The Camera Gear Podcast

121: Are Camcorders Still Worth Buying?

This episode is all about camcorders–are they relics of the past or still a good value? We reminisce about the camcorders we owned many years ago and take a look at some modern equivalents to see what we think.
You can now support us on Patreon! The weekly show will be staying exactly the same, but if you want to contribute to our hosting costs for the podcast, we’d welcome your support. You can check it out here: https://www.patreon.com/cameragearpodcast
Want to send us a question or comment, or just learn more about the show? Check out our website at https://cameragearpodcast.com, or email us directly at cameragearpodcast@gmail.com.
Notes:
Panasonic HC-X2 4K Camcorder [B&H]
Sony NEX-VG900 (E-Mount full frame camcorder) [B&H]
Sony PXW-Z90 [Sony Pro]
Sony PXW-Z90V [B&H]
Sony CX405 Handycam [Sony]
Panasonic HC-VX981K 4K Camcorder [B&H]
Panasonic HC-VX3 and HC-V900 Announcement [Panasonic]
Review of Daniel’s Kodak Zi8 [CNET]

120: Leica and Pentax Brand Deep Dives

Finishing out our camera brand series from last year, we dig into two smaller, but still notable brands–Leica and Pentax. Also, Lucas bought a new lens for his lens, and we discovered more long telephoto primes that we missed in last week’s tier list episode.
You can now support us on Patreon! The weekly show will be staying exactly the same, but if you want to contribute to our hosting costs for the podcast, we’d welcome your support. You can check it out here: https://www.patreon.com/cameragearpodcast
Want to send us a question or comment, or just learn more about the show? Check out our website at https://cameragearpodcast.com, or email us directly at cameragearpodcast@gmail.com.
Notes:
Sony A1, A1 II, and A9 III Firmware Update [Sony]
Panasonic S5II, S5IIX, GH7, and G9II Firmware Update [Panasonic]
Leica’s 100-year anniversary is in 2025 [Leica Rumors]
List of all Pentax lenses [Digital Photography Review]

119: Tier List of Camera Lenses

We tier-rank each major camera lens type, from telephoto zooms to fisheyes. Along the way, we discover some surprising differences in which types of lenses we feel are better or worse. How do our rankings line up with yours?
You can now support us on Patreon! The weekly show will be staying exactly the same, but if you want to contribute to our hosting costs for the podcast, we’d welcome your support. You can check it out here: https://www.patreon.com/cameragearpodcast
Want to send us a question or comment, or just learn more about the show? Check out our website at https://cameragearpodcast.com, or email us directly at cameragearpodcast@gmail.com.
Notes:
Our tier rankings:
S:
85mm 1.4 prime
70-200 2.8 fast telephoto zoom
A:
50mm 1.8 “Nifty Fifty”
24-70 2.8 (fast standard zoom)
Canon 24-105 f/4 Mark II L
B: 
24-105 f/4 ,18-80 f/4
Ultrawide primes
14-24 (15-30, 8-16, etc) UW 2.8 zoom
24mm 1.4 prime
35mm 1.4 prime
Pancake prime (24, 27, or 35)
500 f/5.6
150-600 or 150-500 UW
Superzoom (24-240, f/4-5.6, 28-400 f/4-8, 18-300 f/3.5-6.s, 12-100 f/4 m43)
C:
27mm f/2.0
135mm f/1.8 (plena)
<f/1.0 primes
1200mm f/8
100mm macro 1:1 (2.8 or 4)
D: 
70-200 f/4
F: 
<15mm fisheye
F minus:
26mm f/8 L mount

118: The Nexus G1 Lives, and We Try Timecode

We cover the surprising recent update on the Nexus G1 cinema camera project, discuss some new audio gear, and talk about our recent experience using timecode for the first time.
You can now support us on Patreon! The weekly show will be staying exactly the same, but if you want to contribute to our hosting costs for the podcast, we’d welcome your support. You can check it out here: https://www.patreon.com/cameragearpodcast
Want to send us a question or comment, or just learn more about the show? Check out our website at https://cameragearpodcast.com, or email us directly at cameragearpodcast@gmail.com.
Notes:
Nexus G1
We previously covered the Nexus G1 in episode 69 of the show
Nexus G1 Introduced [CineD] (old article from January 2024)
Nexus Cameras website
Nexus G1 Final Design and Prototype Unveiled [CineD]
Zoom H1 XLR [B&H]
Rode Wireless Go III [B&H]
Atomos UltraSync BLUE [B&H]
Atomos UltraSync ONE [B&H]

117: 2025 Camera Rumors Part 2

Picking up where we left off last week, we cover more camera rumors (as well as our hopes) for 2025, including brands such as Panasonic, Nikon, Pentax, and OM System.
You can now support us on Patreon! The weekly show will be staying exactly the same, but if you want to contribute to our hosting costs for the podcast, we’d welcome your support. You can check it out here: https://www.patreon.com/cameragearpodcast
Want to send us a question or comment, or just learn more about the show? Check out our website at https://cameragearpodcast.com, or email us directly at cameragearpodcast@gmail.com.
Notes:
Sigma is developing a telephoto lens that “has never existed before” [L Rumors]
Lumix S1rII coming in early 2025? [L Rumors]
OM System CEO Says a New Camera and Multiple Lenses Arriving ‘Shortly’

116: 2025 Camera Rumors and Lucas Gets a Pentax 17

To start off 2025, we run through some of the biggest rumors from Canon, Fuji, and Sony and discuss what we’re expecting to see. And in news we’ve all been waiting for, Lucas finally bought that Pentax 17.
You can now support us on Patreon! The weekly show will be staying exactly the same, but if you want to contribute to our hosting costs for the podcast, we’d welcome your support. You can check it out here: https://www.patreon.com/cameragearpodcast
Want to send us a question or comment, or just learn more about the show? Check out our website at https://cameragearpodcast.com, or email us directly at cameragearpodcast@gmail.com.
Notes:
John Kraus Photos - photographer who covers rocket launches
Fuji GFX100RF fixed-lens rangefinder camera rumor [Fuji Rumors]
Possible Sony A7V camera registration in China [Sony Alpha Rumors]

115: Camera of the Year 2024

To close out 2024, we take a look at our favorite cameras released this year and pick our favorites across several categories, including the prestigious honor that is the Camera Gear Podcast 2024 Camera(s) of the Year.
New announcement: You can now support us on Patreon! The weekly show will be staying exactly the same, but if you want to contribute to our hosting costs for the podcast, we’d welcome your support. You can check it out here: https://www.patreon.com/cameragearpodcast
Want to send us a question or comment, or just learn more about the show? Check out our website at https://cameragearpodcast.com, or email us directly at cameragearpodcast@gmail.com.

114: Camera Brand Review for 2024

We reflect on the big news of the year and discuss some big stories and releases for each camera brand. Also, today’s question is: do you touch the back screen of your mirrorless camera to set focus?
New announcement: You can now support us on Patreon! The weekly show will be staying exactly the same, but if you want to contribute to our hosting costs for the podcast, we’d welcome your support. You can check it out here: https://www.patreon.com/cameragearpodcast
Want to send us a question or comment, or just learn more about the show? Check out our website at https://cameragearpodcast.com, or email us directly at cameragearpodcast@gmail.com.
Some links below to product sites are affiliate links and may result in a commission to the Camera Gear Podcast.
Links:
Canon
Sigma Introduces Lenses for Canon RF Mount
Canon R5 II Press Release
We covered the Canon R5 II in episode 95
Fuji
Fujifilm X100VI Press Release
Fujifilm X-M5 Press Release
We covered the X100VI in episode 74
We covered the X-M5 in episode 106
Leica
Leica Q3 43
Leica D-Lux 8
We covered the Leica Q3 43 in episode 108
We covered the Leica D-Lux 8 in episode 92
Pixii
Pixii Max
We covered Pixii (although not this camera) in episode 49
Nikon / RED
Nikon to Acquire US Cinema Camera Manufacturer RED
Nikon Z6III Press Release
We covered Nikon buying RED in episode 76
We covered the Nikon Z6III in episode 91
OM System
OM-1 Mark II Press Release
We covered the OM-1 Mark II in episode 77
Panasonic
Panasonic S9 Press Release
We covered the Panasonic S9 in episode 88
Pentax / Ricoh
Pentax 17
Ricoh GRIII HDF
We covered the Pentax 17 in episode 90
We covered the Ricoh GRIII HDF in episode 80
Sony
Sony A9 III Press Release
Sony A1 II
Sony 28-70 f/2 GM
We covered the Sony A9 III in episode 60
We covered the Sony A1 Ii in episode 113
We covered the Sony 28-70 f/2 in episode 113
Blackmagic
Blackmagic Ursa Cine 12K
Blackmagic Pyxis 6K
We covered the Ursa Cine 12K and Pyxis in episode 84

113: Sony A1 II

Sony’s new flagship camera is here, and we cover our thoughts on the new release in this episode. Also, Nikon is making sensors, and Lomography joins the half-frame film camera bandwagon. How many film cameras will Lucas buy in the next year?
Want to send us a question or comment, or just learn more about the show? Check out our website at https://cameragearpodcast.com, or email us directly at cameragearpodcast@gmail.com.
Some links below to product sites are affiliate links and may result in a commission to the Camera Gear Podcast.
Links:
Nikon’s dual voltage sensor breakthrough [Y.M. Cinema Magazine]
Lomography Lomourette Half-Frame Film Camera [Lomography]
Sony Alpha 1 II [Sony]
Sony A1 II Mirrorless Camera [B&H]

112: Final Cut Pro 11 and DaVinci Resolve 19.1

We return to software this week, with a look at the notable new features in Final Cut Pro 11 and DaVinci Resolve 19.1. Also, Canon expanded their lineup of “hybrid” photo/video RF mount lenses.
Want to send us a question or comment, or just learn more about the show? Check out our website at https://cameragearpodcast.com, or email us directly at cameragearpodcast@gmail.com.
Some links below to product sites are affiliate links and may result in a commission to the Camera Gear Podcast.
Links:
Canon press release about new hybrid lenses [Canon]
Canon RF 24mm f/1.4 L VCM Lens [B&H]
Canon RF 50mm f/1.4 VCM Lens [B&H]
Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8 IS USM Z Lens [B&H]
Final Cut Pro 11 Press Release [Apple]
Davinci Resolve Studio 19.1 Release Notes [Blackmagic]