The Hybrid Shooter

DJI Osmo Action 5 PRO click.dji.com/AF9L7R3pVjtnfrWwZtzLxg?pm=link (DJI Store affiliate link) has been announced. I have been using it for 6 weeks, but unfortunately, I wasn't able to finish the review yet because of local floods. Nevertheless, it is an excellent action camera with the new 1/1.3” high-res sensor, 4nm SoC, OLED displays, pressure gauge, very solid min. focus distance, large battery and so on. It is one of the rare products where I wasn't really able to find any weaknesses at the current stage of technology. The price is also much better than I expected. My full review will be available early next week. In the meantime, here is my unboxing of the Adventure Combo, some accessories and samples: https://youtu.be/qxFeW-7kJ_g

1 year ago (edited) | [YT] | 42

The Hybrid Shooter

Here are some of my thoughts about Gerald Undone's Osaka Lumix video:
Here is my experience working with Panasonic, supported by the videos on this channel:
I was at both the 2022 Tokyo S5 II event, London 2023 S5 II x event and the 2024 Osaka S9 event. Back when the S5 II was released, I was the only one to say that the A7 IV IBIS (with active mode) is actually better in some situations (that is no longer the case, Panasonic has vastly upgraded the E-stabilization by FW update).
There was a ton of videos showing how good is the S5 II IBIS at 35+ mm, but no videos revealing that there is warping at ultra-wide angles. I was accused of being a Sony fanboy, paid by Sony etc. There was a lot of drama on rumor sites. Then I made a separate video showing side-by-side samples in many scenarios that couldn't be disputed.

Panasonic has called me to ask whether I have updated FW in the camera, I said that I have. Then they said that my testing is representative and the video is OK.

I still got invited to the London event for S5 II X and the Osaka event for the S9. Nobody from Panasonic has ever said anything bad about any of my criticism, including my video about leaving M43 system and S5 review where I said pretty bad things about the AF. I have never felt pressured by Panasonic, Fujifilm, Sony.

Also worth mentioning is that there is a ton of pressure from the toxic part of the photography community to criticize everything. I think that it is also important to be able to succumb to that either and give the product credit where it is due, when you / I feel like it is the right thing to do.

1 year ago (edited) | [YT] | 158

The Hybrid Shooter

Some of my thoughts regarding the Panasonic S9 no EVF / mechanical shutter / grip / headphone jack etc. complaints:
Panasonic S9 is all about offering a full frame sensor in the smallest possible camera body, even if it means that some compromises had to be made (obviously). I have great news for those who are not interested in that concept and really want those features: Panasonic already offers all of that in the S5 II and they are more than happy to sell you one. The S9 is NOT an S5 II replacement. Including all of those features in the S9 would basically yield something very similar to the S5 II, which would be rather pointless in my opinion. The S9 is a camera for different type of use / users. If you are not interested in that kind of use, here is my S5 II / S5 II X Long Term Review for you: https://youtu.be/XY0ghnZegZc

1 year ago (edited) | [YT] | 19

The Hybrid Shooter

DJI Osmo Pocket 3 click.dji.com/ALENb4fOIM5z9pLGk8hD4Q?pm=link (DJI Store affiliate link) has finally been announced. Rumors were correct, it uses 1" sensor, rotating screen and it can record 4K 120p. Importantly, it seems to be impressively compact despite using much larger sensor than the Pocket 2. I have already ordered one and I will make an independent review as soon as possible.

2 years ago | [YT] | 111

The Hybrid Shooter

I have made a new channel THS Plus where I will be uploading lower production value videos, reviews of products that are not related to photography / filmmaking and other videos that won't make it onto the main channel.
Here is the first video, 30 min. long driving sample with the new *GoPro Hero 12 Black* in Hyundai Ioniq 6. Hero 12 Black review will be available on the main channel next week.

2 years ago (edited) | [YT] | 14

The Hybrid Shooter

Insta360 just launched their first smartphone gimbal Flow. I have been using it for a couple of weeks, but I wasn't able to make a review on time, because my microphone is broken. It is a very interesting concept with a battery placed inside of the vertical arm which allows it to have some distinctive features. The review will be available in a couple of days, but I can say that it works great.

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2 years ago (edited) | [YT] | 42

The Hybrid Shooter

Stabilization comparison update: Video is available again. Panasonic has confirmed that the S5 II FW that I was using already contains major IBIS / warping fix. They say that the performance shown in this video is realistic. This FW is still pre-production though (I was not aware of that). They are aware of the warping issue and the performance might be improved in the FW that will be installed in customer units.

2 years ago (edited) | [YT] | 50

The Hybrid Shooter

UPDATE: The video is available again. Panasonic has confirmed that the S5 II FW that I was using already contains major IBIS / warping fix.
Panasonic has contacted me about the S5 II IBIS comparison from my last video. They say that the latest FW that I got from them may still contain stabilization related issues and that they will send me another FW version. That video is no longer available, Panasonic did NOT ask me to take it down, but it may still be misleading so I have decided to do so.

2 years ago (edited) | [YT] | 358

The Hybrid Shooter

DJI OSMO ACTION 3 close focus drama:
Yes, the close focus distance sample in my review is mislabeled, it was shot on Action 2, I used a wrong clip from upcoming comparison video. Also, it doesn't matter at all, you can consider it Osmo Action 3 footage. It is the same optics and the close focus IQ is the same. The purpose of that clip is actually to show the “issue” (more accurately compromise), as it was the last year in Action 2 review.
That is simply what happens when you combine a larger sensor, brighter aperture and fixed focus… I don’t really understand what all the fuss is about and why it is a big deal now, when nobody noticed it on Action 2… I guess that is how the internet works. Just wait till the internet finds out that the Hero 10 / 11 has the same "issue", as you can see in my year old Hero 10 Black review…
People just need to understand that every camera (including action cameras) is a set of compromises. Having solid low light performance and everything in focus are contradicting requirements... always have been.

3 years ago (edited) | [YT] | 18

The Hybrid Shooter

I have pre-ordered Fujifilm X-H2 amzn.to/3TRb8Q1 so you can expect a review, comparisons and other usual stuff on this channel. I will also be reviewing / re-reviewing popular X-mount lenses to find out which of them are really good enough for 40 MP / 8K. It should be shipping in late September, but I try to borrow a review unit to make the review as soon as possible.

3 years ago (edited) | [YT] | 181