Questions about small frame cameras

[RieniO]

I want to buy a small sensor camera like the Panasonic Z200 bridge because for some shots I need larger DOF at low light. I prefer a still camera with video mode above a videocam because of quality. For example check out this video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=znBggVqwwFM

Or this comparison between videocam and Z200:

http://www.avsforum.com/t/1480276/video-shooting-question-panasonic-lumix-dmc-fz200-vs-canon-m500

The Z200 is much sharper!

Now the problem is that when the Z200 is recording, zoom, focus and exposure can't be changed anymore. I also think that clip length is limited due to 4GB file size limit.

Does anyone know if there are compact/bridge cameras that just have a small sensor, but still have full manual control when camera is recording? I don't need a jack for external mike because I use a separate audio recorder, HDMI out would be nice for external monitor but isn't required. Basically I want a Panasonic GH2 with small sensor (smaller than the crop sensor mode).

Thanks!

 

[pulpfiction007]

The Sony RX10 is the closest I can think of. It has basically a super 16 sized sensor and very good video quality...better than Sony's own larger sensor cousins like the A77, A6000 and NEX bodies.

 

[RieniO]

Thanks.

"While the R1 had a 10MP almost APS-C sized sensor, the RX10 has a 1" (slightly smaller than Four Thirds) 20MP sensor."

I need something with a sensor even smaller than the Panasonic GH2/3 sensor crop mode (ETC)

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L9pAu1Qao...IaU4/s640/gh3+non-etc+vs+etc+illustration.png

 

[Samuel H]

I was also going to say RX10...
if it has to be even smaller: how about a BMPCC?

 

[RieniO]

Thanks, I completely forgot about the BMPCC!

But I already have the GH2 and I think the crop sensor mode gives a smaller sensor than the BMPCC? BPMCC sensor is red on the graphic.

I guess I'm looking for 8mm :grin:

 

[Samuel H]

Well, I think you're looking for something with a sensor much smaller than anything I would consider using...
Exactly how dark is what you want to shoot, and how deep do you want your DoF?
Because I would rather get a camera with a bigger sensor and then stop down the iris.

With the A7s, you get clean ISO 12K, cleanish 25K, which means you can close down your lens to get deeper DoF. If you compare that with the BMPCC (clean ISO 800, 3x crop factor), the advantage is to the A7s: a 17.5mm set at f/2.8 on the BMPCC at ISO 800 has the same FoV, DoF and exposure as a 50mm f/8 on the a7s at ISO 6400.

Same with the D5300, which has clean ISO 6400: a 17.5mm set at f/2.8 on the BMPCC at ISO 800 has the same FoV, DoF and exposure as a 35mm f/5.6 on the a7s at ISO 3200.

More about these equivalences here.