> Built-in ND filter is superior to any ND lens filter.

I am not so sure.
It is descrete ND filter.

>No ugly flare if flare can't be avoided with hood or matte box

You can have other flares and light bounces having glass between lens and reflective sensor.

>XZ-1 has built-in filter, too. This should become an essential feature to all serious vdslrs.

Many compacts have ND filters, as well as camcorders. Just because they can't close aperture without degrading image.

We are living in digital times so company can make very similar products,pack into slightly different pants,make some limits for software and sale in different prices.This is not goog for us.Most of people don't like think,search and ask questions so company makes a lot of money from them. This stick has two ends so limits software can be hack by people like Vitaliy .This is very good for us. Times are changing,always and there will be new company which can dethrone champions of this market. Look at (e.g.)Samsung.Few yars ago I I called them Shitsung but they are better and better.Today Japan is champion in DSLR, perhaps China will be a leader in manufacturing in this market ?

I'm brand agnostic. Think Barry is an extremely valuable member/leader of the HDV/film community.
But I believe in freedom of speech.

Hi Vitaliy,

Hope it's going well. I was sorry to read all the panasolotics going down on DVXuser. Barry generally has seemed to me like a nice and intelligent guy, but clearly stating that he doesn't like anyone criticising Panasonic even if it means a loss of membership... I find that a pretty disappointing position on a global web community.

He's certainly entitled to say he thinks your utterly wrong or even a raving mad conspiracy theorist as far as I'm concerned... I believe in freedom of speech, but censorship I am not a fan of. For an intelligent man, I think he genuinely needs to reconsider his position. Panasonic can surely look after itself.

Re AF100, I personally wanted one for my upcoming feature as I am looking for theatrical release, so high bit rates and clean HDMI out is potentially quite a critical key to the gates so to speak... as they knew it would... but as I also required an UW housing for whatever my cam would be, the costs of using the AF100 are doubled and I just can't stretch that far. So no key...

I realise this is just an isolated concern, and I am just an insignificant Australian film maker, but it's tough watching companies reinventing and re-marketing pseudo "new" models with lesser or varying features and strengths that are never quite complete enough to truly lay open the doors for you to genuinely low end feature film making. Giving a GH2, or a Canon DSLR clean HDMI and high bit rates is the final crucial step to completing the democratisation of low end film making. Everyone knows it needs to happen, but instead they keep pulling up short in the name of profit margins, multiple products and repeat sales. They are out to make profits, I understand it... but of course it sucks on this end... and to then have people saying it shouldn't upset you or you shouldn't put pressure on or complain about it? You must be kidding. We're only where we are now because of a happy fluke accident - so what are we supposed to do? Just sit back and rely on there proven lack of goodwill towards a low profit niche market??

So, I just contributed another $50 I don't have towards project Stalin. My wife will be busting me tomorrow when she reads the credit card statement... Hard for her to understand how important this may prove to my work/success :D

I'm very keen to order a GH2... But I'm holding off on my purchases pending your success/progress...as if you are not successful, I have to decide whether a 5D will probably prove a better choice for my indi film project along with scratching up enough for a GH13 for the 60P slow mo that I'm going to need to go with it.

Note: I will probably have to order from over seas to gt a PAL version the way it's looking in Australia, but you have already solved the language issue I seem to remember??

Anyhow, thanks again for all your efforts Vitaliy... it will potentially make a big difference to this low budget film maker trying to kick start his film career and means a lot.

Best Wishes
LW

@GOODEMPIRE

I suggest to buy proper lenses :-) And wait for new 5D :-)

@stefanos
This is one of the reasons why we moved discussion here :-)
I also had posts deleted that relate to AF100 :-)

Main problem with AF100 is that they want to sell it to people who do not need it. In any way.
It is very good camera. Problem is that market segment who relaly need it is extremely small.
You can't live from it (despite that AF100 is the most profitable Panasonic camera ever, with big margin to second place, according to my sources).

My small comments:

>1. 3 position ND filters

I do not see any problems here.
Buy VaryND or good quality ND filters (you can use only holder and use very good quality glass filters).

>2. The LCD on the AF100 is quite a bit better and is larger...the VF is also more ergonomic.

LCD is better, you are right, but not much better.
VF is the same, and if you use proper rig it is also very usable.

>3. HD-SDI (ability to get 4:2:2 from a very reliable output is very important to some)

For most amateurs HD-SDI is of no use.
Main goal for SDI connections is to make them secure and allow run quite long cables.

>4. Overcranking/undercranking (this feature is priceless for many shooters)

For most shoters it is also useless.
Having 24p/25p/30p and 60p is that is really required.
All we see here is proper sensor setup.
This can be made on almost other Panasonic camera, but requires extensible sensor knowledge.

>5. Waveform + Vectorscope

Good to have them.
But again, they are used very rare.

>6. Detail coring/numerous gammas/ much deeper control of the image parameters, etc

Also good to have. But you can live without it.

>7. Uncompressed 16 bit audio recording capability/xlr inputs

Buy external recorder.
Good recorder outperforms AF100 in every aspect from quality to limiters, etc.
Make linear out to go to your camera (or run using internal mikes) and sound will be synced in auto (will be in new FCP and most probably in new Premiere).

> 8. Timecode/Synchro function

Again, it have no use for most people.

>10. Dual card slots

That can not record in backup mode.
And why you need them overwise?

>11. Max bitrate available in way more modes than the GH2

Lets' wait.

>12. More shooting modes on AF100 like 1080 30P, 720 24P, etc.

It is good, but no so important.
1080p30 is present in GH2.

>13. Remote control pricelesss for certain situations

If under remote you mean starting and stopping then Chinese already made all for you.
See ebay.

>14. Longer battery life/ Better batteries available

True.
But buy DC coupler for GH2 and put big battery on your rig :-)

>15. PAL/NTSC switchability

Let's wait.

>16. Zebras

Like to have them, adjustable on GH2.
Right now flashing highlights also work, but it is worse.

>17. Headphone jack

See "external recorder".

>18. Negative gain function

And why do you need it?
It won't improve your image.

>19. Ergonomic features like the handle/ tape hook, etc

AF100 is still unusable without the rig, and good rig is wastly superior in this areas.

>20. Slow synchro/High speed shutter - can be set by degree

It is only "I like it this way". If oyu like 180 degrees, you like it.
Most people do not need degrees.