WHY NOT VIDEO CROPPING ?

[CharlesRamsey]

Luminous Landscape is waxing poetic about Panasonic's video feature that uses just a portion on the image sensor. http://www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/cameras/panasonic_gh2_11_mode_revealed.shtml Why not use a larger portion of the sensor then crop the resulting video. This would allow you to remove image shake caused by camera movement. You could pick two frames and define the center of each frame the computer would then align the frames in between that would give the smoothest motion.

[feppe]

Luminous Landscape is waxing poetic about Panasonic's video feature that uses just a portion on the image sensor. http://www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/cameras/panasonic_gh2_11_mode_revealed.shtml Why not use a larger portion of the sensor then crop the resulting video. This would allow you to remove image shake caused by camera movement. You could pick two frames and define the center of each frame the computer would then align the frames in between that would give the smoothest motion.

Since no one has gone public about this, all we have is speculation. Possible reasons:

• Requires too much R&D expense to be developed
• Custom chip(s) or added CPU speed required would push up the cost of camera too high, make the camera too big, heat it up faster, and/or consume too much power
• Somebody else has patented the tech already, and it's too expensive to license <- my guess
• Goes against Panasonic's philosophy of having IS in the lenses, not the body

[michael]

Luminous Landscape is waxing poetic about Panasonic's video feature that uses just a portion on the image sensor. http://www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/cameras/panasonic_gh2_11_mode_revealed.shtml Why not use a larger portion of the sensor then crop the resulting video. This would allow you to remove image shake caused by camera movement. You could pick two frames and define the center of each frame the computer would then align the frames in between that would give the smoothest motion.

The simple answer is, that's not the way the technology works. Rather than my entering into a lengthy explanation and discussion here (likely beyond my technical knowledge in any event), I would suggest that you study up on how video is implemented, and the data rates and limitations of current ASICs and CODECs.

It's easy to say. "Why don't they", but it's also safe to assume that if they could, they would,

Michael

[BobFisher]

Luminous Landscape is waxing poetic about Panasonic's video feature that uses just a portion on the image sensor. http://www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/cameras/panasonic_gh2_11_mode_revealed.shtml Why not use a larger portion of the sensor then crop the resulting video. This would allow you to remove image shake caused by camera movement. You could pick two frames and define the center of each frame the computer would then align the frames in between that would give the smoothest motion.

What you're referring to seems to be basically what video deshaker filters do now.

[michael]

What you're referring to seems to be basically what video deshaker filters do now.

Very true. Now imagine doing this in real time while shooting. The processor demand would be enormous.

Michael

[BobFisher]

Absolutely, Michael. 

Maybe I misunderstood the original commet, but I wasn't sure if Charles was talking about doing it in camera or in post.