Revenge of the Great Camera Shootout 2012

The much anticipated first part of "The Revenge of the Great Camera Shootout 2012" is now live on Zacuto's site.

 Featuring a blind taste test between the following cameras:

• Apple iPhone 4S 
• Arri Alexa 
• Canon C300 
• Canon 7D 
• Panasonic GH2 Un-Hacked
• Panasonic GH2 Hacked
• RED Epic
• Sony FS100
• Sony F3 
• Sony F65 

This test really shows that it is no longer about what camera you use, but how you use it. In the hands of a talented DP, any of these cameras (with the possible exception of the iPhone) can produce cinematic quality images.

Can you tell which image belongs to which camera?  Click on any image to see a higher quality 1920 x 1080 frame grab.  Keep in mind that these images are compressed frame grabs from an already compressed online video and do not reflect the total quality of the original image.

My favorite image rendering belongs to that of Camera H, with second place going to that of Camera F, and third place to Camera B. I think Camera H does the best job representing the dynamic range of the scene while maintaing pleasing skin tones.  Did I pick the Arri Alexa? The RED Epic? Or the Hacked Panasonic GH2? Only Zacuto knows for sure, so I guess we will have to wait and see.

Kudos to Steve Weiss and all the talented people that contributed their time and expertise in making this a great resource for filmmakers.

Stay tuned for Part Two coming in July!

P.S. If Camera D wasn't the iPhone 4S, I will eat my shorts:)