what camcorder

S

stefanocps

Well-known member
Hello, i am looking for advice for a camcorder

I already use a mirrorless, a Fuji XT3, foir my video work, and i want some fast to use. So no lens change, no time limit, zoom on machine, better if nd filters..so you know the difference.

One point where i start from is the sensor, that should be no less than 1 inch, for better perfomances. Then good autofocus, best if with nd filters..

At the momenti i am focusing on the sony ax700 (even 2 hand), this will tell you the budget i have also. I see there are lots of other camcorder available, and also some camera "bridge" that can work a camcorder.

I ask you some suggestions on the ax700 or alternatives

Thanks a lot
 
I had exactly the same requirements back in 2014 and bought an X70. Since then have updated to the Z90 a cousin to AX700. Have not regretted the move to get a 1" chipper once. 12 x optical with 24 x in HD with Sony's pretty amazing ClearImage. ND filters, amazing Hybrid AF straight out of the A7 series cameras on the AX700 and Z90. Short of the AF on the A-series cameras, it is the best AF I've ever used on a video camera. With the correct settings, I often use it in conjunction with my FS7 and A7. They intercut very well. Check out Doug Jensen's Z90 images. Same sensor as AX700 but XAVC wrapper instead of XAVC-S. Up to 4K 100Mbps with these models and the images surprise me every time I use mine. Often for quick just grab the footage jobs I find this is the camera I go for.

You shoot with these two cameras in HLG and you get amazing images out of them. Drop them into Resolve with the correct Transforms set for HLG to 709 and you'll get some of the best looking 709 footage you'll ever see out of cameras at these prices.

Chris Young

DJ's Master Class lesson one maybe with having a look at for more info on these cameras.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IjzYaSBaD1U

Some of his footage:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Bk2JkNdbUM

This is Z90 HLG footage and when watched on an HLG TV it look very good.

And this from the FDR-AX700 also in HLG.
 
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Canon's G60 is a good one.

Not sure how much Sony updated their camcorders' AF (compared to the AI in the mirrorless'), but the G60 has DPAF and face-tracking. Great colors.
 
yes z90 have some nice things better than ax700 but basically afaik they are the same machine. z90 though is out of my range, as well as the nx80which also i would buy with more budget. Only thing..could be nice to have a camcorder form fuji to easily match xt3 clips...don't know if ax700 or may be other, match well with my fuji
 
NorBro said:
Canon's G60 is a good one.

Not sure how much Sony updated their camcorders' AF (compared to the AI in the mirrorless'), but the G60 has DPAF and face-tracking. Great colors.
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i always read post about people complain with canon..not for the quality which i think is not questionable, but for the fact that is slow with updates and benefit resulting that at same price other brand always offer more than canon...is that true?
 
Kind of true because we usually will receive no updates besides some fixes, and most definitely even more so in these kind of cameras which they neglect as the years go by. But overall it depends on the model as a lot of Canon cameras have almost every feature you could possibly want.

The way I would break it down is like this...

If you would like a 1" sensor with great AF, you can count your choices on one hand.

Now there are more with 1" sensors and decent AF which might appear not go out of focus when you're filming wide, but if you zoom in tight and try to track a face for a 45 minute interview, you will quickly learn which cameras have usable AF and which do not.
 
If you want to shoot UHD 60P then the Canon XF400 would fit as the Sony's in this price range do not record to 60P for UHD
 
Everyone, there are no 1" sensor camcorders without them.

And the only camcorders left with no ND filters at all are the little small palm ones which most were last made before 2014/2015.
 
NorBro said:
Everyone, there are no 1" sensor camcorders without them.

And the only camcorders left with no ND filters at all are the little small palm ones which most were last made before 2014/2015.
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really? no nd filters on newer camcorder?..so may be only in few bridge camera...
anyway it seems the choice is sony/canon ..no much other competior right?
i have beter idea of sony camcorder, whie canon has so man different models..
 
How'd you understand it like that? I'm saying that the only traditional zoom-rocker camcorders that don't have ND filters are the older ones that can fit inside of your palm (or at least most of them). Any other prosumer camcorders, especially the 1" ones, have ND filters. A few bridges do as well (some with only one strength).

For your budget and the specs, Canon or Sony.
 
sorry for misunderstanding about nd filter. yes canon and sony only chance. ax700 or xa50 or hf60 seems the possibilities
 
You should be able decide what camcorder to get by reading their specs and buy the one that best suits your needs and budget. Most if not all have poor auto focus that depends on good lighting, contrast and the subject centered. Canon you often pay a premium for their color science. Most camcorders are very similar and comes down to small difference that you prefer. People are also very brand loyal so if you ask someone what’s best they will suggest the manufacturer they’re loyal to.
 
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As I mentioned before you need to decide what frame rates and resolutions you will want to shoot . Sony in this price range will not record 50/60P at UHD resolution but the Canon XF400 will which is the major difference. If you want to hand hold, with good depth of field for travelling etc then actually the 1/3" products may be better. I have both the AX100 ( model before the AX700 ) and also the AX53 which has amazing stabilization and my go to camcorder for shooting family events even though I also have GH5 and GH5S. The AX53 has 20x zoom,good wide angle , ND's and timecode. However it too is limited when shooting UHD. Sony makes you pay for the higher end camcorders to get UHD60P. I always shoot 60P so for the AX53 and AX100 always shoot HD.
 
i see that the 1/3 sensor is better for higher dof, but i like to have the chance to shot at shallow dof...that s why i look for 1'' sensor. About framerate, of course would be nice to have 50/60 but generally i don't use that much to slow down, so if i have to make some sacrifice this could be one. Canon xf400 is good but also higher in price. ABout reading specs, yes of course i read specs and this help me to narrow down to few models, then is nice to have user experience to know if camera work well,strenght and weakness whenin real use! Also there might be some other solutions which i haven't think about, like for example some bridge or compact camera
 
The next generation of these cameras should be really good but who knows when they will be released.

If 2021, most likely after the summer in the fall.
 
stefanocps said:
i see that the 1/3 sensor is better for higher dof, but i like to have the chance to shot at shallow dof...that s why i look for 1'' sensor. About framerate, of course would be nice to have 50/60 but generally i don't use that much to slow down, so if i have to make some sacrifice this could be one. Canon xf400 is good but also higher in price. ABout reading specs, yes of course i read specs and this help me to narrow down to few models, then is nice to have user experience to know if camera work well,strenght and weakness whenin real use! Also there might be some other solutions which i haven't think about, like for example some bridge or compact camera
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I do not shoot 60P for slowmotion. I like the smooth motion of 60P ( 59.94 ) I shoot and view at this rate. 60P is the same temporal motion people are used to for interlaced TV at 59.94 fields/ps Confusion here because this is always quoted as 29.97fps which is only the timecode. The faster frame rates have an advantage in that they can be viewed with the smooth lifelike motion or put on a slower frame rate timeline and either slowed down or extracted at that frame rate. For instance shooting at 60P allows the smooth motion I like or put on a 30P timeline the NLE will skip every other frame and it will be exactly like shooting at 30P especially if the shutter speed is set for 30P ( 1/60 to give same motion blur). So you have two options, smooth motion or slow frame rate cadence from the one file. Really depends on what the intent of the shoot. Personally documentary or archive of an event or sports at UHD looks better at higher rate. Narrative filming is different.
 
DOF becomes an issue for theater events where autofocus can’t be used and the stage can be 20-30ft deep. While I use a 1” camcorder, the image can become soft.

It’s a common question or desire for a camera that is good at all things. At some point you have to prioritize what’s most appropriate for the majority of your work.
 
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That is my applications shooting theatre shows. My wife uses the AX100 shooting HD for closeups and I use the GH5 and GH5S fixed at slightly different framing of the stage shooting UHD. All cameras shoot 60P, all manual focus and exposure. I am usually 60 to 100 feet away from stage so for the GH5's set to get all the stage roughly in focus.
 
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