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

Thank you Ron, that is the camera i had, the ax53, but i didnt like the lack of quick access buttons, picture profiles, and I think the ax100 has way better picture quality right?
ax1 can do 60p uhd but its very expensive for me, and the low light capabilities are not as good as a larger sensor ive seen on youtube.
Its like I want the comfort of a minivan with the looks and speed of a ferrari... cant have it all!
 
Did you set the " My Buttons" for the parameters you wanted ? Side by side it is difficult to tell the difference in quality between the AX53 and the AX1 for a wide shot like a full stage. Up close the AX100 is marginally better. I use the AX53 as an unattended camera set for full stage. I have " My Buttons " set the same on both. Focus, Image stabilizer & Peaking. I set WB to indoor ( all my shoots are in the theatre ), shutter to 1/60, zebra 100, AGC limit 21db. I spot focus and set AE shift to -0.7 most of the time. My wife uses the AX100 for closeups ( with Stabilizer set to Active to use clear image zoom ) set the same way but will spot focus as needed. I am hoping the new Panasonic AG-UX180 turns out well as I will replace the AX1 then. I also have a NX5U as my main camera but honestly it is looking a little old compared to the AX53 and AX100, it too will have to go soon.
 
Last update, Sony a6300 overheated after three short clips at 74f under the sun. First clip was 5 minutes, stopped for 10 seconds then did a 1 minute clip, stopped for 5 seconds, then did a 1.5 minute clip and camera shut down. waited 1 minute but camera would only record for 4 seconds and shut down on high temp.
Some people claim 47 minutes non stop, others have the same problem i have, even if only taking pictures.
The camera is awesome, all the features you need, excellent 4k video quality and awesome tracking af for video.
But its CPU its not ready for all this.
Its already being shipped back to Crutchfield.
Now going back to the drawing board...

Canon XC10: Love the way it looks, 300mbps, but cfast cards are very expensive, and the 300mbps take a lot of room on my hard drives. I wonder how good the af is.
Sony AX100: Awesome picture but no picture profiles and its a little old, might be replaced soon, thats just me guessing.
Sony AX53: Awesome B.O.S.S but missing buttons, ND filters and picture not as good as AX100.
D500: I could use all my lenses on this one, but crop on 4k is 2x and picture quality is not that great for what ive seen so far on youtube. and ofcurse no af.
Sony AX1: crazy expensive for me, but i read is not that good on low light anyway.
Panasonic DVX200, really bad for low light.
Panasonic GH4, great picture, no usable AF for video.
whats left?
Maybe I should just get a cheap camcorder...
 
Depends if you want buttons more than using "my buttons" on the LCD. You could look at the PXW-X70 , the pro version of the AX100 or another repackage the PXW-Z150. I do not think the DVX200 is that bad in low light though. What you are asking for starts to get expensive. After the ones stated you are into the FS5, still only 30P in UHD and then the FS7 etc several times your budget !! I am going to look forward to see what the Panasonic AG-UX180 looks like in the fall. The AX53 is very good for the price and with "My Buttons " you can get a lot of the control you may want. Then wait for something better to come out.
 
PabloSRT8 said:
whats left?
Maybe I should just get a cheap camcorder...
Click to expand...

I have a Sony CX440 camcorder that I bought for $200 refurbished. Considering everything- it s not that bad for a cheap HD camera. :)

+++

If you want to add to your list, you could look at the Sony RX10 II and RX10 III. Those both use the 1" sensor, they have a 30 minute time limit, but they don't overheat. They also have SLOG2, which the AX-100 lacks.

+++

My recent decision making saga, trying to reduce my kit to 3 systems for stills & video:

I sent back my first Sony A6300 too because of overheating. Then I decided to buy it again mostly for stills, to replace my Sony A6000.

I can use my Canon lenses with an adapter for stills on the A6300, and keep only 2 Sony kit lenses (the horrid but small 16-50, and the better but bigger 18-55) plus a cheap 20 mm pancake. That winds up being cheaper than keeping my $2k in Sony lenses with the A6000. And I will mostly forget about video on the A6300, except for niche use. Unless I someday get a 4K external recorder, but that isn't in my plans right now.

I will also use my Canon lenses on Panasonic. I will settle on those 3 systems. Until recently, I had parts of 5 systems, and of the proprietary lens kits were killing me! Nikon, Canon, Sony, Panasonic, and Samsung. In addition to the Sony lenses, I had at least $5,000 in glass for Nikon, and $3,000 for Panasonic ....


+++

So, I have very reluctantly decided to sell my two Nikon D810, and my Nikon lens kit. The Canon lenses are much easier to adapt to Sony & Panasonic, with active adapters, decent AF, in body aperture control, and support for IS (VR.)

Right now I am thinking about keeping 5 cameras. Some can serve a dual role, for both stills and video. All based around re-purposing the Canon lenses for all 3 systems.


Stills
-------
1. Canon 7DII (love the ergonomics)

2. Canon 5DIII

3. Sony A6300


Video
--------

4. Sony AX-100

5. Panasonic GX85 (just arrived today, to replace my G7. GX85 has 5 axis stabilization, HDMI out while recording, no time limit.)

+++

Despite the labels, the stills cameras will also do video, and the Panasonic GX85 will be useful for wildlife stills. So they all serve a double purpose, except the AX-100:

1. The Canon 7DII also has excellent auto focus in video mode, which is great for wildlife with a long lens (Sigma 150-600 Contemporary with a 2x teleconverter.) It is also very cheap to add an external recorder, about $350 used for a Ninja Blade.

2. I just picked up the 5DIII to have a full frame for low light stills at events. I will also use that for some RAW recording using the Magic Lantern hack, for more cinematic work.


4. I have been thinking about replacing the AX-100 with a RX10 III, for the 600 mm zoom, for "low end"/ casual wildlife. Then all 5 of the cameras would be able to serve a dual purpose, stills & video.

5. For the GX85, I have a Panasonic 100-300 mm lens (200-600 mm equivalent in stills, 2.4x multiplier in 4K) that I used for some wildlife stills & video in Florida (along with the 7DII), last December through April, on the G7. I may look at the newer Panasonic 100-400 this November, depending on where it is at price wise.

+++

I hope that isn't too confusing! I have really been struggling, trying to "rationalize" my kit. And very grudgingly deciding to let go of Nikon, after shooting Nikon, Canon, and Sony side-by-side for 8+ years. But I decided taht I can get the higher DR sensor at base ISO on the Sony side is I need more than the A6300 APS-C sensor (the Sony A7II will also auto focus with Canon lenses.)

Good luck!
 
5. Panasonic GX85 (just arrived today, to replace my G7. GX85 has 5 axis stabilization, HDMI out while recording, no time limit.)


Hi, thank you for the reply
Let me know what you think about the GX85 AF and Picture Quality compared to the Sony a6300 and maybe the AX100 since im familiar with both.
Thank you!!
 
PabloSRT8 said:
Let me know what you think about the GX85 AF and Picture Quality compared to the Sony a6300 and maybe the AX100 since im familiar with both.
Click to expand...

RE: Panasonic GX85

UPDATE/ EDIT: I think it is too early to say how good the video auto focus is.

There are quite a few combinations of settings. AF MODE: Single/ Flexible/ Continuous, AF AREA: Face Detect/ Tracking/ 49 Area, Custom Area, Single.

I tested the GX85 in "Face Detection" mode at an orchestra concert last night, side-by-side with the AX-100. The GX85 auto focus certainly isn't as automatic as the AX-100. It struggled a little with hunting in "Face Detection" mode. The subjects had to be the right size in the frame to get the detection "boxes" around their heads/ faces. When they were too small, it would hunt a bit for focus.

Today, I just switched into Continuous/ 49 Area. I also set the Movie Menu Item "Continuous AF" to "ON". (I need to clarify how the 2 "Continuous" settings interact, in the different focus modes.) I walked through teh house in low light, outside, focused on the dog being somewhat random (sniffing the camera), panned, and came back inside to teh kitchen. It seemed to track focus in low light and higher light better than it did last night in Face Detection mode. I am using a Panasonic 12-35 2.8 zoom now. I sued the 35-100 2.8 last night (24-70 2.8 and 70-200 2.8 equivalents. About $575 and $650 used, respectively.)

I also had to update the firmware on both lenses today to get "Dual IS" to work.

+++

Prior to this, the only 2 non-camcorder cameras that I would trust in AF mode for video, even for a somewhat static subject, were my Canon 7DII (and the 80D is supposed to be a little better) and probably the A6300. I don't have enough experience with the A6300 yet.

The GX85 is still "TBD." My Panasonic G7 wasn't acceptable.

+++

In stills mode the AF is pretty good to great. It even auto-focuses really well with my Canon glass- in stills mode. I am very happy with that part.

+++

I haven't really looked at much video yet, I have just been trying to learn the new controls. Based on my Panasonic G7 and what I have seen so far, the video quality is just a notch under what you would get from the Sony A6300. The biggest variable for me has been the lack of SLOG2/ SLOG3 modes on the Panasonic. But then, I haven't been able to get Sony to work for me for event video, where I need multiple cameras that can run 1+ hour. I can't afford 3, 4K external recorders. That is what pushed me to Panasonic after 8 years of using Sony, for stills and video.

+++

The only remaining possibility that I see for you- for a stills plus video camera- is the Sony RX10 II, or RX10 III.

I have no hands on experience with either, so I can't comment on the pros and cons versus the AX-100, or the quality of the AF.

I am thinking about trying one out, but I hate to return anything again, after returning a Sony A6300 myself (which I bought as an open box- I actually returned it in better condition than when I received it.) If I bought one, it would probably be in place of the A6300 for now.

Good luck!
 
Last edited:
PabloSRT, FYI:

I am planning/ hoping to shoot the AX-100, GX85, and A6300 side-by-side to compare the video. I want to mount all 3 on a rail, and shoot them hand held on a small rig, and on a fluid head.

I am behind on a ton of other household things right now. Friday is my son's last 1/2 day at school too. It might be Monday or Tuesday (when my wife is back at work) before I can get to it.

Cheers!
 
Quick update:

The text from this video says that the Sony RX10 II autofocus in video mode can be a complete mess. Read the text below the video:

https://youtu.be/MXIrNgrPKMY

The RX10 III is new enough that there aren't a lot of detailed reports. I am tempted to buy one just to test it out. BUT, I would have to give up either the AX-100 or the A6300. :(

+++

The Panasonic GX85 is definitely a keeper for me. I have been setting some of the customizable functions to make it very responsive.

The 3 things that I did recently:

1. Set up a Custom Quick Menu, instead of the default. Along with programming the re-programmable buttons.

2. I just made 2 settings to make it faster/ more controllable in stills and video. I set the "AF/AE Lock" for "back button AF." Wildlife and sports shooters will understand this. I can quickly acquire/ require focus when needed.

And, I set the shutter to take a picture or start video with only a half press. What you would normally do just to acquire focus. I left the shutter AF activation on (you can turn that off too.) Right now it very quickly grabs focus- or continues to lock focus if back button AF is used. Then it starts the video or takes a still. Either are very fast, less lag than the full shutter press to start.

3. And I forgot the 3rd..... :(

One small frustration. In Shutter Priority and Auto ISO, it doesn't show me the F stop or ISO being used. It has both "Auto ISO' and "Intelligent Auto ISO." I will have to assume that the Intelligent version is making the best use of my Panasonic 12-35 2.8 zoom aperture settings.

Not that I need to shoot in auto ISO that often. Buy my AX-100 always shows me the dB Gain, Shutter, and Aperture.

I'll look around for settings solutions.
 
Update:
I made my decision.
For home/family video there is no replacement to a camcorder. I purchased a Sony PXW-X70 with 4K upgrade and 4 original Sony batteries for just $1k
Picture quality is excellent. Even though it's on 60mbps (100mbps upgrade coming in June 2016) still looks better than the AX100 because of the format in which it records (better compression)
Each battery last many hours, never over heats, and it tracks subjects like a champ.
thabk you for all your help!
 
Wow, $1k is a pretty great price! Where did you find that deal?

That kit with the 4K upgrade is $2,250 new. Sounds like a great solution. Envious. :)

Have fun!
 
In HD yes the X70 is 10bit 4:2:2 so should be better than the AX100 is some circumstances but in 4K it will be 8bit 4:2:0 just like the AX100 but in mxf wrapper instead of mov but the video will be the same I think XAVC LongGOP . XAVC-L is MXF and XAVC-S is mov. And the AX100 already has 100 Mbps encode.

Ron Evans
 
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