(DSLR Vs Camcorder for kids/sports) Here is my dilemma:

P

PabloSRT8

Member
DSLR video quality with Camcorder ease?
We all know how capable and customizable 35mm dslr are;
but we also know that it requires time to set up, and specially time
and an eagle eye to focus.
A camcorder such as a Sony AX100 4k can be turned on and be used.
My D800 needs to be dial in to the proper settings and I have to hope
for two things, that my kids won’t move out of focus or that I need to zoom.
I tried follow focuses, but nothing compares to a camcorder AF,
because of it small sensor, power zoom and large dof.
But my D800 will give me beautiful end results, almost like a film from
Hollywood.
How can I find everting I like from a DSLR and a camcorder all in one?
Is there such a camera? I had an NEX-FS100 and it did come close to my
D800, but it was such an awkward camera to hold, and it was heavy too!
I was given many recommendations like the gh4, but it still the same thing
Than my D800, manual AF. (dslr AF-C don’t work)
The camera/camcorder I’m looking for will be used for family/kids videos, grab and go.
I had a Panasonic FZ1000 4k, got rid of it within a week, I didn’t like the form factor.
I’m looking for a solution around $1500, willing go to $2000 if is that much better.
Cameras I’ve been reading about are: Sony PMW-F3 (used) Sony AX53, AX100 and X70
Maybe a Sony A7S (if it can take a power zoom like the SEL 18-200 from FS100)
Thank you for reading!
 
It's the long parfocal zoom that ENG cameras have that is very difficult to reproduce with a mirrorless or DSLR camera. ENG cameras make much more sense when shooting live events.
 
Holy Grail my friend.
Just get the right camera for the job/shooting and don't force it. Your $1500 budget isn't realistic for what you are looking to achieve. Once yo add lenses and batteries and all the other crap you need it adds up fast. Keep it simple and get those memories instead of fighting a large sensor camera to be a camcorder.
 
I'd check out a smaller sensor - MFT and 1" - first. Maybe GH4, G7, GX8, RX 10II, R100IV and so on.

Of course, those may not be all that different from the forsaken FZ100.
 
AX100 for kids, grab and go and sports shooting.

DSLR or mirrorless for cinema/movie style shooting.

They are 2 very different styles and need a different type of camera to excel and minimize compromises.

Sounds like you already have a D800 ? If so, you can buy the AX100 and then you have the 2 tools to fit what you are shooting. You can then combine footage from each to make your finalized video.
 
ronscuba said:
AX100 for kids, grab and go and sports shooting.

DSLR or mirrorless for cinema/movie style shooting.

They are 2 very different styles and need a different type of camera to excel and minimize compromises.

Sounds like you already have a D800 ? If so, you can buy the AX100 and then you have the 2 tools to fit what you are shooting. You can then combine footage from each to make your finalized video.
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The he more I read and watch on YouTube seems that I'm going to go with the ax100 because of what you just said... I was looking at the canon xc10, but those cfast cards are crazy expensive!
 
The XC10 does come with a 64gb Cfast card (and a reader), and you don't need the best and fastest Cfast cards in them like you do with the C300II. I've used the "Super Talent" Cfast cards with the XC10 ($70 for 128gb), and today shot for a few hours with a Transcend CFX600 256gb ($160). It also shoots on SDXC cards if you dont need 4k, and if you do, you can choose 205mbps rather than 305mbps to save card space.

PabloSRT8 said:
The he more I read and watch on YouTube seems that I'm going to go with the ax100 because of what you just said... I was looking at the canon xc10, but those cfast cards are crazy expensive!
Click to expand...
 
You definitely need top-notch AF during video recording, and with interchangeable lenses that leaves very few options: NX1 and a6300 are the only ones I would consider. Both have bad rolling shutter issues in 4K mode, and the a6300 is kind of soft in 1080p mode, whereas the NX1 is a dead end because Samsung has left the market (which also means you may get a second-hand one really cheap).

The ax100 looks great, but with a 1" sensor and at f/2.8-4.5, it's "deep-focus only". Which may not be a big deal, but well, you can also take beauty shots of kids from time to time if you go with something faster.

I'm super-happy with my RX100 IV, which is also 1" but has a 24-70mm f/1.8-2.8 lens (it's f/1.8 only on the wide end, by 35mm it's already at f/2.8, but well, that's still better than the ax100). I think it could do the job very well if you don't need more reach (70mm is not that long). AF is great in 1080p, but just good in 4K (which I'm not sure you'll need for this).
 
Samuel H said:
You definitely need top-notch AF during video recording, and with interchangeable lenses that leaves very few options: NX1 and a6300 are the only ones I would consider. Both have bad rolling shutter issues in 4K mode, and the a6300 is kind of soft in 1080p mode, whereas the NX1 is a dead end because Samsung has left the market (which also means you may get a second-hand one really cheap).

The ax100 looks great, but with a 1" sensor and at f/2.8-4.5, it's "deep-focus only". Which may not be a big deal, but well, you can also take beauty shots of kids from time to time if you go with something faster.

I'm super-happy with my RX100 IV, which is also 1" but has a 24-70mm f/1.8-2.8 lens (it's f/1.8 only on the wide end, by 35mm it's already at f/2.8, but well, that's still better than the ax100). I think it could do the job very well if you don't need more reach (70mm is not that long). AF is great in 1080p, but just good in 4K (which I'm not sure you'll need for this).
Click to expand...


I just watched some A6300 footage and read comparably with other cameras... That A6300 is crazy sharp, and great price too!
I was always against the A6xxxs for what ever reason, but the video looks good and the AF for kids its insane too.
Too bad I cant find any side by side video with the AX100...
Thanks, Ill keep reading.
 
Just keep in mind that the rolling shutter is really, really horrible (worst ever, and that includes the D90; link). My current camera is the second worst one (RX100 IV), so I know I can live with that, but lots of people just won't. It's sorted out in 1080p but then it's a relatively soft 1080p (the RX100 IV, on the other hand, has super-nice 1080p that gets up to 120fps, and is still very nice at 240fps, and still kind-of-usable at 480fps).

And the only downside of the ax100 seems to be the fact that it's deep-focus-only (I'm not sure it has slog2 or something like that; if it doesn't, that would be a bigger issue for me).


Edit: RX100 IV 1080p60 video using AF (having fun with my nephew and the rest of the family, last Xmas; I guess it's similar to what you're going to do).
 
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Samuel H said:
Just keep in mind that the rolling shutter is really, really horrible (worst ever, and that includes the D90; link). My current camera is the second worst one (RX100 IV), so I know I can live with that, but lots of people just won't. It's sorted out in 1080p but then it's a relatively soft 1080p (the RX100 IV, on the other hand, has super-nice 1080p that gets up to 120fps, and is still very nice at 240fps, and still kind-of-usable at 480fps).

And the only downside of the ax100 seems to be the fact that it's deep-focus-only (I'm not sure it has slog2 or something like that; if it doesn't, that would be a bigger issue for me).


Edit: RX100 IV 1080p60 video using AF (having fun with my nephew and the rest of the family, last Xmas; I guess it's similar to what you're going to do).
Click to expand...


Yes, just received the a6300 and right away I noticed it. Right now is raining here in Long Island and I can't compare the image quality to the ax53 yet, but I did sis the rolling shutter in action.
i want to try it with my kids running around see if I notice it too or its only with certain objects.
i like to get 18-105 f4 since it looks like a good choice for video (closes to camcorder I'll get)
havent taken a single picture yet since I only want if for video.

i did try my some of my Nikon lenses, 85mm and 200-500 f5.6, with some birds... But I didn't have it on my tripod so with the crop factor was impossible.
and talking about adapters, what do I gain with the metabones ($159) vs my cheap ($40) one? Only f stop feedback?
thanks again.
 
To get good smooth shots of kids running around you need to shoot at 60P. The AX53 and AX100, which I have will only shoot UHD at 30P. If you want to shoot UHD at 60P then there are not many choices all way above your budget. I have the FDR-AX1 and in good light it is nice but has poor low light performance. At 1920x1080 the AX53 and AX100 are both lovely.
 
Can't win!!!!!
After so much research and talking to people on different forums I decided to get the Sony A6300.
so ok, I noticed how bad rolling shutter is but since I'm planning on using it with the kids I thought it spunky be a problem.
The AF system is what made me get this camera, it's almost as good as any camcorder but this one has an apsc sensor!
the clear image zoom works excellent! At least for 4K video I can't tell the difference.
BUT
The deal breaker is how much it over heats!
it lasted 21 minutes, the symbol for overheating came up on minute 9.
so ok, I would rarely make a clip longer than 15 minutes but I did use the camera to watch the video on my 4K tv and the symbol kept popping up within 5 minutes of using it to watch the videos.
this camera overheated at home which is 72f, I'm planning on using this at the soccer field in the summer... So I guess it won't work.
so I guess I'm forced to research camcorders now.
i don't think the xc10 af system can keep up with the a6300... And the a7s and gh4 are on the same boat...
 
Have a look at both the AX53 and AX100 I am pleased with both of them. I do not like slow frame rates so all my videos are 60P but they will both shoot UHD at 30P. For sports I think you should shoot 60P anyway. The AX53 has balanced optical image stabilization that works really well and has a 20x zoom. Neither will overheat and with a NPFV100 battery will run for more than 5 hours.
 
^^ Agreed on the AX-100, AX-53, or AX-33. Sometimes there is no substitute for a camcorder. It is just so much easier! I bought the AX-100 because I do event work in lower light. You might be okay with the AX-53 or AX-33?

Go to Best Buy and check them out.

I actually buy quite a bit of newer kit from Best Buy. I have a credit card with them, and the rewards make up for my local taxes. They are the only brick and mortar store within an hour of me. If I go somewhere to be able to get "hands on" testing, I don't feel it is fair to then turn around and order online. We need to pay to maintain the local presence. :)

Plus they will happily price match...

+++

I was a little disappointed that the AX-100 wasn't updated at NAB. The AX-33 came out shortly after the AX-100 and included BOSS stabilization, which is missing on the AX-100. Now we have the AX-53, but no AX-100 update. :(

+++

I have a Nikon D810 and a Canon 7DII for stills. I also need the 7DII autofocus in some situations, especially wildlife video with long lenses, like the Sigma 150-600 Contemporary with a 2x teleconverter. I don't think the A6300 will drive the autofocus on that yet. Maybe with the newer Sigma MC-11 adapter?

I just picked up a second A6300 (after sending my first "open box" one back), mostly to use for stills with adapted Canon lenses. I will also use it for some 4k video, but the overheating is a major frustration for me too.

I do event video that often lasts 1.5 hours plus, with 2-3 video cameras running at a time ( plus 2 DSLRs,- one with a 24-70 2.8 equivalent, the other with a 70-200 2.8)

I have been using Nikon, Canon, and Sony side-by-side for 8+ years, but I added Panasonic for in camera 4k for events.

I just ordered a Panasonic GX85, it will be here on Wednesday. It has 5 axis stabilization, that the A6300 didn't get, which should be very helpful. It also has no 30 minute recording limit. And it has HDMI out while recording 4k video internally, so that you can continue to monitor while recording, something that the G7 and GX8 lack.

I guess that the stills autofocus is pretty fast, but the video autofocus is slower, unfortunately. It seems like no one camera gives us everything!

Having the camcorder for events is still really nice, even with the mirrorless bodies. It is nice to have one clean, easy "master" recording with decent audio, then to be able to cut in the mirrorless takes in multicam mode, add dual system audio, etc. But sometimes you just get sick of all of the fussing with rigs and recorders.

Good luck!
 
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The AX53 has a new sensor and is about 1/2 to 3/4 stop slower than the AX100 in my tests. I use both in the theatre recording and are fine in low light with low noise even at high gain levels.
 
Thanks Ron, that is very helpful! :)

I haven't really taken a look at the AX-53 yet. Sounds like I should check it out. Cheers!
 
Ron Evans said:
The AX53 has a new sensor and is about 1/2 to 3/4 stop slower than the AX100 in my tests. I use both in the theatre recording and are fine in low light with low noise even at high gain levels.
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Thats the camera I had before this one, the ax53 has a great stabilizing system, but what I didn't like from it was the low light capabilities from its small sensor and the lack of customization.
The AX100 as far as I can tell has way better picture quality, but also, no pictures profiles.
 
unadog said:
^^ Agreed on the AX-100, ...fussing with rigs and recorders.

Good luck!
Click to expand...

Thank you for you reply!
I had the Sony AX53, as good as the B.O.S.S system was, not having picture profiles or easy access to settings made me return it.
I was going to go for the AX100 but after someone recommended the a6300 and I watched how well it can track little kids playing around i bought it.
But like is said it overheated in 72f, what will it happen when is 90f?
My D800 takes very nice 1080p only video, but its af is a joke for video of curse.
I tried the a6300 with my trinity lenses and the 200-500 5.6 and it was great for birds videos, the peaking function helped perfectly.
It looks like my search continues on with what I should buy.
I used to have an FS100, that one never overheated and it had a super35 sensor. But it was too awkward to hold.
The Sony AX1 is too expensive for me, but it still not that good on low light when compared to a6300
Maybe I should forget about 4k all together, but that bitrate is what makes the huge difference.
 
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