Help picking a small 4K camcorder...

Harry Pallenberg

Harry Pallenberg

Well-known member
Love something like the Sony X-70... but not 2 years old? Or Canon XF100 in 4K. Canon XC15? I know JVC has a few like this... but I don't trust JVC - right?

I'd love to try the Panny UX180 or Sony X150... but those are just too big.

Needs - small as can be, 2 XLR, built in NDs, IOS, 10X optical at least, 2.8f at least on wide
Wants - removable handle (XLR) to make it even smaller, super high gain or IR capable, 1inch chip would be nice,

thanks in advance...
 
I may be biased, as I've owned the X70 for almost 2 years, but I don't think even now there is anything better with its mix of features and size. Recent firmware upgrades have improved the bitrate of the 4K and even the autofocus. It has pretty extensive picture controls and is quite sharp (especially for its price range) even in HD. And the HD is rare in having 4:2:2 10-bit. The Clear Image zoom that is a sensor zoom rather than a digital zoom is also quite useful. It's not a low light monster but is pretty good, partially due to fairly clean Gain. It has 60fps in HD but not 4K.

It has no Log option, but does allow fairly flat settings if that is of interest. I do wish Sony would do a MK2 of it that offered the newer sensor from the X150,
120fps in HD, and Sony Log.
 
If you need XLRs and small, the X70 and the XC15 are your only options presently. The JVC has a small chip and a dark, soft lens.

I'm in the market for the same camera, and have resigned myself to waiting a while longer. Eventually there will be a 4K version of the Canon XA30.
 
Wish I had to buy this cam a year ago, X70 would have been obvious choice. Just having a hard time buying it now. I mean I know the next best thing is always around the corner but in this case its gotta be fairly close.

ddixon - the bitrate for 4k is now 100 right? can the camera do a few (how many) seconds of pre-record, or cache record? Do you have any well lit and low lit raw footage I can download / test?
 
i have seen web images of the jvc ls300 and they are pretty good.

s35 chip is decent in low light. m4/3 has plenty of lens mounting options. removable xlr audio controls and handle.

i know, it is a jvc!

(full disclosure: back in the tape days, i did own a jvc camera and it was very good! i'm just saying...)

be well.

rob
smalltalk.productions
 
robfilms... I do LOVE the idea of the LS300 - as I have a bunch of old and odd sized lenses (c-mount, Canon FD, Minolta MD, M43)... but I've not seen any really nice footage out of that cam... guess I should go look for some.
It is prob a bit too big anyway - but I did not know the handle comes off which is nice.
 
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