How does focus tracking in video on the GH4 compare to the Canon 70D (with it's excellent Dual Pixel AF sensor)? I want to mount it on a 3 axis gimbal where I won't have the ability to pull focus myself.

Sorry this has taken a while. This is what happens when using the ninja blade with the gh4.

Sometimes when changing the frequency of the camera the blade freaks out when it losses signal and the screen does a weird wipe but remains on. To fix this I have to force shut the bad down to get it to read the signal again. So far this has happened about 40-50% of the time.

Here was something else I ran into. While recording the 96fps internally then playing it back...on playback the blade sees the footage as 720p instead of 1080p 24fps...so trying to record the slow motion to the blade ends up as 720p 60fps. Comparing the footage on a timeline in Premier Pro CS6 the internal recordings seem to be just upressed 720p compared to the recordings on the blade if in fact the camera is outputting 720p via HDMI when playing back 1080p 24fps. Can anyone comment on that? I'll be doing more tests soon and will have something uploaded on this.

Here is the list of recording formats and qualities that show up on the blade:

Frequency: 24.0hz

Format: MP4(LPCM) Quality: C4K 100mbits 24p - works 4k 100mbits 24p - works FHD ALL-I 200mbits 24p - works FHD 100mbits 24p - works FHD 50mbits 24p - works

Format: MOV Quality: C4K 100mbits 24p - works 4k 100mbits 24p - works FHD ALL-I 200mbits 24p - works FHD 100mbits 24p - works FHD 50mbits 24p - works

Frequency: 59.94hz

Format: AVCHD Quality: FHD 24mbits 24p - works FHD 24mbits 30p - works FHD 17mbits 60i - works FHD 28mbits 60p - doesn't work

Format: MP4 Quality: 4k 100mbits 30p - doesn't work FHD 28mbits 30p - doesn't work FHD 20mbits 30p - doesn't work HD 10mbits 30p - works @720p 59.94fps

Format: MP4 (LPCM) Quality: 4k 100mbits 30p - doesn't work 4k 100mbits 24p - works FHD ALL-I 200mbits 60p - doesn't work FHD 100mbits 60p - doesn't work FHD 50mbits 60p - doesn't work FHD ALL-I 200mbits 30p - doesn't work FHD 100mbits 30p - doesn't work FHD 50mbits 30p - doesn't work FHD ALL-I 200mbits 24p - works FHD 100mbits 24p - works FHD 50mbits 24p - works

Format: MOV Quality: 4k 100mbits 30p - doesn't work 4k 100mbits 24p - works FHD ALL-I 200mbits 60p - doesn't work FHD 100mbits 60p - doesn't work FHD 50mbits 60p - doesn't work FHD ALL-I 200mbits 30p - doesn't work FHD 100mbits 30p - doesn't work FHD 50mbits 30p - doesn't work FHD ALL-I 200mbits 24p - works FHD 100mbits 24p - works FHD 50mbits 24p - works

This was all with TV connection VIERA Link set to ON and OFF. HDMI Rec Output set to auto.

Figured I submit my findings after running a quick test with the GH4 up in the mountains of New Mexico. This is preliminary since I've had the camera for only a few days. I also have a Sony FDR-AX100 (4K cam) for comparison as well as a 65" 4K TV for review and editing of material.

PROS: Overall the GH4 is excellent. We bitched (rightfully so) and Panasonic listened. Manual focusing in 4K seems much more advantageous then auto focus regardless of how quick or recent your lens is. 1080P seems better suited for auto focusing. The AX100 footage looks quite a bit sharper than most GH4 footage but this may be due to sharpening algorithms within the Sony camera. So much so that harsh contrasts on the AX100 exhibits a white outline or shadow of subjects at times, the GH4 on the other hand does not. Again manual focusing and using the peaking functions on the GH4 will be your friend. The codecs are vastly improved. Shooting in Cinema 4K with the Cinema D profile is probably what most people will use due to its latitude in grading. No more harsh gradients even when aiming the lens at the sun; that beautiful blue sky will remain as long as your keeping your contrast in check. This is where the zebras come in and are extremely helpful for controlling your highlights. If you take some time to prepare and use the on board utilities, this camera may very well teach you to become a better photographer/videographer. Finally controlling the GH4 is manageable due to customization of mapping the functions buttons, as well as default quick menu access.

CONS: 96fps slow motion may very well be upconverted 720P even though it's advertised as 1080P. If so that's not a major downer but it would be nice if this was expressed by Panasonic. Hate to admit it but the AX100 looks a little bit sharper to my eye when viewing slo-mo content and it shoots in 720P as well, but at 120fps. Also audio isn't recorded when using variable frame rate shooting while the AX100 does record audio and time stretches it (pitch doesn't change). As mentioned above the auto focus in 4K is sub par - while viewing the results on a 4K television the GH4 looked acceptable but soft. If you didn't know any better you'd think you're watching 1080P material. Of course this all changed when using focus peaking along with manual focusing of the lens. Perhaps this will be improved in further revisions of the firmware or my Pany 14-140mm lens is a bit outdated when using automatically. On the other hand the Zeiss lens of the Sony AX100 has a quick auto focus in both 1080P and 4K. Despite these advantages the GH4 offers so many more professional options that it outshines the Sony in many respects.

They're both excellent cameras and have their purposes but ultimately I prefer the Panasonic based on its potential and robust codecs.

High speed (running) motion on GH4 4K UHD

I'm seeing a lot of mushiness. YT bitrates too low? Video is quite soft too.. might be better to raise the sharpness.

Some info about the video: 1. Apparently I have a dirty lens 2. Initial shots are shaky. I was playing around with low-mode on my rig and it's not balanced properly for that 3. Framing not great in running motion. Apparently GH4 changed the HDMI connector (I come from a GH2) and as a result I could not hook up my external monitor. Couldn't see what I was shooting... so I just pointed my lens and hoped for the best.

Ungraded CINE-D Contrast -5 Sharpness -5 Saturation -5 Highlight/Shadow - 0/0

Here is the Vimeo version of my 4K GH4 Bee clip. The Original .MOV file (3840x2160 / 103MB is available for download.

@killagram someone on dpreview reported that he was having focusing problems with the 14-140 MkII on the GH4, but no problem with other lenses. He was getting soft still photos at wider focal lengths. I wonder if there may be a firmware issue with that lens? AF seems quite fine to me using the 12-35.

@killagram Yep, here's the thread: http://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/53619599

@5mars enjoying your blog, nice work!

@marshalljeske I've also seen the same bug, using the Transcend 128GB U3.

How to set up yr GH4….

@gabilourson

Yeah not ideal placement however, you can still turn the screen with Headphones plugged in by doing it half way on the move then avoid the connector. Half rotate before full screen rotation extension.

Also you can buy an L type jack connector to force it closer to the body to make it easier.

Just a heads up on Monitoring:

Most PC monitors and TVs will not be able to monitor from the HDMI in 24p modes. Even in non 24hz mode. It will say out of range or turn to 60hz.

You can still monitor in 30p modes just fine. Seems the 24p modes are not displayed with a 60i wrapper and are true solid frames which only a good monitor and viewfinder can handle.

Wish it was able to monitor in 24p on anything. Playback will work just fine. Wonder if thru the AV cable route it will display even in 24p rec modes.

I am liking the noise on this camera, a big step from the GH2, very clean up to 1600 compared.