Download RAW stills (Arri LogC, Panasonic V-Log and BMD CDNG Lossless. For the last, you need Resolve 15.1 to properly read files)
Most people don’t need to be told the Alexa is probably the most popular cinema camera in the world. We all know it’s good, so this video isn’t a comparison.
Instead, it’s a video for newcomers or for those looking to understand the differences between a $1,295 camera and a $50,000+ camera.
I test three cameras:
1. Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K + 12-35mm f/2.8 II
2. Arri Alexa XT + Ultra Primes
3. Panasonic GH5 + 12-35mm f/2.8 II
We tested for two situations, interior and exterior.
Interior was tested for neutral middle grey exposure, +3 and -3 stop exposures. The shutter angle/speed was manipulated to keep colors consistent. We tested at two ISOs – 400 and 3200. This was mainly a comparison where the Pocket 4K was center-stage.
We shot both RAW and Prores for the Alexa XT and the Pocket Cinema Camera. With Arri it was 2.8K in Arriraw and 2K in Prores HQ. With the Pocket Camera 4K it was 4K DCI in CDNG Lossless and Prores HQ. With the Panasonic GH5 it was UHD in All-I 400 Mbps 10-bit 4:2:2.
For the exterior test we shot random footage just outside the rental facility, provided by GS Video, Mumbai. Everything was paid for, so no free stuff!
I’m amazed by the image quality coming from the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K. It’s definitely a game changer.
