What's the COOLEST back-up camera?

D

deltoidjohn

Veteran
I'm looking to pick up a few extra cams as C/D/E cameras for weddings/events. I've got an a5100 which is perfect for the task apart from the fact it overheats after 5 minutes in an air-conditioned room.

Does anybody know of any similarly priced/featured cameras which run a little cooler for long periods? No need for 4K, just want a compact, easy to use camera that I can throw on a tripod in a corner without any fuss. I normally shoot with the cine profiles on the FS700 and A7s, so something that can achieve a similar in-camera look would be beneficial (a5100 is a close enough match with Portrait profile and sat/contrast dialed down) for easy editing. Interchangeable lenses are not a necessity.

I'd gladly pick up a few more a5100's or some a6000's if it weren't for the darned overheating, so what else might people suggest in a similar price range?
 
Maybe RX100 IV shooting 1080p24? It should cut pretty well with the a7S. I'll run an overheating test to see how it performs...

edit:
Test done. Indoors, at 23ºC, I could easily shoot until the battery died. That's one 30min clip, then another clip of 30min, and the battery was basically dead. Yes, the batteries don't last much (though I'm not sure this one was fully charged or just 80%), but at the end the camera didn't even feel warm.
(1080p24 slog2 XAVC-S with standard steadyshot and manual focus, no zooming or focusing whiile recording, I just let it looking at me from behind while I worked on the PC)
 
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I've been shooting weddings last season with the A5100, great camera if not for the overheating! I'd need to switch back to one of my Panasonics whenever that happens.

I've heard the A6000 doesn't have overheating issues? (or at least only in very extreme circumstances?!)

Otherwise, just grab one of the Panasonic GH1/GH2 bodies with their rock solid recording for forever and forever. Is what I'm mostly centered around now for weddings.

Another keen choice to consider which I might perhaps do for next season is the Samsung NX1 has I heard (I think?) a feature in its new firmware which allows it to automatically restart! So still a time limit.... but now that isn't an issue for my needs at least (the momentary restart is no big deal at all when doing multi cam). The Samsung NX300 has already been hacked to remove its time limit completely.

Final option I'll offer for you to consider: Nikon D5200 (or D5300/D5500) with an external recorder. As the BMD VA or Atomos Ninja Blade (or even the Ninja 2 instead, only US$295!!!) are now very cheap options, which would allow you to record forever with the Nikons. (also... how is NikonHack doing? It might have removed the time limit on the D5200 perhaps???)
 
IronFilm said:
I've been shooting weddings last season with the A5100, great camera if not for the overheating! I'd need to switch back to one of my Panasonics whenever that happens.

I've heard the A6000 doesn't have overheating issues? (or at least only in very extreme circumstances?!)

Otherwise, just grab one of the Panasonic GH1/GH2 bodies with their rock solid recording for forever and forever. Is what I'm mostly centered around now for weddings.

Another keen choice to consider which I might perhaps do for next season is the Samsung NX1 has I heard (I think?) a feature in its new firmware which allows it to automatically restart! So still a time limit.... but now that isn't an issue for my needs at least (the momentary restart is no big deal at all when doing multi cam). The Samsung NX300 has already been hacked to remove its time limit completely.

Final option I'll offer for you to consider: Nikon D5200 (or D5300/D5500) with an external recorder. As the BMD VA or Atomos Ninja Blade (or even the Ninja 2 instead, only US$295!!!) are now very cheap options, which would allow you to record forever with the Nikons. (also... how is NikonHack doing? It might have removed the time limit on the D5200 perhaps???)
Click to expand...

So funny, I was just having a similar discussion elsewhere, but in the reverse.
I currently have a pair of GH2s that I keep because of their unlimited recording, but I just like the look and feel of Sony footage better. I'm spoiled by my A7s, and have been considering trading in the GH2s for an A6000 or A5100 to shoot alongside it. I think I prefer even the A5100 footage to the GH2, especially at ISO higher than 400. But I want unlimited recording, which is hard to give up.

SOOO... I was just thinking what with the Atomos Ninja products being so cheap these days (even more so used!), maybe an A5100 with a Ninja for unlimited recording could replace my GH2 and another Ninja on the A7S as my A cam? I wasn't aware of how often the 5100 overheats though. I use an external power supply, maybe between that and recording externally, the little thing won't be as prone to heating up? Anyone try that?

Interesting that you'd consider the Ninja attached to a Nikon before considering trying it on the Sony you already own!
 
I also would recommend a Panasonic GH2/GH3/DMC-G7. Record forever, tons of pro features, good/cheap glass available, highly adaptable.
Other then that, a GoPro! Set it in "Protune" Narrow mode, you can get very usable footage.
 
Thanks for the replies. I'll look into all of those cameras.

It really is a shame about the overheating with the a5100, apart from that it is a great little c-camera. Great quality footage, matches my other cameras quite well, uses the same batteries as my A7s, and fits in a pocket with the kit lens (which has really nice OSS, btw). Perhaps the best option is just to add an external recorder - anyone know if this will prevent the overheating? Its hard to know if the overheating is sensor-related or processor-related (ie only when recording).
 
deltoidjohn said:
Thanks for the replies. I'll look into all of those cameras.

It really is a shame about the overheating with the a5100, apart from that it is a great little c-camera. Great quality footage, matches my other cameras quite well, uses the same batteries as my A7s, and fits in a pocket with the kit lens (which has really nice OSS, btw). Perhaps the best option is just to add an external recorder - anyone know if this will prevent the overheating? Its hard to know if the overheating is sensor-related or processor-related (ie only when recording).
Click to expand...

From what I've seen online, folks are claiming the external recorder does in fact fix the overheat. It also uses far less battery power- one guy on another forum I digging around in last night claimed most of his battery remained after an hour of recording since the camera wasn't working as hard to record. I don't have one yet to try, I'm actually itching to get one now after reading up on this!
 
deltoidjohn said:
Thanks for the replies. I'll look into all of those cameras.

It really is a shame about the overheating with the a5100, apart from that it is a great little c-camera. Great quality footage, matches my other cameras quite well, uses the same batteries as my A7s, and fits in a pocket with the kit lens (which has really nice OSS, btw). Perhaps the best option is just to add an external recorder - anyone know if this will prevent the overheating? Its hard to know if the overheating is sensor-related or processor-related (ie only when recording).
Click to expand...

My a5100 has never overheated, admittedly I don't shoot hours on end daily, but I've done a few events with it planted on a tripod for a static cutaway shot and its been good. LCD is always out, airplane mode, and I switch batteries when I hit the record time limit because they kick off a lot of heat. The camera does get hot, but about an hour continuous is all I do. Most of the time I have the 16-50pz, occasionally the 70-200 or adapted lenses. Its my little secret weapon. Love the little bugger.
 
Consider yourself lucky Chris. Mine overheats after as little as 5 minutes. I'd be happy even if it could shoot up to it's 29 minute limit just once without overheating - that should be enough to get me through most Wedding ceremonies. I've followed those same 'best practices' but the most I'll ever get out of it is 15 minutes.
 
deltoidjohn said:
Consider yourself lucky Chris. Mine overheats after as little as 5 minutes. I'd be happy even if it could shoot up to it's 29 minute limit just once without overheating - that should be enough to get me through most Wedding ceremonies. I've followed those same 'best practices' but the most I'll ever get out of it is 15 minutes.
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It seems yours is more sensitive than most reports I'm reading online. I mean, it sounds like most people make it at least 15 usually, and it isn't unheard of to reach the full 29min. Have you ever tried it with an external battery or external recorder? I'll bet one or the other (or both) would solve the problem. Otherwise, I'll gladly trade you for a GH2 of your color choice (as long as your choice is either silver or black), which can record until the battery or memory is exhausted.
 
I love the a5100, it's a perfect compliment for my a6000, but not made for long form recording. I too have tried all the best practices but as it was explained to me by sony and other forums members, that's a big chip in a very small form factor. The heat builds up and there isn't a whole lot of body to act as a sink. That's why I bought the rx10. I have had it for 7 months and no problems. I can set it up in the back of the dinner, church, etc, and let it go. I'll do close ups with the a5100 and take pics with the a6000. If 4k is not an issue you can find then and a good price on market. I picked mine open box for 750.

One more thing, the quality of the vid from the rx10 is great, I did not expect this from a 1" sensor as compared to aps-c.
 
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^ That's the same as my RX100 IV suggestion, but with the long-zoom option. Don't underestimate it: this little sensor is a very serious performer!!

RE: a5100 overheating.
Maybe some settings or specific conditions are making all the difference. Like going for XAVC-S, setting LCD brightness to max, maybe even using manual or electronic lenses! (the battery on my a7S lasts up to 50% more if I use vintage manual primes instead of modern AF primes).
 
I've been recording on AVCHD at 25p, figuring that would be the least taxing for the processors/sensor, but it seems to make no difference. LCD brightness has a notable effect on battery life but seemingly no effect on heat.

Irondiver said:
I love the a5100, it's a perfect compliment for my a6000,
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Do you use your a6000 for video at all? If so, do you notice a difference in overheating between the two?
 
deltoidjohn said:
I've been recording on AVCHD at 25p, figuring that would be the least taxing for the processors/sensor, but it seems to make no difference. LCD brightness has a notable effect on battery life but seemingly no effect on heat.
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But again, they say taking the recording external seems to prevent it. So it's probably a combination of processor and sensor heat and battery use heat. Alleviate one of those and I'm sure it will make a difference. Probably something as simple as using a dummy battery to an external power source would fix it, but I've only read confirmation regarding the external recorder so far.
 
(take into account that he seems to be running into more issues than other people, so it may be bad luck with the unit he got, and spending more money on it may not be a good idea, unless he plans to change it for another a5100 if he can confirm that it's a single-unit issue)
 
I loaded up the new firmware on my a6000 a while ago, but I have not done any long duration test. I think I will do some test this weekend.
 
It is Sunday early evening, I have been running test all afternoon. I have set the a6000 on 1080p 30p at 50mbps. Let me say that I have done this 5x, sucked done to batteries.

The results, this thing recorded 29:50 and produced files consistently of 10.7 gigs.

It is kind of a cold day, inside my house it has been about 67- 70 in the house. The basement was the coolest I ran the test twice down there in the familyroom. Then once by the window and once on a shelf over a space, where my. Thermometer read between 90 and 95.

The a6000 never stopped recording. Let me repeat it never overheated or stopped recording. I am totally surprised, to be sure she got warm to be sure. I deliberately kept the lcd down. Three of the shoots were down back to back.
 
Good to know. I'm getting my A5100 delivered tomorrow, I'll let you how how my longevity tests with external batteries, etc, go.
 
Good news. I know the original reports from the a6000 re: overheating were not good, so perhaps the new firmware has been tweaked to prevent the camera from shutting down?
 
Ok, so I got my a5100 today. What an adorable little camera, love it so far. I put it to the test and found that yes, after about 18-20min, the unit would shut off due to heat. I expected this, and tested a couple more times for a more controlled experiment. Each time it shut off was somewhere around the 20 min mark.

I took out the battery and replaced it with a dummy one that goes to an external power supply (bigger Sony camcorder battery on a plate). It then easily recorded to the 30min internal limit, although the warning light for heat did come on towards the end. After it stopped due to normal operation, I hit record again and this time it lasted only for about 10 min or so. I'm assuming the heat had built up over time from the previous session. One person had previously mentioned he just swaps batteries after each 30 min clip to keep it running- I wonder if temporarily turning it off after the 30 min shut off and opening the battery door provided enough cool-down time for the unit to recover and go another 30 min.

Either way, my ultimate goal is try this with an external recorder in order to avoid the 30 min limit altogether. I don't have one here to try at the moment, but from what I've read online elsewhere this DOES seem to curb the overheating completely.
 
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