What is a hybrid camera?

**ivanvernon** · 11-30-2020, 10:23 AM

I read a detailed advertisement for the Panasonic Lumix S5 camera, and the ad described the S5 as a "hybrid" camera. Anybody know what constitutes a hybrid camera?

Last edited by ivanvernon; 11-30-2020 at 10:24 AM. Reason: typo

zapp · 11-30-2020, 10:30 AM - **3 Likes**

Bad marketing :-)

Good for video and stills...

**ivanvernon** · 11-30-2020, 10:35 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by zapp

Bad marketing :-)

Good for video and stills...

So basically all our digital cameras are hybrids?

stevebrot · 11-30-2020, 10:47 AM - **1 Like**

"Hybrid" is the new jargon originally used by bloggers to describe a video-centric still camera. Unless one is primarily purchasing for video, a Hybrid is probably not the best choice.

Steve

stevebrot · 11-30-2020, 10:49 AM

Originally posted by ivanvernon

So basically all our digital cameras are hybrids?

Most dSLRs suck for video while some mirrorless models (think Panasonic) excel in that role.

Steve

**Mooncatt** · 11-30-2020, 10:55 AM - **3 Likes**

I never was much for hybrid stuff. Too many times they compromise on so much (to keep the price low) that you just get mediocre results. If I'm taking stills, I'll use a dedicated camera. If I'm taking video, I'd prefer a dedicated camcorder.

**pentaxus** · 11-30-2020, 11:37 AM - **3 Likes**

I see, not gasoline and electric.

**Gorgarath** · 11-30-2020, 12:14 PM - **1 Like**

I thought maybe they put a gas engine in it to up the fps...

**boriscleto** · 11-30-2020, 12:18 PM - **1 Like**

Diesel. Better mileage.

**Gorgarath** · 11-30-2020, 12:23 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by boriscleto

Diesel. Better mileage.

I thought of that, but figured they'd have to sacrifice AF to do a diesel swap.

richandfleur · 11-30-2020, 12:31 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by ivanvernon

Anybody know what constitutes a hybrid camera?

It's a model sufficiently good in both roles, so not optimised specifically for either, but a solid performer in both.

Personally I'd love one, so I can share the same body/lenses, weather sealing and ibis etc across both duties.
The video offering in Pentax cameras has not evolved significantly since the 2012 K-01/K-30 era, so no Pentax camera will be described as a hybrid today.

Will be interesting to see what the new K-3 mkiii brings.

**ramseybuckeye** · 11-30-2020, 02:01 PM - **1 Like**

A K-50 is a hybrid camera, it can take lithium, alkaline, or nickel metal hydride batteries.

richandfleur · 11-30-2020, 03:18 PM

The K-70 featured on sensor AF points, enabling phase AF during live view.
Live view is essentially a DSLR in 'Mirrorless Mode' and would have provided a good platform to deliver good video and the usual Pentax high quality stills.

Unfortunately it received the same video format capabilities as all other Pentax cameras, so it didn't live up to modern device video standards.
Object tracking (including coming towards the camera and moving back) remains a Pentax weakness, and the general video offering is significantly out of touch now.

**BigDave** · 11-30-2020, 03:22 PM - **1 Like**

Considering Panasonic started in video, cameras and players (besides audio) that is probably still their comfort spot. Its a different mindset when you go just still camera. Pentax get's a bit of a rap for not being as good for video, but things like weather sealing and SR in camera, are GREAT for the still cameras.

D1N0 · 11-30-2020, 03:29 PM - **2 Likes**

A Camera that can shoot film as well as digital so a Hasselblad

11-30-2020, 10:23 AM	#1
ivanvernon Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Medina, OH Photos: Albums Posts: 7,224	What is a hybrid camera? I read a detailed advertisement for the Panasonic Lumix S5 camera, and the ad described the S5 as a "hybrid" camera. Anybody know what constitutes a hybrid camera? Last edited by ivanvernon; 11-30-2020 at 10:24 AM. Reason: typo

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11-30-2020, 10:30 AM - 3 Likes	#2
zapp Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 2,388	Bad marketing :-) Good for video and stills...

11-30-2020, 10:35 AM - 1 Like	#3
ivanvernon Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Medina, OH Photos: Albums Posts: 7,224 Original Poster	Originally posted by zapp Bad marketing :-) Good for video and stills... So basically all our digital cameras are hybrids?

11-30-2020, 10:47 AM - 1 Like	#4
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	"Hybrid" is the new jargon originally used by bloggers to describe a video-centric still camera. Unless one is primarily purchasing for video, a Hybrid is probably not the best choice. Steve

11-30-2020, 10:49 AM	#5
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by ivanvernon So basically all our digital cameras are hybrids? Most dSLRs suck for video while some mirrorless models (think Panasonic) excel in that role. Steve

11-30-2020, 10:55 AM - 3 Likes	#6
Mooncatt Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: May 2020 Location: Wisconsin Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,373	I never was much for hybrid stuff. Too many times they compromise on so much (to keep the price low) that you just get mediocre results. If I'm taking stills, I'll use a dedicated camera. If I'm taking video, I'd prefer a dedicated camcorder.

11-30-2020, 11:37 AM - 3 Likes	#7
pentaxus Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Central Coast, CA Posts: 1,320	I see, not gasoline and electric.

11-30-2020, 12:14 PM - 1 Like	#8
Gorgarath Total n00b Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 735	I thought maybe they put a gas engine in it to up the fps...

11-30-2020, 12:18 PM - 1 Like	#9
boriscleto Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: North Syracuse, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,475	Diesel. Better mileage.

11-30-2020, 12:23 PM - 1 Like	#10
Gorgarath Total n00b Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 735	Originally posted by boriscleto Diesel. Better mileage. I thought of that, but figured they'd have to sacrifice AF to do a diesel swap.

11-30-2020, 12:31 PM - 1 Like	#11
richandfleur Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Palmerston North, New Zealand Photos: Albums Posts: 1,788	Originally posted by ivanvernon Anybody know what constitutes a hybrid camera? It's a model sufficiently good in both roles, so not optimised specifically for either, but a solid performer in both. Personally I'd love one, so I can share the same body/lenses, weather sealing and ibis etc across both duties. The video offering in Pentax cameras has not evolved significantly since the 2012 K-01/K-30 era, so no Pentax camera will be described as a hybrid today. Will be interesting to see what the new K-3 mkiii brings.

11-30-2020, 02:01 PM - 1 Like	#12
ramseybuckeye Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Hampstead, NC Photos: Gallery Posts: 17,294	A K-50 is a hybrid camera, it can take lithium, alkaline, or nickel metal hydride batteries.

11-30-2020, 03:18 PM	#13
richandfleur Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Palmerston North, New Zealand Photos: Albums Posts: 1,788	The K-70 featured on sensor AF points, enabling phase AF during live view. Live view is essentially a DSLR in 'Mirrorless Mode' and would have provided a good platform to deliver good video and the usual Pentax high quality stills. Unfortunately it received the same video format capabilities as all other Pentax cameras, so it didn't live up to modern device video standards. Object tracking (including coming towards the camera and moving back) remains a Pentax weakness, and the general video offering is significantly out of touch now.

11-30-2020, 03:22 PM - 1 Like	#14
BigDave Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Hudson Valley, NY Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,626	Considering Panasonic started in video, cameras and players (besides audio) that is probably still their comfort spot. Its a different mindset when you go just still camera. Pentax get's a bit of a rap for not being as good for video, but things like weather sealing and SR in camera, are GREAT for the still cameras.

11-30-2020, 03:29 PM - 2 Likes	#15
D1N0 Pentaxian Join Date: May 2012 Location: --- Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,802	A Camera that can shoot film as well as digital so a Hasselblad