PRONEWS AWARD 2024 Vol. 02 – Cameras/Camcorders

PRONEWS AWARD 2024 Camcorder/Mirrorless Camera Nominees:

Over the past year, many mirrorless cameras have been released by various companies, and social media has been abuzz with talk of new products. In particular, Canon announced its flagship model, the EOS R1, and Sony also released a successor to the α1 II. Furthermore, Sony also released the new α9 III, which is equipped with a global shutter, making it a year in which surprising new products were announced one after another. Now, let’s take a look at the PRONEWS AWARD 2024 nominees in the Camcorder/Mirrorless Camera category.

Sony PXW-Z200

Release date: September 13, 2024

Sony has released a new camcorder for the first time in six years. In recent years, new products from other companies have focused on mirrorless cameras, and new camcorders have almost disappeared. The “HXR-NX5R” has long been used for television program shooting, but it does not support 4K shooting and production has already ended. Despite this, it was very popular.

Under these circumstances, the camcorder “PXW-Z200” attracted attention as a possible migration target. This new product, which attracted much attention this year, has the same size and weight as the HXR-NX5R, and is multi-slot compatible with SDXC memory cards and CFexpress Type A memory cards. The startup time when the power is turned on has also been shortened, improving responsiveness in the field. Another point that attracted attention was the change from the conventional triple ring to a double ring. With subject recognition and auto framing functions, and high AF accuracy, it is highly regarded even in single-operator situations.

Canon EOS R5 Mark II

Release date: August 30, 2024

Canon’s “5” models are all legendary cameras that have paved the way in the history of videography. Examples include the “EOS 5D Mark II,” which made video recording possible with a single-lens reflex camera in 2008, and the “EOS R5,” which achieved the world’s first 8K video. The newly released “EOS R5 Mark II” also has excellent video recording capabilities worthy of the “5” name.

The EOS R5 Mark II is equipped with a full-size back-illuminated stacked CMOS sensor with a maximum resolution of approximately 45 million pixels, as well as the DIGIC X image engine and the newly developed DIGIC Accelerator analysis engine. This enables high-resolution, low-noise image generation and high image quality through AE/WB analysis. In terms of video performance, it supports 8K60P RAW recording, and 4K RAW can be selected for situations where high image quality is required. The specifications balance high image quality and convenience.

Other notable features include a full-size HDMI terminal and the new “Canon Log 2” which achieves a wide dynamic range of up to 16+ stops. The improved read speed reduces rolling shutter distortion. In addition, the camera also focuses on heat countermeasures, and a vertical grip equipped with a cooling fan is provided to effectively suppress overheating during long-term shooting.

Fujifilm GFX100S II

Release date: June 28, 2024

The Fujifilm GFX100S II is a sibling model of the GFX100S, which was released in 2023. Its biggest feature is that it is equipped with a 44 x 33 mm 102 MP CMOS II sensor, yet is slightly smaller and cheaper.

The video performance of the Fujifilm GFX series is very good, considering the effects of rolling shutter. There are some differences in the video performance between the GFX100 II and GFX100S II. The GFX100 II supports 8K30P, DCI4K/4K 60P, and FHD 120P, while the GFX100S II does not support 8K, and only supports DCI4K/4K 29.97P and FHD 59.94P. There is also a difference in bit depth, with the GFX100 II supporting 4K60P at 4:2:2 10bit, and the GFX100S II supporting 4K30P at 4:2:2 10bit.

Either way, the GFX100S II is a model that allows you to easily experience the specs of the latest Fujifilm GFX series, and will be an attractive choice for many users.

Nikon Z6III

Release date: July 12, 2024
Read our review of the Z6III here

This is a multi-functional, high-performance hybrid mirrorless camera that inherits many advanced features, including the EXPEED 7 image processing engine from Nikon’s flagship models, the Z8 and Z9, and achieves astonishing speed and high frame rates for both still images and videos.

The Z6III also has a wide range of video functions, supporting internal N-RAW recording up to 6K60p and internal ProRes RAW HQ recording. It is possible to shoot using the width of the full-frame sensor without cropping. It also supports 4K120p shooting, although only when cropped. With all these features in a camera of this size, the price of $2500 is amazing.

Panasonic LUMIX GH7

Release date: July 26, 2024

A new Micro Four Thirds mirrorless camera has been released, which is very popular in the videography industry. While inheriting its strong characteristics for video, it can also record 5.7K Apple ProRes 422 HQ and ProRes RAW HQ internally using a CFexpress Type B card. In addition, by combining it with the optional XLR microphone adapter “DMW-XLR2”, it also supports 32-bit float recording, making it easy to create a professional recording environment.

Of particular note is the inclusion of the long-awaited on-chip phase detection AF. This dramatically improves AF speed and accuracy, making focusing during video shooting much smoother. It’s such a major improvement that it’s hard to go back to the previous model, and it gives the impression that this series, which covers all the needs of video shooting, has become even more complete.

Sony α1 II

Release date: December 13, 2024

The second generation of the flagship model of Sony’s α series has arrived. While the α9 series is a model that specializes in speed, the α1 series is positioned as a flagship model that combines resolution and speed.

The “α1 II” continues to use a full-size stacked sensor with approximately 50.1 effective megapixels, and by equipping it with an AI processing unit, it supports up to 759-point phase-difference AF. The real-time recognition AF can accurately track a variety of subjects such as people, animals, birds, insects, cars, trains, and airplanes. One notable improvement is the pre-capture function that can record the moment before the shutter is released. It is possible to go back and take continuous shots before pressing the shutter button, and record without losing pixel count even in continuous shooting at up to approximately 30 frames per second.

Video performance has also been greatly improved, with support for high-quality, high-frame-rate video recording at 8K30P and 4K120P. A major feature of the camera is that real-time recognition AF works even when shooting video, allowing it to track a variety of subjects with high precision.

Sony α9 III

Release date: January 26, 2024
Our review of the Sony Alpha 9 III

The “Sony α9 III” comes equipped with a global shutter image sensor. It is a mirrorless camera with a unique character that will completely change the industry. The global shutter eliminates the distortion caused by rolling shutters in the video industry, providing a new shooting experience that has never been seen before. Additionally, it supports 4K120P and is equipped with an AI processing unit, enabling advanced functions such as auto framing, AF assist, focus map, and breathing correction. The accuracy of subject tracking performance and real-time eye AF has also been improved, enabling advanced image processing using AI.

For still image shooting, it supports high-speed continuous shooting at up to approximately 120 frames per second. In addition, it achieves an incredible flash sync speed of 1/80,000 seconds, making it ideal for sports and performance photography. It can reliably capture high-speed movements and clearly record fleeting expressions and movements.

The above are the nominated products for the PRONEWS AWARD 2024 in the camcorder/mirrorless camera category.

PRONEWS AWARD 2024 Camcorder/Mirrorless Camera Category Gold Award

Canon EOS R5 Mark II

The EOS R5 Mark II has been highly praised by many professionals as a hybrid camera for both video and photography, and is currently the most promising choice for photographers who primarily focus on photography but also require high-quality video material.

This camera is characterized by its compatibility with both photography and video, and its video performance fully meets the requirements of professional levels. The previous model, the EOS R5, limited 8K RAW video recording to a maximum of 30p, but the EOS R5 Mark II allows 8K60p RAW recording using the built-in battery. This is a major evolution in that it no longer requires an external power supply, which was necessary with the previous EOS R5 C, and allows for free shooting anywhere. In addition, the R5 Mark II has the ability to shoot 4K SRAW video at 60fps in full size, making it the perfect choice for those who want to capture high-quality footage while keeping recording capacity low.

In addition, it uses Canon’s professional log gamma “Canon Log 2”, achieving a dynamic range of up to 16 stops or more of expression. This makes it easy to link with the CINEMA EOS series and is suitable for professional production environments.

Additionally, when multi-shooting or collaborative work is required, there is the option of the EOS R5 C from the Cinema EOS series, which is equipped with an air-cooling fan and anamorphic mode. Also, the new C80 has been released for video production, highlighting the richness of Canon’s lineup. The ability to offer such a wide range of options is a major strength of the Canon camera system as a whole.

PRONEWS AWARD 2024 Camcorder/Mirrorless Camera Category Silver Award

Sony PXW-Z200

In technical fields such as news, documentaries, and live multi-camera shooting, video cameras equipped with high-magnification zoom lenses still play an important role. However, no manufacturer has announced a new broadcast camera in recent years. Sony’s “Z200” changed that trend. In particular, the accuracy of the AI-based auto-framing function and the wide range of video expression with S-Cinetone are highly praised.

It’s a shame that the manual iris ring has been abolished and replaced with a dual ring for focus and zoom, but the addition of a dual dial for iris and electronic variable ND filter is a positive. Also, the adoption of S-Cinetone, reflecting the FX6 UI, fully meets modern needs.

The AI ​​auto-framing function is a convenient function that automatically tracks the subject and automates framing. It is particularly effective in situations where the subject needs to be kept in focus, such as when shooting with a single operator or when a speech is being given on stage. In addition, the image stabilization performance is also excellent, making it a lifesaver for single-person operation and camera operators who require high reliability.