Best Mirrorless camera for kinetic and lowlight videography at DVinfo.net

Cameron Poole · October 4th, 2015, 10:39 AM

I'm interested to know what the members of this forum would recommend.

I don't think I will be needing 4K as the majority of my work will be party videos on beaches and in clubs in low light. I've heard that 4K is a lot of extra work in post. Also, the work i'll be doing will be for promotional use on websites.

I was initially looking at the Panasonic GH4 but it's a little over budget.

My budget is about 1,500 USD.

I look forward to your recommendations.

Noa Put · October 4th, 2015, 03:42 PM

For me 4K handles almost the same as HD, if you have the right pc/nle you will hardly notice the difference. If lowlight performance is important then a dslr with a fast prime seems to be the only solution, what do you shoot with now and do you have lenses?

Cameron Poole · October 5th, 2015, 12:36 AM

The past four years I've been shooting with a Panasonic AG HMC 152 EN which is now obsolete of course, though still good for weddings and other shoots it is very big and cumbersome.

I have never had a DSLR or a mirrorless camera but this seems to be my best option as I shoot much better run-and-gun style rather than setting up tripods and getting everything ready.

Is there anything under 1,500 that would suit my needs? Perhaps I would be better off looking at a second hand or pre $K model.

Chris Harding · October 5th, 2015, 02:31 AM

Hi Cameron

If 4K is not a big deal you could always look at the Panasonic AC-90 ??? It's in your price range and you would find it an easy transition from the HMC152 as well !!

Cameron Poole · October 5th, 2015, 03:46 AM

Thankyou Chris, will Google it now.

Gary Huff · October 5th, 2015, 04:45 AM

You're not going to find a camera that is best for both kinetic and lowlight, so you should decide which is more important for you.

If lowlight is, you can't go wrong with a used Sony A7S.

Jon Fairhurst · October 5th, 2015, 04:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gary Huff

You're not going to find a camera that is best for both kinetic and lowlight, so you should decide which is more important for you.

Well, there's the Alexa.

The challenge is kinetic, low-light ...and budget. :)

And yes, the A7S recommendation for low-light is spot on.

Gary Huff · October 5th, 2015, 04:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jon Fairhurst

Well, there's the Alexa

I would not include the Alexa in that. It's top ISO is 3200, and I bet it doesn't perform that well either (I've personally never seen it set over 800).

The best camera for both is the C300 Mark II, with its 120ms sensor readout and insane lowlight performance.

Lower than that, you cannot beat the A7S, but the rolling shutter is far, far more sensitive to motion.

October 4th, 2015, 10:39 AM	#1
Cameron Poole Major Player Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: London Posts: 212	Best Mirrorless camera for kinetic and lowlight videography I'm interested to know what the members of this forum would recommend. I don't think I will be needing 4K as the majority of my work will be party videos on beaches and in clubs in low light. I've heard that 4K is a lot of extra work in post. Also, the work i'll be doing will be for promotional use on websites. I was initially looking at the Panasonic GH4 but it's a little over budget. My budget is about 1,500 USD. I look forward to your recommendations.

October 4th, 2015, 03:42 PM	#2
Noa Put Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Belgium Posts: 9,510	Re: Best Mirrorless camera for kinetic and lowlight videography For me 4K handles almost the same as HD, if you have the right pc/nle you will hardly notice the difference. If lowlight performance is important then a dslr with a fast prime seems to be the only solution, what do you shoot with now and do you have lenses?

October 5th, 2015, 12:36 AM	#3
Cameron Poole Major Player Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: London Posts: 212	Re: Best Mirrorless camera for kinetic and lowlight videography The past four years I've been shooting with a Panasonic AG HMC 152 EN which is now obsolete of course, though still good for weddings and other shoots it is very big and cumbersome. I have never had a DSLR or a mirrorless camera but this seems to be my best option as I shoot much better run-and-gun style rather than setting up tripods and getting everything ready. Is there anything under 1,500 that would suit my needs? Perhaps I would be better off looking at a second hand or pre $K model.

October 5th, 2015, 02:31 AM	#4
Chris Harding Inner Circle Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Perth, Western Australia Posts: 8,441	Re: Best Mirrorless camera for kinetic and lowlight videography Hi Cameron If 4K is not a big deal you could always look at the Panasonic AC-90 ??? It's in your price range and you would find it an easy transition from the HMC152 as well !!

October 5th, 2015, 03:46 AM	#5
Cameron Poole Major Player Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: London Posts: 212	Re: Best Mirrorless camera for kinetic and lowlight videography Thankyou Chris, will Google it now.

October 5th, 2015, 04:45 AM	#6
Gary Huff Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 2,006	Re: Best Mirrorless camera for kinetic and lowlight videography You're not going to find a camera that is best for both kinetic and lowlight, so you should decide which is more important for you. If lowlight is, you can't go wrong with a used Sony A7S.