The Great DSLR Question

[M. Gilden]

Any chance of going back to the original question - latest and best options in DSLR's?
Which is more interesting to me, arguably more constructive than an extended debate on hacking.

Its been more or less covered before the thread went off topic.
In a nutshell: Canon has a large lineup of devices with essentially the same image quality in video mode, all using the Digic4 which apparently is designed to line skip off the sensor and upscale to HD. The colors are pleasing and the sensor size is roughly the same as s35 film (unless you go full size 35mm with the 5D).

But then, there's the Panasonic side. The GH2 is offers higher resolution in video than the Digic 4 based Canons, which is especially evident in wide shots with a lot of detail. The mirrorless design has the lens close enough to the sensor that adapters for nearly any mount is possible. So, compared to the Canon you get sharper images and more choices in glass types. It also offers auto-focus during video, but obviously only on native lenses (of which there are sadly very few at the moment). But, the colors aren't as pleasing to some, the internal display isn't so great (makes color and resolution hard to judge), and sensor size is a bit smaller which means a more cropped FOV.

There's also some new Sony NEX cameras that are creating quite the buzz lately. They aren't anywhere near as popular as the GH2 or Canon lineup, however they seem to have quite a bit of value worth considering. Perhaps if enough people are interested, a Sony section should be added to the DSLR wing of DVXuser.

 

[chrisso]

Thanks

 

[gonzo_entertainment]

Excellent recap of the current state of affairs sir.

 

[Felipe Henao]

Wait for digic V until now all has been an experiment, real things will come this 2012
Keep digic IV for photography

 

[wgzn]

if i were forced to make a choice of ONE single dslr to serve all my needs for VIDEO right at this moment.
it would definitely be the GH2.

and that would be because i shoot a variety of things (industrials, events, docu, commercials, etc) and i feel the GH2 can perform in a wider variety of situations than the 5Dll.
the GH2 has:
1. more format and framerate options
2. far less issue with moire / alaising
3. outputs HD signal via HDMI while filming

if i were JUST shooting feature / indie / artistic work. the tables would be turned and id go 5Dll

 

[chrisso]

As a GH13 owner the GH2 has been number one on my list.
However, as i also shoot stills, the NEX7 has me wondering. No one has really looked at the video capability yet (online). So I'm in a watching brief.
The GH2 represents very high quality in an affordable package. However, as I'm in a PAL country, I haven't seen any of the deep discounting on GH2's that have been reported by Americans.

 

[Felipe Henao]

As a Canon user have to wait for Digic V, But for sure if they don't get a clean image in this new generation, will switch to Panasonic.
Panasonic GH2 Already have the cleanest image, as far as I have seen

 

[Lolokia]

what I mean is that some people don't like the look of the images that the GH2 delivers; they're cleaner (no aliasing/moire), have a lot more detail, and (with the hack) the codec is a lot better (and all that is objective); but some people argue that the sensor is too small, that the colors are not as nice as with other cameras, and in general that the image is not sexy (and all that is subjective)

check out the comments at the end of this article:
http://prolost.com/blog/2011/11/21/red-scarlet-canon-c300-and-the-paradox-of-choice.html#

and also this (no GH2 mentioned, it's not my cup of tea):
http://www.similaar.com/foto/equipment/us_cam.html

Thank you for your information.

 

[gonzo_entertainment]

"if i were JUST shooting feature / indie / artistic work. the tables would be turned and id go 5Dll"

That would be me.

 

[Kholi]

We're trying to get rid of our 5D and pick up a second GH2 body.

Third time clients complained about soft footge and moire (and we do everything we can to avoid it). Stuff doesn't cut with RED footage at all, and even looks bad in comparison to large video cam footage. It just doesn't fly anymore. And I actually like the Full Frame, just that in comparison it doesn't hold any weight in any area BUT full frame.

People keep talkin' about colors, but GH2 spits out skin tones just right if you learn how to white balance. And that goes for any of these broken DSLR video images.

I'm looking at the Nikon D4 right now, if it tests okay then we'll get it but if it's only putting out 5D/1Dx images then it's just not worth it to me. I can fix the wide situation with 4/3 sensors, I can't fix the soft and muddy image of a 5D, moire, etc. =T

 

[gonzo_entertainment]

If I had the cash I'd buy that 5D body Kholi, but really have to invest in a 7D instead, picking up music video gigs and everybody wants slo mo. I was going to just go t2i instead, but it's worth a few hundred bucks more to not have to use different cards.

I will never get what you don't like about 5D footage, I think it's gorgeous, love the softness, love the colors. It's a Coke vs Pepsi thing I guess. People like what they like.

 

[Kholi]

If I had the cash I'd buy that 5D body Kholi, but really have to invest in a 7D instead, picking up music video gigs and everybody wants slo mo. I was going to just go t2i instead, but it's worth a few hundred bucks more to not have to use different cards.

I will never get what you don't like about 5D footage, I think it's gorgeous, love the softness, love the colors. It's a Coke vs Pepsi thing I guess. People like what they like.

Honestly, if the 5D actually resolved enough I don't think we would ever sell it. I love Full Frame for the right application (especially 2.35:1 crop), but I just cannot deal with the sub par resolution and worse, the plastic representation of skin. You seriously don't get that on the GH2, and again, GH2 and 5D are on the level for color, so if I could use both effectively then we'd have the best of both worlds.

Sadly, it just doesn't hold up. DSLRs around LA are also becoming bad words, too many people burned, clients getting great rates on F3 and RED MX, and you seriously can't cut 5D in for anything but hyper shallow shots. Can't really escape it, it's part of the way we make our living.

Nikon's color reproduction stomps on both, though, and the D4 looks really REALLY nice... but if they haven't fixed the moire/aliasing I really don't care. =[

 

[gonzo_entertainment]

I mean it's always been a budget solution. If I had $5000 a day production budgets instead of $1000 a day production budgets I wouldn't be shooting on ANY DSLR, not when I can rent a Red MX package for $795 a day.

 

[Kholi]

I mean it's always been a budget solution. If I had $5000 a day production budgets instead of $1000 a day production budgets I wouldn't be shooting on ANY DSLR, not when I can rent a Red MX package for $795 a day.

Once you do shoot RED MX or near to, you'll probably see why I don't like canon footage anymore. GH2 gets close enough for me to be comfortable with it, 5D is like 40 percent.

 

[Jordan Scott Price]

Once you do shoot RED MX or near to, you'll probably see why I don't like canon footage anymore. GH2 gets close enough for me to be comfortable with it, 5D is like 40 percent.

Kind of apples to oranges there, but I know what you mean.

From the raw footage I've seen, the GH2 has that same punchy look the RED cameras have, whereas the Canon DSLRs are a little more subtle, sometimes to a detriment (skin tones, anyone?).

 

[Kholi]

Kind of apples to oranges there, but I know what you mean.

From the raw footage I've seen, the GH2 has that same punchy look the RED cameras have, whereas the Canon DSLRs are a little more subtle, sometimes to a detriment (skin tones, anyone?).

1080/60i Non hacked stream for 29.97 broadcast. For safe measure, I went back to the FulL Range and dipped the color contrast a bit more so it wasn't as milky.



And here are the "raw" looks:

Broadcast Range + 1.8 Gamma

Full Range + 1.8 Gamma

There you go.

RED (MX, EPIC, and now Scarlet-Xtraweak) always depend on who's finishing and how they're finishing. Punchy look is just a choice, but knowing that I can go either way with GH2 footage is a big deal.

It is sort of apples to oranges, but GH2 is closer to the apple (since it's red in color? xD) Than the orange is. If that makes any sense.

 

[Jordan Scott Price]

It is sort of apples to oranges, but GH2 is closer to the apple (since it's red in color? xD)

Ba-dum, cha.

:happy:

 

[maarek]

Punchy look is just a choice, but knowing that I can go either way with GH2 footage is a big deal.

Skin looks kinda plastic in those shots. But I guess it's ok as it's the GH2

 

[Kholi]

Skin looks kinda plastic in those shots. But I guess it's ok as it's the GH2

Dunno what your vision of plastic looks like, but on my computer and studio monitor it looks nothing the sort. And looks pretty damned close to the MX footage. Only time it looks plastic is when I switch my laptop's video card from high end to onboard.

You guys like what you like and use what you like. Have at it. I've probably said enough about Canons and Sonys, so it is what it is.

Good luck

 

[Matty_g]

The dude also just had amazing skin.