In an Interview posted at DC.watch Panasonic talks a lot about the new CM1 smartphone camera. But they also shared one interesting detail on the GH4. IN Europe the demand for the camera was 2,5 times higher than expected. And also in US the camera sells better than they predicted.
Reminder for US/Canada: First $100 off on the GH4 on [shoplink 48483 ebay]eBay US/Canada (Click here)[/shoplink].
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GH4 North American store links:
GH4 camera at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, Ritz Camera and Panasonic. Price: $1,698. In Canada at Vistek.
GH4 camera with interface unit at Adorama and BHphoto. Price: $3,298
Interface unit only at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto and Panasonic. Price: $1,998
GH4 Europen store links:
Germany: Wexcameras, Marcotec-shop.de.
UK at Wexphotographic, CameraWorld, UKdigital, CVP, TipTop.
Holland at Fotohanskeuzekamp.
Belgium at Fotokonijnenberg.
Norway at Fotovideo.
Sweden at Cyberphoto, Skandinavianphoto.
Finland at Telefoto, Topshot, Verkkoauppa.
France at Photocineshop.
Spain: Fotoboom.
Asian store links:
Digitalrev and Digidirect Australia.
4K cards
Kingston 16-32-64 GB SDHC UHS-I Speed Class 3 at Amazon (Click here), Adorama (Click here) and BHphoto (Click here).
Sandisk 16-32-64 GB Extreme PRO SDXC UHS-II Memory Card at Amazon (Click here), Adorama (Click here) and BHphoto (Click here).
Transcend 64-128 GB High Speed 10 UHS-3 at Amazon (Click here) and BHphoto (Click here).
Panasonic 16-32-64 GB SDHC-UHS-I U3 Card (90MB/s) at Adorama (Click here) and BHphoto (Click here).
55 Responses
No surprise (according the demand of the GH4) ^^.
It´s the one and only camera which is performing very good (below 2000$).
(And which offers all the features people need and want.)
No news according a potential FW update release date?
(IF there´s really coming something new – At least HDMI out fixes for example.)
I would say that in fulfilling all the needs the people want, the E-M1 is at least on par, if not better. Video demand is overrated and I am sure the demand exceeds by far the actual usage. Most photographers who scream here after video, don’t use it a lot after the initial enthusiasms vanishes, because making good video footage takes a lot more effort and equipment.
I am also sure that there are a lot more photographers, for which the GH4 has not fulfilled their wishes: the notorious lack of sensor stabilization (IBIS). Haven’t No High quality IBIS the GH4 limits the usage of many attractive lenses considerably, which is in my opinion a much bigger drawback than not to support 4K video at this time.
4K video will come with every camera, but we are just at the beginning. Most users don’t even have equipment to enjoy 4K video, so it makes not much sense to buy a production device before the rest.
Well, Panasonic allegedly had to double up their production. thats an extra users 5000 per month that thinks otherwise. I’ll dare not to speak on their behalf.
They got sales to 5000 per month because good sale. But we do not know is it for video or not.
It’s a good point. I would go further, there is a tendency to take for granted that the EM-1 is better suited for stills than the GH4.
it is not obvious at all that IBIS outweigh everything else.
I think olympus has an ever so slight edge in stills over the GH4, but the GH4 is far superior for video, so weighing the two, I went GH4.
Ibis is used as a crutch over here it seems. It’s an excuse and a reason at the same time.
Honestly, if it really was “all that” most camera makers would implement it.
However, most camera companies use image stabilized lenses, so it’s not that big of a deal at all.
And as for better image quality, Olympus may have the very slight advantage in jpgs, but RAW? It’s a draw, if not better on Panasonic’s end. Olympus raws tend to be over sharpened.
Exactly. I would not benefit from 4k than in a couple situations in 1-2 years. And that would require with Panasonic a somekind stabilization system as footage would be on move instead tripod.
I would not need higher than 3Mbits for 1080p or 2Mbits for 720p as that is the target profile after edits.
As I am happy when import quality is par or over the quality what most bluray movies as encoded and I can even quickly share video files if needed on the go.
In would like to get GH4 but it is big compared to E-M1, doesn’t have a nice control layout but I would not use video mode so much as stills. Instead I would use it 10-20% of the time at best for video.
Just having a IBIS in Olympus makes it way better camera than GH4 ever can be for me and many others.
Fanboy Much?
Sorry l, but the way the GH4 is selling, much better than the E-M1 I might add, it seems that ibis is not that big of a selling point. And besides, most GH4 owners are using stabilized panasonic zooms, like the 12-35/35-100 combo anyways.
And it may not be anything to YOU, but 4K is what Videographers want. I mean even the video specs of the E-M1 is “ho-hum”, which is why it’s easily passed.
I mean, look at Amazon, Panasonic lenses DOMINATE M43 sales on the regular. It’s not even close. Yet Olympus wants to super-size and deliver on cameras (pen), that most photogs don’t want.
Basically, what I’m saying is, stop hating on Panasonic and be GLAD that they’re keeping M43 alive and talked about, because seriously, Olympus isn’t doing g much of anything right now and haven’t been for a while.
After I read “Video demand is overrated…”, I stopped reading your post because you lost credibility. You may not need video features, but the only thing that we can believe it’s the numbers.
If I was just taking pics, I would have grabbed the Oly for sharper pics due to IBIS and no AA filter and much cheaper price. But I do more video than pics, so for me video is the cats meow. For you video is extra buttons.
Mr. Terada (Oly), pls take note…
They’re doing pretty well in Europe as well.
Cute, i have one.
Can i have my 150mm f2.8 now please ?
A nice claim, the kind corporations like to make because it toots their own horn.
But unless they publish the prior “expectation” numbers, it’s another meaningless, self-serving corporate statement.
Monthly production of GH4 was set for 2500 pcs and later ramped up to 5000 pcs a month.
I have no reason to doubt their claims, after all they actually delivered revolutionary products (GH4 & LX100) at a very reasonable price. These are the kind of companies I want to succeed in the market, rather than the Canikons of the world who hold back everything for the next iteration. Not sure why you’d rather waste time ripping “evil corporations” when you could instead do something meaningful with your own life.
Yes. I don’t see why the skepticism, either. The GH4 is the latest in a series that has been very well received, so Panasonic would not have planned to produce limited quantities just to test the market. They _already know_ there is a market. And based on sales of the previous models, they _already know_ how big this market was.
Well, perhaps, but a little caution is in order. At least in Germany there was never really a big shortage in GH4 supply, whenever I would have liked to get one, it would have been possible with no difficulty. So, how, it is plausible then, that the sales numbers exceeded expectations that much? Obviously, they produce enough units to fulfill demand, so they must somehow expect the sales figures. That does not mean that the camera isn’t selling well enough.
The only reasonable conclusion we can deduce from your statement is Germany is not a big market for the GH4 afterall. It just means that the GH4 sales had ramped up somewhere else, which when averaged out, leads to a doubling of sales.
Since Germany is currently a wealthy country, I doubt that the German market for the GH4 is less than anywhere else. It is easy for a company to claim success by phrasing things like “exceeded expectations” without being more specific. It is pure campaigning, nothing else.
Or it can mean that they expected the demand in Germany to be higher, and so they miscalculated the shipments for other countries. If in Fiji Islands the shipment was two GH4, but there were six ordered, sales expectations have been tripled, but on what a low level!
Should have someone ask about the status of collaboration Fuji-Pana in OrganicSensor development .
The MCS tech & GlobalShutter ?
Lenses road map for 2015 – 2016 ?
At least they aren’t just realizing that cell-phone business has taken over the P&S market. They marketed one. Hint. Olympus….pull your head out of your a$$. (oh…I mean that in the best possible way). 🙂
Not a big surprise in my opinion – the mirrorless market is doing pretty well here in Europe.
All what Olympus needs to do is to add a couple new different art filters (as good as the Vintage ones) and then improve video via framerates.
its not that easy as you want, as the potential buys are not easy to convince…otherwise all companies would easily make good numbers in selling.
It is. As Olympus does noy need to gain popularity or publicity. Olympus is well known and its IBIS technology is a wet dream to almost every videographer (enthusiastic or semi-pro or even pro) to get in videocamera.
Olympus is well known from limited framerates (there is no bad publicity) and simply adding new frame rates would make almost every video site or reviser talk about it.
All what Olympus then would need to add official sample videos for download and the reviewers would make more own for their audience.
In a weeks/months Olympus would gain huge sale boost.
So I do agree with MK.82 as I didn’t believe I would like so much about the new vintage art filters. And I noticed that I have not really used any of them in same interested attitude. Mainly I have few times now and then used color creator what is awesome. But now the new modes are wonderful for quick moments.
Make same for video, give 25/50/60 fps for 1080p and 120/240 for 720p and 360p and that’s a lot.
In one update Olympus would gain many fans more.
If Olympus would be now a new company, it would be as you say.
sorry, too much comments about how it should done the right way here, gives the impression that a manufacturer knows nothing. while the reality is that its much more then just thinking the right implementation of a product is the solution. There is much more then that.
No camera is perfect and has its advantages and disadvantages. What is best for one is not necessarily best for another with different wants and needs. First I am a firm believer and user of IBIS having a IBIS DSLR which I use with legacy wide to tele zoom lenses which are not stabilized. However IBIS can only help with camera shake not movement of the object being photographed.
We all seem to have very short memories as even Olys IBIS has had its share of problems. What about the discovery when using the Pens that for pictures taken at shutter speeds of 1/60-1/200 sec where IS seldom is needed for short focal lengths, the IQ using IBIS was found to be worse than no IS at all because of problems of shutter shake? Not long after the EM1 emerged to solve this problem other problems like excessive heat when using video for long, etc emerged and still others emerged with the result sales and prices dropped or was this because of competition from the new GH4 with what it could do?
While the 5 axis IBIS Olympus uses is very capable, for video isn’t only 2 or 3 axis IS used? On the Em5 this was combined with electronic IS. Am I wrong but I assume that OIS still works with video and it is only when using legacy lenses or non stabilized lenses on Pany is this an issue? I wonder why Pany does not include a simple electronic IS option with there video as there is already more than enough resolution on the sensor?
If it was only a question of using adding a better firmware for better video firmrates or 4K they would have already done it as they certainly are trying based on the rumors? As others have noted OIS in lens works better with 4K video than when using IBIS for now.
Oly is still doing better in Japan sales with Pens compared to Pany than in the US. I own and have both Oly and Pany m4/3 cameras and lenses (GF1,EM2,20/1.7, 14-42 kit lens and 40-150) I wish both Pany and Oly to succeed and good to see their top models like the GH4, EM1 and EM10 doing so well.
“However IBIS can only help with camera shake not movement of the object being photographed.”
Everyone knows that.
But IBIS stabilize the movement as well so moving subject can be photographed with easier manner (panning) what many doesn’t like to knowledge.
“Not long after the EM1 emerged to solve this problem other problems like excessive heat when using video for long, etc emerged and still others emerged with the result sales and prices dropped or was this because of competition from the new GH4 with what it could do?”
E-M1 doesn’t have a heat problem. You can record with it over a hour in over 60 degree temperature room IBIS enabled without problems. No quality loss, no shutting down. Claims that E-M1 because IBIS has heat problems are lies.
“While the 5 axis IBIS Olympus uses is very capable, for video isn’t only 2 or 3 axis IS used?”
It is 5-axis video on E-M1 but on E-M5 it has digital too.
“Am I wrong but I assume that OIS still works with video and it is only when using legacy lenses or non stabilized lenses on Pany is this an issue?”
Sure it works. But OIS isn’t so effective as IBIS is. And OIS can’t stabilize the roll what is the big problem in videos.
“I wonder why Pany does not include a simple electronic IS option with there video as there is already more than enough resolution on the sensor?”
IBIS and OIS are ELECTRONIC. Electronic is not same thing is DIGITAL. Digital is post process effect done via software to image/video. Electronical is where sensors are used to detect the camera movements and then command sensor/lens movement based that. Mechanical OIS is one where lens element hangs on springs and moves based camera movement by itself, it is most basic IS what is there (0.5-1.5 stop benefit).
“If it was only a question of using adding a better firmware for better video firmrates or 4K they would have already done it as they certainly are trying based on the rumors? As others have noted OIS in lens works better with 4K video than when using IBIS for now.”
Even when the firmware has the framerates, resolution and higher bitrate and even 4:2:2 chroma, they are not enabled.
It is Olympus business strategy what they do and we don’t know anything about it fur sure why they don’t improve video while they could. Olympus has deep knowledge from 4k and highspeed cameras. Olympus has had 4k camera even 2004 what was 10 years ago. They have high speed cameras that can capture one million frames per second. But those are not for consumers.
And IBIS works better than OIS for video. But it depends whos technology is used. In quality Olympus IBIS is better on 1080p video than Panasonic OIS. This can be tested with Panasonic OIS lenses by mounting camera to test rig that mechanically shakes and moves camera under computer commands.
The 4k resolutions doesn’t make things different at all. For many the 4k is some kind magic resolution that fix or cause problems (like heat or shakiness)
They also said that they doubled production to 5000 units per month, that’s a whopping 60,000 units a year [I know a lot of you guy’s struggle to multiply by 2 let alone 12.} Canon would sack their entire staff if any model sold so few units.
You think 1D X or 1D C sells more than 5K units a month? I doubt it very much.
I doubt that even 5D3 sells that much. After the launch – yes. Half year later – unlikely.
Yes , you are right .
Canon & Nikon not longer can acheive the sale like what they acheived in EOS 7D , 5Dm2 or D90 & D700 .
Thanks to OMD , Alpha , X series & Lumix DSLM .
No they wouldn’t – you need to stop fapping in public, it is a sight unbecoming and doing your reputation no favours.
These aren’t iPhones.
5,000 units a month of an $1,800 camera is A LOT for anyone.
Good for them…
Olympus could take half of that market overnight if they just damn well sorted out their video specs!
Completely agree with you. Im an EM1 user and have considered the GH4 for some time now because if the video specs…
Exactly my thoughts. It really looks like they have an agreement with Panasonic of some sorts, that they don’t compete for the video market.
Then they should just give Panasonic their stabilisation system and be done with it then. Olympus may be using Panasonics sensor but it’s Olympus that is holding the real cards with their IBIS system. Panasonic will steal it I’m sure.
Panasonic treats EU customers with lack of respect, it is a shame that I preordered and payed several GH4’s in advanced from day one of announcement and I got them after 4 monts. In USA, GH4 was already available directly (without preorder) long before I got them. Not to mention here in EU, the cameras are 19-24% more expensive and limited to 29,59 minutes of recording.
Shame on you Panasonic!
I don’t get why a Panasonic doesn’t pay extra fee for unlimited recording when that is their reason to sell cameras?
Olympus I get to limit to 29:59 but….
Well, actually shame on the EU – and I live here. This fee is a joke, and really is fallen out of time. It should simply be dropped.
19-24%, if it were true, would be roughly US price + VAT. I wish…
But it is usually more expensive than that.
Well, getting over the 19-24% more price and 29,59 minutes arguments, it is a shame how Panasonic treats EU customers in comparison with USA!
Where is that GH4 firmware update that was said to have things like log-profile, 10bit, 4K 60fps, better 96fps? Did all your sources end up being complete liars? Every single one of them? Just having fun us? Just attracting traffic?
What are you talking about? A) I have never seen this rumor, and B) Even if the site posted it, it would be a RUMOR. There is no reason for a rational person to believe that they will magically provide an update to give you higher FPS either…
You obliviously haven’t been paying attention then. This site, many times here and on Twitter, proposed such specs via a firmware update. Many anticipated it, even the website’s owner was surprised it didn’t eventuate due to multiple sources telling him it would. This went on for a handful of months. And I’m not an idiot. I’m will aware this is a rumour site, but given what the rumour regarding the firmware update was rated time and again, from multiple sources too, one would think it was imminent. And if you were a “rational person”, you would know many things can be done via firmware updates. Especially given the current power of modern CPUs and the write-speeds of current memory cards.
exactly, I’m pretty sure it’s just to make traffic for this god awful site, just like the em-1 4k firmware, that was clearly a fantasy. I think admin should get rid of the rumor rating, it’s basically pointless and unreliable. these so called “sources” are probably not even tied or link to manaufacturers or really know anything that’s credible. i read the firmware prior to its announcement and the announced fw didn’t even hit the rumor at all and it was ranked ft3 40-60% that a pretty high percentage when clearly it should be ft-1
You mean the one listed on Panasonic for the start of October? It’s not October so it’s not out yet. Edit: It doesn’t list half those things.
Canon wishes it had a camera as good as the GH4. Well, actually, they have a camera as good, and they have video cameras as good, but not both in the same package. Panasonic’s on a roll and it should continue if they keep doing what they’re doing.
I just did a BTS recently, and the 25mm 1.4 on my GX1 was so good, that I just might purchase the GM5.
That, or get a Black GX7 for a good price.
I got rid of most of my M43 gear, but I can’t let go of the 25mm and 20mm lumix lenses. And I’m looking at the 15mm lens too.
Having M43 as a backup to my Fuji is great.
If size is not much of an issue, you might be better with a GX7. At least in low light with your primes and IBIS, it can give your Fuji a run for its money. The GM-5? No IBIS, no flash, less controls, more expensive right now but yes, smaller!
Yeah, I owned the GX7 day one, but ending up selling it and going fuji. But the GX1 is showing it’s age.
I love the fact that I can send pics to my phone wireless, and wifi cards suck, in my opinion. So it looks like a Black GX7 is in my future.
Any good news for m43 is good news to me. Well done, Panasonic.
Panasonic should apologise for underestimating demand of the GH4, and for not making the LX100 pocketable, and not putting an ND filter, tiltable touchscreen and built-in flash in it. YOU MUST MAKE IT RIGHT, PANASONIC! APOLOGISE!