Time to choose...between GH4, Sony A7, d7100, Samsung nX1

S

Stelvium

Well-known member
Hallo,
I m about to choose for the next dslr but i''m more and more confused! Here's why: my New doubts are about the bigger choice in the reflex world. Till yesterday i was in doubt between Pana GH4 and Nikon D7100. Now i m also considering Samsung NX1 and Sony A7. Main use: documentaries, nature and many interviews. Any help from you gurus? I really appreciate it
 
For video work from the list in this order:
GH4 - 9/10
Samsung NX1 - 8/10
Nikon D7100 7/10
Sony a7 - 6/10

Use a external recorder with any of this cameras, the Tascam DR-60 or the Zoom H5 are nice recorders.
 
The best camera for you depends on your shooting environment and your delivery format. A7s has the best low-light performance but you are stuck with 1080p unless you carry a bulky external recorder. If you have acceptable light and want the best image quality with internal recording, the NX1 is the clear leader. If you need an unusual focal length with autofocus, GH4 has the widest selection of native mount auto-focusing lenses. You may also wish to consider the LX100, which has good 4k image quality in an inexpensive, compact package. Regardless, I don't think the Sony A7 or the Nikon 7100 are in the running by any criterion.
 
Last edited:
Docu work: A7S with a Juiced link Riggy. That would cover everything you need for an HD doc in a tight little package.

Aesthetic notes: Will give the most 'cinematic' image, due to the excellent dynamic range and low noise images.

Cons:
-Requires external recorder for 4k, and 4k has some rolling shutter issues.
-base iso in S-Log is 3200. You will need ND filtration in most daylight situations. (not really a con, but something to consider)

If you need 4K:
GH4/LX100 combo seems like an amazing team. There is a saying: the best camera is the one you have with you. The LX100 is a camera you never have to leave behind and the image seems to stack up well with the GH4. The GH4 gives you lens options for special shots, lens whacking, super long or wide angles, and interesting lenses for interviews.

Aesthetic notes:
The image is more punchy and saturated straight out of camera than some other leading brands. But there is a 'now'ness about the image that documentaries don't have to be afraid of. But they are very usable cameras and that helps get a shot, vs not getting the shot sometimes. Usability is important in faster paced situations.

GH cameras used in film:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5U9KmAlrEXU


Cons:
-Less dynamic range than leading competitors.
-clean ISO limited to 1600, and 3200-6400 is usable but grainy, means your low light footage is going to look more grungy.


If you can't make up your mind:
NX1. It is easily the best well rounded hybrid out there. You just can't go wrong with one (no pun intended: one - NX1, get it?).
 
Are you considering the A7 or the A7S? If the A7S is in your budget, I'd highly recommend it over the other options. Unless you absolutely have to have the highest resolution more than anything else, the A7S is amazing for documentary or small budgets as the great DR and light sensitivity and color goes a long long way on time/resource limited projects. Compared to all those cameras it has an advantage of several stops extra DR and sensitivity. It also has reasonably good autofocus in video mode with most E-mount lenses if you're into that. If you choose any other cameras you are likely significantly sacrificing image quality. I know they say the camera doesn't matter and the right person can make great images with any camera, but that assumes a surplus of time and skill which is not common in doc and and the A7S will make it so much easier in a lot of uncontrolled situations. And it has the option of shooting SLOG2 which looks amazing in post with Impulz or Filmconvert LUTs/Effects. Just my 2 cents, but I am familiar with those options and chose the A7S myself... and it seems you can get them for <$2k new these days.
 
If you actually did 5 shoots with each of these cameras, I strongly suspect you would put the GH4 and the NX1 at the top of your list.

The GH4 for absolute ease of use and maximum "reasonably easy" options.
The NX1 for slightly better image quality, lower noise, and mildly easier ability to get a shallow depth of field.

Me personally - I have a well-hacked GH2 but I would not consider another panasonic camera. However I am VERY impressed by what I've seen coming out of the NX1 since their newest firmware update. Barring any surprises at NAB I'll probably get the NX1 for all my commercial work.
 
NX1 is the best ''value for money'' in my opinion. Add to that the impressive support of the company and you have a great package!
 
Other question:
with these new cameras my 7 years old Dell Precision with 4gb of rAM and Quadro Card will be able to handle these new format like H265 or 4K? My Dell handle really really smoothly and quick footage from D7100 and D5200.....never tryed the other format
Thx a lot
Anybody that couls send me trough mail NX1 or GH4 footage?
 
Stelvium said:
Other question:
with these new cameras my 7 years old Dell Precision with 4gb of rAM and Quadro Card will be able to handle these new format like H265 or 4K? My Dell handle really really smoothly and quick footage from D7100 and D5200.....never tryed the other format
Thx a lot
Anybody that couls send me trough mail NX1 or GH4 footage?
Click to expand...

No. One of my computers is similar to yours and it really cannot work with 4K footage or anything with a bit rate much higher than 50mbps.
The H265 is not very high bit rate but as of today you really have to transcode it to a different format in order to work with it. This will simply be slow on your older computer. And the resulting files will probably end up having a bit rate much higher than 50mbps which will once again be a problem.
 
DPStewart said:
No. One of my computers is similar to yours and it really cannot work with 4K footage or anything with a bit rate much higher than 50mbps.
The H265 is not very high bit rate but as of today you really have to transcode it to a different format in order to work with it. This will simply be slow on your older computer. And the resulting files will probably end up having a bit rate much higher than 50mbps which will once again be a problem.
Click to expand...

I don't have the NX1 (it will be my next camera though, barring any NAB shockers).

I understand that FCP-X has a fast transcoding workaround, it's on the EOSHD forum.

There are a few apps available as well, again, EOSHD has a lot of NX1 chatter and info.

I've played with 4K prores on my 4 year old Mac Pro and it runs well. I'd assume it's just a matter of time before Adobe makes H265 integral for premiere and AE.

That said, unless something about the Sony cams appeals to you, I'd prefer the NX1 over the Gh4 - but for my work, APS-C is the sweet spot for video - not digging the smaller sensor at all. I've got "video" cameras that handle those needs.
 
Hands down the NX1, such an amazing camera. We bought it for video but now is both our stills and video camera. Here is a Frame grab from 4K the other night...
 

Attachments

  • SAM_4370_ProRes_PROXY_20150328_131927.mov.00_00_01_21.Still001.jpg
    SAM_4370_ProRes_PROXY_20150328_131927.mov.00_00_01_21.Still001.jpg
    48.5 KB · Views: 0
I highly recommend the NX1. I've been using it for interviews and 4K mode is excellent. Also for fast paced doc use the 1080p mode and you have excellent rolling shutter. Not to mention the colors out of the camera are just perfect for Doc work.

Also while the files at the moment are a problem, when H265 gains support it will be a gigantic space saver.

Good transcoder http://brightland.com/w/photon-manual/
 
Given your options I would go for the NX1. I've owned/shot with the A7/A7s, GH4 and others. Its not the low light beast the A7s is - which is out of your budget anyway - but it is cleaner than the GH4 at higher ISO's and its a much better stills camera. The Gamma DR gives you a nice image with great colors out in-cam. The 16-50s/f2-2.8 is a great lens. There are a couple threads here that show some nice images out of the NX1. Rolling shutter is significant in 4k/UHD mode and basically non-existent in 1080p mode. 120fps looks good too.

If you're looking at lens options the GH4 is a better bet - more native glass from Panasonic, Olympus and 3rd party producers like Sigma and Voigtlander - and better adaptability with speedboosters and such.

The d7100 and A7 are not great all around cameras, both will be good stills cameras, but lacking on the video side compared to the GH4 and NX1. I wouldn't consider the A7 for anything video oriented, lots of aliasing/moire and a soft image. AF is terrible compared to the NX1 and GH4. The d7100 will be a great stills camera and lots of great native glass at all price points - much better than Samsung and M43.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top