Camera purchase advice

K

kat.hayes

Active member
Can someone please recommend camera models based on the following criteria:


$2,000 - $2,300 price range
4K and 1080P
multiple frame rate recording options
great visual quality
XLR input


$1,000 - $1,400 price range
4K and 1080P
multiple frame rate recording options
great visual quality
hopefully XLR input


not sure what other features I should be considering. The cameras will be used mainly to make web based videos and they will be edited in Premiere.


Thanks for any info!
 
You have a variety of options.

Which lenses (mount) are you planning on using? Or are you more interested in a fixed-lens camera?
 
Your top one is Sony A7SII.

Your bottom one is Panasonic GH4.

Neither will give you XLR inputs. I don't know of anything at those price points that will.

Except for those dedicated all in one video cameras...which I don't follow.
 
Web-based videos of what? Intended for what audiences?

Big difference between an interview done at a distance of 8 feet with good lighting, a low-light recording of a live music event from a distance of 65 feet and an outdoor documentary (just a few extreme examples).

Today's audiences are far less discerning - many don't care if the framing is all over the place, over/under exposed, but for a music event sound comes first except that you can always use an external audio recorder.

If you are a one-trick pony like me, you cannot be fussing with lights/sound once a pstage erformance has started - I need to be able to do one set-up and then give undivided attention to zoom/pan/focus/iris. Tracking cast members as they break up into small groups/solo performers and move about the stage (at times rapidly) then re-group requires full time concentration. No way I could do a lens change.

I have a Panasonic AG-AC160A that, for me, is great on tripod but a bit heavy for extended walkabouts.
 
Just curious why you don't follow the "all in one video cameras" one of the things I've been looking into is the difference between the DSLR/video camera VS. the dedicated video camera. Is the difference largely the ability to swap out lenses?

DPStewart said:
Your top one is Sony A7SII.

Your bottom one is Panasonic GH4.

Neither will give you XLR inputs. I don't know of anything at those price points that will.

Except for those dedicated all in one video cameras...which I don't follow.
Click to expand...
 
We currently use a 5DM3 and have been waiting for a possible 5DM4 so we could use the same lenses. Though we are also looking at the dedicated video camera option, and as I understand it, you can not swap out lenses, though most have lens adapters available. Generally, how do the lens adapter options compare quality wise with being able to swap out lenses?

And, to answer you question, in the lower price range we are looking at fixed-lens cameras...

Thanks.

NorBro said:
You have a variety of options.

Which lenses (mount) are you planning on using? Or are you more interested in a fixed-lens camera?
Click to expand...
 
Web-based videos of anything and every thing....the videos will mainly be uploaded to Youtube and Vimeo. Generally, the videos will not have professional lighting, so low-light performance is very important. The videos will also not need high quality audio, though for the times they do we were planning to purchase a ZOOM H6 HANDY.

Thanks.



kwkeirstead said:
Web-based videos of what? Intended for what audiences?

Big difference between an interview done at a distance of 8 feet with good lighting, a low-light recording of a live music event from a distance of 65 feet and an outdoor documentary (just a few extreme examples).

Today's audiences are far less discerning - many don't care if the framing is all over the place, over/under exposed, but for a music event sound comes first except that you can always use an external audio recorder.

If you are a one-trick pony like me, you cannot be fussing with lights/sound once a pstage erformance has started - I need to be able to do one set-up and then give undivided attention to zoom/pan/focus/iris. Tracking cast members as they break up into small groups/solo performers and move about the stage (at times rapidly) then re-group requires full time concentration. No way I could do a lens change.

I have a Panasonic AG-AC160A that, for me, is great on tripod but a bit heavy for extended walkabouts.
Click to expand...
 
Your current 5D mkIII puts out a great picture for web based work.

Are you looking for a second camera to match the look, or a replacement?

We have been shooting 4K for some time now, but have no desire at this point to host 4K videos online.
 
We need additional cameras and want to start shooting 4K to future proof our footage.

Thanks,

David W. Jones said:
Your current 5D mkIII puts out a great picture for web based work.

Are you looking for a second camera to match the look, or a replacement?

We have been shooting 4K for some time now, but have no desire at this point to host 4K videos online.
Click to expand...
 
Not much demand for it now, though we'd like to be able to put videos up in the next couple years when it becomes more standard. When the next resolution standard comes along we will be looking at upgrading to that as well.

David W. Jones said:
Future proof?

I do not believe 4K is the future.
Click to expand...
 
A GH4 with a YAGH interface (XLRs, etc.) is $1800 right now ($500 discount - offer ends tonight @B&H), but then you would also need an adapter for your Canon glass, which could be an extra $50 if you have manual lenses or $400+ for a smart one that can control your aperture.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1028548-REG/panasonic_lumix_dmc_gh4_mirrorless_micro.html

This camera shoots 4K, has HFR in HD (96fps although it's questionable if true 1080p, but still looks nice), XLR inputs via YAGH, and will produce great visual quality with the right settings. You also have other Panasonic cameras (cheaper) that can do the same/similar like the GX8, G7, etc. but without XLRs/YAGH.

The A7SII (no XLRs) starts at $3K...would need an adapter for Canon glass. 120p/HD. Amazing low-light.

The Samsung NX1 could work (no XLRs)...this is another conversation.

If you could raise the budget just a bit more, the Panasonic DVX200 (fixed-lens camera) would be a great all-in-one option.

You have lots of other choices within your budget, but would have to make compromises...either no 4K, or no HFR, etc.

Generally, an interchangeable camera with high-quality glass will produce much nicer (subjective) results than a camera with a fixed lens.

You made it this far...if I were you I would wait just a bit longer and see what Canon does with the 1DXII and the 5DMarkIV.
 
Kat,

I don't follow the all-in-one video cameras anymore because I REALLY like the optical choices I get from using my own collection of lenses.
They sure are great though for the convenience. The new DVX200 is killer for that - but a little too expensive for me.

The GH4 with the YAGH XLR interface for only $1800 sounds really good. That's the price I feel that setup should have been from the beginning.

The GH4 however is NOT in the same low-light class as your 5D or the Sony A7s cameras. Other than that though it's a great camera. But I suppose if you get the Metabones speedbooster and really fast lenses then the lowlight performance will be almost as good - plus you'll have some great lenses.
 
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