Hawkeye60 wrote:
Are the less expensive (Chinese) camcorders good for blogging, YouTube videos and documentaries?
In my experience and research, it seems the best reasonably priced cameras for YouTube videos and documentaries are made by Panasonic Lumix.
Micro 4/3: GH6 and GH5 Mark II
Full frame: S5 Mark II and S5 Mark IIX
Two of those can do live streaming, straight from the camera through your phone or WiFi network.
The S5 II and IIX have hybrid phase detect autofocus, much better for video blogging, action, etc.
The GH6 and the S5 Mark IIX are advanced video models, but all four cameras are good for stills. The full frame models are the better all-around performers for both stills and video.
Canon and Sony are the only other manufacturers I would trust with video, but OVERALL, Panasonic Lumix has the lead right now, because they incorporate so many advanced video features in very relatively affordable bodies.
> Wave Forms and Vectorscopes, in addition to Histograms
> Downloadable LUTs (look-up tables that adjust color for you, based on pre-determined settings)
> Shutter speed adjustable in Shutter Angle, so if you set the traditional 180° angle and change frame rates, the shutter SPEED is automatically adjusted for you.
> Four channel audio with the use of an accessory XLR adapter and the mic jack on the camera
> No overheating and unlimited recording time
> Full size HDMI out
> USB-C external recording to SSD on some models
> USB-C charging on some models
> Raw video recording with the right external video recorders for ProRes Raw and Black Magic B-Raw (on the S5 IIX)
> The best in-body AND in-lens dual image stabilization in the business
Most Canon EF full frame dSLR lenses can be attached to an S5 II or IIX and work just fine, using the Sigma MC-21 L-Mount to EF Mount adapter. Leica, Sigma, and Panasonic all make FIRST party lenses for the entire L-Mount system they share.
All Micro 4/3 lenses made for Olympus/OM Systems and Panasonic Lumix Micro 4/3 cameras are interchangeable, too.
Plenty of used gear is available from KEH, MPB, and other used equipment dealers, too.
Check out reviews by Gerald Undone, Micro Four Nerds, Geeky Nerdy Techy, PhotoJoseph, Camera Collective, Tony & Chelsea Northrup, Sam Holland, CVP, Josh Cameron, and all the dozens of others that will pop up in your YouTube feed when you look for those...