Back & Forth, No 4K for EOS 5D Mark IV?

[ahsanford]

Thanks with all the answers, folks.

I don't shoot video, but as I want a great sensor for all-purpose stills (incl. at high ISO), it would appear that I should skip the 5Ds and await the 5D4. So I'm curious what you video guys are going to demand my future camera to offer.

- A

 

[ahsanford]

If the 5DIV doesn't support 4K, then I have no real need to buy it. My 5DIII shoots stills very well and I can basically upgrade it by buying high quality lenses. At some point for stills I might consider a 5DsR, which is distinctly different from the 5DIII. I just wouldn't be interested in a 5DIV that is a modest evolutionary improvement.

It all depends on what they improve. As a stills shooter:

If the 5D4 is a 24-28 MP rig with similar high ISO performance over the 5D3, I would pass altogether.

If the 5D4 a 30-36 MP rig with a full stop better high ISO performance over the 5D3, I would be intrigued.

If the 5D4 was simply a lights out performer in low light, had better DR, etc., they could take my money.

But, yeah -- I love my 5D3, so replacing it will require a strong step forward.

- A

 

[gsealy]

For some industries and situations 4K capture for future use is important. But for me, it isn't. Things change rapidly in my world, so old stock is pretty much, well, old.

The difference is - the theoretical 5D Mark IV is ok for you now... but in 1 year... 2 years... 3 years? I would venture an educated guess that still producing for 720/1080 at that point will be quite antiquated. Why would anyone buy a camera that faces obsolescence so soon?

I hope I'm wrong in that I hope the new camera has 4K and all the features that make it appealing to both professionals and enthusiasts alike... I worry that I'm not though...

I wouldn't buy a 5DIV unless it shot 4K. That said, 'future proofing' is not important to me. So I am not going to jump in and spend a lot of money to shoot 4K now because of that concept. I will wait until the right solution comes along.

 

[Light_Pilgrim]

I used to have 5D MKII, now I have 5D MKIII and I never ever recorder a single minute of video. I only want MKIV to be the best still camera in the world and I am willing to pay 4K for it

 

[HurtinMinorKey]

Personally i'd rather have a higher bit-depth codec or raw of 1080, than a compressed to hell 4K codec.

 

[joejohnbear]

Personally i'd rather have a higher bit-depth codec or raw of 1080, than a compressed to hell 4K codec.

Yup, this. Put C100 quality or better video in the 5DIV, and I'm good.

And those who threaten to jump brands. Go! Jump! Good riddance. Calm your t1ts every time there's a new rumor. There are tons of options for professionals now. If you can't afford a C100, maybe you shouldn't be thinking about professional video. If you aren't shooting professionally and are just f-ing around, then maybe you're not a target customer for the video industry!

 

[topdog]

4k is not that important for still shooters, but it's a nice feature to be included as 4k will become more popular in the next few years. this canon is a new sensor in a dinosaur camera body. yes canon is most used camera by pros, but there was also a time when blackberry was at the top of the mobile phone market. was considering this camera, but most likely will wait for sony's yet to be announced 50 mgp camera.

 

[ahsanford]

4k is not that important for still shooters, but it's a nice feature to be included as 4k will become more popular in the next few years. this canon is a new sensor in a dinosaur camera body. yes canon is most used camera by pros, but there was also a time when blackberry was at the top of the mobile phone market. was considering this camera, but most likely will wait for sony's yet to be announced 50 mgp camera.

I'm not waiting for Sony's 50 MP sensor. I'm waiting for its lenses.

And then I'll be waiting for thoughtful ergonomic design with its bodies.

And then I'll be waiting for better battery life.

And then I'll be waiting for a world class AF system*.

I agree their sensors are terrific, but migrating to that system on that back of solely that upside* would have me crying a river for leaving behind so much rock-solid goodness I have with Canon today.

- A

*I know this is a video thread, but I am a stills shooter and AF >> 4k for me.

 

[topdog]

actually a sony shooter considering migrating to canon for the lenses. but also know many who are stuck with canon for the lenses. for those who haven't invested heavily on lenses, canon is not looking so desirable

 

[CarlMillerPhoto]

EosHD is hardly a credible source. I'd be hesitant to quote them.

 

[gregory4000]

I can't understand these rumors. All manufactures soon will be implementing 4k only because consumers are or will soon be aware of the incredible improvement over 1080p. For the person using medium format, I get it. That format is for professional photos. However a very large portion of consumers who shoot stills also enjoy the moment to capture a video clip. We don't want two cameras to carry around for these moments. Honestly, do you think any manufactures in three to four years will not have 4K. REMEMBER, how quickly cameras switched over from 480 to 1080, from everything as in - point and shoot to DSLR's. Can you imagine a 5DlV being released in the winter or next spring, and than for the next five years you have a feature that embarrassing in 2017, 2018 and 2019....

 

[gsealy]

I can't understand these rumors. All manufactures soon will be implementing 4k only because consumers are or will soon be aware of the incredible improvement over 1080p. For the person using medium format, I get it. That format is for professional photos. However a very large portion of consumers who shoot stills also enjoy the moment to capture a video clip. We don't want two cameras to carry around for these moments. Honestly, do you think any manufactures in three to four years will not have 4K. REMEMBER, how quickly cameras switched over from 480 to 1080, from everything as in - point and shoot to DSLR's. Can you imagine a 5DlV being released in the winter or next spring, and than for the next five years you have a feature that embarrassing in 2017, 2018 and 2019....

Last sentence -- I agree in terms of our logic. But who knows what some marketing whiz bang at Canon is thinking?

 

[unfocused]

I admit I am a near-novice in video (just beginning to learn as I have some clients with an interest in it), but I am rather confused that 4K video seems to suddenly be a "must have."

Most of the video work I am doing is likely to live on the internet and be viewed on either tablets or phones. In fact, I just had a conversation the other night with my film instructor, where he was remarking that most of his students watch their movies and tv shows on cell phones or, at best, iPads.

Given that those are the most likely delivery device for videos and there is no reason to believe that will change (in fact, it's likely that fewer and fewer people will watch shows even on a television), I have to ask how all the people who say they absolutely must have 4K video are delivering that product?

Are your clients really that demanding that they want 4K video? Do they even know what 4K video is? If the videos are living on YouTube and similar sites, what is the need for 4K video?

 

[sanj]

Personally i'd rather have a higher bit-depth codec or raw of 1080, than a compressed to hell 4K codec.

Good point.

 

[Dog of the Moon]

Not putting 4K on a 5D upgrade would be idiotic. Canon has to realize 4K is the new standard. For now on, anything that doesn't have 4K is dead.

 

[atcd]

why is dslr image so much more beautiful than cinema eos? colors are much deeper shodows more cinematic. it's a shame not to have a cinema camera with the unique picture of dslr.

 

[IglooEater]

Personally i'd rather have a higher bit-depth codec or raw of 1080, than a compressed to hell 4K codec.

Good point.

Interesting someone else is thinking the same thing. I know very little about video, but I remember reading an opinion piece on RedShark saying basically the same thing- that a higher bitrate hd would have a better payoff quality-to-megabyte ratio than compressing 4K into a palatable size given today's bandwidth and storage limitations..
*edit: of course, that is mainly a client-side issue I suppose
Not trying to say 4k is unnecessary by any means, I'd hate to see a new 5d without it.

 

[J_Lewis]

OK Canon hear me well!! I am a professional photographer. I just started mixing shooting video and stills and don't want the C100 nor C300 soooo no 4K you sayyyyy??!! Me upset me no buy your new camera. As simple as that!! Bugger!!!

 

[WillT]

If they don't add 4K to the Mark IV I am guessing there will be a lot more people jumping ship and moving to Nikon or Sony. Our customers expect the best IQ and shooting still and video is a must!

 

[ahsanford]

Left field idea: any possibility that the 5D4 is designed that it will record 4K but Canon simply blocks that feature with firmware to prevent undercutting Cinema EOS sales?

If they did, Canon could play wait and see on 4K and see if videographers really will jump ship without it. If enough folks say that they'll leave Canon over this, Canon can just release a firmware update to unlock 4K on the 5D4. Canon would give up on their upcharge strategy, but that's a lot easier than racing a new model to market.

- A