Nikon Clean HDMI + AF-C Focus for Live Streaming: I have started using my Z50 with an 18-200 for live streaming for my congregation. The image quality is far superior to the consumer...

azemon Loc: Saint Charles, MO, USA

I have started using my Z50 with an 18-200 for live streaming for my congregation. The image quality is far superior to the consumer camcorders that they own and use.

Since I already own a bunch of Nikon glass, I would like to add another body with a DX sensor but I am having trouble finding a list of bodies which will work well for live streaming:

* clean HDMI output
* continuous autofocus in preview mode
* will run 2+ hours in preview mode, not recording video (given external power or a fully charged battery, of course)

I'll switch to Canon if I need to. My preference for Nikon is only because I have the lenses and have used Nikon gear for decades.

-- Art Z.

Al Beatty Loc: Boise, Idaho

Hi Art,
Not all Nikon cameras readily produce clean HDMI out - at least not that I've found. Here is a way using a D7200 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hXCoajjkusw. I have several older point & shoot Nikon and Olympus cameras and I can get clean VIDEO out by pressing the the "display" button a couple of times until the display disappears. Unlike the newer Nikons where you use an HDMI cable and HDMI capture card, the older P&S ones require a "video capture card" with RCA connections to use for live streaming or for Zoom (etc.) meetings/webinars. Take care & ...

azemon Loc: Saint Charles, MO, USA

Thanks, Al

Bobspez Loc: Southern NJ, USA

If you are buying a full frame for the wider field of view, the Tokina 11-16 f2.8 will give a wider field of view on the the Z50 than the 18-200 on a full frame. If you just need a second camera for different views of the service and are happy with the Z50, get another Z50.

azemon Loc: Saint Charles, MO, USA

I would love to get another Z50 but there are two problems: First, believe it or not, there does not yet seem to be an external power supply for the Z50 (so we are limited to the life of the battery). And second, money.
Silly non-profit doesn't have enough of that stuff.

Bobspez Loc: Southern NJ, USA

azemon wrote:

I would love to get another Z50 but there are two problems: First, believe it or not, there does not yet seem to be an external power supply for the Z50 (so we are limited to the life of the battery). And second, money.
Silly non-profit doesn't have enough of that stuff.

I guess you are stuck because he Z50 has no AC adapter that will run the camera indefinitely for now. Are you shooting 4K with your Z50? If so you are not going to be able to find a Nikon full frame camera that shoots 4K, cheaper than the Z50. The cheapest Nikon full frame is a used D600 at about $350. If it doesn't come with it, an AC power supply is about $34 on Amazon. I'm not sure if it will work for live streaming, you would have to research that. If you are shooting the Z50 in 4K, the HD video on the D600 will not be as sharp. The continuous auto focus will not be as good.

azemon Loc: Saint Charles, MO, USA

Fortunately, we are live streaming 1080p30. That's the easy part. Good face tracking autofocus and not turning off after 30 minutes are the keys for this application.

The Z50 video was a pleasant surprise for me. I bought it as my personal still camera and pressed it into service as the third camera for the live stream. It quickly became my go-to as the camera with the best image, by far.

Bobspez Loc: Southern NJ, USA

azemon wrote:

Fortunately, we are live streaming 1080p30. That's the easy part. Good face tracking autofocus and not turning off after 30 minutes are the keys for this application.

The Z50 video was a pleasant surprise for me. I bought it as my personal still camera and pressed it into service as the third camera for the live stream. It quickly became my go-to as the camera with the best image, by far.

Good luck. Let us know what you decide on and how it works out. Only a few dslr's don't stop recording at 30 minutes, and I think they may be outside your budget. Continuous fast auto tracking with good face recognition is also not that common. Combining both with a budget restriction as well seems very difficult. I am no expert but in your situation I'd see the second Z50 with extra batteries as the best option. How long does a freshly charged battery last in your 50Z? How much is standby live view monitoring and how much is actual recording?

azemon Loc: Saint Charles, MO, USA

I am not recording with any of the cameras, just using the clean HDMI output for live streaming. That is what lets me get beyond the 29:59 recording limit in every DSLR that I know.

The Z50 will stream for about 2.5 hours if the subject is not moving (no need to run the autofocus motor). With a moving subject, it runs for something over 2 hours with both the Z DX 16-50 and the DX 18-200 VR.

Thanks for your ideas.

Bobspez Loc: Southern NJ, USA

azemon wrote:

I am not recording with any of the cameras, just using the clean HDMI output for live streaming. That is what lets me get beyond the 29:59 recording limit in every DSLR that I know.

The Z50 will stream for about 2.5 hours if the subject is not moving (no need to run the autofocus motor). With a moving subject, it runs for something over 2 hours with both the Z DX 16-50 and the DX 18-200 VR.

Thanks for your ideas.

You are welcome. I have to see if any of my cameras have clean hdmi out. I have a feeling they display the screen displays on the borders. I didn't realize you weren't recording. Why did you want a full frame?

azemon Loc: Saint Charles, MO, USA

I don't want, or need, full frame. We are live streaming HD (1920x1080) at 30 fps. It's pretty simple stuff, really.

The Z50 is a DX body, unlike the Z6 and Z7

Bobspez Loc: Southern NJ, USA

azemon wrote:

I don't want, or need, full frame. We are live streaming HD (1920x1080) at 30 fps. It's pretty simple stuff, really.

The Z50 is a DX body, unlike the Z6 and Z7

Sorry. I don't know where I got that idea from (must have read DX as FX). Your requirements are :
Clean HDMI out.
accurate auto focus in live view
No time out in live view
AC power
Price tag under the cost of a used Z50 (about $750).

I checked my FZ80 and it can't be used for live streaming. Hopefully you will get the info you need. Good luck.

bwortmann

I'm using a D750 for the same application. Clean HDMI ok 1080p ok AF-F ok. Used camera should be in the same price range. Power: I use the attached battery pack and have yet to drain the pack with 1.5 hrs operation, meaning the internal battery never got touched.. A/C is an available option with accessories($$). I also got the EP-5B connector and the Case Relay from Tether Tools which lets the camera feed off a USB AC or Battery pack. That should run for many hours, though I haven't used it yet beyond initial testing.

Good Luck.