Sony FS100 vs EX1R vs NX5U

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sandersaar

Member
Hi!
I started with film several years years ago (still new), using small mobiles and later handheld consumer camcoders etc.
Now been doing several corporate videos, live streams, event videos, TV clips and have a need for my own camera (no more renting). So far been using EX3 and EX1 most of the time. The purpose still is most of the time web video.
Therefore I am considering three options and would like a little bit of help from experienced people. I am choosing between:
1) Sony EX1R
2) Sony NEX-FS100
3) Sony NX5U

What do you think which one would be the best for my purposes?

PS! What do you think about this review. Is it adequate http://www.dvuser.co.uk/content.php?CID=268 ?
 
I own EX1 and 7d maybe FS100 soon

The EX1 is utter simplicity to not mess shots up with - the main criteria for "corporate videos, live streams, event videos, TV "

Has various details (SDI out) that make it more flexible than the other cams

its sharp, its global frame rates

Unless you have a twisted burning desire for the 'cine' look - it is the best cam

(i have no knowledge of the other sony)

of course you can get the cine look by buying a T2i and a 50 as a B cam

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autofocus, although it seems fast on the FS100, is not really useable on this sensor size. The camera never knows what part of the image should be in focus.
On my fellow GH2 I only use AF when shooting F8 and above.

You have to decide between freaky low light capabilities or deep focus for adequate run´n´gun style filming.

I just sold my NX5. The cam is ok, but the codec has a flaw/bug. It kind of flickers in the dark every second or so (maybe every new GOP starting point). No faulty cam. I checked another NX5 at my retailer and it´s the same.
Therefore I would not recommend it.
 
you could consider the AF100 which is a good middle ground - you can sort of get the cine look, and still have some hope of holding focus and get a good telephoto magnification without a huge lens

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The FS100 has not been out long enough to get any real feedback on it yet.
Plus the EX1 and NX5U would be closer to each other than the FS.
I see the FS100 as a very different camera than the other two.

Based on what you are doing I would say the EX1 or NX5 but it's up to you.

If I get an FS100 it would be an addition to my EX1 and so much a replacement.
 
Looking at most of the videoprofessionals' gear, then they tend to have one Sony EX1, EX3 or even F350. And then additional gear of DSLR cameras (such as 5D mark II or 7D). I already own a Canon 60D with 24-105mm L lens.
What do you think? Is it better then to start with EX1R and then buy the second camera as FS100 or Pana AF101 or still start with FS100, because everyone wants a cine look and feel even on the web?
 
I can't really tell you what you need but if you already have a DSLR I would think the EX1 or a camera along those lines might be better.

I see the FS100 as "a much better DSLR".
I don't have a video DSLR so the FS100 looks good to me.
 
sandersaar said:
Looking at most of the videoprofessionals' gear, then they tend to have one Sony EX1, EX3 or even F350. And then additional gear of DSLR cameras (such as 5D mark II or 7D). I already own a Canon 60D with 24-105mm L lens.
What do you think? Is it better then to start with EX1R and then buy the second camera as FS100 or Pana AF101 or still start with FS100, because everyone wants a cine look and feel even on the web?
Click to expand...

I think it depends on your 'director' - I have corp clients who will be at an event and say 'zoom in on that' and other such requests

Such requests dont really work with a DSLR/ FS100, you might have to change lenses and even fiddle with a FF and ND/Matte box - the moment will pass

If you work in a more structured environment the FS100 will look more cine than the 2/3 cams

head : EX1 heart: FS100
 
As a DSLR owner you have the look avaialble - now you need the solidity - sound - ease of use 0- etc

But if you are like me (and this is the exact debate Im having with myself) you could end up shooting 80% on your 'worst' camera

If I keep my EX1 i just shoot on my lashed together DSLR kit 90% of the time (my 'good cam' being 90% unused - just pulled out in 'emergencies' - boring long speeches, fast ENG, telepoto requirement)

If I got the FS100 I would use it 100% of the time (my good cam being 0% unused) and fall over on a couple of RnG jobs by getting in a mess fiddling with ND and lenschanges

If i got the AF100 what would the % be then 10%, 20% 50% .. I dunno

Im literally staring at a spreadsheet..

Light Weight Tele Photo - Af100
Low light - FS100
Ease of focus AF100
Cine look FS100
ETc

I think my score is FS100 8, AF100 8 so far !

I think you should consider the Af100 as a med point

Pared if with 14-140 its sureley farily TV like and with a 095 25mm pretty cinematic

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I have two EX1Rs and a T2i - the latter is going to be relegated to Stills & Timelapse, because whilst I'm happy with the look, I'm not happy with the associated 'baggage' of DSLRs.

Nigel's review? He's being honest. He doesn't like the camera. That's fine. Yes, everyone who's used the stock lens has said 'get the body and use the cash saved to buy an adaptor and some lenses' - which is sound advice. FS100 seems fair gene-splice between the two camps. Not sure if I'd have only FS100 at this stage, EX1s are hard to beat, and dispite a shaky start, can be handheld in a wide range of situations. But I've seen enough from Stills glass and S35 sensors to 'need' it, and the last few jobs have been 'would have looked nicer on a bigger sensor'.

Sigh. Another week to go...
 
You are absolutely right I think. There serve different purposes and sometimes for promotions, corporate, web, it is good to have a bigger sensor, shallow depth of field "film look", but for events "point-and-shoot" purposes there is nothing better than EX1R I think.
I just once again went through these comparison videos by Philip Bloom (Sony FS100 , Sony F3 and Panasonic AF100/101) http://vimeo.com/23294197 and http://vimeo.com/23344796 where he also says that DSLRs just are about as good as FS100 or AF100.
All of them are missing something and have something that others dont. I also found out that there is a solution to get a "film like" picture from EX1R as well with a 35mm adapter http://www.letusdirect.com/letus-ultimate.html

Let me know if there are any other aspects I should consider! I appreciate your help a lot!
 
adaptors suck - loss of light - heavy unbalanced - knock the focus on the camera and lose the rest of the days shooting - nice - stick with your DSLR over an adapter (IMO)

I think the image from DSLR will be 'nearly' as good as the other S35 cams - you are buying synched monitorable sound, timecode, no mini HDMI, mount points, no mirror and to get in the way of PL lenses etc rather than pure image quality - and they throw in a bad user interface for free !

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I'm not sure what the film look is because it seems to vary from person to person.

If you want the film look above all else then I would say look at the FS100 or one of the other larger single chip cameras... AF100.


I would think about what I want the most.
What I/my clients want the most.
What my budget says I can afford.
And then go from there.

The EX1 in my mind is more of a corporate, events type of camera HOWEVER it has been used in a number of films and I believe some TV shows.

But if I were looking at 35mm adapters, I would not look at the EX1.
I would go right for a camera that allowed me to use different lenses without an adapter.


My 2 cents.
 
It is still hard to decide, because I need it for different purposes and my budget allows me to get only one camera.
For promotions, corporate overviews, product videos it is better to have a FS100 or AF100

For events, interviews and live stream EX1R seems like a right solution.

Another thing is that for FS100 and AF100 I need to by some more glass and also rig to use it handheld.

Once it seems like I've made decision for EX1R, but then FS100 comes to my mind again and again.
 
sandersaar said:
Once it seems like I've made decision for EX1R, but then FS100 comes to my mind again and again.
Click to expand...

Might I recommend a thought experiment? Consider: if the FS100 had been out for well over a year and the EX1R was just coming out this week, which one would you want?
 
sandersaar said:
It is still hard to decide, because I need it for different purposes and my budget allows me to get only one camera.
For promotions, corporate overviews, product videos it is better to have a FS100 or AF100

For events, interviews and live stream EX1R seems like a right solution.

Another thing is that for FS100 and AF100 I need to by some more glass and also rig to use it handheld.

.
Click to expand...

I use my EX on a simple T rig so you may not save on a rig

One issue that has not been discussed on the board is diffraction (I have asked but owners are currently too busy in lolight wonderment)

In theory the great light performance of the FS100 means that you may have light levels to shoot at F11/16/22 a lot to 'gain the illusive 2/3 look'

DIffraction could kill the sharpness or considering that 1080 is hardly sharp (from a stills perspective) it may be a non issue

The AF you with less light hoovering one may not be able to pull this stunt.. but may not need to,


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