Camera for run and gun video journalism at DVinfo.net

Peter Brinkman · October 27th, 2022, 09:45 AM

Hi,
Been a while since I visited the forum but like to hear your opinions. For a client I'm looking for an easy to use 4k handheld. I've been using the EX3 years ago but today shoot on FX6 and Alpha cams. Not easy to use for run and gun shooting by newbies. The pricey sony z280 looks good but is almost 4 years old now. Any other ideas?

Doug Jensen · October 27th, 2022, 09:52 AM

The Z280 is four years old, but still top dog in that category. You won't find a better run and gun camcorder.

Peter Brinkman · October 27th, 2022, 12:39 PM

Thanks Doug. And way better compared to the Z190? Or only in low light?

Doug Jensen · October 27th, 2022, 02:30 PM

The Z280 is about 4-stops better in low-light than the Z190. That is the biggest difference, but there are quite a few other differences that may or may not matter to someone, depending on what they expect from the camera and how they plan to use it. You can watch this video to learn about the rest of the differences. I can't even remember all of them off the top of my head! :-)

Peter Brinkman · October 28th, 2022, 04:17 AM

thanks again, I'll have a look

Noa Put · October 28th, 2022, 11:17 AM

I have been covering a few events this year where also journalists where present, saw a few iphones with a handheld mike attached to it. Looks like phones are taking over as a easy tool for a one man band covering the news.

Christopher Young · October 30th, 2022, 11:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peter Brinkman

thanks again, I'll have a look

Also, have a look at the Sony PXW-Z90. I think Doug was reasonably impressed with that. For its price and capability, it is quite an amazing camera for daily real, as you put it run-n-gun coverage. Sky News UK use them on many overseas hard news locations. Alongside their GH5s reporting on their Hotspots program. I've used one ever since they came out and for low profile unobtrusive coverage they fit the bill quite well. They have NDs, are stabilized and have great AF, can shoot 422 10-bit HD at 50/60p and if needed 4K 25/30p. XLR inputs and they have SDI out which is great for network link LiveU type situations where I have used one quite often. Oh, and a decent hi quality zoom, which in HD can deliver a 24 x range. Worth a look, I think. I have S35 and FF cams, but often the Z90 is grabbed when fast developing situations where speed of personal movement in demanding locations demands something small and light, but that is capable of delivering the goods. There is a sample news coverage video in the link below.

Chris Young

https://www.newsshooter.com/2019/10/...-sony-pxw-z90/

Doug Jensen · October 31st, 2022, 06:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Christopher Young

Also, have a look at the Sony PXW-Z90. I think Doug was reasonably impressed with that.

Sure, for whatever my endorsement is worth, I think the Z90 is an excellent camera. I sold mine to my brother a couple of years ago because I wasn't using it much (I have too many camerars), but by then it had already paid for itself several times over just from stock footage sales. Great picture and easy to shoot with. Until the FX6 came along it set the standard for AF on a video camera.

David Peterson · November 1st, 2022, 11:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peter Brinkman

Hi,
Been a while since I visited the forum but like to hear your opinions. For a client I'm looking for an easy to use 4k handheld. I've been using the EX3 years ago but today shoot on FX6 and Alpha cams. Not easy to use for run and gun shooting by newbies. The pricey sony z280 looks good but is almost 4 years old now. Any other ideas?

Take a look also at the Sony PXW-Z90V if you want a camera that's even smaller/lighter/cheaper.

Doug Jensen · November 2nd, 2022, 08:23 PM

Simon Denny · April 2nd, 2023, 10:22 PM

I have been using my Z90 for years and it's my other main camera, my other camera is an FS5M2 which I find more of a hassle to use and always grab the Z90. In fact I've wanted to sell my FS5M2 almost the day I got it and now I'm lucky to get anything for it, so it now sits at home or in my car as a back up.
I would buy another Z90 or an version 2 of this if they bring one out, it's that good for the work I do.

I shot this video on my Z90, edited in FCPX and from memory this was Cine 4, I have since change to Cine 2 for the past few years.
I think there's two shots with my Sony A73 at the start inside the caravan, other than that it's all Z90 and a DJI drone, the Mavic air I think, which I crashed on the last day of the shoot and it died...lol.

October 27th, 2022, 09:45 AM	#1
Peter Brinkman Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Holland Posts: 34	Camera for run and gun video journalism Hi, Been a while since I visited the forum but like to hear your opinions. For a client I'm looking for an easy to use 4k handheld. I've been using the EX3 years ago but today shoot on FX6 and Alpha cams. Not easy to use for run and gun shooting by newbies. The pricey sony z280 looks good but is almost 4 years old now. Any other ideas?

October 27th, 2022, 09:52 AM	#2
Doug Jensen Vortex Media Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 3,450	Re: Camera for run and gun video journalism The Z280 is four years old, but still top dog in that category. You won't find a better run and gun camcorder. __________________ Vortex Media http://www.vortexmedia.com/ Sony FS7, F55, and XDCAM training videos, field guides, and other production tools

October 27th, 2022, 12:39 PM	#3
Peter Brinkman Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Holland Posts: 34	Re: Camera for run and gun video journalism Thanks Doug. And way better compared to the Z190? Or only in low light?

October 27th, 2022, 02:30 PM	#4
Doug Jensen Vortex Media Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 3,450	Re: Camera for run and gun video journalism The Z280 is about 4-stops better in low-light than the Z190. That is the biggest difference, but there are quite a few other differences that may or may not matter to someone, depending on what they expect from the camera and how they plan to use it. You can watch this video to learn about the rest of the differences. I can't even remember all of them off the top of my head! :-) Doug Jensen's Sony PXW-Z280 and PXW-Z190 Master Class - CHAPTER 1 FREE on Vimeo __________________ Vortex Media http://www.vortexmedia.com/ Sony FS7, F55, and XDCAM training videos, field guides, and other production tools

October 28th, 2022, 04:17 AM	#5
Peter Brinkman Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Holland Posts: 34	Re: Camera for run and gun video journalism thanks again, I'll have a look

October 28th, 2022, 11:17 AM	#6
Noa Put Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Belgium Posts: 9,510	Re: Camera for run and gun video journalism I have been covering a few events this year where also journalists where present, saw a few iphones with a handheld mike attached to it. Looks like phones are taking over as a easy tool for a one man band covering the news.

November 2nd, 2022, 08:23 PM	#10
Doug Jensen Vortex Media Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 3,450	Re: Camera for run and gun video journalism Doug Jensen's Sony PXW-Z90, NX80, and AX700 Master Class - CHAPTER 1 FREE on Vimeo __________________ Vortex Media http://www.vortexmedia.com/ Sony FS7, F55, and XDCAM training videos, field guides, and other production tools

April 2nd, 2023, 10:22 PM	#11
Simon Denny Trustee Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Australia Posts: 1,409	Re: Camera for run and gun video journalism I have been using my Z90 for years and it's my other main camera, my other camera is an FS5M2 which I find more of a hassle to use and always grab the Z90. In fact I've wanted to sell my FS5M2 almost the day I got it and now I'm lucky to get anything for it, so it now sits at home or in my car as a back up. I would buy another Z90 or an version 2 of this if they bring one out, it's that good for the work I do. I shot this video on my Z90, edited in FCPX and from memory this was Cine 4, I have since change to Cine 2 for the past few years. I think there's two shots with my Sony A73 at the start inside the caravan, other than that it's all Z90 and a DJI drone, the Mavic air I think, which I crashed on the last day of the shoot and it died...lol. YouTube (Short URL)