Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Auto focus in the video mode

Dusseldorf Museum of Art #4

Because LUMIX GH1's auto focus is achieved by contrast control on the sensor, it can allow its owner to focus on the moving object while shooting a video. This is a new feature for a prosumer digicam, since neither Canon 5D II nor Nikon D90, the two current video recording SLRs, can do it. Obviously, this all needs to be happening in the 720 mode, if we want to retain good control over the quality of the video picture.

It is important to compare the sizes of the sensors. This is where Lumix GH1 lets us down a bit, because its sensor is only 17.3 x 13mm, while Nikon D90 is in the middle with 23.6 x 15.8mm and Canon 5D is clear winner with 23.6 x 15.8mm. As sensors go, larger is definitely better, since bigger sensors give better low light performance.

5 comments:

  1. I dont know where you think you have been in Germany. But these Pictures show the Staatsgalerie in STUTTGART - Museum of Art.
    I am a Citizesn of Stuttgart for 4 decades now, i do believe firmly in recongnising my own hometown ;)
    Sincerly
    Colonel O'Neill

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  2. Margaret, you probably mean that the sensor of the Canon 5D is in fact 35.8 x 23.9 mm.

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  3. "Nikon D90 is in the middle with 23.6 x 15.8mm and Canon 5D is clear winner with 23.6 x 15.8mm" ???

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  4. canon 5D mark2 is actually 36mm x24 mm, and thus is the winner as you say. (just nitpicking)

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