Last minute Christmas deals on Gift Cards and Digital Downloads

If you lived in a cave, you might not have noticed that it’s Christmas now 🙂

If you are in need of making a last minute present check out the gift card deals on those pages at Amazon and BHphoto

A couple of hot deals still going on:

PetaPixel’s opinions about Panasonic’s 2024 product releases

Here’s a summary including PetaPixel’s opinions about Panasonic’s 2024 activities:

Micro Four Thirds System:

Lumix GH7:
• Key Features: 25.2-megapixel BSI CMOS sensor, phase-detect autofocus.
• PetaPixel’s Opinion: This release is a solid update for hybrid creators, but the lack of standout innovation keeps it from being a game-changer. Its reception relies heavily on its affordability and niche appeal to vloggers and videographers.

Lumix G97:
• Key Features: Upgraded from the 2019 G95 with better video recording, a higher-resolution rear LCD, Bluetooth 5.0, and a USB-C port.
• PetaPixel’s Opinion: While a good refresh for enthusiasts, the G97 feels like a modest step forward rather than a revolutionary leap. The lack of new lenses for the system is seen as a missed opportunity.

Full-Frame Lumix S System:

Lumix S9:
• Key Features: Compact body, no electronic viewfinder, Real-Time LUT capabilities.
• PetaPixel’s Opinion: The S9 is a unique addition aimed at smartphone users and creators seeking creative tools. While innovative, its omission of an EVF could alienate traditional photographers, positioning it as more of a niche product.

New Lenses (18-40mm, 100mm macro):
• PetaPixel’s Opinion: These lenses were well-received for their versatility and build quality. They strengthen Panasonic’s full-frame lineup but don’t make a bold statement compared to the competition.

General Reflections on Panasonic’s 2024 Strategy:
• PetaPixel’s Opinion: Panasonic is clearly focusing on maintaining a balance between innovation and practicality, offering incremental updates rather than groundbreaking advancements. The company’s approach appears to cater to diverse audiences, but its lack of major innovations or a clear standout product in 2024 leaves it vulnerable to competitors making bolder moves in the camera market.

The Best FF Camera –Ranking My Cameras Best To Worst

 

Here’s a summary and structured breakdown of the video:

Overview

In this video, photographer Matti Sulanto ranks his full-frame camera systems (Sony, Nikon, Panasonic) across four categories: Photography, Video, Ergonomics, and Overall Usage. He emphasizes that the rankings are based on his personal experiences, preferences, and use case, primarily street and documentary photography.

Cameras Reviewed

  1. Sony A7 Mark IV
  2. Nikon Z6 Mark III
  3. Panasonic Lumix S5 Mark II X

Key Points

1. Best Camera for Photography

•Winner: Sony A7 Mark IV

•Best image quality with a 33MP sensor.

•Excellent dynamic range.

•Superior autofocus and user interface.

•Drawback: Autofocus settings don’t carry over between photo and video modes.

•Runner-Up: Nikon Z6 Mark II

•Great image quality, only slightly behind the Sony.

•Autofocus is excellent but less intuitive than Sony’s.

•Major drawback: Cropped aspect ratios are baked into RAW files.

•Third Place: Panasonic Lumix S5 II X

•Good for photography but overshadowed by the other two.

•Outstanding IBIS (stabilization) is its standout feature for handheld shooting.

2. Best Camera for Video

•Winner: Panasonic Lumix S5 II X

•Designed for video professionals.

•Features like 6K open gate recording, shutter angles, and built-in fan for overheating prevention.

•Best IBIS among the three cameras.

•Runner-Up: Nikon Z6 Mark II

•Offers full-width 5.4K at 60fps.

•Can shoot RAW video but lacks open gate recording and shutter angles.

•Third Place: Sony A7 Mark IV

•Oldest of the three, limited video features.

•Excellent video footage quality, but lacks advanced video options like open gate recording.

3. Best Camera for Ergonomics

•Winner: Sony A7 Mark IV

•Four command dials, one with a lock for easy adjustments.

•Best battery life and most versatile card slots (CFexpress and SD).

•Runner-Up: Panasonic Lumix S5 II X

•Three command dials and good ergonomics.

•Drawback: Thumb dial can be turned unintentionally.

•Third Place: Nikon Z6 Mark II

•Only two command dials, requiring button combinations for exposure adjustments.

•Best viewfinder among the three.

Final Thoughts

•All three cameras excel in their own right, and any would be a solid choice for both photography and videography.

•Matis’ Pick for a Single Camera:

•The Panasonic Lumix S5 II X would likely be his choice due to its versatility and lack of major downsides.

Additional Notes

•Notable Exclusion: Canon:

•Matis doesn’t currently own Canon cameras due to the lack of third-party autofocus lenses for full-frame Canon mirrorless systems.

•Lighthearted Tone:

•The video is meant to be an opinion-based and fun comparison, not a definitive judgment on the cameras.

If you have any specific questions about these cameras or the rankings, feel free to ask!

Great news: Panasonic officially registered TWO new camera models to be announced soon!

On December 17 Panasonic registered a new camera model in China. It has the code “P2305A”. Back on November 22 Panasonic also did register the “P2307A” camera. This means we now have TWO cameras that Panasonic will release within 3-4 months.

To be clear, those codes are NOT for the new G97 and TZ compact camera as they only support 2.4MHz. The registered model do support 5.1MHz too!

My bet is that we are getting both, the SR1II and S1HII. That would be nice don’t you think?

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SHARE RUMORS: If you have any rumors about those camera feel free to share them anonymously using this contact box (try to use a nickname to be recognized in future) or via lrumorscameras@gmail.com