Best (VIDEO) Camera Out There

[Batdude]

I am a straight photographer and have NEVER shot video with any camera I have ever had. But my wife and I are starting to look into videography.

I know very little about video specs, frankly, almost nothing. With the appearance of the Sony A7IV I have learned a few things here and there, such as rolling shutter and it's issues when having a slow sensor that cannot process all these data as fast. I saw a few youtube videos what rolling shutter will cause in still photography and video.

Having said that, since I cannot afford the much higher priced FF cameras that have those really fast processors to avoid rolling shutter and flickering and all that, I was thinking, do I HAVE to purchase a really expensive camera for video? Heck even the new Panasonic m43 cameras coming out are too darn expensive.

But what about a "real" and dedicated video camera with fantastic IBIS and all that? Perhaps something with a built-in lens that can produce really nice bokeh? Is there such thing out there?

If I decide to get a Panasonic or Sony FF camera I still have to spend in lenses on top of the camera and to be honest I'm not sure that is the wisest thing to do and that's why I would like to do a bit more research. Perhaps there is something much better out there and that way I can simply continue doing photography with what I currently have.

Thanks.

 

[EduPortas]

But what about a "real" and dedicated video camera with fantastic IBIS and all that? Perhaps something with a built-in lens that can produce really nice bokeh? Is there such thing out there?

Yes, but you'll have to pay for it. I've been in your shoes before.

If you REALLy want to take videography seriously check out Panasonic's, Sony and Canon large sensor offerings tailored for video pros. The gamut runs from 1 inch to FF-sized sensors. Cheapest proffesional model is probably a used C100, limited to 1080p.

For a 4K large-sensored videocam you're looking at spending US$5K. Some of the models include a lens, others do not. It's a very diverse field.

Panasonic and JVC occupy a very particular niche of dedicated videocameras with 4/3 sized-sensors, which is considered "large" by video pro's. These models are not cheap, though.

So we're back to square one looking at cheaper MILCs and DSLRs for video work.

 

[Batdude]

But what about a "real" and dedicated video camera with fantastic IBIS and all that? Perhaps something with a built-in lens that can produce really nice bokeh? Is there such thing out there?

Yes, but you'll have to pay for it. I've been in your shoes before.

If you REALLy want to take videography seriously check out Panasonic's, Sony and Canon large sensor offerings tailored for video pros. The gamut runs from 1 inch to FF-sized sensors. Cheapest proffesional model is probably a used C100, limited to 1080p.

I am indeed looking into doing high quality 1080p and I'm not interested in 4K.

The C100 is what brand?

Thank you very much.

For a 4K large-sensored videocam you're looking at spending US$5K. Some of the models include a lens, others do not. It's a very diverse field.

Panasonic and JVC occupy a very particular niche of dedicated videocameras with 4/3 sized-sensors, which is considered "large" by video pro's. These models are not cheap, though.

So we're back to square one looking at cheaper MILCs and DSLRs for video work.

 

[Off The Mark]

The C100 is what brand?

Canon.

To help you out the most, we really need to know what your budget is.

And what your TOP priorities are.

Any camera, no matter how expensive, is going to be a compromise.

Even cinematographers on big Hollywood productions with $50K or $60K cameras talk about having to make compromises in their camera choices.

 

[Andrew S10]

What kind of things do you hope to do with videography, e.g. video weddings, concerts, commercials, documentaries etc.?

The specific camera, lenses, and accessories you get somewhat depends on what you plan to shoot.

You could get a 1" sensor all-in-one camcorder for $2,200 on the low end (Canon XA50), or an APS-C/Super 35mm sensor Cinema camera for $6,400 on the low end (Canon C200 with 24-105mm kit lens).

Another option is to rig a DSLM/DSLR camera for recording video.

Your Nikon lenses can be adapted to most cameras, so you could still use your Nikon lenses, although it would be with manual focus only. You could upgrade to a Z6 II and Nikon FTZ adapter which will auto focus with G-series lenses (it won't work with D-series lenses as the adapter lacks a screw motor).

The lines between camcorders & cinema cameras have blurred in the last decade, but generally speaking, a true cinema camera won't have built-in ND filters or auto focus.

Depending on what you end up shooting, it might not require the latest and greatest gear, so you could save some money purchasing used gear that's an iteration or two behind the current models.

Rolling shutter has been a flaw in digital video since at least 2007, but if you have good shooting habits, it isn't an issue most of the time.

You might was well start practicing with the gear that you already own. Here's a old training series that will cover the basics and get you up & running.

 

[Batdude]

The C100 is what brand?

Canon.

To help you out the most, we really need to know what your budget is.

Perhaps something used round $2500. I'm really not sure what is out there that's why I'm asking but if the lens is built in even better. I don't think a camcorder is the right thing either but then again I haven't done a ton of research on it.

above $2500 that's now the price range of a new mirrorless FF camera with a lens so might as well buy that and use it for photography as well.

And what your TOP priorities are.

Really high quality 1080p.

To start I would say really nice smooth IBIS, AF, very good low light performance, cinematic color output. I really don't care of high megapixels. Is too darn bad the 12MP Sony A7SIII is sooooo expensive.

Any camera, no matter how expensive, is going to be a compromise.

That is true.

Even cinematographers on big Hollywood productions with $50K or $60K cameras talk about having to make compromises in their camera choices.

Yes that is interesting.

 

[Batdude]

What kind of things do you hope to do with videography, e.g. video weddings, concerts, commercials, documentaries etc.?

Some concerts and events of dancers on stage, mostly indoor. It is mostly of people (dancers) moving doing their thing. That's why I asked and am concerned about that "rolling shutter" issue people mention.

The specific camera, lenses, and accessories you get somewhat depends on what you plan to shoot.

To be honest I have no clue what lens I would or should start using hahaha. Not sure if a zoom or a prime lens would be good, but I would say most likely a 2.8 zoom lens. I'm usually within six feet away from the subject but since I'm not a videographer that would be really tough for me to pin point at this point.

You could get a 1" sensor all-in-one camcorder for $2,200 on the low end (Canon XA50), or an APS-C/Super 35mm sensor Cinema camera for $6,400 on the low end (Canon C200 with 24-105mm kit lens).

Another option is to rig a DSLM/DSLR camera for recording video.

Your Nikon lenses can be adapted to most cameras, so you could still use your Nikon lenses, although it would be with manual focus only. You could upgrade to a Z6 II and Nikon FTZ adapter which will auto focus with G-series lenses (it won't work with D-series lenses as the adapter lacks a screw motor).

The lines between camcorders & cinema cameras have blurred in the last decade, but generally speaking, a true cinema camera won't have built-in ND filters or auto focus.

Depending on what you end up shooting, it might not require the latest and greatest gear, so you could save some money purchasing used gear that's an iteration or two behind the current models.

Rolling shutter has been a flaw in digital video since at least 2007, but if you have good shooting habits, it isn't an issue most of the time.

Yeah as someone that will be starting I am not sure what to say about rolling shutter shooting habits since i have no experience with that. I did see a sample video of an airplane's blade spinning and that looked pretty nasty and unpleasant looking hahaha!

You might was well start practicing with the gear that you already own. Here's a old training series that will cover the basics and get you up & running.

 

[EduPortas]

I am indeed looking into doing high quality 1080p and I'm not interested in 4K.

The C100 is what brand?

Thank you very much.

Canon. Should be around $1500 used. Be sure to shop for the model with DPAF for automatic focusing. There's also the C100 Mark II, if you wish to add more bells and whistles. That's cost around $2500.

Big sensor. Shoots 1080p. Little rolling shutter. Good in low light.

Having said that, reading that you'll be shooting dancers from a considerable distance away and you wish for a F2.8 zoom then you've just added quite a big load to your budget. Those EF lenses for Canon are very very expensive.

For the $2500 budget you mentioned you're looking at small-chip videocams with long, but slow, zooms.

Good luck!

 

[uncle dunc]

I'm usually within six feet away from the subject but since I'm not a videographer that would be really tough for me to pin point at this point....

If you're only six feet away, you'd need a wide angle lens to fit the entire dancer into the frame.

Keep in mind, one reason people choose FF cameras is to reduce depth of field. If you're recording dancers moving closer and farther from the camera, reducing depth of field is only going to make it more difficult to keep the dancer in focus.

I would look for a camera with great AF tracking and a low megapixel count. We only need 8 megapixels for 4k resolution, and, "they say" (it's debatable) less, larger pixels capture more light than more, smaller pixels. The Panasonic GH5s is an example of that. It's their model optimized for low light and the sensor is around 10 megapixels. Unfortunately, it's AF is not great, which would probably keep it off your list.

With AF tracking in mind, perhaps scour YouTube for examples and comparisons, and don't rule out APS-C sized sensors, which might be a good compromise between FF and M4/3. For even more depth of field and better AF, consider Sony's 1" cameras, but only if their low light performance would be good enough for your lighting situations.

You could also look into Olympus for an M4/3 camera. Their AF is rumored to be the better than Panasonic's, and they have great IBIS. Olympus makes a F/2.8 12-40-mm pro lens you can find used for around $500. The lens also has a manual focus clutch - pull the focus ring towards the camera and AF is disengaged. Now you can use manual focus to track the dancers without the inconsistency of trying to manual focus with a focus-by-wire lens. Keep in mind, many pro videographers rely on manual focus because no matter how good their AF is, it's going to miss now and then, and video pros can't afford to tell their client they missed a crucial, once-in-a-lifetime shot because their AF went wonky.

 

[GodSpeaks]

I am not a Fuji person, so I am not very familiar with the Fuji cameras. But what you have will shoot FullHD video, so why not start using it to shoot videos?

It would be a great way to learn how to shoot video and without a lot of additional expense. You will learn what works and what doesn't works. You will learn the limitations of your gear and you will learn what you might need to improve your game.

I shoot a lot of video. I decided a long time ago that the Panasonic MFT cameras were perfect for my needs (4K video). The image quality is excellent and the MFT universe has an amazing number of outstanding native mount lenses. Plus almost any lenses ever made can be adapted.

Shooting good video requires skill. It requires a different mindset and different techniques from shoot stills, although there is a lot of common ground.

Use your existing gear to learn, then later, once you have a better grasp on what you want/need, you can invest in newer, better equipment.

And don't forget the post production aspect of video. This is where the hard work begins. You will need a decent computer and a decent video editor.

 

[hobbit mob]

I am a straight photographer and have NEVER shot video with any camera I have ever had. But my wife and I are starting to look into videography.

I know very little about video specs, frankly, almost nothing. With the appearance of the Sony A7IV I have learned a few things here and there, such as rolling shutter and it's issues when having a slow sensor that cannot process all these data as fast. I saw a few youtube videos what rolling shutter will cause in still photography and video.

Having said that, since I cannot afford the much higher priced FF cameras that have those really fast processors to avoid rolling shutter and flickering and all that, I was thinking, do I HAVE to purchase a really expensive camera for video? Heck even the new Panasonic m43 cameras coming out are too darn expensive.

But what about a "real" and dedicated video camera with fantastic IBIS and all that? Perhaps something with a built-in lens that can produce really nice bokeh? Is there such thing out there?

If I decide to get a Panasonic or Sony FF camera I still have to spend in lenses on top of the camera and to be honest I'm not sure that is the wisest thing to do and that's why I would like to do a bit more research. Perhaps there is something much better out there and that way I can simply continue doing photography with what I currently have.

Thanks.

I don't think you need full frame for what you're aiming for, but I may be mistaken. If I were you, with you budget, I'd look into the panasonic GH series. The m43 sensor is plenty big to get good DOF separation given the right lenses. The GH series is their video-centric offering, so even an older model will probably shoot good 1080p or maybe even 4k (I'm not familiar with their specifics) depending on the model. I'd go for body only (which body will depend on budget, I think the newest offering is the gh5), then pair it with some fast prime lenses that will suit your needs.

Something else to consider is processing the videos. Just this year I started offering video to my clients and the learning curve for video editing is steep. How much work do you want to put into editing your videos? If you don't mind editing (I truly enjoy it...maybe even more than photo editing), then you'll want a camera that can shoot in LOG format at the least, and RAW format, if possible (I shoot RAW with a 1dx mark iii, and being a photographer first, I've found that RAW video allows me to edit video as close to editing pictures as possible. LOG is ok, but having the white balance control and extended dynamic range with RAW has been invaluable to me). It took me about a month of watching youtube tutorials and digesting content to figure out how to shoot and edit video at a respectable (ie profitable) level. I'm way better now than I was when I started, but I'm sure I'll be even better a year from now. Depending on how much time you want to spend post processing your video, that will help inform your choices, since you'll either be looking for the best OOC video, or the best LOG/RAW file capture.

 

[Whereabouts]

Your gear list has Fuji and Nikon cameras and lenses so I would look for a body from one of those manufacture so you can use your existing lenses.

If you already have fuji glass xt3 or xt4 would be fantastic options or even a used xh1 would be great too. I shoot professionally on those three bodies exclusively.

I'm less familiar with Nikons cameras but assume the Z6 or comparable would be a viable solution as well.

 

[LenRivers]

I use a dedicated camcorder. Sony AX-700 that I just got. I shoot the Sony A9ii upgraded from the A7iii.

One main reason I went with a camcorder over a hybrid camera is I like the controls of a camcorder. Way easier and ergonomic for video use IMO anyway.

I also think by the time you build a rig for the still camera to shoot video much is already done with a camcorder. I think in a more streamlined way. You also need more hands to work with a still camera to shoot video.

I can hand hold and zoom with one hand a camcorder way easier.

I just spent that $2k or so vs saving another $1500 for a Sony A7 S series. Maybe the other thing I might do different is for a few hundred more is the Sony NX-80, but I know I am not getting in to heavy video / audio stuff. The handle (top) is a nice feature if its worth it to "you"

I still think the camcorder has its place even as great as the hybrid cameras are.

If sensor size is a deal breaker than it is what that is....

 

[Sean Nelson]

I am not a Fuji person, so I am not very familiar with the Fuji cameras. But what you have will shoot FullHD video, so why not start using it to shoot videos?

It would be a great way to learn how to shoot video and without a lot of additional expense. You will learn what works and what doesn't works. You will learn the limitations of your gear and you will learn what you might need to improve your game.

Yes, I agree with this 100%.

Video production is very, very different from shooting stills. With a still you pretty much know what you've got right away, but with video you don't really discover what you're missing until you fire up your video editor and try to put everything together. You need some experience doing this in order to inform your choice of shots when you're out in the field capturing things.

And the editing process for any decent video is not a trivial matter. It's an entirely new skill to learn - some people take to it and really enjoy it and other people don't. If you find that sitting for hours in front of a screen choosing shots, transitions, sequencing, pacing and audio (yeah, audio is a another whole new universe to master too) isn't really your cup of tea, then it's probably not worth your while to invest a lot of money in high end equipment.

So I guess what I'm saying is that shooting the video is only a very small part of the process. The smart move would be to some up with some small video project you'd like to see and use whatever you have right now to shoot it, then put it together to experience the whole process. It could be something simple like a video tour of your house or a tourist attraction. For editing, you could get started with the free version of DaVinci Resolve, an excellent video editor - it has a learning curve but that's part of experiencing what video production is like and if you find that you're cut out for video it has all the capabilities you're ever likely to need.