What 4K camera on a budget?

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Oller Visuals

Well-known member
Currently looking at DMC-G7 + 20mm 1.7 lens, looks pretty amazing.

Any other cameras to consider in this price range? It's going to be used for in-house video production on my youtube channels, mostly want 4K to be able to crop, zoom etc (working solo).
 
i have the same setup and hope to be using the g7 for small talking head interviews to be included for client mini-docs.

i have the 25mm/1.7 for a wider interview look and the 42.5/1.8 for a tighter head shot.

though without a headphone jack, audio might be a concern there are viable work arounds.

be well.

rob
smalltalk.productions
 
Oller Visuals said:
Currently looking at DMC-G7 + 20mm 1.7 lens, looks pretty amazing.

Any other cameras to consider in this price range? It's going to be used for in-house video production on my youtube channels, mostly want 4K to be able to crop, zoom etc (working solo).
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If I look at prices on Ebay for the G7 ($400 - $500) I would consider the alternative the GX80/85 which is in the same price range.
This camera has better colors, has IBIS, has no time limits and uses a larger part of the sensor.
 
Take a look at JVC LS300 - 4K for under $2999 4:2:2 8bit with the latest update
removable lens, xlr audio in,
 
I would strongly recommend the RX100 V or the IV if you want to save some bucks (at the cost of much worse rolling shutter and not-so-great AF).

The IV has been my primary camera for two years now, and I couldn't be happier with it. It's an awesome little monster of a camera. Super sharp and clean 4k video with great DR (muuuuuch more DR than the GH4, which is the newest Panasonic that I have used), amazing slow motion (at 1080p), in a pocketable camera with a very nice non-interchangeable 24-70 lens. The only issue is that when shooting 4k or 120p you're going to need a lot of batteries (I use at least 3 in a full day of shooting, often 4).
 
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I third the G80-85. Better colors than both the G7 and GH4. ( the GX80-85 is another great low cost alternative )
 
I bought the z cam...for 250 it was hard to pass. A guy name markr041 has some threads w/samples at personal-view and dpreview m43 forum about the camera. With the newest firmware it's vastly improved, and byfar the cheapest camera that shoots dci. As well it has mic inputand hdmi out for 1080. However I've also been looking into the olympus e m10mkiii. There's some nice samples at cameralabs. DXO rates the sensor higher than the pany g80 and from the samples , it's got nice files. It also doesn't crop the 4k image like the pany's. But also like the gx85, it doesn't have mic input.
 
(My RX100 IV doesn't have mic in either; I've done this ^ quite a few times, but beware: if it's windy, it won't work, you'll have to sync by hand and it will drain the life out of you; if you can afford to have somebody using a slate for every take, it's the way to go)
 
Samuel H said:
(My RX100 IV doesn't have mic in either; I've done this ^ quite a few times, but beware: if it's windy, it won't work, you'll have to sync by hand and it will drain the life out of you; if you can afford to have somebody using a slate for every take, it's the way to go)
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Slating is definitely the better way to go, but you can let the camera and recorder run between takes so that you only have to sync once for a long series of takes recorded as one clip. I've sync'd hours of video this way, though I would always do a tail-slate to eliminate audio drift with long recordings. ( the Vegas Pro editor has a built-in "track stretch" feature that makes it very easy to sync the start and end of a very long video, and everything in between will automatically be sync'd )
 
I found this "comparison" pointless; the two cameras are so vastly different in cost. GH4 v Sony A6300 or GH5 v A6500 makes more sense.
 
That's the point of these kind of tests; comparing equipment (cameras, lenses, mics, etc.) which usually turn out to have minimal differences in quality, but have major ones in price.
 
For its price, a secondhand Panasonic G7 can't be beat.

Only other close competitors would be other cameras from Panasonic, such as taking a step up to the Panasonic G80 / G85
 
A few weeks ago, the G85 was available for $600, or at the regular price which included a free $500 lens and the kit lens.

That was one of the most valuable offerings I've seen in a while. The G7 still has its reduced $500 tag, but it expires tonight from B&H.
 
Well, that comparison was pretty clear to me: the cheap one was just as sharp, and in many shots the DR was enough, but whenever the shot was demanding, the expenive one just looked a lot better: better shadows, waaaaayyy better highlights, and low light stuff that's actually usable. It does take a side-by-side comparison, though, which is a huge statement on the state of affairs right now. We're so lucky...
 
The Panasonic G7 without question is the best 4K camera on a tight budget. I owned one early this past summer, sold it, regretted it, and just bought another one at best buy and could not be happier. Best Buy has it on sale from $800 down to $499.. with the 14-42 lens.. its a steal!
 
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