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Agfaphoto Realimove MC3X evaluate: two-minute evaluate
DJI virtually invented the thought of the gimbal digicam however different makers together with FeiyuTech, Benro (for some time) and now Agfaphoto have joined in with their very own designs. They’re all based mostly on a small digicam unit mounted completely on a compact 3-axis gimbal with the display screen, controls, battery and different electronics constructed into the deal with.
Gimbal cameras present each stabilization for handheld video and the sort of smoothed-out digicam actions that you just see in films. It’s the identical precept as gimbal stabilizers for normal cameras, however a fraction of the scale and weight. I’ve used a DJI Pocket 2 for a very long time, and love the way in which you possibly can create professional-looking digicam actions with out lots of heavy and costly gear.
The most recent DJI Pocket 3 leads the sphere within the gimbal digicam market, however it’s fairly costly, coming in at across the similar value as an entry-level mirrorless digicam, and the Agfaphoto Realimove MC3X undercuts it significantly. It does sacrifice just a few options in comparison with the costlier Pocket 3, however not everybody will want DJI’s fancy options and would moderately spend an excellent deal much less on a extra fundamental digicam.
The primary compromise with the Realimove MC3X is the sensor measurement. The 1/2.5-inch 8MP sensor is fairly small, and whereas its 4K video seems excellent if you’re filming outside in good mild, I did discover it acquired noticeably softer in low mild at larger ISO settings.
The MC3X additionally has a reasonably limiting 0.3m-infinity focus vary. That sounds prefer it needs to be wonderful, however it’s geared up with a wide-angle lens, so typically I needed to transfer in actually near fill the body with an object, after which discovered it went out of focus.
The Realimove MC3X can’t match the DJI Pocket 3’s body charges, both. Its most body charge for 4K video is 30p, which successfully means you possibly can’t shoot gradual movement 4K and need to drop the decision to 2.7K for 60p recording and full HD for 120p gradual movement. It’s not the top of the world, however it’s how prices have been lower. It did imply that if I deliberate to mix common and gradual movement video in a venture, I’d most likely need to movie the entire thing at a decrease decision to keep away from upscaling compromises when splicing collectively completely different resolutions later in my video editor.
I additionally discovered the MC3X’s face monitoring a bit unreliable, and whereas the digital zoom is simple to function with a rocker lever on the aspect, zooming in appeared a bit jerky, so I believe I’d most likely set the zoom earlier than filming moderately than whereas I used to be recording.
It’s good to get all of the criticisms out of the way in which, although, as a result of the Realimove MC3X has some actually good options. The most important is the rotating 3.5-inch show, which is WAY greater than the thumbnail-sized display screen on my Pocket 2 and greater even than the display screen on the Pocket 3.
What this implies is that you may nonetheless see clearly what you’re filming, even with the digicam at arm’s size, and likewise when you’re filming your self with the digicam reversed. It’s onerous to overstate how helpful that is.
You permit the display screen in its vertical place for vertical video, or rotate it 90° for horizontal video. It switches orientation robotically and I discovered this actually intuitive. Rotating the display screen horizontally reveals bodily buttons for adjusting the gimbal route, and that is a lot better than the digital on-screen controls, which I discovered a bit unresponsive.
The opposite factor I actually like is that you may set all of the essential controls straight on the digicam, in order that whereas there’s a free companion app, I by no means felt the necessity to use it. You may swap between pan-follow, pan-tilt-follow and free-follow modes within the menus with just some faucets.
This is a pattern film I shot with the Realimove MC3X to point out its video high quality, panning smoothness and audio.
I discovered the gimbal motion easy and progressive – and you’ll change the velocity within the menus if you have to. Sometimes the gimbal did get confused if I dropped my hand between bits of filming and the gimbal ran out of motion, however it solely takes a second to recenter if you’re prepared to begin filming once more.
Maybe the largest subject for me was on a regular basis practicality. The big display screen could be very welcome, however it does imply the physique is kind of large and, when you can put the MC3X in a pocket, it does go away the gimbal head feeling fairly uncovered whereas the unit is powered off – I’d be happier if the gimbal axes have been locked when the digicam is off, however then it’s the identical for my Pocket 2, so I can’t say a lot.
However the Pocket 2 and Pocket 3 do include protecting slimline onerous circumstances which don’t add a lot to the scale and do shield them in your pocket or bag. The Realimove MC3X doesn’t have this. It does include a fitted onerous case that additionally accommodates the cables, however it’s fairly large and there’s no manner that is going to slot in a trouser pocket.
So I do assume this Agfaphoto gimbal comes with compromises. It’s quite a bit cheaper than the DJI Pocket 3 however it’s not onerous to see what you’ve needed to sacrifice. I’d say it’s an excellent purchase for anybody who want to check out a gimbal digicam with out splashing an excessive amount of money – and the outcomes could be excellent. So good, the truth is, that you just could be glad you didn’t spend extra.
However if you’re a bit extra critical about filmmaking and want a wider selection of framerates, higher video high quality (particularly in low mild) and a bit extra design finesse and practicality, you would possibly find yourself upgrading to the DJI Pocket 3 in spite of everything.
Agfaphoto Realimove MC3X evaluate: value
The Agfaphoto Realimove MC3X is on sale within the UK for £299 however with US availability and pricing but to be confirmed. It’s an honest sufficient digicam, however whereas it’s quite a bit cheaper than the DJI Pocket 3, you would possibly discover the older DJI Pocket 2 even cheaper. The display screen is smaller, however the Pocket 2 is a greater digicam. This places the Realimove MC3X in awkward territory. Sure, it’s cheaper than its principal rival however it’s additionally an excellent deal much less subtle. It’s fairly good for the cash however it’s fairly fundamental.
Agfaphoto Realimove MC3X evaluate: specs
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How I examined the Agfaphoto Realimove MC3X
I had the Realimove MC3X for a number of weeks and examined it in many various situations. I checked its capacity to keep up a degree pan-follow orientation with peak modifications and following a fast-moving pet canine via lengthy grass (very fast-moving!), and likewise the smoothness of its panning actions, what I’d name a ‘sideways pan’ whereas strolling, and its stability when filming and strolling in typical vlogging fashion, and it did all these items fairly effectively.
I additionally wished to search out out what the video high quality was like each in brilliant daylight and dimmer indoor circumstances, which is the place I’d anticipate a smaller sensor to begin to battle – and certain sufficient, it did.
I didn’t got down to check the battery life, however I did come away impressed, as I spent a few hours at a time filming sequences to sew collectively right into a transfer, and the battery indicator hardly budged. I believe I acquired it all the way down to about half throughout my longest session.