Best small sized camera for documentary style shooting.?

H

heythere

New member
Hi guys. I'm a total newbie so bear with me.

What camera,none DSLR,mirrorless camera do you recommend for docu style filming...continues shooting for length of time?

Only camera I found is Panasonic GX7 which one can shoot up to 65 minutes and more.

Almost all mirroless camera has limited recording-shooting time less that 30 minutes. Bought a SONY NEX 5R which only shoots approximately 20 minutes.

And I do not want a camcorder for many reasons. Just too in your face style of shooting so.

So. None DSLR. Smaller camera with a great HD recording with unlimited recording time.

I'm sure your PROS can recommend one for me.

thank you Heythere
 
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I notice that you have no replies. You're pretty specific about what you don't want. There is no 'best' camera for this situation that fits your 'wants' whilst not falling foul of your "don't wants".

For a camera to be able to record continuously (i.e. more than the limits placed by DSLRs) they are effectively classed as video recorders and subject to the stupid european tax (14% I think). This is why DSLRs and mirrorless cameras don't do it (it would hike the end user price considerably). How long do you actually need to record for in a single take where it's not possible to stop / restart the camera?

Next, you want great HD recording. What is your definition of 'great'? Is it 'sharp' straight out of camera or are you willing to do some (or a lot of) work on the pictures in post? Is it 'low noise in low light' and are you willing to buy and use noise reduction software if required? Is it "high dynamic range" or are you going to be in control of your own lighting? What is your criteria for judging such things?

Next, you're asking about cameras, but what other gear do you already have for making these documentaries? The one thing most new comers concentrate on is the camera, but audio is what actually drives a documentary and none of the mirror less cameras have great audio capabilities. You're going to have to go dual system audio which means syncing in post, and it's a lot more kit to carry around (it makes the small camera kit not so small anymore).

Check out some of the smaller camcorders on the market, like the Canon XA25 or XF100 or lots of Sony / Panasonic etc which have real XLR inputs, can take wireless receivers or lots of different wired microphones. These things cost a lot more than buying a cheap mirror less camera, but if you're asking for pro results and spending amateur / home movie budgets you're probably going to be disappointed by the results. This is where most people give up, blaming everything except their own poor decisions to buy 'cheap'.

If you're serious about shooting documentaries then you have to sit down and decide what type of films you are going to make, what environments you are going to be filming in (bright daylight, evenings, outside / inside, odd colour lighting, noisy (sound) environments etc etc) and how you'll be capturing sound either for interviews or for voice overs. Only then can you figure out what gear you'll need. In some circumstances a mirror less camera may be the only gear you can get in to somewhere with, other times you'll really want the capabilities of a full frame DSLR and other times you'll wish you had two or three camcorders you can set on tripods for interviews.

There is no 'best' as your topic subject suggests, only 'choices', 'compromises' and 'personal preferences' :)
 
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