Follow up: Replacing 2nd DSLR w/ camcorder after NAB 2015

[Luke Hill]

Hi everyone,

A while back I asked for advice on replacing my second camera (a GH3) with a camcorder to make event shoots easier. Here's the original thread:

http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/general-...camcorder.html

The main recommendations I got back then were:

Panasonic HC-X1000
Sony FDR-AX100 4k
Sony XDCAM EX PMW‑EX1R
Sony PXW-X70

I decided to wait to make a final decision until after this year's NAB. Does anyone have any other recommendations or feedback now that the new NAB products have been announced?

Many thanks,
Luke

[Gary Huff]

Luke, how interested are you in the 4K question? I see you have two 4K cameras listed and then the two Sony's that are 1080, but the Sonys will both have better lowlight capabilities (larger sensors) and have better recording specs.

[Luke Hill]

Hi Gary,

Thanks for the response. Ideally, 4k would be nice, but it's not a dealbreaker for me at this point. I'm just wanting to get a good, reliable, easy to operate camcorder that can play reasonably well with my 5D Mark 3.

[Ron Little]

The Canon xc10 is the one I am looking at to replace my Sony fs100 to shoot next to my Canon 70d.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1134581-REG/canon_0565c013_xc10.html

[Tim Polster]

What is your budget?

[Luke Hill]

Originally Posted by Tim Polster

What is your budget?

I'd (obviously) like to spend as little as I can manage, whilst still getting a quality camera. My main focus is on narrative stuff, so the 5DMK3 will still be my primary camera and the camcorder will be used when I'm called on to shoot events (happens pretty often now, but I'm hoping I can do less of that type of work in the future).

Ideally I'd like to stay in the $2,000 - $3,000 (USD) range, but could probably go as high as $4,000 for the right camera.

[Luke Hill]

Originally Posted by Ron Little

The Canon xc10 is the one I am looking at to replace my Sony fs100 to shoot next to my Canon 70d.

Canon XC10 4K Professional Camcorder 0565C013 B&H Photo Video

I was considering this one as well...it seems like a bit of a strange hybrid, form-factor wise, but it is a Canon so I'm assuming the footage would match reasonably well, it has continuous autofocus and for 4K the price sure is right.

[Tim Polster]

The XC10 is unproven but it might be your best bet to match with a 5DMKIII. Or maybe an XF200 but I do not know the pricing.

$2,000 - $3,000 is a tough price point as it is more towards consumer in some respects but still decent. I do not have any experience with the cameras out now in this category.

[Luke Hill]

Just a follow up for anyone who might be in a similar situation.

After some more research, I believe the best option for me is going to be the GH4 with the power zoom lenses (something I didn't know existed until now). Between the smaller sensor for deeper depth of field (for event stuff) and the ability to zoom in and out without manually turning the lens, I think it'll give me the key elements I was looking for in a event-work camcorder.

[Dylan Couper]

Just my two cents...
We rent out EX1 line cameras (EX1r/EX3, etc) at least 8 to 1 over GH4s for event work. IMHO the broadcast power zoom (difference!), big batteries, dual card slots, make that line a no-brainer over anything DSLR based. Plus you can get an EX1 for $2200 or so used.

It may be too late, but I wouldn't buy a GH4, or any DSLR, for any serious event work. It's like buying a hammer to screw in a screw... YEAH it can do the job, but...

[Luke Hill]

Thanks for the insight. I actually picked up the two GH3 lenses that offer auto zoom, but haven't really run them through their paces yet. I'll post back here after I do and let everyone know what my experience with them is.