 3 hours (but certainly 2.5 hours), that is a big difference. Although it can overheat in the meantime in FF 4k mode.

Sony has some small lenses are well like the 28/2 (optional converter) 35/2.8 55/1.8 85/1.8, the 24-70/4 OSS is also good enough for video use, but they need to fill out some more holes in their lens line-up rather than producing biggest and most expensive glass.

Fuji has a better lineup of small prime lenses, but some of them are not optimised for video AF , and they also don't have any image stabilisation (or the standard zoom being not constant F-stop)

All good points. The one good thing is that I definitely know what to expect from Sony. I have used them for video for several years now. For me, though i can get as technical as the next person, it comes down to look.  Maybe its a small sample size, but so far, I simply like the way the footage looks on the XT-3 more than the BMPCC4K and the Sony A7III. I don't know, maybe when the BMPCC4K gets in more hands it will truly shine? But there are actually a lot of videos released for it and not 1 single one has really blew me away. 

24 minutes ago, thebrothersthre3 said:

Why switch to Fuji if you are happy with Sony tho? 

ISO seems to be the big step down if you switch to Fuji. Also no IBIS, though I don't really know how useful Sony IBIS is in video. 

I've found dynamic range on the XT2 to be beyond good, but I've never used a full frame sony to compare it with. 

I am not happy with the video side of things from Sony, in fact that’s an under statement. I don’t like the colors,and I hate working with Slog in 8 bit. That is why I wanted to go pocket 4k for video to accompany the Sony. Then I saw pocket 4 footage and though nice it was “meh”. This is when I started looking at the Fuji and was wondering if maybe Fuji could be my 1 stop shop for photos and video, allowing me to just use 1 body while saving me a sginicifcant amount of money (pocketing me about 4 grand). I should have explained that to begin with

In consluson - choices are spend more money and have 2 cameras, 1 for photos (Sony) and 1 for video (bmpcc4k) or have a single hybrid while saving money. My questions was more aimed at if any of you think the Fuji can go toe to toe with the pocket 4k visually, since I know pocket has it beat in codecs, and if the Fuji can go toe to toe with Sony visually. If it matches both or gets really close - than I hope you all see my point in the question  

50 minutes ago, padam said:

While that's certainly fun, it's worth noting that you are severely limiting yourself by not getting fully accustomed to one tool (while also spending money that you could buy lenses, tripods, whatever)

There is probably lot more in your current gear already, that you haven't even put to good use.

Padam - I have everything I need as far as tripods, etcs. I think if you read my post you’d see that selling Sony and switching to Fuji would put $4,000 back in my pocket. Been shooting Sony A7 since the original A7s, had the A7s, a7s2, a7r2, and now the a73. Very familiar with it. But again, I appreciate your and everyone’s opinion and that’s why I asked this to begin with.

I think I was hoping for more answers on the technical merits or downsides. 

14 minutes ago, heart0less said:

Just stop looking for a 'better camera'.

There will always be a new one, just around the corner with better specs, etc.

You've already got one of the best consumer cameras available.

Go and enjoy it.

Won’t happen. Some will lie and give you an answer on how they agree and want a camera that can last them for years and years, etc. Not me! I don’t mind selling bodies or lenses and exploring, I have no horse in this race, don’t get paid for it, and love technology. It’s a hobby and regardless of the gear - I still go out and shoot. Not saying you are wrong by any means - in fact you’re right. But I love this arms race, shit, I might switch another 5 times for all I know. I know, it sounds ridiculous, but I like gear and exploring. 

I am in a dilemma. I currently have a Sony A7III and blackmagic pocket 4k on preorder. I have not been blown away by the pocket 4k footage. The specs are great, but so far the footage I have seen seems very similar to the GH5, which doesn’t do it for me. Where the XT-3 footage has looked great and has a less sterile look to my eyes. I shoot photos and videos for what it’s worth  

I am contemplating selling all my Sony gear, canceling pocket 4k preorder, and buying an XT-3 with 4 lenses. I would use it as a hybrid camera. I am a hobbyist that does no paid work. But, leaving full frame scares me, though shooting with Fujifilm seems more “fun”, for lack of a better word. The look of the body, film simulation, and lenses are what draws me. 

I would love to hear any opinions on my first world problem. Also, just for the sake of it also being a huge pro for going Fuji - if I sold my Sony gear - canceled  pocket 4 - and still bought an xt-3 with lenses, I would still get back almost $4,000, since my Sony camera and lenses net me back a lot of money. So yes, money plays a factor here as well. 

It's funny you say that, because I was just watching a video on vimeo and I was like damn this looks good. Went into the comment section and to my amazement the guy who made the movie mentions that turns PP off and leaves everything at stock settings. Here is the video: