FUJIFILM, Nikon, OM SYSTEM (formerly Olympus), Leica, and Panasonic have all launched retro-styled hybrid cameras in recent years. As the hybrid revolution progressed, most still-oriented cameras gained impressive video capabilities, and dedicated filmmaking tools moved towards still camera design. Alongside the hybrid revolution, the vintage-retro design trend also gained traction, leading to our current reality when cameras designed specifically for still-capture also enable high-end and sometimes class-leading video performance. In this article, I’ll review the vintage-modern hybrid camera – the advantages, compromises, and pitfalls of this weird match of form and function. Hop in! FUJIFILM and Olympus arguably started the trend with the X100, followed by the X system from the former and the OM-D E-M5 from the latter. The X-Pro1 and OM-D E-M5 were announced in 2012 and were noticeably successful, encouraging other manufacturers to join the fray. Panasonic may have been the first manufacturer to combine vintage design and operation with 4K recording with their innovative LUMIX LX100 (2014). FUJIFILM introduced their first 4K capable X system camera in 2016 – the X-T2, with the addition of F-Log recording, taking their first steps into what would later be a formidable hybrid line. Time went by, and other manufacturers added retro-inspired models of their own. Leica and Nikon added some full-frame sparkle, and OM SYSTEM added the most recent entry – the OM-3, essentially a rehoused OM-1 Mark II flagship. However, as more vintage hybrids join the competition, we’re also seeing some companies quietly step away from this unique...
Published By: CineD - 2 days ago