AWARDS GEAR OF THE YEAR
SHORTLIST
CAMERAS
SLRs Canon EOS 5DMark IV Canon EOS-1D XMark II
Nikon D850 Sony A99 II
Mirrorless
Sony A7R IV Sony A7 III FujifilmX-T3 Olympus OM-D E-M1X Panasonic Lumix S1 Canon EOS R Nikon Z 6 Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K
It’s been an incredible year for new cameras, with significant new models coming on to the market in the cinema camera, mirrorless and camcorder categories – all crucial kit for working professionals. Full-frame models continue to hit the market, with the benefits of a shallow depth-of-field and incredible low noise from their large sensors. And the race for even more resolution continues to grow, with 5.9K, 6K and even 8K models starting to make an impact. The choice of cameras is growing, especially in the hotbed of innovation that is the mirrorless market, with several exciting new cameras coming out in the past year as well as established models holding their own. Although there is no sign of the long-awaited Sony A7S III, the high-resolution A7R IV and great all-rounder A7 III have won lots of fans. Fujifilm’s Super35-sized X-T3 has also won hearts, even outperforming the X-H1 so-called flagship as a video machine. And fans of Micro Four Thirds cameras have the new
professional-spec Olympus OM-D E-M1X, with its solid build quality and great performance, as well as the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K. This is aimed squarely at filmmaking and records Raw files internally for the ultimate quality – the only camera in this category to do so. But it’s on new full-frame mirrorless cameras that much of the excitement has centred this year, and none more so than the Canon EOS R, Nikon Z 6 and Panasonic S1. All these offer immense spec for the price, and although you may need to invest in new lenses to fit, it feels like the start of a new dynasty from each of these manufacturers. For cinema cameras, there is an equally bewildering choice at a hugely different range of price points. At the very high end of the range comes the Red Monstro 8K VV, the dream buy of many cinematographers who want 8K performance from its huge 41mm wide sensor and can justify the £54,000/$54,500 for body only.
ABOVE 2019 has been a year of innovation in the market, from camcorders to mirrorless cameras
Camcorders
JVC HC500 JVC HM180 Sony Z190 Sony Z280 Canon XF705
Cinema cameras Blackmagic Ursa Mini Pro G2 Canon EOS C700FF Canon EOS C200 RedMonstro 8K VV Panasonic EVA1 Sony FS5 II KinefinityMavo LF
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PRO MOVIEMAKER WINTER 2019
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