from FS100 to A7s, who has done it? Or is eyeballing it?

Z

zwarte_kat

Active member
Surely I am not the only FS100 owner eyeballing the A7s.

Here are what seem like the improvements of the A7s to me (having used the cam yet):

Better codec, twice as much data.
Slog and more other newer picture settings
Full frame, no speed booster needed.
Can take more lenses in full frame, like Leica M lenses
Even better low light performance
More dynamic range
Smaller and lighter
Crop e mount lenses like the 18-200 still work great, it seems.
Stills function, plus you can get a complementary A7 or A7r for higher res stills at a very reasonable price.
Better EVF and flippable LCD screen, which makes it possible to shoot with the cam above your head.
Weatherproofing
120fps at 720p
Not sure about moire (neither cams are an issue for me)

Here is what the FS100 still has over the A7s:

XLR inputs, Better volume knobs, phantom power. But I have a mixpre-d, so in the end i expect better sound on the A7s. But can the A7s record audio on 2 separate channels like the fs100?
NP battery support for all day recording, this is a big plus! Wish they made some sort of external battery adapter for these batteries.
Different ergonomics and bigger and heavier body can be more stable in some situations.
No 30 minute recording limit
Shoots NTSC and Pal (maybe the A7s will get this fixed with firmware like the FS100)
Bigger HDMI port
Eyecup perhaps more convenient in some situations
easier to attach a mic, includes a pretty good shotgun
More mounting points to attach things, handle (I have the shooting machine one) and locks better to a tripod plate.
Looks more professional
More assigned buttons (I think, though they can be hard to find!)
Better rolling shutter performance (?)
Option for internal dual recording
lanc control (does A7s have something similar?)
Not sure about moire (neither cams are an issue for me)

What do you guys think, is the A7s a good step up from the FS100? Is the image a noticeable improvement, or are we talking diminishing return when comparing AVCHD versus XAVC? Curious to hear opinions from people who made the jump, who are considering it, or who simply have used both cams!
Cheers!
 
I'm even considering selling my FS700 and switch do a A7S!
the points for it aren't quite as strong as against the FS100 though.
If I could see myself being able to afford a Odyssey 7Q the FS700 would be a no-brainer, but for the price of the 7Q I could get an A7S plus the XLR module and have some money left.

In short, the A7S sure looks appealing.
 
I definitely wouldn't sell a FS700 for an a7s. Actually the FS700 is my other option if some nice deals go through.

And I might keep my FS100 even when buying the A7s, I just wonder if it will really add much. I am getting some really decent images out of the FS100 now.

For the price of that XLR adapter you can buy a Mixpre-d, I believe.
 
I have the FS100 but wouldn't never sell it. The A7s will make a great addition to the arsenal as they are both E-mount cameras.

I love the FS100 for the G log ultimate picture profile, skintones (let's get realistic here to not compare with cinema cameras and it does a really good job), excellent S&Q mode (works at a higher bitrate compared to 50/60p 24mbps), XLR inputs, modular design, the best AVCHD footage i've handled so far in terms of color and great battery life. Rolling shutter is not bad at 15ms, so for those shoulder rigged applications to emulate bumps and run, it works without a headache watching playback.

It doesn't do lowlight like the A7s, but we always need a subject lit anyways. And in situations i do need the boost, the FS100 is still an excellent performer in lowlight. I try not to get sucked in that lowlight is my entire production world.

Beyond the lens and in the business world, some clients might not be very impressed with the size and usual camera form factor of the A7s. It might be better in quality, but they're not pixel peepers.

They are 2 different performers, 2 different tools. Both are great.
They can work together with having one as a B-cam just nicely. Or for that day you're out just to get some pick up shots, you take the smaller one.

The camera is just one little bit of the entire motion picture.
 
I'm with ya. It's a tough split.

I feel like the A7s is one generation away from being a pretty amazing setup. The rolling shutter isn't a deal breaker, but it sure makes me question some of the handheld shots I would be fine doing on the FS100.

The dynamic range and the color profiles are the big kicker for me. We shot a ton of tests on the Cine4 gamma and the dynamic range was much improved over the FS100...

But, then I go back to the benefits you mentioned. Insane battery life. XLR inputs for ease. Good 60p. Use a color chart and a decent profile and for the corporate world... man it's tough to beat.

I'm staying with the FS100 for now. The final point of decision was when I was out shooting a night scene with the stunning low light capabilities on the A7S (thank you super moon), and the camera started acting a little bit strange. It would refuse to playback a few clips, and then the audio monitoring was strange, and then it would toggle between video mode and playback mode. Likely it was some kind of interference with the metabones EF adapter that was stuck on the front, but it's that kind of instability that I can't deal with in a professional environment.

There was also a dead pixel or two on the A7S footage, despite having just come from the store... I enjoy the black shading capabilities of the FS100.
 
Just got he a7S today, found a used one against a discount.

Will post back here with some more comparisons after I get to shoot it for a while.

I can already say 2 things though. Nice flat slog image, and the record button placing is simply horrible!
 
I miss the easy handling of the FS100 (with a shortened loupe), but I like the 7S as a carry-around-everywhere still + video camera.

One big plus for the 7S for me is the ability to use a HolyManta or Vizelex built in vari ND with my SLR manual lenses. On the 100 you have to choose between that and a Speed Booster + front ND's, which I don't want to deal with again.

The FS100 + an Atomos Ninja Star make for a solid lightweight combo though.

If only Sony would make an FS200 with the 7S sensor! Or god forbid even a VG1000...
 
Interest to hear reports..

I own FS100 and NEX5n , the latter is incredibly hard to use due to size, poor menu and the rest, while the FS100 is no ergonomic prize winner the XLR, the audio pots, gain switch et al do make it more than a speciality camera..

I only use the nex5n for 'in fridge shots'

Also tripod mount is super flimsy on the Nex5 - how about the a7s?

S
 
FS100 and Sony A7s

FS100 and Sony A7s

I've had an FS100 for a couple years and I really like it. I bought an a7s about a month ago and so far really enjoying it as well! I do not plan on selling my FS100 anytime soon. Both cameras compliment each other and now I have a decent two camera package. Used both cameras for three days of interviews over the last couple weeks. The A7s with a tamron 24-70mm 2.8 was the wide and the FS100 with a canon 70-200 II 2.8 was the punch in. The a7s is by far sharper and a more pleasant image overall. The blacks are nice and greasy and the highlights hold up amazingly well. Below are a couple screen grabs from each camera. No post processing or color has been applied.


north fl hospitaltight.jpgnorth fl hospitalwide.jpgScreen Shot 2014-08-11 at 5.06.52 PM.jpgScreen Shot 2014-08-11 at 5.09.13 PM.jpg
 
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alaskacameradude said:
Those actually match really well...colors are pretty close.
Click to expand...

Is there a video that's shows the difference between A7s and FS100?
I have a sony nex-ea50 but want to upgrade. I have a normal camcorder sony hxr-nx3 and a panasonic HX-X920.

What I read is that A7s is even better in low light and the image is sharper.
 
I own both and have several videos that feature both cameras as well, and I have to say that the A7s image is *not* sharper than the FS100, but it *is* better in low light. The colors match up very well if you get the PP right, and of course they each have their strengths. That being said, I recently sold my A7s and am now using the A7rii and the FS100 together, which is a killer team. Here is a video I put together, although I somehow got the white balance wrong on the FS700, you can clearly see the image quality is very sharp on it, and although the FS700 is a 'teeny' bit better than the FS100, they are very comparable.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kKO-YbwteKg

Here's a short film shot on the A7s in almost all natural light, very little added light. There are two slomo shots in the middle from the FS700, but everything else is A7s:
https://vimeo.com/127787862
 
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The a7s is definitely a great camera when you rig it out. I plan to add one as my B cam in the future to compliment my fs700 as the color science is quite similar on both.

I would say if you could, buy both. If not, keep your fs100. The fs100 sells on par used with the a7s used if you were going the used route. Maybe do the old fashion b&h and return. But...
Unless you've shot with such a tiny camera I would hold off on making the jump to sell until you do. For what it's worth people **** on the fs100/700 for its ergos, but damn do I hate those little mirrorless index card cameras. Why sony won't just make at least 1 version dslr sized and have it use proper batteries is well beyond me. Hell. Have them throw the nd from the fs5 in it and charge bocoup bucks for it with the same specs as the a7s1/r1 and im sold.

Find someone in your area who has the a7s, tell em you wanna collab on a project (a7s's make good music video cams too and those are often quick and easy to film) and try out his cam in the field or at least admire the differences and benefits as you're working with him/her. Best advice I can offer on that front.
 
scoutsbrother said:
I own both and have several videos that feature both cameras as well, and I have to say that the A7s image is *not* sharper than the FS100, but it *is* better in low light. The colors match up very well if you get the PP right, and of course they each have their strengths. That being said, I recently sold my A7s and am now using the A7rii and the FS100 together, which is a killer team. Here is a video I put together, although I somehow got the white balance wrong on the FS700, you can clearly see the image quality is very sharp on it, and although the FS700 is a 'teeny' bit better than the FS100, they are very comparable.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kKO-YbwteKg

Here's a short film shot on the A7s in almost all natural light, very little added light. There are two slomo shots in the middle from the FS700, but everything else is A7s:
https://vimeo.com/127787862
Click to expand...

thx Jem! Nice to hear the A7s is not sharper than the FS100. Why A7rII and sold the A7s ? Is the FS100 good enough in low light for most situations?
 
I find the A7rii in APS-C 4k mode is just as good as the A7s was, up to about ISO 5000 or so, and I never shot over that with the A7s anyway on anything I was going to put in front of the public. I love being able to shoot 4k, *and* get 42 Mb pics as well, and the IBIS put it over the top for me.
 
70Deep said:
The a7s is definitely a great camera when you rig it out. I plan to add one as my B cam in the future to compliment my fs700 as the color science is quite similar on both
Click to expand...
too be honest that hasn't been my experience....slog2 'should' be similar on both but to be honest I still haven't got them matching well yet...anyone who has a secret sauce could elaborate here....
 
Without having experimented too much myself, I don't think the s-log matches very well at all. However, you can get a picture profile set up on both and shoot without s-log and get a quite good match I think. Here is a cool little live music video that I shot with three cameras, the FS100, the A7rii, and the A7s. Each camera is on one musician, and there is really no grading on any of the cameras, the clips are straight from the card. I think that without knowing (as I do) you would be hard pressed to discern which camera is which, and the color space seems to match up pretty well with all three. If you're interested to try, list which musician you think goes with which camera and I'll let you know how you do!

https://vimeo.com/148110181
 
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scoutsbrother said:
Without having experimented too much myself, I don't think the s-log matches very well at all. However, you can get a picture profile set up on both and shoot without s-log and get a quite good match I think. Here is a cool little live music video that I shot with three cameras, the FS100, the A7rii, and the A7s. Each camera is on one musician, and there is really no grading on any of the cameras, the clips are straight from the card. I think that without knowing (as I do) you would be hard pressed to discern which camera is which, and the color space seems to match up pretty well with all three. If you're interested to try, list which musician you think goes with which camera and I'll let you know how you do!

https://vimeo.com/148110181
Click to expand...

thx Jem for showing this video to us. Nice done with the 3 musicians side by side. The musician with white guitar is the FS100 (looks softer then the others). A7s is with red "vest" and the other in black "vest" A7r.
 
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