My Hong Kong footage is here:

SONY NEX-EA50H review and footage by Alister Chapman - YouTube

"This video is currently unavailable."

It's working for me. Watching it now!

"This video is currently unavailable."

That was apparently a youtube HTML5 beta problem. Opting out of the beta testing, which I didn't even know I'd been included in, resolved the problem.

Split out from the announcement thread; embedded player directly in post. Thanks Alister!

I'm currently "shopping" for a new cam, looking at the Canon C100, the BlackMagic Cam, maybe the FS100 and now the EA50 and I really do NOT like what I saw on this video.

I regret to say that I can get much much nicer footage out of my antiquated Canon XH-A1 that what I saw on this video. Sure, I won't get the same DOF but my colors look so much nicer.

I'm not impressed.
Does this meant that to really replace my XH-A1 I need to aim at the > $ 6500 range?

Larry I'm curious, what exactly is it that you don't like?
If it's just the colors then perhaps it either the way Alistair had the profile set or your computer moniter is not giving you a proper look. I say this only because I looked at this video onn 3 different computers with 3 different monitors and the colors looked real and proper to me.
The reason I ask is since this camera is now #1 on my list I want to hear others opinions and get a feel for what they don't like about it.
Thanks

Alstair's review is spot on. I own the 50 and what he says about the hardware is correct. The color produced by the 50 is outstanding. No problems whatsoever. The system is substantial, not a paperweight in any sense of the word. It's a serious piece of tech that produces quality output in the hands of someone who knows how to shoot. I am very pleased with the hardware thus far.

Don,
After carefully read the specs of the cam on BH and other clips I have to say that it must be the way Allister set up the cam.
For me shouts VIDEO! I like worked footage and his was not.
So I guess, my first comment was not fair. After carefully thinking and consideration this cam should perform much better than my Canon XH-A1, but I guess, the footage presented by Allister was just, well, point and shoot with no particular work and I guess, it's always going to look like video this way.

The footage below makes me want to have an FS100
http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/sony-nxcam-nex-fs100/509010-interesting-video.html

The footage from Alister doesn't make me want to have an NEX-EA50EH

Do you see what I mean?

Got it. Thanks appreciate the input.

Hi Larry

The clip you listed is Sony's "official" promo clip ...take a look at the official promo clip for the EA-50 and you will see a equally desireable series of clips that will make you want the 50 as well. According to Alastair's blog comments this was a pre-production unit he got hold of and was able to do a quickie test

NEX-EA50 (NXCAM APS-C Sensor Camcorder) - YouTube (http://youtu.be/NVP_yOFBtug)

Chris

I guess I have to apologize!

One last question

Why buy the EA50 and not the FS 100? It's around 1000 bucks in difference, correct?

Is it just the difference in the sensor? The FS has a Exmor Super35 CMOS Sensor while the EA50 has a Exmor APS-C CMOS Sensor? And the fact that the FS100 has Uncompressed 4:2:2 & RGB Output via HDMI?

Do you see any other difference?

Hi Larry

They are much the same price over here and yes, you get the Super 35 sensor too!! However, for me it was simply an easier transition with the EA-50 form factor ...I'm a shoulder mount person and loved the form factor ..plus an ENG style zoom with rocker was also the clincher. For me overall it just ticked all my boxes. I think if you are a DSLR person and used to the form factor of body and lens then the FS100 would suit you better.

If you are a video person then the EA-50 is a nicer way to go. The FS100 is also around 1.5 stops faster with the same lens as the EA-50. If it helps any there is "talk" that the 18-200 servo lens will be available for the FS too but I'm not too sure about a zoom rocker? Does the FS100 have one already??

It's like buying a car ...much a personal choice more than anything else. You might pick a big 4X4 RV cos that's what you feel good in while I might pick a compact cos it's easy to park..both get us from A to B!

Chris

I agree with Chris. A thousand bucks is a thousand bucks and the form factor for run and gun is a big deal for me. As for the sensor, well the 50's is close enough to super sensor that for my work it won't make any difference nor will the lack of 4:2:2 or RGB/HDMI. I angonized over this decision believe me (something I have NEVER done with a camera purchase before) and after doing a lot of comparing I feel the NEX-EA50U is the right camera for me.
I looked at what I was getting for the money spent...value for the buck.

Hi Don

It is always a tough choice for me so I spent a LOT of time checking the manual very carefully to make sure it ticked all the boxes ..something I never did last year when I bought the Panasonic AC-130's.

We tend to have shooting habits even if it's something as simple as doing a slow zoom down to the marriage certificate as the bride signs it... now without a zoom rocker I would have to start adapting my workflow to contend with this. Form factor is also critical as when the bride signs the register I don't have time to rush around finding a tripod and setting it up...I like the idea I can move around so the photog has some space and that can only be done if your camera is hand holdable ..the FS100 is essentially a big square box with a lens and doesn't look very easy to handhold ... hence I'll keep the $1000!!

Once my first one arrives i'll be doing some actually wedding footage (just handheld over my current cameras) and of course I'll post a bunch of clips so we can all decide if profiles need to be changed. To me that will be far more useful than a quick shoot around the back yard. It might make it by my Saturday 5th wedding but I doubt it due to the holiday this week and if not I'll shoot over the wedding the following Saturday.

At this stage the EA-50 sounds like it will be pretty close to what I need and with a fast prime lens at receptions I can also have people stop telling me "that light is so bright!!"

Hopefully I'll have something for you to comment on prior to your vacation from 18th!

Chris

Is it just the difference in the sensor?

The main difference between the fs100 and ea50 is that the fs100 has a sensor designed for video and the ea50 had a sensor designed for photo and adapted to be used for video. The fs100 doesn't suffer from moire and aliasing like the ea50 does. The fs100 also gives much cleaner footage at very high gains.

About videosamples you see about the ea50, a lot depends on who uses it and how. It think Alistars review video showed some very nice image's but he only used the stock lens I believe, if you do a planned shoot with different type of lenzes you get this:
"Pepephon"- Sony NEX-EA50 pre-production test footage. on Vimeo

The fs100 also crossed my mind but it's 2500 euro more expensive here then the ea50 + then it still has the cheaper 18-200 lens attached and not that new power zoom lens. With that attached to it I almost could buy 2 ea50's for the price of 1 fs100.

Not to mention the FS100 silly top mounted viewfinder. I'm 5' 6" and sometimes I interview people who are taller than me. Why didn't they put the 50's side mounted VF on the 100?

Lee,
I know how you feel. I'm also 5'6" (sometimes I wish it were reversed) and when shooting over a crowd or just putting a camera on my tripod and raising it all the way up, without a side mounted VF or LCD it is a major problem. However lack of height is also a good thing. We can sneak around a bit and no one see's us. ;-)

Chris, Seeing footage from you would be great but I tell ya, I'm locked in on the camera no matter what. I'm only waiting for tax purposes.
Have a Happy New Year!

I personally find the viewfinder that attaches to the lcd too large on the ea50, possible to save on cost they just took the one that is supplied with the fs100 and then had to make a adjustable shoulder pad because otherwise you where not able to rest the camera on your shoulder while viewing through that long tube.

I seriously am considering to make that long viewing tube shorter and have seen some videos how to do that, just need to be sure there are no trade offs when doing that. In that way the shoulder pad can stay where it is and the camera comes closer to your body. Now it just sticks out as if your holding a bazooka and paired with another heavier lens I prefer to minimize that distance.

Please let us know how that works out.

Wow, very good thinking everybody.
Yes, I do understand what you say against the FS 100 and for the EA50.

Now for me it's going to be between the EA50 and the Lumix GH3
I don't care about the shape of the machine that produces my video. And the GH3 is a bargain compared to the EA50, if the quality is almost the same or subjectively not the same, I don't care.
If somebody has any good review of the GH3, with footage, please give us a link.
L.

Hi Larry,

We have an entire forum dedicated to the Panasonic Lumix GH series and I encourage you to check it out and do some research there... the direct link is:

Panasonic LUMIX GF / GH Series Forum at DVinfo.net (http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/panasonic-lumix-gf-gh-series/)

I would really prefer to reserve the discussions in each camera board to stay focused on those particular cameras. Thanks for understanding, and Happy New Year!

Of course.

Hi Noa

Regarding the loupe tube on the EA-50, were you thinking in terms of keeping the shoulder pad in the closed position rather than extending it?? That would make the camera heaps more compact of course but wouldn't controls be tricky to get to then as they would be quite close to your face??

Maybe a nice mod would be to make the tube so it can be made either short or long?? It shouldn't be too tricky to engineer a tube that can telescope in or out. Any links for that mod if I need it??

Chris

Some more interesting nex ea50 videos appeared:
Look at how much grain the 171 has and how clean the footage on the ea50 is, it looks like a comparable perfomance with my 550d, that's reassuring. It can always be better (like a 5dIII or a sony fs100) but this is sufficient for my use.
Sony NEX-EA50 vs Panasonic AG-HPX171 on Vimeo
and this one
(This one would have been much better if both had the same lens one, comparing a fast prime on the gh2 with a low iso with the stocklens on the Sony at a high iso is not a fair comparison.)
Sony NEX-EA50U vs Hacked GH2 on Vimeo

Any links for that mod if I need it??

"http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/sony-nxcam-nex-fs100/497677-stock-loupe-modification.html"

Hi Noa

Thanks for the link and the clips. I bet a bride couldn't tell the difference between the EA-50 at 18db and the GH2 at 0db... I'm impressed with the gain at all levels even on a slow lens! I reckon even the Sony SEL50F18 would give a very good video at a reception (an F1.4 would be awesome but somewhat expensive)

Now all I need to do is get our snail paced delivery courier to actually make a delivery!! I don't think the camera will make it by my weekend wedding sadly but I do have another the following Saturday in our beautiful South West so that will give me a great opportunity to shoot some extra footage.

Chris

ooh, just got the notification that my camera was send from the store where I ordered so should be here tommorow, I"m excited :) No more checking out vimeo videos, I"ll just collect my own test footage now :D

Great news Noa!

That's quick...Mine was shipped from our East Coast on 28th December and it's STILL in transit.

I doubt whether it will arrive before the weekend so I'll have to use it at my wedding on 12th not the 5th

Keep us up to date!!

Chris

Well hopefully I'll have a hands on demo early next week with CVP and if it ticks all the boxes as it seems to be, I'll be placing my order.

Facial detection and spot focus really interest me as does focus transition - and with the right adapter the possibility of using my canon lenses!

Pete