GH3 Current model roundup: GH3, G6, GX7 and NEW GM1
- Thread starter M. Gilden
- Start date
M. Gilden
Canon DSLR Moderator
GH4 is nice, but I'm not all that interested in 4K and I can wait for the price to come down a bit (which it surely will judging by all these announcements coming out of NAB- market is heating up!).
Meanwhile, I decided to experiment with a G6. I was considering a GX7, but the lack of a mic jack and flip out display put it behind the G6 in ergonomics. When running and gunning on a shoulder rig, I often split audio or even go gutsy and run it directly into camera only, and I use the flip out display to make sure it is comfortable for me to see compared to where the camera is mounted. It also helps that it uses the same GH2 accessories (batteries, etc) that I already have. I think this will hold me over for a while until other affordable options hit the market.
Meanwhile, I decided to experiment with a G6. I was considering a GX7, but the lack of a mic jack and flip out display put it behind the G6 in ergonomics. When running and gunning on a shoulder rig, I often split audio or even go gutsy and run it directly into camera only, and I use the flip out display to make sure it is comfortable for me to see compared to where the camera is mounted. It also helps that it uses the same GH2 accessories (batteries, etc) that I already have. I think this will hold me over for a while until other affordable options hit the market.
Lammy
Well-known member
Yeah it was a tough decision for me. I went against the G6 because there was something off about the image that I could not forgive and didn't know how to turn off. (at the time)
In video, there was a certain unnatural bleed between details. For example in contrasted detail a bright object might have this strange fake shadow around it to make it look "distinct" - kind of like in Photoshop when I add too much clarity filter.
I take it it's because of iDynamic being on and not set off http://www.43rumors.com/lumix-g6-dark-halo-issue-can-be-avoided/
Haha I then decided to go with the GX7 and well yeah the non articulated screen is a little annoying. I would have liked the option for selfies and adjusting height on rigs.
Is the G7 and GX8 coming out soon?
In video, there was a certain unnatural bleed between details. For example in contrasted detail a bright object might have this strange fake shadow around it to make it look "distinct" - kind of like in Photoshop when I add too much clarity filter.
I take it it's because of iDynamic being on and not set off http://www.43rumors.com/lumix-g6-dark-halo-issue-can-be-avoided/
Haha I then decided to go with the GX7 and well yeah the non articulated screen is a little annoying. I would have liked the option for selfies and adjusting height on rigs.
Is the G7 and GX8 coming out soon?
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maranfilms
Veteran
I'm a big advocate for the G6, I rarely use my gh2 anymore, once you get how peaking works on that cam, it's hard to lose. Many thought it sucked and wasn't very useful, not the case, it's excellent once you figure out the best situations for it. The build isn't as good as the gh2, but not that bad. I find the 16mm and 24mm to be my favorite focal range on the m4/3rds mount, Which translates to basically a 32mm and 48mm if compared to full frame. Here's a short vid I shot to test the G6 and Samyang 16mm.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mRiKjjZ3yGk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mRiKjjZ3yGk
True North
Well-known member
I will be buying a GH4 but needed something that I would be comfortable to use when on vacation with portability for snap shots and video and something that I could potentially use as a portable B-Cam. The GX7 would not be a serious A camera for anyone doing video. The limited video I have shot looks very good, but you are left using the internal codec which of course does not lend itself well to grading later. It's a very versatile camera with a small footprint.
To get decent audio out of a GH3 or a GH4 or G6 you are at the very least going to need a juiced link or an external recorder or with the GH4 you could purchase the YAGH....all of these solutions kind of kill the portability aspect. A mini-jack for audio input on the GX7 would have been a welcome addition as it would allow the user some better options for audio without having to worrying about syncing audio later
To get decent audio out of a GH3 or a GH4 or G6 you are at the very least going to need a juiced link or an external recorder or with the GH4 you could purchase the YAGH....all of these solutions kind of kill the portability aspect. A mini-jack for audio input on the GX7 would have been a welcome addition as it would allow the user some better options for audio without having to worrying about syncing audio later
M. Gilden
Canon DSLR Moderator
I'd actually think the GX7 is a better candidate for that.
I don't know, the codec has been improved a lot from the stock GH2 and GH1, and miles ahead of most Canon DSLRs. Its not the best super-high bitrate in the biz, but plenty of people use them as a "serious A camera [for] doing video". So, chalk that one up as your personal opinion I guess.
/begin rant.
See, people always jump to the conclusion that a small camera can't have good audio. Meanwhile, the GH2's preamps were shown to be as clean as an HMC150's and actually had very solid audio performance if you didn't mind the lack of monitoring and a non-standard sized input jack. I used to split the audio coming in from my mic to go to the camera and a Tascam recorder, and I was surprised to find that 90% of the time I didn't really need the Tascam- the internally recorded audio was nearly indiscernible. For run-and-gun man on the street interviews (where I don't necessarily have the ability to monitor audio anyway), I have often fed a line directly into the GH2 and used it as is. I find that many of the people who think a little cam like that can't have usable audio simply haven't tried it!
I've said this before, but I think its worth saying again: When filming a narrative film in which sound is critical, I wouldn't record into a camera either way. You hire a sound guy, whose job it is to just concentrate on the audio and adjust his own levels, etc. Anything that I've encountered in which I'd traditionally want recording into the camera (corporate, etc) has worked just fine feeding directly in my GH cams.
Now, that being said, the GH3 was a massive step up with the inclusion of an audio monitoring system. That alone was enough reason for some people to switch! I don't know what the deal is with the G6 as I haven't gotten mine yet, but if its at least as good as the GH2, I think it will serve audio quite well for most situations. The GH4 is supposed to be a more pro-level cinema camera than the GH3 supposedly (considered a replacement for the AF100, I think), so while that fancy breakout box gives you the necessary XLR inputs, I think feeding a 3.5mm mic (such as wireless lav system, etc) directly into the body will be more than just decent!
/end rant
stoneinapond
Veteran
True North
Well-known member
I guess I wasn't very clear on that. I did buy the GX7 for that purpose, but I am also looking at getting GH4 for its better video options
I am regularly using a Panny AG-AC90 with the same codec and bit rate as the GX7. I don't get bent out of shape by the codec. It is not a highly gradable codec but very usable in many, many situations. As for whether the GX7 is a good A cam or not, I guess it depends on where you set the bar. To a person whose bar is an Alexa then perhaps my A Cam scenario is a joke to that person. For me personally,SOME of the things I am looking for is a camera that either gives me a solid internal codec or the ability to record externally to solid high bit rate codec. The camera should also ideally have good audio controls. Headphone jack,XLR connections, preamp controls etc...The GX7 don't play dat!
By the way, I am quite happy with my GX7 so far.
Good rant...a little misplaced but good nontheless..lol
With the GX7, to which I was specifically referring to, I would imagine the pre-amps are fine. I haven't seen any noise floor measurements but the audio seemed usable.....for an on board stereo mic. It's the lack of mic options which limits the GX7. You can't get people on a lav, if that is the best solution to a situation. You can't get a mic on a boom if that is the best solution. You can't use a handheld etc..... You are ultimately left with the on board mic which is usable for some situations but not ideal for many. You then have to go to an external solution, which in of itself is not so bad, but you don't have the option of plugging something like a juiced link into the GX7. You have to record audio externally and then sync up later and I just don't like that as an option if I can avoid it.
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Lobbamobba
Well-known member
True, I had no problems getting great audio from the GH3 using a AA powered shotgun mic and Im confident the GH4 will deliver as well.
In 99.9% of the cases when people complain about audio they have the mic on the camera or just to far away from the subject.
M. Gilden
Canon DSLR Moderator
thorn
Active member
I used a Rode AA-battery mic on a 6hr shoot last month... it worked quite well. While I would have preferred to use a lav, it wasn't possible that day. And no PA system to pull a feed from, either. The only problems I had with audio was a constant 120-150hz hum coming from the building HVAC unit (which apparently was mounted right under the drop ceiling. Gah, what a nightmare.) Had to notch it out in post, but wasn't the fault of the mic nor the camera.
maranfilms
Veteran
Shot this on the G6 around the Cape Cod canal, A mix of Canon FD, Tokina, and Samyang glass. Really like the image of this camera. Still waiting for the gh4 was tempted to cancel my order and buy some glass instead, but decided against it as I'm going to look at the settings to try to get some more DR out of it. I figure I've enjoyed shooting the gh2, and this G6, neither are DR kings, used to it's strengths I should be able to work with it for a while. Watch in HD
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6CBWJXnTb9g&feature=youtu.be
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6CBWJXnTb9g&feature=youtu.be