GH3 G6 vs 60D: which has better dynaic range and noise handling?

J

JoeThePro

Well-known member
I currently have a 60D, and the G6 looks very tempting, but I have some concerns.

- The dynamic range doesnt seem to be any better than the Canon's, or if it is, its marginal.
- Is the noise any better or more pleasant on the G6?
- Is the Codec any better than Canon's H264 implementation?

- The D5300 is the obvious low cost DR winner, but I dont think I can bring myself to go the Nikon route with their video usability issues. Plus the
resolution seems a bit lower than the G6.

- How does the GH3 compare to the 60D and G6 in terms of DR and noise?
 
Last edited:
Go for the GH3 if you want the best internal codec and options for usability. The GH series are not kings in the DR department though. They will give you better performance on the moire front and will be sharper than the 60D.

If you do set up shots the Nikons are actually very easy to use and changing the aperture is just a matter of one step in workflow compared to the Canons and GH series. I love the 5200 image - AND you can record the full 1080 signal to an external device. That being said, I'd go GH3 OR 5300.
 
pulpfiction007 said:
Go for the GH3 if you want the best internal codec and options for usability. The GH series are not kings in the DR department though. They will give you better performance on the moire front and will be sharper than the 60D.

If you do set up shots the Nikons are actually very easy to use and changing the aperture is just a matter of one step in workflow compared to the Canons and GH series. I love the 5200 image - AND you can record the full 1080 signal to an external device. That being said, I'd go GH3 OR 5300.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the input. I also heard the zoom preview in live view on the nikons lags like crazy. That would be super annoying.

How do you panny shooters deal with high DR situations? I've seen some really nice G6 videos where it looks like it handles it well. Dxo rated the G6 about the same as the 60D in terms of DR, but the GH3 was rated a bit higher.

I'm still curious about the noise compared to Canon's old apsc cameras, my 60D becomes nearly unusable past iso 1600 in low light. From what I've seen of the pannys, it looks about the same.
 
JoeThePro said:
How do you panny shooters deal with high DR situations? I've seen some really nice G6 videos where it looks like it handles it well. Dxo rated the G6 about the same as the 60D in terms of DR, but the GH3 was rated a bit higher.

I'm still curious about the noise compared to Canon's old apsc cameras, my 60D becomes nearly unusable past iso 1600 in low light. From what I've seen of the pannys, it looks about the same.
Click to expand...
I wouldn't get too wrapped up in numbers. The Olympus E-PL5 and Sony NEX-5R both had higher DXO; overall and DR scores. But when I compare the videos they produce, it's clear to me that the G6 has the more pleasing image - it's sharp and clean.

The Sony looks muddy in comparison and the Olympus is lacking-- you can see for yourself. The 60D has that certain soft, Canon look. Some consider it more filmic, maybe you prefer that look - but the numbers, themselves, won't determine that.

I think the Panasonic GHs (1, 2, 3...3 being the best of the lot)/and now the G6, are the best video devices in their price range, both in the images they produce and usability. All the Pana's have usable viewfinders during video and unlimited record times only determined by storage and battery power/without any overheating issues.

The viewfinders on the DSLR's can't be used during video, there are record limits/some as short as 12 minutes and there is a risk of overheating.

Between the G6 and the GH3, the G6 is the better value - if it's on sale.
It's back up to $749 now, Black Friday week it was $498 with 14-42 lens. Otherwise, the GH3 is near $898-- with the much better build, higher bitrate options, weather-sealing, headphone jack, etc. etc.--it's the better choice if it can be obtained for only an extra $150-200/even if just body.
 
Joe, GHKAM has pretty much nailed it.

I sold off a 7D, T3i, and 60D to convert to GH2's, primarily for sharpness. I'm a sharpness "nut", always have been and ever since I saw Bruce Dale's "Summer Morning" on vimeo (shot with a pre production "unhacked" GH2) with it's stunning detail, I was "hooked".

The 60D is an incredible camera but like said in a post above, Canon's image tends to be a bit softer. I can shoot "soft" if I need it that way but I want the sharpness for starters in my work. The "cinematic" look keeps changing with progress anyway. The articulating LCD did pretty much cure the overheating problem (I never saw it in my 60D or T3i) but the GH3 is far the superior video camera.

The G6 is a bit of an improvement over the "unhacked" GH2 and right now seems to be priced at $649 but is backordered. There is one used on in 9+ condition in B&H's used dept priced at $459 (I'd jump at that one very fast, I doubt if it will still be available by morning).

I work with a pair of GH3's and just acquired a used Olympus OMD E-M5 with it's 5 axis stabilization for shots where the camera has to be in motion.
 
The G6 has terrible fixed pattern noise in really dark areas with ISO 1600 and up. The 60D has horrible color noise at ISO 1600 and up. The dynamic range of the two in actual practice is virtually indistinguishable at low ISO, but there's a slight advantage to the 60D as you approach ISO 1600. Both cams are almost useless above ISO 1600.

The big advantages of the G6 are 1080-60p, ETC, sharper image and the system weight including lenses is 1/2 or less of the Canon. The only real world advantage of the 60D is for stills and the Canon poser factor.

Cheers,
Pete
http://vimeo.com/petecarney
 
Last edited:
I have the G6 and I like the footage even in ISO3200 even though its has noise its more of a movie grain then the ugly noise you get on the Canon at 1600. The 1080 50P is a huge advantage too and also able to add metabones to change to APSC with Nikon lenses, am still waiting for the EF to MFT speedbooster so I can finally use my Canon 10-20mm to get nice wide 16mm instead of 20mm. But also special tilt adapter to change any of my manual lenses to a tilt lens. The G6 is great for video and the dynamic range its pretty good , but taking photo's its really bad. Somehow only good photo mode is the panorama shot which is 1080 high and in post can do kind of a fake pan. G6 is pretty good just sometimes the crop factor annoys me but at least its not the crappy BMC crop factor which is totally crazy.
 
I've moved from Canon 5dmkii and 600ds to Lumix GH3s and G6s. That's what it's all about, my video content has totally stepped up a few notches.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top