I thought I'd try HDR video and while at it, see if it makes sense to shoot in 1080p and then upscale to 4k. The latter would make it possible for me to use my Nikon D600 and my collection of lenses for it, besides drastically cutting down on the size of the recorded video files. If not, I'd have to shoot on my only 4k-capable camera, a Panasonic Lumix LX15.
Let's set a reference point - this is the kind of photography I can do with a Nikon D600 and a Irix 15mm f/2.4 Firefly:
"Highly processed", yes, but that's how I like it. Let's see what the two cameras can do:
► 0:10Shot on a Nikon D600 in 1080p and upscaled to 4k using Topaz Video AI. Three exposures - shadow, midtone, and highlight. I was surprised at how well the 4k upscaling worked.
2025-07-17 21:47
► 0:10Shot on a Panasonic Lumix LX15 in 4k. Two exposures - midtone / shadow, and highlight.
2025-07-20 21:18
Both turned out pretty well, but I'd declare the Panasonic Lumix LX15 the winner of this comparison due to the horrible moire in the Nikon D600 video that not even Topaz Video AI could repair. For the record, here's the process for the Nikon D600 video:
Midtone exposure (base)
Highlight exposure
Shadow exposure
Color grading
4k upscaling