The image on top shows a Micro Four Thirds camera prototype from Panasonic (Source: Egami). But what is also interesting is that zoom lens mockup. One of my very good sources told me that Panasonic is indeed working on a Micro Four Thirds zoom with motorized zoom. I am not sure how that will work but there will be probbly a button on the lens to move the zoom. Maybe that new feature is the reaosn for the 12-50mm f/2.5 lens delay? We still hear that the lens will be announced in late 2011 early 2012. If true this would become the perfect lens for video shooters and will put Panasonic on the top of the HDSRL war against Sony and Canon! Imagine that the [shoplink 16254]GH2[/shoplink] or [shoplink 16841 ebay]AG-AF100[/shoplink] with the 12-50mm f/2.5 lens! Amazing or not?
The currently only optimized video lens is the [shoplink 14802 ebay]Panasonic 14-140mm[/shoplink] (but it has no powerzoom!). Check the lens price at [shopcountry 14802].
Check the links of the two best Panasonic videocameras:
– The GH2 at [shopcountry 16254].
– The AG-AF100 (101) at [shopcountry 16841].
59 Responses
Hm, I thought for a while but couldn’t find an answer: Who needs motorized zoom?
+1. If I want to zoom with buttons, I’ll buy a compact cam…
V I D E O
Ugh, please no more concessions for the sake of video. As a photographer I can’t imagine wanting a power zoom.
+100
So don’t buy it.
What alternatives do you suggest for m4/3’s users wanting a fast zoom?
Panasonic is going to have to decide if they want to be more of a video company or more of a photography company. While there is a lot of overlap between the two they’re going to have a hard time satisfying either camp with hybrid products. As a photographer I get upset when even a single external button is wasted on video, but I can live with things like dedicated record buttons even though I don’t use them. However, a power zoom? Ugh, no way. That’s just too much. Even if I can turn it off and not use it the lens will still be larger, heavier, overly complex (thinking of damage repair), and more expensive then it should be if it were a dedicated photography lens.
@Mike
event and news videographers would want this feature
I thought videographers would like to do everything manually because of smoothness and the sound of the motor. But I have no real video knowledge. Thanks!
I do! 🙂
I can live without it but for video it is very valuable add on!
People who shoot with one hand.
I’d like to have it, but I’d like the option to disable it as well.
Who needs zoom?
>Who needs zoom?
anybody but you?
what does powerzoom mean?
You can change the focal length of the lens using motor. It is popular on camcorders and compact pocket photo cameras.
Too bad we’ll have to wait until the end of the year for the12-50mm.
A 12-50 would be fantastic, but with a motorized zoom it would be a disaster, never would I buy one of those! who has ever had a positive zoom experience with a motorized zoom on a dv cam or a point & shoot? Even pro’s don’t use motorized zoom when shooting video.
So please, no motorized zoom.
There is the option to switch it off I hope.
If yes, then I’m very interested in buying it.
One problem though. Even if there is an option to switch it off I’m sure the motorized zoom will make the lens larger than it needs to be. So basically I’d not only be paying more for a feature I don’t want it will also make the lens less appealing to me because it will be even larger. Olympus needs to hurry up with a m4/3’s version of the 12-60mm or 14-54mm.
Eric
Totally with you. I am concerned that Panasonic’s higher end zooms and cameras like the GH2 are being aimed for the video market. As you say this will result in larger lenses than needs be.
I certainly hope there is a more stills targeted GF pro coming with multi-aspect sensor but I had hoped that there would be a high quality zoom as well. Not an over sized motorized zoom designed for video. As you say – if Oly come out with a micro 43 version of the 12-60 or 14-54 that would be fantastic.
@Frank: Gee frank, please share your decades of experience teaching professionals from Hollywood and Reuters and CNN about how to shoot videos using DSLRs. What’s that? You’ve never taught a pro before? You’re not a coach or a trainer? You were just speaking out loud without having any knowledge or experience about what professional reporters or film crews have on their camera wish-lists for when they go out into the field? Or how they shoot videos using DSLRs for that matter?
Seriously speaking, Micro Four Thirds needs to establish itself not only through superior products that appeal to the masses, but by having products that even professionals would use. The Canon 7D gets some publicity for being able to film movies and short films with, but IMHO the Panasonic GH2 is just as capable and far more portable, yet so far the Canon 7D is still preferred?? If Panasonic wants to be the product of choice, then they have to come up with products that other companies don’t have or haven’t come up with yet and force the major film companies to give their products a chance. If they can’t break the biased preference for Canon/Nikon/Sony products by the big players then they’ll never dominate the market no matter how many m4/3 supporters they have.
If the lens has both motorized and manual zoom I think it will be good. Manual zoom for photos and motorized zoom for video.
Agree with Frank. Zooming is of limited use for video (best avoided as it looks unnatural) and powerzoom is no substitute for manually pulling focus. I would have no interest in this lens with powerzoom. So in answer to Admin, definitely NOT amazing! A more conventional manual fast zoom might get a different answer……
Admin- Thanks for your work but I feel swamped by all the new (excellent) lens news. Please tell us more about the GP/GH rumours.
Well I am interested in a quality fast zoom but if this ends up being larger and designed more for video users then I am not so sure. This is where the cross-over between stills and video with Panasonic could lead to some design directions that try to please video but dont suit stills.
I am purely into stills photography and all I want is a high quality zoom for the system. I am hoping that Olympus might produce a micro 43 version of the 14-54 or the 12-60 (this one might be a bit too big). All that interests me is higher quality glass and slightly wider aperatures. Power zoom is not required at all.
Admin – any more GF Pro body rumors or Pen Pro rumors ?
Could it be purely to improve AE focus?
While I don’t shoot video, the little camcorder mockup looks gorgeous. What a sweet design. As to powerzoom, it would surely have a manual option (it shows two textured rings on the barrel). Or would it?
A powerzoom could only aim at P&S upgraders. Serious professional video shooters are working manually (Zoom and Focus) as far as I am informed. P&S upgraders would probably not buy a 12-50/2.8 (at the price point to be expected). Hence, I do not see a reason that motor zoom and bright zoom are connected in any way.
@emde
you see power zoom shots used a lot in footage shot at music concerts and festivals, occasionally wild life shooting, news reports from live situations and on the odd tv show for singling out people in the audience
🙂
I’m not a pro and I’ll buy it, I’m not an P&S upgrader and I’ll definitely be using power zoom for video. Manual zoom and motorized zoom are complementary rather than exlusionary.
Why so many people think “black or white”?
With manual zoom lenses one can not use motor zoom, camcorder user cannot use manual zoom, but if the new Panasonic lens has both functionalities… I’m in! And for different purposes I use different zoom options. 🙂
I have AF lenses but sometimes it is good to set focus manualy if one needs analogy. Different options for different situations. 😉
“I have AF lenses but sometimes it is good to set focus manualy if one needs analogy.”
Using an AF lens in MF mode pretty much sucks when compared to using true manual focus lens.
I’m a hobbyist, i’d love to operate the cam with only one hand like a compact. If the focal length could be controlled from the camera (button or touch screen), not from some button on the lens itself, i would love it. Otherwise, i’d fear motor zoom makes the lens only bulkier than Pana lenses tend to be.
I’m not interested in video.
I have several Pentax film cameras and a full set of Pentax KAF power zoom lenses from the mid eighties. 28-90…. 70-200…. and a 100-300. They were quite simple to use, push the focus ring forward and it was power zoom turn to the right to zoom out and left to zoom in. Pull the ring all the way back and you have conventional manual zoom. Bit of a novelty item and hard on batteries. Was amazed that they all worked on my Pentax Kx, Not bad lenses otherwise still use the 100-300,nice lens and small for it’s reach.
What you have written reminds me of all this power zoom functions that can be implemented and new possibilities for example: adjusting focal length to keep object’s constant dimensions, memory of last zoom position, automatic contraction of the lens on power off etc… and many more that I can not even imagine right now… 🙂
Omox
Powerzoom has 3 significant downsides – increased size, weight, price. I agree there is no right or wrong as to whether you decide to use manual or powerzoom, but I dont want to pay for it or cart it around. Size and weight are important for mft and partly why the recent Oly lenses (12mm and 45mm) have been favourably received ( both weigh near 100g).
@Brod1er
you are right on all points, but it does have it’s uses and demand in the video world, pretty sure they’ve been asking for it on dvxuser.com
You are right, I hope it won’t be huge, however rumored f/2,5 gives some impression that it will be not so small anyway.
To tell you the truth whether it has or not the power zoom I’ll buy it. I need bright high quality universal zoom.
If it is released Panasonic has my money 🙂
All I wanted to say is that power zoom is not a gadget function…
hmmm… and with powerzoom or without it, it will be an expensive piece of glass…
MFT is not a cheap system by any means.
admin so its now a f2.5 lens? if yes only stop from pancake lumix 20mm lens so it would be a great zoom like a 24-100 2.5 in light gaterihng zoom
can you confirm its constant f2.5?
I hope he can! 🙂
If all things are equal then f2.5 constant is better than f2.5-3.3 (or whatever it was). However I guess it will have to be bigger and heavier (sorry I am sounding like a broken record!) to achieve f2.5 at the long end. Instead of f2.5 constant, I would prefer f2-f2.8 if they are going to make it faster/heavier. Am I making any sense!?
Admin,
any chance to ask Panny for lens roadmap (under consideration print screen is fine ;)) 2012 and/or next pancakes that are in work?
TIA
thanks for the news
We actually now have a pretty nice set if small lenses – 8FE, 12, 14, 17, 20, 25, 45mm & 45macro (that’s 8!!!! And don’t mention the 3d lens). They offer a good range of FLs and a good mix of quality/size/features. A 35mm f1.7 pancake would be a delicious addition though!
As a career broadcaster, I offer the following for those who sounded unsure: Most professional videographers use power zoom when they need zoom. That’s because it’s inevitably smoother and more “pro” looking than can be managed manually – even with a well-damped zoom ring. Virtually all professional video camera/lens set-ups feature this. If you ever see a TV news crew out on the job, ask them. Now, of course, if one is primarily a stills shooter then such a feature might not be important to you.
+1
I’d love to see all the people complaining about its’ use for video try to do it MORE smoothly manually. Ain’t gonna happen.
It would be cool of Panasonic to offer a power zoom version as well as a classic manual zoom. Heck if the the non-power zoom isn’t a constant f2.5, that way it can be differentiated on price. 800 without 1100 with?
So, some people here are complaining about powered zoom functionality…
It is critically necessary as one of the main elements which makes a video camera, a video camera.
1. When not abused, well implemented, speed-adjustable, slow zoom is perfect interviews and close-ups.
2. On a small camera, not having to turn a zoom lens means less camera shake.
These are just a few reason’s off the top of my head.
For me, shooting video is best done as a one-handed affair so I can carry stuff in my other hand, ride a bike, or whatever.
Of course… one-handing shooting isn’t worth much of the continuous auto-focus is lacking (I’m looking at you, m43rds).
Damn, I miss making videos…
Powered zoom is essential for for some types of video work. It’s a missing part of Pansonics m4/3 video lineup and I’d be really surprised if they didn’t work on a at least one lens with this feature.
if panasonic is really smart about the powerzoom, then they could take the input value from the zoom mechanism, and compensate for any focus shift that the lens’ may have for zooming.
this way they could go with a varafocal design which is easier and smaller for mFT and still get a constant focus when using power zoom since the powerzoom would be constant and at a known rate of change.
just dreaming though…
Having the zoom switch on the lens’ would probably be for backwards compatibility with bodies without the controls for it (all current bodies), but hopefully a camcorder body like the mockup above could communicate the zoom amount allowing true single handed operation.
+1 good idea – i bet they dont do it…. kinda like having focus distance readout would be nice and could also have auto hyperfocal distance at any zoom/apature!
These things will probably not make it into cameras untill they make open systems people can hack/write applications for… then we can get it to do anything…. at moment we are at the mercy of the manufactures not what the technology can (should) deliver!
OH HELL YEAH. This is the best announcement in the m43 world in some time. Now we will be able to do this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lkmp_8TZRnQ
Ah Ah!
Bip! Bip! zzzzzzzzzzz!
kzzzzzz! kzzzzzzzz!
Like my granfather in hollidays in Romania with his VHS camescope!
Admin are you sure its not power ois in the lens instead of motor?
The powerzoom possibility reminds me of an interview with an American Panasonic executive last year who said that his six year old daughter wanted to know where the power zoom was on his G series camera. And he thought she was right. If this is a clue to their policy, it is not just for p and s upgraders, but a whole philosophy of camera design that aims at youth, what youth are used to, and what they are perceived as wanting (probably because they are used to it). Not viewfinders for example.
Has anyone thought that this lens is probably better suited for the AF10x cams?
I can think of a number of reasons to use a power zoom with video for smooth zooming in or out for instance. For photography then there is a use and that is with using remote control when photographing wildlife, especially if it is quiet. It would be nice to be able to take shots of birds on a set up situation and then try a couple of shots zoomed in. In this digital world you can afford speculative shots.
so, everyone missed that we have final spec of the upcoming fast zoom?
“12-50mm f/2.5”
I strongly doubt it is a constant f/2.5 throughout the focal range. It would be a pretty big & expensive lens.
Yes! Do it! Despite the near religious zeal of “Zooms = 666” thinking, event, doco and corporate still need online zooms from time to time. And yes..they can and would benefit from depth of field benefits of VDSLR. I wish Zacuto or the like could make a power zoom controller that would work on more lenses. I imagine powering it would be a problem.