DJI vs. Insta360 Patent War, Major CineD Databases Update, Sony Memory Card Shortage & More – Focus Check ep110

April 2^nd, 2026

by Felix TappeinerApril 2^nd, 2026

Episode 110 of the CineD Focus Check is a packed news week. Nino and Johnnie cover a major update to the CineD Camera Databases, an escalating patent dispute of DJI vs. Insta360, Sony’s dramatic suspension of nearly all memory card sales, a new shot listing course on MZed, the Panasonic LUMIX TZ300 compact camera, a new affordable pancake lens from SG Image, DNG becoming an ISO standard, a Fujifilm GFX100 II firmware update, new Sony NP-F batteries with USB-C and D-Tap from ZGCINE, the European Vimeo alternative “Rushes,” and the IronGlass Canon FD AIR rehousing announcement. A lot to get through – let’s go.

Sponsor of this Episode is NANLITE, who supplied all the lighting gear in the podcast studio. Check out a behind-the-scenes of the studio with all the lights at 17:05 !

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Chapters of this episode:

[03:56] CineD Camera Database Update – Improved Rankings, Better Accessibility, and More
https://www.cined.com/cined-camera-database-update-improved-rankings-better-accessibility-and-more/

The CineD Camera Database has received its most significant update in years. The dynamic range and rolling shutter rankings have been overhauled to separate RAW and non-RAW results, and each result now shows the specific codec, resolution, and frame rate used – making comparisons far more transparent. New auto-generated one-sentence summaries explain each result in plain language. Explanation boxes have been added for each testing methodology, and the Lens Coverage Tool now shows the exact sensor crop applied per recording format. A monthly database newsletter is available to keep you up to date. Note: database access requires a free newsletter signup.

[18:07] DJI Sues Insta360 for Patent Infringement as 360 Drone and Action Camera Rivalry Escalates
https://www.cined.com/dji-sues-insta360-for-patent-infringement-as-360-drone-and-action-camera-rivalry-escalates/

Following last week’s GoPro vs. Insta360 settlement, the patent battles continue – this time DJI is suing Insta360 over six patents spanning drone flight control, structural design, and image processing. DJI alleges the disputed patents were based on inventions by former DJI employees who then joined Insta360, and under Chinese IP law, innovations created within a year of departure are considered the original employer’s property. Insta360 CEO Leo Jing Kang publicly refuted the claims on Weibo, calling out one disputed patent as his own idea that was never even implemented. The backdrop: the recently announced DJI Avata 360 directly competes with Insta360-incubated Anti-Gravity’s A1 drone, at a significantly lower price point.

[28:10] Sony Suspends Nearly All Memory Card Sales as Global Flash Shortage Hits Filmmakers

https://www.cined.com/sony-suspends-nearly-all-memory-card-sales-as-global-flash-shortage-hits-filmmakers/

In a move that has rattled the filmmaking world, Sony has quietly announced the suspension of nearly all its memory card sales – published only on their Japanese website. The affected products include all four CFexpress Type A TOUGH cards (critical for FX3, FX6, and modern Alpha cameras), the 240GB and 480GB CFexpress Type B cards, and nine SDXC/SDHC models. Only a 960GB CFexpress Type B and a slower entry-level SD card series remain. Sony cites global semiconductor shortages and, reportedly, a helium shortage impacting chip manufacturing. Alternatives from Angelbird, ProGrade Digital, and Wise Advanced remain available for now – but prices are rising. If you need media, act sooner rather than later.

[34:02] Shot Listing Essentials – New Course Launched on MZed

https://www.cined.com/shot-listing-essentials-new-course-launched-on-mzed/

A new MZed course called “Before You Roll: Shot Listing Essentials” is now available, created by cinematographer and ShotCraft founder Leland Krane. The course covers the fundamentals of breaking down a script into a shot list, with real-world examples and a look at Krane’s AI-assisted shot listing platform ShotCraft. It’s aimed at both newcomers and working professionals who want a cleaner, more efficient pre-production workflow. The course is part of the MZed Pro subscription.

[39:31] Panasonic LUMIX TZ300 (ZS300) Announced – Compact Camera with 1″ Sensor and 15x Zoom

https://www.cined.com/panasonic-lumix-tz300-zs300-announced-compact-camera-with-1-sensor-and-15x-zoom/

LUMIX TZ300 (ZS300) camera. Source: Panasonic

Panasonic has announced the LUMIX TZ300 (called the ZS300 in some markets) – a 1-inch sensor compact camera with a 15x optical zoom. The problem? It’s built on the foundation of a 2018 model, removes the EVF that its predecessor had, and costs more. The hosts were direct in their disappointment: the EVF is an essential tool for exposure and framing, and its absence is a missed opportunity in what could have been a compelling compact camera. 4K recording is limited to 15 minutes, and the USB upgrade to USB-C is the most notable hardware change. The compact camera market is clearly having a renaissance, but this update doesn’t live up to the moment.

[48:19] SG-image AF 35mm f/2.2 Lens – Combines Pancake Design, Fast Aperture, and Autofocus

https://www.cined.com/sg-image-af-35mm-f-2-2-lens-combines-pancake-design-fast-aperture-and-autofocus/

Chinese lens maker SG Image has released a full-frame autofocus 35mm f/2.2 pancake lens at a hard-to-beat price of $149 (or $159 with hood). Available in L-mount, E-mount, and Z-mount, it’s designed to pair perfectly with compact full-frame cameras like the Lumix S9, Sony A7C, or Nikon ZF. A small, capable, affordable lens for users who want a pocketable kit – exactly the kind of product the compact camera revival needs.

[51:49] DNG Is Now an International ISO Standard – What It Means for Filmmakers and RAW Workflows

https://www.cined.com/dng-is-now-an-international-iso-standard-what-it-means-for-filmmakers-and-raw-workflows/

More than 20 years after Adobe introduced DNG as a standardized RAW image format – partly to avoid constantly updating Lightroom and Photoshop for every new proprietary RAW format – DNG has finally been ratified as an official international ISO standard. The episode traces the story back to an Australian photographer named Robert Edwards, who publicly asked for a universal RAW standard in a 2004 forum, only to later learn Adobe was already working on it. For cinema, the implications point to Cinema DNG: Blackmagic removed it from their cameras under apparent legal pressure from RED’s compressed RAW patent, but with DNG now ISO-ratified, the hosts wonder if there’s a path to bringing it back – particularly as Blackmagic now shoots to CFexpress Type B.

[57:32] FUJIFILM GFX100 II Firmware 2.50 Released – Now Compatible With FUJINON GF 32-90mm Power Zoom Lens

https://www.cined.com/fujifilm-gfx100-ii-firmware-2-50-released-now-compatible-with-fujinon-gf-32-90mm-power-zoom-lens/

The Fujifilm GFX100 II has received firmware version 2.50, adding full compatibility with the FUJINON GF 32-90mm power zoom lens – a versatile large format zoom priced at around $6,000. Users should update the lens firmware first before applying the camera update. The hosts also floated a wish: Fujifilm adding OpenGate recording to the GFX100 II in a future firmware update.

[59:11] ZGCINE BT-NPF970 Sony NP-F Battery with USB-C and D-Tap Ports Introduced

https://www.cined.com/zgcine-bt-npf970-sony-np-f-battery-with-usb-c-and-d-tap-ports-introduced/

Chinese accessory maker ZGCINE has introduced the BT-NPF970, a Sony NP-F style battery featuring both a USB-C port (20V bi-directional, up to 45W output) and a D-Tap port. NP-F batteries remain widely used for monitors, small cameras, and on-set accessories. Having both connection types in one battery is a welcome addition that adds flexibility for powering a wider range of equipment.

[01:01:05] Rushes Video Platform Launched – A European Alternative to Vimeo

https://www.cined.com/rushes-video-platform-launched-a-european-alternative-to-vimeo/

Solo developer Guy Loftus has launched Rushes, a video hosting platform built specifically for filmmakers and positioned as a European, privacy-respecting alternative to Vimeo. Based in the EU and fully GDPR-compliant, Rushes aims to bring back the community-first ethos of early Vimeo – non-algorithmic feeds, clean design, and filmmaker-focused tools. It also borrows collaborative features from Frame.io. Pricing starts at $8/month or $79/year, with a free tier that allows one upload. The hosts praised Loftus’s responsiveness to community feedback and expressed interest in having him on the podcast.

[01:07:07] IronGlass Canon FD AIR Rehousing Announced – Vintage Character, Compact Package

https://www.cined.com/ironglass-canon-fd-air-rehousing-announced-vintage-character-compact-package/

IronGlass, the Ukrainian-origin lens rehousing company, has announced a set of six rehoused Canon FD AIR lenses: 20mm f/2.8, 28mm f/2, 35mm f/2, 50mm f/1.4, 85mm f/1.8, and 100mm f/2.8. Available in Canon RF, Fujifilm GF, Leica M, Nikon Z, and Sony E mounts, each lens is priced at $2,250 and ships in Q1 2027. The rehousing delivers mechanically consistent, durable builds suitable for professional rental use – the FD look remains beloved on high-end sets. A full set of six runs roughly €10,000–13,000.

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