burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

If video is really, truly important to you, don't waste time with Canon's or Nikon's early mirrorless efforts. Panasonic's Lumix brand has been recording great video for a decade or more. Even a used GH4 (seven years old) can record 4K at 23.98, plus true 24P, 25P, or 30P, without any overheating issues. The GH5 and the GH5 II have IBIS plus ILIS for "Dual IS 2" stabilization. The GH4 is limited only by SDXC card size and battery charge. The GH5 has dual card slots that can be hot swapped. Both work with "battery eliminator" AC adapters. The GH5 II can be powered from a USB-C power delivery source. So the GH5 and GH5 II can record indefinitely, or as long as you are interested.

I have used my GH4 in the rain, in 95°F heat and direct sun, and it's never overheated or complained in any way (although I dang near passed out from the heat that summer we were filming a 48-Hour Film Project short on the longest day of the year).

My son's GH5 can be hand-held most of the time, especially with a stabilized lens mounted, when it has up to 5 stops of shake reduction (Dual IS II). The GH5 II has 6.5 stops of Dual IS II.

https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/panasonic-lumix-dc-gh5-ii-review
https://youtu.be/Sm2MNZgAt7o

If you have to have full frame for stills, check out the Lumix S1H and S5. Find their reviews on DPReview as well.

OldSchool-WI Loc: Brandon, Wisconsin 53919

Of course if you are setting your camera up to record continuously, that is one matter. In all documentaries, the clips are short spurts and edited to continuous later to keep the thing rolling and interesting. But, for instance you just set it up on a tripod and record an hour long boring meeting---that is something else. The obvious answer is to buy a camera made for that sort of shooting. And I would and have an HD Sony video camera designed for video and not still shooting. HD at an affordable price has been around for 18 years--well before people had a method to even view HD. Ordinary DVDs are not HD. Blue Ray are. But there is still a problem with file size in distributing HD video. So--you might consider scaling down the demands in your camera configuration for less heat recording some boring meetings?

redlegfrog

tgreenhaw

The overheating issues are likely due to the processor working really hard to transform and move data around. As a software developer, I can attest that making an algorithm more efficient can dramatically reduce the processing power required to perform the same task. Sometimes when we have to meet deadlines, we do it the easiest way possible not the best way - hence the saying "we never have the time to do it right, but we always have time to do it over". Canon clearly improved the code in firmware to make the process more efficient which uses less power and therefore generates less heat.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

The better MILC full frame hybrid cameras come with physical fans on them to cool the sensors. The Lumix S1H and Canon EOS R5C both have fans.

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

The electonic viewfinder (EVF) in many mirrorless is both an advantage and a disadvantage. It can provide good info, such as brightening up a dim scene, showing fairly accurate exposure simulation, aid with manual focusing, or even display an electronic level or a histogram for more accurate composition and exposure. However it also is a fairly heavy power drain on the battery, so most mirrorless don't get as many shots with a battery as DSLRs do.

Look at it this way.. the EVF is like the rear LCD screen on a digital camera. It has to be powered up to work... to display what's being seen. It uses the signal coming from the image sensor itself for that image. So all the camera's components are energized continuously while shooting. In contrast, the optical viewfinders (OVF) used in DSLRs require very little power and so long as you remember to remove the lens cap can show you the image without any power at all (some that use a transparent LCD overlay will dim down a bit, but don't go completely dark the way EVF do). The DSLRs other imaging components don't need to be active either.

So while mirrorless have improved and get a lot more shots per battery charge today than older models did, they still can't match DSLRs that have also gotten more efficient. This might not matter at all for a lot of photographers. However someone who is shooting fast and furious, such as a sports shooter, might choose to continue using a DSLR for this reason. For example, the Canon 90D DSLR is rated to get 1300 shots per battery charge. In comparison, using the same battery the mirrorless Canon R5 and R6 are rated to get around 320 to 360 respectively, when using their EVF. This is in spite of the fact that the R5/R6 don't have built-in flash and the 90D does (when standard CIPA testing is done with a camera with built in flash, the flash is used for half the flashes and that's a heavy drain on the battery). In fact, using the 90D's Live View reduces it's shot count to about 450 (Live View is similar power drain as an EVF). Note: Most users get more shots per charge than the rating, perhaps using some power saving techniques. However, all the above figures are the manufacturer's CIPA tested ratings, so are comparable with each other.

As someone who sometimes takes 3000 or more images at a sporting event, I know a fresh set of two batteries in the grips on my DSLRs will usually handle the whole event. If I were using one of those mirrorless, also with a grip and two batteries, I might need to change batteries two or three times for the same shoot. Each battery change is a chance I'll miss some shots, plus it will mean carrying around four to six additional four batteries, as well as added cost upwards $350 or $500 for the batteries themselves.

Another consideration for sports shooters has been that some EVFs show "blackout" when shooting at high frame rates. Thankfully, newer mirrorless cameras are less prone to this.

Another concern is cost... Mirrorless and the lenses/accessories for them tend to be pricier than comparable DSLRs, lenses & accessories. It's simply market demand that allows manufacturers to charge more for mirrorless and has forced them to reduce the prices for DSLRs. Depending upon the system, there also may not be much competition helping to drive prices down... For example, there are almost no third party autofocus lenses being made yet for the relatively new Nikon Z and Canon R systems.

For sake of comparison, look at the cost of a current model 70-200mm f/2.8 lens for various systems:
- Sony "II" (mirrorless) $2800
- Canon RF (mirrorless) $2800
- Nikkor Z (mirrorless) $2600
- Panasonic L (mirrorless) $2600
- Nikkor F "FL" (DSLR) $2350
- Canon EF "III" (DSLR) $2100
- Pentax FA (DSLR) $1700
- Tamron "G2" (Canon/Nikon DSLR) $1300
- Sigma (Canon/Nikon DSLR) $1500.

One more thing is availability. DSLRs have been around for 20+ years, plus many are closely based upon film SLRs that preceded them by 10, 20, 30 or more years (depending upon system). As a result, the lens and accessory options are pretty comprehensive for DSLRs... not to mention third party lens and accessory support has been thoroughly developed and there is a huge used equipment marketplace. In contrast, the systems for mirrorless are younger, none over 10 years old and some only 3 years in the making. The native lenses and accessories for them are simply not yet as well developed. (This has been amplified by chip shortages and disrupted manufacturing during the pandemic.)

Selection may be limited, too. For example, Canon essentially offers four current mirrorless R-series cameras: R6, R5, R5C (just announced) and R3. There are two older models too... the original R and the less expensive RP... which have some shortcomings such as not having the advanced autofocus systems found in the newer models. Also, all the Canon R-series are full frame. There are no APS-C format Canon R-series so far. If that's what you want, you have to go to Canon's older M-series... 3 models currently... which are not cross-compatible, use less advanced AF systems and have poor native lens selection. In comparison, Canon currently offers four APS-C DSLRs and three full frame DSLRs: T100, T7, t8i, 90D and 6D Mark II, 5D Mark IV, 1DX Mark III.

Until just recently lens selection was even more problematic with the 3 year old Nikon Z-series. While they do offer both full frame and APS-C cameras in that system, their lens selection has been pretty limited. There were no Z-mount lenses longer than 200mm (except one APS-C/crop sensor zoom with 250mm). Now a reasonably affordable 100-400mm zoom ($2700) and two uber expensive primes (400mm and 800mm) have been announced, but are not yet in stores. As someone who uses a lot of telephotos shooting sports, there is no way I could have considered the Nikon mirrorless cameras if I wanted native Z-mount lenses for use on them. Granted, in many cases DSLR lenses can be adapted for use on mirrorless.

Other mirrorless systems that have been around a lot longer, such as the Sony e-mount and Fuji X-mount (8 or 10 years), are better developed and filled out but still lack a number of the specialty lenses that can be found in DSLR systems. Sony offers both full frame and APS-C, while Fuji offers only APS-C (Fuji does make medium format digital, though it's largely not cross-compatible). Good luck finding Tilt Shift/Perspective Control lenses for them though (both Canon and Nikon offer in their DLSR systems). Another example... between them Nikon and Canon DSLR systems offer 15 macro lenses (8 Nikon, 7 Canon). In their mirrorless systems, at present Nikon and Fuji each offer two, while Canon and Sony each have three macro lenses.

In the end, it really depends upon what you shoot and how you shoot it. One type of camera or another might be ideal for your particular uses. Another may be a poor choice. Be sure to look beyond the camera, though... at the system as a whole... to make sure it meets your needs.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

I think we're both stuck with anecdotes rather than hands-on EOS R5 experience. Our friend Jared has a long newsy update from Dec 2, 2020 before finally getting to the news about the EOS R5. He shows a DIY process that 'fixes' the camera for the video limitations mentioned earlier. It would seem Canon would need to do a recall or just an all-out replacement of bodies to make this fix for all the cameras sold. Guess their attitude is: Live With It, and do what you need to do to avoid encountering the issue(s). https://youtu.be/KCAlWb2HUq8

Other posts dated in 2021 speak to the firmware being an improvement, but still not a total fix for unlimited 8K, 4K120p, 4K60p and 4K HQ.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

I think Canon's best response is the EOS R5C body... a more video focused camera with a fan in it. Lumix's S1H also has a fan.

tgreenhaw

If somebody needs a hybrid still/video camera that needs to do unlimited 8K, 4K120p, 4K60p and 4K HQ, Canon has the R5 C with a fan and the Panasonic LUMIX S1H another video centric hybrid that does 6K and 4K to 60fps. Sony and Panasonic have good choices too.

Personally, as a primarily still shooter who want to expand video with todays 4K TVs in mind, I like the smaller size of the R5, IBIS, 45MP and superior fast AI focus now that I'm shooting more birds in flight. As a guy who is used to the Canon UI and lenses that I already own, the Panasonic, Sony, and Nikon options don't have the right mix of attributes for me. I can live without unlimited exotic high end resolution and frame rates. If I do need that, I can buy an external recorder.

I've already informed the Mrs. about the R5.

I wonder if any of the DSLR stalwarts here would be interested in my awesome gently used Canon 5Ds.

OldSchool-WI Loc: Brandon, Wisconsin 53919

When the TV news departments ditch their bulky video cameras and start using your still cameras and mirrorless still cameras for the six o'clock news----I will say the dual function hybrids have arrived. Do you know of any major TV stations doing that?----Otherwise, if you want pro-video--buy a pro-video camera and if you want pro- stills---buy a pro still camera. And if you want the best color sensors---buy a Sigma FoveonX3 camera body.-----

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

Many of the TV stations I know use digital hybrid cameras. They are primarily used for Friday Night Football and other story events.

Some of the documentary films on PBS are filmed with hybrids.

Many of the films shown at local festivals are filmed with hybrids. Locally, that's been the case at the 48-Hour Film Project, which my twins have submitted films to five years in a row. Very few of the entries are made with dedicated pro video cameras.

Many local ad agencies use hybrids, because they also produce print and Internet ads with stills in them.

A lot of cable TV shows are recorded with hybrid gear.

By far, though, the biggest users of hybrids for video are YouTubers. There are thousands and thousands of them.

Pro video cameras do have their places at major sporting events and in TV studios. But the days of dragging a 100 lbs. of equipment around are over for many. And the increasingly female staffs at many stations want to haul less gear.

OldSchool-WI Loc: Brandon, Wisconsin 53919

The days of dragging 100lb ended in 2004 with the HDV revolution--to 10lb for HD or less.----granted. But dedicated video camereas have fifty more adjustments than hybrids have. For amateur productions--family short clips and the likes and probably even clips at weddings--a still camera with two circuits for filming might be o.k. But pro documentaries and even action---I cannot see it with a single sensor and possible and probably image roll. And the audio potential is as important as the visual. That is why they make pro-video cameras.-----

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

With recent advances the only downside is battery life and for most mere humans that is not an issue.
The high resolution and rapid EVFs have eliminated the last argument I and everyone else had.
And with no blackout they beat mirror flippers.

pdsilen Loc: Roswell, New Mexico

For the time being, I won't go for mirrorless for three reasons. The expense: My wife and I are on a fixed income and I don't have a few thousand dollars to plunk down on new equipment. Secondly, Mirrorless has only been on the market for a couple of years. I think that they'll be on the market for at least five years before they get all the bugs out. And last but not least, I'd have to go through the process of learning to shoot all over again. Imagine yourself as a professional musician, a clarinet player. Your band leader delegates you to fill in for the oboeist. Here you are. You have to play an instrument that you're totally unfamiliar with. You're dealing with a double read and different fingering. You see my point.

BebuLamar

Mirrorless has been on the market for the past 10 years at least. It's Canon or Nikon who were late to the game and got on the for about 2 years. Sony, Panasonic and Olympus have been on the mirrorless for a long time.