The $199 Z Camera E1 vs Panasonic GH4: 4K Video

scissorfight wrote:

I bought one of these also. I'm 70% impressed with the camera and 30% frustrated. The bitrate issue must be insurmountable or they would have changed that long ago. Hope not, but seems that way.This stinks. If they could implement 100mbps or even 200mbps this camera could be a beast. They are now working on VR and 360 rigs so doubtful development will go much further for the E1.

One weird thing is some odd auto exposure happening with all settings at a fixed position. With my ISO set to 100 (or whatever), the shutter speed set (1/50) and the aperture set to fixed settings (manual F mount lens), the camera still is doing some auto exposure in Photo mode. I just can't figure out what it is changing. Point to a dark scene and the camera brightens up, point to bright, it darkens. Hmmm. This isn't right. Maybe it's just the firmware I'm using (.23)? Anyone have insight into this or experienced the same? It kinda looks like shutter speed is being changed since the dark scenes brighten but also get smeary like a long shutter speed in video. No clue. Still looking for the answer to this one.

Those 2 issues are causing some buyers remorse (even at $199). I'd love to use this on an 800mm hexacopter with a tiny gimbal but the bitrate just can't handle large sweeping scenes currently. That also makes it not well suited to steadicam type work, which it would be great for otherwise. So close...

Please, please, please update the firmware to .3. The camera acts completely differently. I was totally frustrated with .23. Now, it works as it should. The .3 firmware was made available just last month, so they are still working on the E1.