kevine

I see all three used on my shoots. Each brand for a different function: beauty shot, interview, shoot in the dark, etc. I know a lot of people are talking about both of the high end Sonys and Panasonics. I want to check them out. At the same time, I know Canon. We'll see. Thanks

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

I am an ex-Canon and ex-Nikon user. If all I did was still photos, I would still be using their dSLRs. But I do equal parts stills and video. I need to travel light... no heavy lenses. That's why I use the GH4. I may trade up at some point soon to the GH5.

dreamon

I say stick with Canon. And I say this as a lowly Sony Alpha (the real one, not the Johnny-come-lately mirrorless) user.

Do it for one reason, which is why I'm shooting Sony; familiarity. I started shooting with the MF line of Minoltas back in the 1970s, and I stayed the course because of my familiarity with the gear, which has evolved over time. with The mind and body have memory, and your memory is Canon. Go for it!

JPL

Just one idea to add to your thoughts. The Nikon 1 J5 is a much more compact choice, maybe worth checking for you. This guy here in Canada is using it a lot for videos. http://tomstirrphotography.com/category/videography

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

I agree that the 5d gets a lot of credit for use in major movies. My interpretation of the reasons for that have to do with being able to adapt some wide, fast and expensive lenses for interesting focus control. Even the firmware has been "adapted" with some "Black Magic". Examples I've paid attention to show some amazing gadgets and techniques. In some cases a person is dedicated to focus control.

Most of us don't make major movies. We shoot for YouTube, Vimeo and our own TVs. And those TV's are drifting to 4K. For that, Sony and Panasonic seem to be more appropriate with grand results.

Considering 4K's arrival, Panasonic and Sony provide a number of options including MP4 formats that are easily edited on typical Mac an PC computers with lots of software choices under a $100. It may have changed since I looked, but the "4096 x 2160p, 30 fps, 500 Mbps M-JPEG" on the $3300 Mk IV is NOT easy to work with. The Panasonic GH5 also provides a 60 fps option that IS easy to edit.

FWIW, I just came back from a long trip with a lot of 4K clips shot on a Panasonic GX8 (which is a little behind the GH5 in video features.) The hand held clips are stable, colorful and full of clarity. If I had taken the larger, heavier and more expensive 5D, my footage would be either far more massive or limited to a more efficient 1080p. I should add that it was almost all shot through a viewfinder without a mirror in the way that can force using the monitor for aiming.

Again, the 5D may be perfect for those shooting blockbusters but not for high quality home video.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

Exactly! Although I'm waiting for one of the smaller, lighter and cheaper Panasonics that will do 4K 60p like the Panasonic flagship GH5.