It's not bad in general but comparing it to XAVC-I it's pretty weak. You'll see biggest difference when you'll start adjusting your exposure in post. It falls apart 2 times faster then in intra one.
FS7: Price difference between FS5 and FS7
- Thread starter EIREHotspur
- Start date
The two most important considerations for me are power and size. Is the FS5 essentially the same camera as the FS7 (especially if it can output DCI and RAW, eventually) in a smaller form factor? I'm talking hardware. Is there a possibility that the FS5 provides exactly the same computing or better specs in a smaller package? I am not worried about the price difference, I just want the smallest possible pro video device from Sony, but performance is important as well. I am looking for a better long-term solution--something I won't get rid of any time soon, just because there's a new 'FS3' out that can do the exact same thing but at a smaller size. Knowing Sony, my guess is the FS5 has more recent hardware and is seriously limited only by software, to protect the FS7 sales.
Also, I keep reading comments that there is the possibility of an FS7 Mk II. Is this speculation, or is there some real substance behind the rumor? Although I understand the FS700 was updated rather quickly, I think FS7 might be a more long-term lineup to their cinema selection, just ike the F5 or F55). I would personally guess that there won't be an FS7 mkII until the flagship models are redone.
I currently don't have a need for internal RAW output, but would like the added option. XAVCI vs L is not that huge of an issue right now. I do believe the FS5 will eventually have all the software abilities of the FS7 (care to speculate, guys?). Do you folks think the FS5 is just as future proof as the FS7?
Also, I keep reading comments that there is the possibility of an FS7 Mk II. Is this speculation, or is there some real substance behind the rumor? Although I understand the FS700 was updated rather quickly, I think FS7 might be a more long-term lineup to their cinema selection, just ike the F5 or F55). I would personally guess that there won't be an FS7 mkII until the flagship models are redone.
I currently don't have a need for internal RAW output, but would like the added option. XAVCI vs L is not that huge of an issue right now. I do believe the FS5 will eventually have all the software abilities of the FS7 (care to speculate, guys?). Do you folks think the FS5 is just as future proof as the FS7?
EidolonFilms
Well-known member
I'm in the same boat as you - power, size and also file size are really important to me. I love all three with the FS5. I think it's definitely the kind of camera that could last you 3-5 years. At this point, image quality is very good on all these cameras, so I don't think you'd be kicking yourself in a couple years saying "oh wow this new camera has so much better images..." And realistically, if it did, you're probably paying for it with much larger file sizes. RAW and high quality internal codecs are great, but for me, shooting 100+ hours over the course of a couple years on feature length docs, I simply cannot afford to have files sizes any larger than XAVC-50Mb/s. I'd end up spending more on storage and backup than I ever would on the camera gear.
Jim Ritscher
Well-known member
I think you would need to say more. With the FS7, you slap on the same zoom lens, a more expensive (but more capable) card, a more expensive battery, and you are equally good to go. Raw is an additional expense for both cameras. You can always add a rig to any camera. Look at what people are doing with DSLRs.
US price on the FS7 is $8K.
One other interesting point is that the FS5 comes with a system with face tracking. Should be invaluable for those of us who are trying to fly it on a gimbal without a wireless FF. This feature is not a deal-breaker as I pull focus manually, mostly, but it does come in handy depending on how good the tracking actually is. IF the FS5 comes with a hybrid system close to the A7rii that is usable with adapted EF lenses, then it MAY be a deal breaker that the FS7 doesn't...Do any of you know specifics on how the FS7 autofocus works? Could it be improved via firmware update?
A question for the FS7 owners regarding price. Did the FS7 come down in price at all from the initial list price advertised before its release? The sony tech guy at an FS5 open day maybe hinted that the list price could reduce for the 5, but I was wondering if there was precedent with the 7? (UK specifically).
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I find the built in shoulder support on the FS7 - borderline useless - too tiny, no room for adjustments - cant get the camera furhter back to my liking. I prefer it with a Zacuto QR Recoil Base or The Vocas FS7 plate. Also the Grip extension is totally useless - Shape or Vocas replacements needed.
Regardless, of what I do, some people use it out of the box and that;s fine. I am not one of them. To me the FS7 needs as much or even more rigging than the C300. But that's just me, i am sure there are lots of "proper cameraman" out there with different ideas. Sony split the functionality of the FS7 into bits - FS7 and XDCA. The FS5 is a complete unit with one purpose - run and gun , out of the box. Future raw for those who really need it.
But do you really want do what people do with DSLR's? I thought the whole point of cameras like the FS5 is that they are ready to go out of the box. It's not an Alpha 7 camera after all.
I am in the UK - here all dealers were selling at list up until maybe late Summer and before IBC when the availability of the camera normalised. While it was in short supply - most places were selling at list.
Now the FS7 is selling well below list £4900 ex vat body only and everyone has stock - which is about £500-600 less list. However, on the FS5, being not even out yet and spposedly in high demand - I won't see it drop like a brick in the next 6 months regardless of supply.
Price in the UK seems to vary about 3800 - 4100 ex vat depending where you go.
epicdream
Well-known member
For my FS7, the price, from my original quote, didn't come down an awful lot. I ordered mine from CVP and was probably in the first 5 people in the country to get one. The original quote was £5599 (+VAT) but CVP knocked it down to £5110 (+VAT).