GH2 vs.7D vs. 60D.

D

dadirector89@yahoo.com

Active member
I'm a music video director and looking to upgrade to a DSLR asap. I've been looking into buying a canon model dslr. Either the 7d or 60d. I was looking into buying a t2i at one time, but decided against it because I dont want to use Magic Lantern. I also am fond of the GH2 and am impressed by it's video quality as well. The main thing I favor about the 60D is the swivel screen. Which camera would you guys recommend?
 
there are very few reasons for a videographer to buy a 7D over a 60D - one BIG one is that the 7D sends an HD signal out for monitoring via HDMI while recording. its the only canon model that does that. the rest send a half-res "SD" signal out once you start recording. you may care about that. you might not. personally, i can work around it.
the GH2 also monitors out in HD. but having owned a GH2 and a 60D i simply prefer the look of the canon. but ive only used the panasonic lenses (14-140 and 20mm) i have hope that getting some faster and different looking glass will change that situation...

a little background. i currently own a 60D, a GH2 and have an sgblade 35mm adapter for my video camera on its way. with the intent of doing some real world, side by side testing of the three.
so far EVERY DSLR that ive used has been more compromises than benefit for me - but thats just for me. other people with different needs will say otherwise. and music video shooters are probably in that group ; )

but long story short. there are reasons to like a 7D more than a 60D. and those reasons make it nearly twice the price. but for what youre doing. i dont think those reasons will matter to you much. if at all. i say get the 60D
 
Last edited:
Gh2 FTW

But plan on getting some decent fast, wide primes

Voigtlander

25/0.95
35/1.2
50/1.2

Sweet but kinda pricey

Cheaper:
Nikkor
20mm/2.8
24/2
28/2
35/2
50/2
85/2
 
Having owned a 60D for 3 months, and then happily switching over to the GH-2, I would recommend the GH-2.

- Higher resolution
- Virtually no-moire or aliasing
- Can use almost any lens out there with the right adapter
- Shoot as long as you like, up to the maximum of your card or battery ( shoot 2 hour live events in one take )
- No over-heating

One caveat is that I edit and grade my own footage, so I can produce almost any type of look from the GH-2 camera. If you want the "Canon Look" straight out of the camera, then buy a Canon camera, otherwise you need to grade your GH-2 footage in post. ( I like to CC and grade my footage, so for me the GH-2 is a no-brainer )
 
Basically. Although some people prefer the Canon look to the Lumix series, it looks like no one really recommends the 7D these days unless you need something like HD monitoring.
 
There are benefits to both. Look at what you need though.
60D, you have access to native Canon lenses as well as some of those benefits: i.e. Image Stabilization, focusing, aperture, etc...
Canon's have a nice range of lenses at a pretty decent price. Canon's also have a large following, and thus there are more accessories and parts available for them at a cheap price.
The Panasonic can record longer, have a better native compression (saving card space), less moire / aliasing, touch focusing with their native lenses, adaptors to use all other major brands of lenses (but manual operation only).
The list goes on for both cameras...

I got the GH2 cuz I shoot weddings mostly, and sometimes I need to record longer takes, record more footage, simple and effect controls/design, and a multitude of lenses... also touch focus can be handy in tight situations. However, I hate that they have AMAZING lenses...but very pricey. (i.e. Panasonic's notorious Zoom Fisheye) and some of the pricey accessories like extra batteries.
One major caveat of my investment is that I love the hacked GH13, and so i really hope the GH2 gets a major upgrade soon... which is one of the other main reasons I went with panasonic over the 60D and/or the T3i
Your shooting music videos, you are doing short takes and will be using probably 3 lenses. 50mm, fisheye, and probably a 28-70 or an 85mm.
The flip screen is handy since you will be moving a lot, but that also means its harder to manuel focus... you probably will need an external monitor.
You get the idea, just lay out what you will be doing and compare the pros and cons of both cameras.
I'm a fan of the 7D, but its quality can be had in a cheaper model like the 60D, 2Ti, 3Ti.

Dai-Lon
http://www.dailonweiss.com/reels-recent/
http://www.kristinaweiss.com/Magyar/
 
I've owned a T2i and currently own a 7D. I love the 7D, very professional camera, rugged, built for pros, takes great video. My buddy has a GH2. It's better suited to video production, as it has audio levels in the viewfinder, and I believe manual gain that you can turn off, but all these cameras have trade offs. The 7D is environmentally sealed with the right lens, can be left in snow even, so if you shoot outside, and use the right lens, the camera will work great and be less likely to be messed up. I like having a camera I can drop the battery out of without taking it off the tripod, very handy. The T2i can't do that. But if I were looking again I would be very tempted to buy the GH2. More of a 'next generation' video shooting DSLR than the 7D. Neither of these cameras seem to produce video for broadcast quality or 'the big screen'. So if you are only looking at web video, they are a good choice. My other camera, as they say, is an XF305. Love it. The picture is vastly superior to the 7D or the GH2, IMHO. But then, it should be! It's not just all about the sensor size...but a package. By the time you buy all the add ons you need to do DSLR right, you could have bought a very fine camera, like the HMC-150 or better.

Good luck!
 
and sometimes I need to record longer takes, record more footage
Click to expand...
from where i stand, thats one of about maybe three, pretty significant reasons to choose a GH2 over a 60D

here are some of my perceptions of the GH2, Txi, 60D, 7D:

GH2: on a spec for spec basis and flexibility of workfow, it buries the canons
GH2: from a moire / aliasing standpoint. less problematic than the canons
GH2: small and FEELS LIKE A TOY! very plastic feeling. and the way they implement one dial for ss and f-stop is effing HORRIBLE!
7D: great mid-range still camera. and the ONLY canon that will send out an HD image via HDMI WHILE RECORDING
7D: SOLID METAL BUILD - VERY PRO FEEL!
7D: does NOT have an articulating LCD but it looks GOOD!
60D: nearly as good as the 7D but doesnt send an HD signal out HDMI while recording
60D: has an articulating LCD AND it looks GOOD!
T3i: has an articulating LCD AND it looks GOOD!
T3i: is missing a few arguably prominent features of the 60D. but a great all around alternative if you absolutely can not pony up the extra couple hundred for the 60D

However, I hate that they have AMAZING lenses...but very pricey.
Click to expand...
"amazing"? really? with my first GH2 i had both the 14-140 and the 20mm pancake. i absolutely HATED the look of both. they were the reason i sold my first GH2 rig.
now that i have more time to play with adapters and other lenses. i hope my second journey into the land of the GH2 will eventually pony up better looking footage
 
Last edited:
wgzn said:
...with my first GH2 i had both the 14-140 and the 20mm pancake. i absolutely HATED the look of both...
Click to expand...

From what everyone has generally stated, across the forums, 14-140, 20, and the 7-14 are pretty phenomenal with regards to video shooting. Of course, you can get MUCH better through adaptors, but the same goes for all the other cameras when your looking for high end video.
But as far as "native" lenses go, anyone serious about video will probably have these in their arsenal.
When you compare these lenses to the Canons selection for video, id say they have a slight edge.

Of course, there are those that dont agree... each to his/her own I guess.
At the end of the day, its what you can do with what ya got and gear can't make "Chicken **** into chicken salad!" (omg, been wanting to use that crappy quote for ages now!)
 
8string said:
Neither of these cameras seem to produce video for broadcast quality or 'the big screen'!
Click to expand...
....and yet it's been done time and time again with lesser cameras. :)

I guess if you said they are not good choices to shoot for the big screen....then I'd "just about' agree with you. But The fact that the 7D and 5Dll etc. have been used on major projects...then I wholeheartedly disagree.
 
Why would you NOT want to use Magic Lantern?

- Zebras
- Peaking
- Manual control of analog and digital audio
- Manual whitebalance kelvin settings
- Magic zoom!
- etc etc etc

Without ML video shooting would be way tougher on a DSLR. I got a T2i because of the ML development.
 
Thanks a lot guys. I still cant decide between the GH2 and the 60D. I've been looking at a lot of test footage and it seems like it all just depends on the lens and the skill of the videographer. I'll figure something out soon...hopefully.
 
going back to your original post. you said "The main thing I favor about the 60D is the swivel screen"

both the GH2 and the 60D have "swivel screens" and they are both the same size. but i prefer the screen of the 60D to that of the GH2

most stores (even bigger mail order places) have some kind of return policy. i say buy both and return the one you like least. because all the footage you see and opinions you read wont have a lot to do with your taste and the way you work.

with that said, here is one more thought.
a. is this going to be your ONLY camera?
b. do you EVER expect to be hired to shoot a live concert or other situation where you have to roll for long periods of time?

if you answer YES to both a and b. then the GH2 (with a good fast zoom lens) is probably the better choice.
 
in your original post you also mentioned "ASAP"
not sure how soon that actually is for you. but i WILL be posting side by side comparisons from the GH2 and 60D within the next couple weeks. (i wont have my m4/3 adapter in until sometime next week.)
 
8string said:
Neither of these cameras seem to produce video for broadcast quality or 'the big screen'.
Click to expand...

Ian-T said:
....and yet it's been done time and time again with lesser cameras. :)

I guess if you said they are not good choices to shoot for the big screen....then I'd "just about' agree with you. But The fact that the 7D and 5Dll etc. have been used on major projects...then I wholeheartedly disagree.
Click to expand...

+1. I personally just shot an interview last week on a t2i that will appear on a network television talkshow. This happens *ALL THE TIME*, with many big studios and television programs using DSLR footage. Its actually become rather trendy. It may not always be the best option for many reasons, but they are perfectly capable.

analog_addict said:
Why would you NOT want to use Magic Lantern?

- Zebras
- Peaking
- Manual control of analog and digital audio
- Manual whitebalance kelvin settings
- Magic zoom!
- etc etc etc

Without ML video shooting would be way tougher on a DSLR. I got a T2i because of the ML development.
Click to expand...

Another +1! Magic Lantern is one of the reasons I'm still using a T2i as my primary DSLR. Still waiting for it to port to other cameras...
 
Since both the GH2 and 60D cost about as much one decent lens you should also consider that whatever path you go you are commiting to a lens system for the long term. You will spend more on lenses then you will on a body, and it seems camera bodies are changing much faster then lens selection is.
 
not a formal prelude to my testing. but i went out and about this afternoon with my 60D + 18-135 shooting 1080/30 (the mode supposedly better for avoiding moire) and still found it pretty easy to encounter moire on extremely common environmental objects, like walls and fences... : (
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top