Family videos, mainly indoors, suggestions

Markr041 said:

TXDego said:

Markr041 said:

I agree with you that the GoPro Hero 7 Black is a great camera, but it costs $399 and the external mic option is $49 and is not a "hack" it is a GoPro external adaptor. And these "reviewers" did not use the latest Hero 7 Black firmware, which allows the best stabilization even at 4K 60P (they claim otherwise based on old firmware).

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The $49 is just the adapter, then you have to buy the mic & dead cat, trust me, its actually a little more than $60. Hack is probably the wrong term, but once you stick the Surgu stuff on your camera housing, guess you call it a mod? Here is a video explaining it, he has another video prior that explains better, but was too lazy to search further.

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Of course for external audio you need a mic. Really? But It is not a hack to use the official GoPro external mic adaptor or to use a cage or even velcro of the case, and you can spend more and get a better mic. The $60 makes no sense by itself - $49 for an external adapter and $11 for a mic?

I have heard good things about the mic in the video - but it is a mono mic. Vloggers have got to get over themselves - most people do not use a camera for video to shoot their talking heads. They shoot other people or nature or scenics. The GoPro internal mic is stereo, so should the external mic unless you use a GoPro just to Vlog yourself or for interviews. And read the OP - he wants to shoot family indoors. He is not vlogging or waterskiing.

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I have Rode VideoMicro for external mic no problem there. I'm just not sure if GoPro is the solution for indoor family videos.

zurih said:

I have shot with Panasonic G85 before and was very satisfied with the stabilization in video. For my purposes, this kind of stabilization would suffice for me. I don't need tripod style stabilization for family videos.

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maybe that's your answer then.

i hear you on running around after kids, and it just really depends on what you want the finished product to be and what you're realistically going to use.

if you haven't already, learn some of the basics of handheld shooting. simply body stabilization moves can make a huge difference. and also warp stabilization in premiere is phenomenal depending on what you are correcting for.

i use an xt-2 for stills and video, it's a great balance for me but i don't mind using a monopod. for on-the-fly family video i do use my pixel xl2. the footage looks like junk comparatively.

bbwsn said:

zurih said:

I have shot with Panasonic G85 before and was very satisfied with the stabilization in video. For my purposes, this kind of stabilization would suffice for me. I don't need tripod style stabilization for family videos.

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maybe that's your answer then.

i hear you on running around after kids, and it just really depends on what you want the finished product to be and what you're realistically going to use.

if you haven't already, learn some of the basics of handheld shooting. simply body stabilization moves can make a huge difference. and also warp stabilization in premiere is phenomenal depending on what you are correcting for.

i use an xt-2 for stills and video, it's a great balance for me but i don't mind using a monopod. for on-the-fly family video i do use my pixel xl2. the footage looks like junk comparatively.

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The G85 stabilization is awesome. The AF garbage.

Are you shooting 4k or 1080p with your X-T2?

zurih said:

TXDego said:

Your experience with the G85 is about what mine was, that camera is a big ole piece of junk, so please don't judge the GH5 based on your use of the G85. I have zero issues with AF on GH5, keep in mind they have done 4 or 5 firmware updates now, so if you look at any YouTube AF video, check the date, odds are they are on the old firmware. GH5 works perfectly for me. They are going to release yet another firmware update this moth, things only getting better in the GH5 world.

Another option to consider is the new GoPro Heo 7, just got this thing and so far it has exceeded every expectation, and for $299 its a steal. The stabilization is crazy good, picture /video quality is good, and the audio is surprisingly good, and for an extra $60 you can get the external mic hack that puts audio over the top. See for yourself.

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Stabilization looks amazing that's for sure. But I'm looking for a camera mainly for indoors, not sure how it will hold up... it also doesn't zoom?

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I think the Hero 7 Black is great, but it is NOT ideal for indoor, low light - small sensor. Look elsewhere.

MxPhotos said:

The G85 stabilization is awesome. The AF garbage.

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Have you tried manual focus with focus peaking turned on? Pro videographers work that way.

zurih said:

Are you shooting 4k or 1080p with your X-T2?

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mostly 4k. but i cannot notice the difference from 1080p in most typical viewing situations.

How about Canon M50? Fast autofocus (not with 4K), decent sensor size for indoors shooting, good OOC colours, digital stabilisation.

As of now I might go to the camcorder route. Atleast until I will have a better option in the future.

I'm leaned towards the Panasonic HC-WXF1 / HC-VX1 or the Sony AX53.

Seems like the Panasonic has:

• A bit larger sensor 1/2.3 vs 1/2.5
• Maximum aperture f1.8 vs f2
• Wider lens 25mm vs 27mm (FF eqv.) (EDIT: seems like the Panasonic is 29mm when shooting at 1080p @ 60fps, which is unfortunate)
• Much more lighter (458g vs 635g)
• Very neet infrared mode in total darkness??
  

The Sony seems to have:

• Better stabilization @ 1080p
• ???

Can anyone share their thoughts?

Thanks

zurih said:

I'm leaned towards the Panasonic HC-WXF1 / HC-VX1 or the Sony AX53.

The Sony seems to have:

• Better stabilization @ 1080p
• ???

Can anyone share their thoughts?

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I'm still rather a novice when it comes to camcorders, the Sony AX53 is the only one I've owned. I do have experience with stabilized lenses from Canon, owned the 300 f2.8 IS for many years, 100-400 Mark II, and various shorter lenses. Also various Panasonic cameras over the years with built in stabilizers.

I'll say this about the stabilizer on the AX53, using it feels like the best stabilizer system I've ever tried. I've seen other very favorable comments on it as well.

The stabilizer is NOT quite as good when shooting in 4k, at least that's been my experience. But it's great in 1080p. That's how the system is designed apparently.

It has an extended zoom feature boasting up to 40x but it's basically a digital zoom. The image quality deteriorates pretty quickly when you zoom past the native 20x optical zoom. Still, it will get somewhat of a shot if you absolutely needed 30x or 40x for something.

YouTube has lots of sample videos from the Sony because it's been out for years.

I don't use it indoors so I can't evaluate that scenario. Maybe others can. I imagine if the indoor lighting is fairly decent it would be OK.

Just wanted to update that eventually I bought the Fujifilm X-T3.

I was sold on the 4k 60fps.

I have the camera for around a month now and the video coming out of it is just outstanding.

I'm using the Fuji 18-55/2.8-4 + 10-24mm f4 lenses as they both have OIS and a very good range for video. I still wish the X-T3 had IBIS, but I learned a lot of tecniques on how to hold and move your camera to get a very decent stabilized video, and for now it seems to be working well. Also, the AF on this camera is just amazing.

Anyway, this is just a FYI update.

Thanks everyone

zurih said:

Just wanted to update that eventually I bought the Fujifilm X-T3.

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Good choice!

Have you done a side by side comparison with the G85? I'm curious if the color reproduction of the Lumix and Fuji would be compatible in a multi-camera shoot. Generally speaking, different manufacturers have a different "look" that can sometimes be hard to color correct in post.