Cameras that shoot without recording limit

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dishan

Well-known member
I moved from Canon DSLRs to Panasonic GHs because they function more like a camcorder for those times that I need one (AVCHD that records until the memory card is full- great for recording long interview sessions or event/concert coverage).

Lately, I've been considering a Sony A7s because I love the low light options, and would replace my Panasonic cameras with that. But now I'm made aware of the recording limit, which feels like a step backwards. Also, if I want to use the camera for stills (I do stills on the side), the lack of native lenses makes it meh compared to Canon or Nikon.

I know Canon still hasn't lifted their recording limits- the 6D only records 29minutes as well. Where is Nikon in this? Is Panasonic the only ones who sell small bodies that can function like a camcorder when needed? I might just have to stick with it if so.
 
I could have written this post - I prefer the look of the Canon 5D3 and the Sony A7S to the GH series but have been forced to stick with them for the same reason - jobs that require recordings way over 29 minutes in length. Come on Sony, Canon, etc. Wake up - I know Panasonic isn't the only company capable of figuring this out.
 
DVXSanDiego said:
I could have written this post - I prefer the look of the Canon 5D3 and the Sony A7S to the GH series but have been forced to stick with them for the same reason - jobs that require recordings way over 29 minutes in length. Come on Sony, Canon, etc. Wake up - I know Panasonic isn't the only company capable of figuring this out.
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Its not a matter of figuring this out. Its a matter of camera classification for tax purposes. In Europe, video cameras are taxed differently than stills cameras are. To keep their photography gear from being considered a video camera, they need to record less than a half hour. In fact, I recall one of the initial hacks for the GH2 was to remove this restriction in the PAL version, as the US version recorded unlimited length but the European did not (again, to avoid video camera classification). In that situation it was a simple software switch to enable/disable that limit.

Problem is, it seems the other manufacturers don't make the same distinction between US and other markets- sure, they change the frame rate to match NTSC or PAL, but leave everything else consistent between camera models (including the recording limit, if imposed). In the case of Canon, I'd say they'd rather you pony up the extra cash for their C-series video cameras instead of using the 5D for long recording sessions. Sony is likely in the same boat.
I'm not aware of where Nikon is these days, but I wouldn't be surprised if they also have the imposed 30 minute limit. Maybe someone else can chime in if there is anything I'm forgetting, but to my knowledge the Panasonics are the only ones in this category.
 
Nikons have the 29 minute limit as well.
In the case of Sony, it may also be related to avoiding overheating.
 
I can record for 74 minutes on my hacked Nikon D7000 in 720P at 5mbps. Not that usable for most situations, but It comes in handy every now and then. I'm not sure what the hack for the Nikon D800 offers in regard to record time.
 
Panny GH series is always a solid choice... We still have a GH1 that we use for multi-cam backups...
 
I LOVE the Panasonics for video for various reasons but the stills are average at best compared to Nikon or Canon. Sony seems to be a step above Panasonic for stills but still in the "meh" category when compared to a true DSLR by Canon or Nikon. I like Canon stills but I LOVE Nikon stills. Perhaps some day there will be a true hybrid camera that does both equally well. Until then I need (want) more than just one.
 
R Hudson said:
I LOVE the Panasonics for video for various reasons but the stills are average at best compared to Nikon or Canon. Sony seems to be a step above Panasonic for stills but still in the "meh" category when compared to a true DSLR by Canon or Nikon. I like Canon stills but I LOVE Nikon stills. Perhaps some day there will be a true hybrid camera that does both equally well. Until then I need (want) more than just one.
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Im hoping the new samsung nx1 is this camera!
 
I got GH4 for the unlimited recording.
It was a sad feeling when I discovered the 30min limit.

I wanted to film a stand up gig in November, but with the 30 min recording Im gonna have jump cuts and sentences cut off I guess.
 
Any European market DSLR style camera will have the time limit to avoid the higher camcorder taxation.

The time limit is not an issue with a number of Cameras in the US market.
 
CustomerGH4 said:
I got GH4 for the unlimited recording.
It was a sad feeling when I discovered the 30min limit.

I wanted to film a stand up gig in November, but with the 30 min recording Im gonna have jump cuts and sentences cut off I guess.
Click to expand...

The GH1 and 2 PAL versions had this as well, but a hack was available to remove it like the US version. For the GH3 and 4, I believe there is no hack (yet). This has led some of my friends across the pond to purchase US versions of said cameras.

David W. Jones said:
Any European market DSLR style camera will have the time limit to avoid the higher camcorder taxation.

The time limit is not an issue with a number of Cameras in the US market.
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number of cameras... as in, other than the Lumix series?
 
Another option that has just come to my attention- cameras that shoot clean HDMI out like the A7S, I would think could record indefinitely to the external device.
 
I have your solution. Get a an atomos ninja star for 300$ and you get hours of Prores recordimg with any Canon/Nikon/Sony DSLR that outputs a clean signal. These include (from lowest to highest) Nikon D3300, D5200, D5300, D7100, D750, D810, D4. Canon 7D mk II, 5D mk III, 1DC, Sony A5100, A6000, rx10, A7, A7r, A7s

with an external recorder the restriction is lifted.
 
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