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Agfaphoto Realimove MC3X evaluation: two-minute evaluation
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, 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 motion pictures. 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 may create professional-looking digicam actions with out numerous heavy and costly gear.
The most recent DJI Pocket 3 leads the sector within the gimbal digicam market, however it’s fairly costly, coming in at across the similar worth as an entry-level mirrorless digicam, and the Agfaphoto Realimove MC3X undercuts it significantly. It does sacrifice a number of options in comparison with the costlier Pocket 3, however not everybody will want DJI’s fancy options and would reasonably spend a great deal much less on a extra fundamental digicam.
The primary compromise with the Realimove MC3X is the sensor dimension. The 1/2.5-inch 8MP sensor is fairly small, and whereas its 4K video appears superb if you’re filming outdoor in good mild, I did discover it obtained 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 high-quality, 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 fee for 4K video is 30p, which successfully means you may’t shoot gradual movement 4K and should drop the decision to 2.7K for 60p recording and full HD for 120p gradual movement. It’s not the tip of the world, however it’s how prices have been minimize. It did imply that if I deliberate to mix common and gradual movement video in a undertaking, I’d most likely should movie the entire thing at a decrease decision to keep away from upscaling compromises when splicing collectively totally different resolutions later in my video editor.
I additionally discovered the MC3X’s face monitoring just a little unreliable, and whereas the digital zoom is simple to function with a rocker lever on the facet, zooming in regarded a bit jerky, so I believe I’d most likely set the zoom earlier than filming reasonably 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 largest is the rotating 3.5-inch show, which is WAY greater than the thumbnail-sized display on my Pocket 2 and larger even than the display on the Pocket 3.
What this implies is you can nonetheless see clearly what you’re filming, even with the digicam at arm’s size, and likewise if you happen to’re filming your self with the digicam reversed. It’s laborious to overstate how helpful that is.
You permit the display in its vertical place for vertical video, or rotate it 90° for horizontal video. It switches orientation mechanically and I discovered this actually intuitive. Rotating the display horizontally reveals bodily buttons for adjusting the gimbal route, and that is significantly better than the digital on-screen controls, which I discovered a bit unresponsive.
The opposite factor I actually like is you can set all of the vital controls instantly 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 only a few faucets.
Here is a pattern film I shot with the Realimove MC3X to indicate its video high quality, panning smoothness and audio.
I discovered the gimbal motion clean and progressive – and you’ll change the velocity within the menus if it’s worthwhile 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 start out filming once more.
Maybe the largest subject for me was on a regular basis practicality. The massive display 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 laborious 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 laborious case that additionally accommodates the cables, however it’s fairly huge and there’s no method that is going to slot in a trouser pocket.
So I do assume this Agfaphoto gimbal comes with compromises. It’s rather a lot cheaper than the DJI Pocket 3 however it’s not laborious 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 superb. So good, actually, that you just is perhaps glad you didn’t spend extra.
However in case you are just a little extra critical about filmmaking and want a wider selection of framerates, higher video high quality (particularly in low mild) and just a little extra design finesse and practicality, you may find yourself upgrading to the DJI Pocket 3 in spite of everything.
Agfaphoto Realimove MC3X evaluation: worth
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 rather a lot cheaper than the DJI Pocket 3, you may discover the older DJI Pocket 2 even cheaper. The display is smaller, however the Pocket 2 is a greater digicam. This places the Realimove MC3X in awkward territory. Sure, it’s cheaper than its foremost rival however it’s additionally a great deal much less subtle. It’s fairly good for the cash however it’s fairly fundamental.
Agfaphoto Realimove MC3X evaluation: specs
Ought to I purchase the Agfaphoto Realimove MC3X?
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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 alternative situations. I checked its potential to take care of a degree pan-follow orientation with peak modifications and following a fast-moving pet canine by 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 model, and it did all this stuff fairly effectively.
I additionally wished to seek out out what the video high quality was like each in vibrant daylight and dimmer indoor situations, which is the place I’d count on a smaller sensor to begin to battle – and certain sufficient, it did.
I didn’t got down to take a look at 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 obtained it all the way down to about half throughout my longest session.
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