Tomcat5133 Loc: Gladwyne PA

I shoot video with a smaller doc style Sony Video Camcorder. The PXW-X70 is now under 2k.
It has a zeiss lens and 10 bit video. I have shot 70 videos some paid jobs some other subjects with
this camera. Running and triathlon events. Some other events or grandkids. As cinema people know
their are advantages to a camcorder over mirrorless camera.
I have shot videos of events and others like Nascar with a Sony RX10 III and even a Nikon D800.
The advantage to mirrorless camera's is lens and the smaller profile. 4K 8K are great. I had the luck
to work with the first Red camera a friend DP had. You don't need 4k for must things unless
you do projects for money. And as mentioned here I select the 10 bit frames off of the video and
send to clients or family etc. Will take frames from running festival and tweak a bit in
PS and send to clients or friends.
Having video on a DSLR started with Canon's DSLR video a producer shot and the whole
world jumped on creative video from a DSLR. I am now adapting my work (paying work went away)
to 2 fuji cameras. Color science and less cost will work for me. Don't think that cropped sensor cameras
can't make good video and stills. Have Sony FF also great video. a7 I have the a7s II are
legitimate for video. Good luck.

Canisdirus

Fact is...you don't need a large sensor for video.
That's a very recent development.
A dedicated video camera will crush a mirrorless still camera with video capability.
Money is a push. Results go to the dedicated video format

BebuLamar

I personally would prefer a smaller format as I want more DOF but many are in love with razor thin DOF and thus the FF is needed.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

"A dedicated video camera will crush a mirrorless still camera with video capability."

No question about that until you factor in price points. What is the best tool to shoot video under $2K, $2K or $500?

Delderby Loc: Derby UK

I would guess that Canisdirus and bsprague have not used either a Panasonic G9 or a GH5 for video if at all. I am not a video photographer, but I know professional film makers who happily use these cameras.

Canisdirus

https://www.adorama.com/sohxrnx100.html?adlclid=849f58235be116463b04380f553eb7ec&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=%5BADL%5D%20%5BShopping%5D%20%5BPLA%5D%20-%20%7BLong%20Tail%7D&utm_term=4580428009562636&utm_content=%7BLong%20Tail%7D%20-%20Bing&adlclid=ADL-84ad72ce-d78b-4e21-9a39-d83c94940c99&utm_source=adl-umbase-p

All the bells and whistles except for 4k...which no one really needs. The 1080P is extremely sharp...no one will tell the difference (4k is mostly marketing...8k is just to see how many suckers are out there). It has built in ND filters (important feature) that cameras just...don't.


Want 4K?

https://www.adorama.com/sofdrax700.html

A killer camcorder with ND filters built in as well.

No more lenses to buy...you won't need them. Both of these will serve you well for years. Both under 2K.
No camera can match anything they do at that price point...once you add in lens costs...forget it

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

I have not used, but lust after a G9. My primary camera is a Panasonic GX8. My humble opinion is that it is very good at both video and still.

This weeks attempt is about 10 minutes long. The primary tripod mounted camera is the GX8. The second camera is a Panasonic LX100. Third is my newest, a DJI Pocket 2. All were shooting 4K at 30fps. To edit three feeds of 4K, I used an Adobe Premiere Pro workflow with proxies and the multi camera sync system. My laptop had to work its heart out!

It seems to me that all three cameras work pretty well.

The video will be boring for most viewers because the target audience is a garden club at our retirement resort.

Tell me what you think! My skin is thick and I can take harsh criticism.

https://vimeo.com/512690783

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

About 10 years ago I bought a Panasonic TM900 to shoot 1080p60 like the Sony NX700. With the advantages of 4K for editing creativity, I moved on. The TM900 is a terrific camera to shoot with when I want nothing more than 1080p. I've tried to give the TM900 to beginning videographers, but have taken me up on it.

If you spend anytime editing video, you may discover 4K is not just marketing. If you crop a 1080 shot in post, you no longer have a 1080 image! If you start with 4K you can do very good cropping, zooming and panning in post with a good 1080, full HD, result.

Delderby Loc: Derby UK

Hi Bill - that is great video. Sound is natural. I think the OP should try a Panasonic.
These days my only camera is a GX8 - I don't do vid, but looking at yours I think I need to have a go - which is what my film maker friend keeps telling me. Keep safe, Del.

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

No idea. And apparently film schools (who have students use digital cameras for video instead of video cameras) are also clueless.

Canisdirus

There are lots of cameras I have not used.
But I'd wager this Pan camcorder would handle more than the Pan still bodies can.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

Yes, that would be a good one, but useless to me.

One of the things often overlooked on UHH is what a big, ugly and garrish camera will do to people. Professional actors, Hollywood, shooting with budgets are not what we do.

We shoot our families, scenery and strangers when we are tourists.

If you want to dig into tech details, and *especially* results, the $1300 Sony RX100 VII may be the best there is under $2K.

Canisdirus

I'm just saying...if you consider yourself to be a videographer...and not a photographer...you invest in a serious camcorder.
They do video better...way better.
If you dabble...go ahead and buy a mirrorless camera.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

I started doing video 10 or 12 years ago. Then, there was no question that you needed a camcorder to do video. If "dabble" means doing it for fun, not profit, I'm guilty. For dabblers, the field has changed. Great video is coming from action cameras, drones, mirrorless cameras and even phones.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

Just buy a Lumix GH5 (Micro 4/3) or Lumix S1H (full frame). These are true hybrid cameras MADE for a balance of stills and videos. They have NO recording limits. They DO NOT overheat. Both have pro features still not found in most dSLR and mirrorless cameras.

I grew up with an SLR in my hand. The only thing I hated was the mirror. When I got my first of six video cameras, and every one thereafter, I fought everything about it.

So when I bought a Lumix GH4, I was instantly at home. It replaced two cameras (at the time, a Canon EOS 50D and a Canon GL2), and it put my whole kit under an airplane seat instead of two cases in the cargo hold.

It also killed the mirror. It has fantastic ergonomics, exposure zebras, manual focus assist, digital focus magnification, audio meters, limiters, audio in and out, HDMI out, real shutter angle controls, time lapse video, slo-mo, WiFi control from my iPhone, and too many other pro features to mention.

If I needed a dedicated video camera, I’d be in Hollywood or at a TV network or something. The Lumix hybrids are fine for training films, commercials, short films, documentaries, interviews, and most anything for YouTube or corporate clients.