FS100 vs GH2

M

meltedspider

Member
Hello all! I am branching out into videography work and am having a tough time deciding between three camera options. I will be doing mostly small events, corporates, birthdays and even hopefully shooting some music videos and short films. I would like to know your thoughts on which camera package from below would be my best bet, my budget is $6,000:

A) Sony FS100 with 18-200mm kit lens, Heliopan Vario Neutral density filter.
B) Panasonic GH2 (body only, from UK) with Zeiss CP2 35mm PL mount and MTF Nikon to PL mount adapter. Sennheiser MKE400 camera mounted shotgun mic.
C) Panasonic GH2 with Voigtlander 25mm 0.95 lens, SmallHD DP6, Indisystem Bulldog handheld rig with mattbox and follow focus (package), Sennheiser MKE400 camera mounted shotgun mic, Neutral density filters.

Thanks in advance for your help!!
 
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What is your background? Reason I ask, is if you're a photographer you might like the gh2 better due to familiarity...but sounds like you would be better off with a video camera like fs100 unless you could only afford a DSLR which isn't the case.
 
Hi Richard, thanks for your reply! well I have a filmschool background plus I've directed a music video or two and some short films, I'm not a photographer! My only gripe with the FS100 is that I can only afford it with the kit lens.
 
Then I thnk it's just a matter of preference...but I'm sure most people in an fs100 forum will say to go with the fs100, but I'm only guessing, haha. What I tell anyone who asks "which camera" is to rent or borrow until you find the camera YOU prefer.

Then, go buy an FS100. (haha)
 
I own both the GH2 and FS100 and I wasn't sure how I was going to treat the GH2 after I got the FS100. When ever I am off to film something, I always pick up the FS100, but that is not to say the GH2 is bad, the GH2 has an amazing picture for what it is (I still have an un-hacked version) and the picture still manages to amaze me. For me I wanted something a little more traditional, one of the key manifestos for me with the FS100 was the 1080p/50p capability, as the GH2 only does 720p, and I shoot mostly sport. The other thing's that got me on board with the FS100 which the GH2 doesn't have, Super 35 Sensor, Picture Profiles (these really help with making you become a better cameraman, let's you understand a lot more about how the image comes together), XLR, Larger FPS Options and many more I cant think of this early in the morning... Which brings me to what I think this cameras biggest attribute is, Low Light Capabilities, this camera literately blows it's competitors and many other more expensive cameras out the window when it comes to low light, the way you can just flick to +30db (16,000 ISO, According to AbelCine) and still get a useable image, is beyond me, 6400 (which I think is the limit on the 5D?) is noise-less. I didn't understand before I bought this camera how much I was going to use/love it, but it has come in extremely handy.

The GH2 has it's perks though... it is damn cheap, very cheap, and for what you get... it's amazing. Undoubtedly the best DSLR on the market, no moire, no aliasing, pure clear images out of the camera, the compression is not as nice as the FS100, which is one of the things I noticed first. But it all depends on what you want, I guess im no help, cause' I would say buy both, :D.
 
The GH2 is a great little camera, but I sold mine shortly after buying the FS-100. Why not grab the FS, and then some cheap Nikon glass so you won't be stuck with the kit lens.
 
Hi and welcome to the big time ;)

From what you posted - you have to pick the FS100 because of the lens. I'm not sure if you gave us all the info on lensing cause it seems like you'd save beaucoup on DSLR's and could pack that cash into some nice glass. but from the info you mentioned- only the FS100 package permits the coverage you'll need for events/corporate- really anything. Think glass overall. If you do much hired gigs tho- think speed and versatility which is the FS again. Now if you're mostly shooting music video and narrative - diff story. DSLR with some primes could be great. I'd still rather have the FS tho. It's just better.
 
Both make lovely images, so I'd put the decision down to ergonomics and usability most of all - and on that front, the dedicated video camera is always going to win.
 
I really enjoy using my GH2 and HMC40 in combination - they compensate quite nicely for each others shortcomings and cut well together. You can afford both!

Also, if you get the GH2 you should definitely hack it - a modest "no adverse effect" boost to the datarate really makes the image quite stunning. (No need IMHO to got to the uber-high bitrates some folk are using).
 
get the fs100 with the tokina 11-16. It's then Frank Gleincairn's G-Log PP. You'll be blown away by the results. The kit lens is a bit crap. Quite thin looking. The 11-16 is amazing for run and gun. I thought I'd miss the zoom, but I just got closer to what I was shooting. It looks great really. F the GH2, I used it for a lot of reportage stuff, it's cool but no comparison to the FS100. You can take a look at my FS100 / Gh2 examples at www.vimeo.com/jacksewell
good luck! :)
 
to me imho, GH2 has a better resolution, better colors, with the hack, and with good lenses, there are more lens choices, for micro 4/3, ( Nokton's 17mm, 25mm f ).95 are just jewels)
I advise you to watch the 2012 Zacuto shootout, where GH2 won, and FS100 looked very pale. Just an opinion.
there is a great film, that got an award at latest Sandance film festival
http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/independent/upstreamcolor/
 
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meltedspider said:
Hello all! I am branching out into videography work and am having a tough time deciding between three camera options. I will be doing mostly small events, corporates, birthdays and even hopefully shooting some music videos and short films. I would like to know your thoughts on which camera package from below would be my best bet, my budget is $6,000:

A) Sony FS100 with 18-200mm kit lens, Heliopan Vario Neutral density filter.
B) Panasonic GH2 (body only, from UK) with Zeiss CP2 35mm PL mount and MTF Nikon to PL mount adapter. Sennheiser MKE400 camera mounted shotgun mic.
C) Panasonic GH2 with Voigtlander 25mm 0.95 lens, SmallHD DP6, Indisystem Bulldog handheld rig with mattbox and follow focus (package), Sennheiser MKE400 camera mounted shotgun mic, Neutral density filters.

Thanks in advance for your help!!
Click to expand...

Your work looks to be a lot of run'n gun, so you would also need to ad a rig and a monitoring solution to the FS100, wouldn't you?
This would set you back at least another grand. When budget is limited and someone is just starting/branching out, it´s hard NOT to suggest going the DSLR route.
DSLR wise, I´d also consider the GH3, since you´ll be able to monitor your audio and have good codecs onboard.
Another option would be the Nikon D800, cheaper to start with than the 5DIII and the option to record to a better codec via HDMI when shooting music vids/short films.
 
Id say FS100..

Sound

Lenses - those MFT lenses are quite costly and may not work on a future camera unlike the nikkkors (and others) you can pick up super cheap

the kit lens is also IMO a much under rated tool if you are covering an event or working fast for any reason

S
 
OP, I suggest you go rent each one and spend a few days and do a few shots with them. That will ultimately decide which camera you would want to go with. You have rig setups, accessories, etc. I came from the DSLR video world, and transitioned to dedicated film/cinema cameras. I now own an FS100, and will never look back. Although I still have my 5DMK2 for small gigs or quick run and gun scenarios.

You won't regret going with the FS100, there's so much flexibility you get with it that you don't get with the DSLR. Audio options, profiles, zebras, etc. Can't go wrong with a super35 sensor compared to the M4/3 sensor of the GH2. Only thing I can say great about the GH2 is the sharpness, it surpasses most cameras in it's level or cameras 3-4x it's price range. Again nothing wrong with the DSLR's like GH2, etc. But if you get the FS100 you won't be thinking twice about anything else.

As I said before rent both of them out, see what your comfortable with. What works best with your style of filming, then go from there.
 
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