Reddit mentions: The best professional video cameras

/u/DirtySphincter - you might consider hanging on to the 60D for stills and buying a real video camera for videography and filmmaking.

With a $5000 camera budget, unless you really need to shoot video and stills with the same camera, I would avoid 8-bit 4:2:0 still/video compromise cameras and get a large sensor camcorder with 4:2:2 chroma subsampling, built-in XLRs, dual card slots, unlimited recording time (no 30 minute limit) and built-in ND filters.

So instead of a DSLR or DSLM, you might want to consider one of these dedicated video cameras:

Option One

[Sony PXW-FS5 4K Super 35 camcorder - $5749 ($4311.75 after your 25% discount)] (https://www.amazon.com/Sony-PXW-FS5-Camera-System-Sensor/dp/B01BGUOPF8/ref=as_li_ss_tl?m=A17MC6HOH9AVE6&s=photo&ie=UTF8&qid=1484344605&linkCode=ll1&tag=battleforthew-20) plus a [$395 Metabones Canon to Sony Smart Adapter IV] (https://www.amazon.com/Metabones-Mark-IV-Smart-Adapter/dp/B01DLFVZPO//ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&linkCode=ll1&tag=battleforthew-20) for your EF glass

This camera weighs just 1.5 lbs body-only, records 1080p at up to 120 fps, records at 3840x2160p "4K", is compatible with Sony power zoom lenses, has dual XLR inputs with phantom plus an innovative electronic ND filter and an upgrade path to RAW - and produces images that look like this:

• [The Wood Carver: A Sony FS5 mini documentary by Philip Bloom] (https://vimeo.com/150015724)
  
  
• [Sony FS5 Review - “The Catman” by Johnnie Behiri] (https://vimeo.com/145925611)
  
  
• [Sony PXW-FS5 Launch film “Free Spirit” by Den Lennie] (https://vimeo.com/138889050)
  
  
• [Newsshooter.com Sony FS5 London anti war demonstration footage - graded by Dan Chung] (https://vimeo.com/147904573)
  
  
• [Iron Works - Blacksmithing with the Sony FS5 by OC Films] (https://vimeo.com/147975548)
  
  The FS5 is a little expensive for what it is (compared to similar products from Blackmagic and JVC), but will give you reliability and ease-of-use in a DSLR-sized package and just got a [$499 RAW upgrade] (http://adorama.evyy.net/c/60286/51926/1036?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.adorama.com%2Fsocbkzfs5rif.html) (external recorder only) that can produce results like this:
  
  
• [Plug Pond Sunset: A Sony FS5 Raw Test by Anticipate Media] (https://vimeo.com/169471816)
  
  Option Two
  
  The fixed lens [Panasonic DVX-200 fixed lens 4K micro 4/3 camcorder for $4195] (https://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-AG-DVX200-4K-Handheld-Camcorder/dp/B016043JWA/ref=as_li_ss_tl?m=A17MC6HOH9AVE6&s=photo&ie=UTF8&qid=1484344536&linkCode=ll1&tag=battleforthew-20)
  
  With its 12x power zoom, camcorder ergonomics, built-in pro XLR mic inputs and built-in ND filter, this camera is ideal for run and gun.
  
  The DVX200 also has standard camcorder features such as a top handle and dual card slots. It records at up to 4096x2160p full 4K resolution and comes with the Panasonic V-LOG profile built-in.
  
  Here is the image quality it can produce:
  
  
• [KYOTO - A Panasonic AG-DVX200 short film by Sebastian Wiegärtner] (https://vimeo.com/134622078)
  
  
• [Démo Panasonic DVX200 by PanasonicFR] (https://youtu.be/Jy2YU23tGUU)
  
  
• [Panasonic AG-DVX200 Longboarding Test by Exil Media] (https://youtu.be/PjIp2QuvtV0)
  
  
• [AG-DVX200 – A Day in life by Panasonic Business] (https://youtu.be/A_oSkyJnWKU) (please watch at 2160p and your monitor's highest resolution)
  
  This camera produces very nice 4K images - and its built-in power zoom is a great tool for run and gun - but it might not offer you the creative flexibility of interchangeable lenses.
  
  Option Three
  
  [The Super 35mm 4K interchangeable lens JVC GY-LS300 for $2595] (https://www.amazon.com/JVC-GY-LS300CHU-Ultra-Camcorder-Handle/dp/B00USBVISE/ref=as_li_ss_tl?m=A17MC6HOH9AVE6&s=photo&ie=UTF8&qid=1484344677&linkCode=ll1&tag=battleforthew-20) plus a [$399 Metabones T Canon to Micro 4/3 Smart Adapter] (https://www.amazon.com/Metabones-Smart-Adapter-Thirds-Camera/dp/B01D40AXX6//ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&linkCode=ll1&tag=battleforthew-20) to mount your Canon glass
  
  The LS300 has:
  
  
• XLR inputs
  
  
• a power zoom rocker
  
  
• built-in ND filters
  
  
• SDI out
  
  
• dual card slots
  
  
• unlimited continuous recording (no 30 minute limit) and
  
  
• camcorder ergonomics.
  
  Like the DVX200, the LS300 records to true DCI 4096x2160p 4K resolution. It also records to a highly gradeable and keyable 8-bit 4:2:2 .mov codec, as seen here:
  
  
• [Luca De Gregorio & Beàs - Ripresa 4K con JVC GY-LS300 by KenwoodCommunity] (https://youtu.be/ouGvWcCQ2iA)
  
  In addition, it has a maximum slow motion frame rate of 1080/120p (seen [here] (https://youtu.be/cYjOXIBVGrU)) and a factory LOG profile.
  
  I have rented the LS300, it was a pleasure to shoot with and produced some really nice looking video, as seen here (I didn't shoot these):
  
  J-LOG on Vimeo (please watch at 4K and your monitor's highest resolution)
  
  
• [Japanese garden with the JVC gy ls300 by NOA NOA] (https://vimeo.com/162712903)
  
  
• [JVC GY-LS300 4K J-Log Vision] (https://vimeo.com/138523082)
  
  
• [Palm Springs Photo Festival 2016 - JVC LS300 footage by Zachary Andrews] (https://vimeo.com/164723392) (4K J-LOG)
  
  1080p on Vimeo
  
  
• [Breathing in New Life] (http://vimeo.com/120445118)
  
  
• [“Honmonji Temple” in GY-LS300 by moribun] (https://vimeo.com/139214323) (downscaled from UHD to 1080p, downloadable if you're a Vimeo Plus or Pro member [if you're not, you can sign up [here] (http://vimeo.com/pro/new?utm_source=affiliate&utm_medium=prosubscribe-cj-vimeo-bizlander-300x250-20130424&utm_campaign=7696)])
  
  
• [JVC GY-LS300 Camera Test] (http://vimeo.com/122736335)
  
  
• [A Snowy Day in Ann Arbor, Shot with the JVC GY-LS300 by Chase Stanton] (https://vimeo.com/158042771)
  
  J-LOG on YouTube (please watch at 2160p and your monitor's highest resolution)
  
  
• [GY-LS300 4K J-Log1 "KYOTO New Year's Day" by GAIPROMOTION] (https://youtu.be/efJrfawjVw0)
  
  Non-LOG Gammas on YouTube (2160p)
  
  
• [GY-LS300 UHD 4K w/ Canon 70-200 and 85mm lenses by JVCProfessional] (https://youtu.be/QYCdxMrvAoA)
  
  
• [JVC LS300 Clips by Hamilton Video & Sound Limited] (https://youtu.be/OzgGwCUdZV0)
  
  
• [EVS’s test footage for the JVC GY-LS300 4K super 35 Cinema camera] (https://youtu.be/S47dceBcuJI)
  
  
• [TOKYO“I”land KOWA PROMINAR w/JVC KENWOOD GY-LS300 by Satoshi Watanabe] (https://youtu.be/WO8DW5d0isE)
  
  
• [JVC GY-LS300 4K Footage by elton chong] (https://youtu.be/0pYEFhE3xLE)
  
  But the camera isn't perfect. The viewfinder is tiny - and, although 4:2:2 chroma subsampling is nice, I wish it had 10-bit color space.
  
  That said, a 4K Super 35 interchangeable lens camcorder with a LOG profile and 1080/120p slow motion for less than $3000 is a very good value for your money.
  
  Hope this is helpful and best of luck with your upgrade!
  
  

Hi /u/thegeekist - welcome back! The AC90 is a great camera, but time has passed it by.

In this price class, you may want to consider the new [$2250 Sony PXW-X70] (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00NPAJH8I/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00NPAJH8I&linkCode=as2&tag=battleforthew-20) (a [little less from 6th Ave Express via eBay] (http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?icep_ff3=2&pub=5575034783&toolid=10001&campid=5337235943&customid=&icep_item=321551232221&ipn=psmain&icep_vectorid=229466&kwid=902099&mtid=824&kw=lg)).

The X70 has a great 12x zoom, a relatively large 1" sensor, a professional 10-bit 4:2:2 XAVC codec (much better than the AC90's 8-bit 4:2:0 AVCHD), built in pro XLR mic inputs, a built-in ND filter plus HD-SDI out in addition to HDMI.

Since the codec is so new, you will need to download Sony Catalyst Browse (download free [here] (http://www.sonycreativesoftware.com/images/products/catalyst/downloadnow.png)) to transcode it to something your NLE can use.

Here is what this camera can do:



http://vimeo.com/104434534



And here's a nice hands-on review from Philip Johnston, the HD Warrior:



http://vimeo.com/107308927



Hope this is helpful, and good luck with your decision!

It sounds like what I was recommending is a reasonable starter and you can look at adding and improving the video kit as you gain experience.

Have a look at some beginner tutorials on youtube how to use room lighting, how to frame a shot and how to set your audio levels.

Without knowing budget, it's a bit hard to know what to look at recommending equipment wise. Order of priority for spend would be camera 1st, audio 2nd, tripod 3rd. You will need all of these, however value for money will change with different size budgets.

If you are willing to buy 2nd hand, you could make the budget go further, but some business might not want to do this.

Here's a quick budget as an starter example only, you can go cheaper and you can go more expensive and you can add more items (bags etc) as you need to.

Camera + storage card $1000-1500 Canon XA11 (Amazon link)

Mic $450-600 Sennheiser G3 wireless lav mic (Amazon link)

Tripod $100-200 Ravelli video tripod (Amazon link)

The linked items are for illustration purposes to give you a starting point, there may be better options - go read/watch reviews as this is a fast changing market. If you are in the US, B&H are a well known and respected video retail brand (I am not affiliated with them at all), give them a call and get their advice for your budget, then go and research their suggestions.

If you do go with a wireless mic solution make sure you buy a set which transmits on a frequency suitable for your country as this does change around the world and check if you need a licence (there are usually some frequencies which are free to use, but might be more prone to interference).

3kaufman - There is [Amazon's #1 selling professional video camera, the $995 Super 16 sensor Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera] (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CWLSHUK/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00CWLSHUK&linkCode=as2&tag=battleforthew-20), which is neither fish nor fowl...is it a "camcorder"? Not really, but it is definitely made for video, it has some depth of field control and it makes Canon 8 bit video look soft.

There are also the soon to be released 1" sensor camcorders (which should give you shallower depth of field than a traditional camcorder) from Sony, (e.g., the [$1498 1080p CX900] (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00HNJWVNK/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00HNJWVNK&linkCode=as2&tag=battleforthew-20) and the [$1998 4K AX100] (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00HNJWVIA/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00HNJWVIA&linkCode=as2&tag=battleforthew-20)). These camcorders will have improved control of DOF - and the 4K AX100 wil be much sharper than the 1080p 70D

And then there are the APS-C camcorders such as the [$2498 Sony NEX-VG30] (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0097CXFJU/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0097CXFJU&linkCode=as2&tag=battleforthew-20) with the same sensor size as the 70D - this camera is essentially a DSLR in a camcorder body.

You'd have to spend a lot more than that for a large sensor camcorder with increased bit rates, color depth and better codecs that would clearly outclass any DSLR (or you can just preorder a [$1698 Panasonic GH4] (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00I9GYG8O/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00I9GYG8O&linkCode=as2&tag=battleforthew-20) :))

Cheers,

Bill

I agree, manual exposure would have been the best way to go. With our two-camera setup though, we usually leave the back camera unmanned (so we set it with everything on auto), and the front camera operator is often too busy with zooming and panning to worry about manual exposure.

Is face-detect auto-exposure a thing? Also, the product page for the Canon XA35 seems to suggest that it has auto modes that can help with overexposure:

> For natural and realistic-looking image capture that faithfully represents the scene at hand, the XA35 Professional Camcorder features a Wide DR Gamma mode. By suppressing overexposure in high brightness areas of the composition, this mode helps achieve a wide dynamic range of 600% to produce seamless tone gradations, resulting in smooth detail, accurate color and virtually no blown-out highlights.

Hey there. I posted in the last weekly thread about needing a camera to record seminars for our organization (recording a large projected screen and the presenter in the same image, from about 40-50 feet away in dim lighting for at least an hour at a time) I got some good recommendations for DSLR style cameras but I think a camcorder would be better suited to our needs-mainly because of recording length and the fact that none of us are skilled videographers/photographers. I've gone through and looked at the newest options from Sony, Panasonic and Canon and I've divided them up by price because we still don't know how much we'll be able to spend on this. So I've split them up into "Around $500", "Around $1000" and "Around $2000+" I was wondering if someone could take a look at my picks and help me narrow it down to one or two options per price point





$500 | $1000 | $2000+
------|--------|-------
$547 - Panasonic HC-V800K | $897 - Panasonic HC-WXF1K | $1997 - Panasonic HC-X1000
$347 - Panasonic HC-W580K | $998 - Sony AX53 4K Handycam (FDR-AX53) | $2697 - Panasonic HC-X1
$498 - Sony CX675 Handycam (HDR-CX675) | $1299 - Canon XA11 Camcorder | $4149 - Sony AX1 4K Professional HandyCam (FDR-AX1)
$349 - Canon VIXIA HF R82 | $1099 - Canon VIXIA HF G50 | $1898 - Sony AX700 4K Expert HandyCam (FDR-AX700)
| | $3199 - Canon XF405 UHD Camcorder


Thanks in advance for any advice you can offer

The Sony PXW-x70 has everything you need, new it's about $2000 but there are used available on Amazon for $1,500 or so:

https://smile.amazon.com/Sony-PXWX70-HD422-Camcorder-3-5-Inch/dp/B00NPAJH8I

Also, a used Panasonic HPX-170 would be perfect for your setup:

https://smile.amazon.com/Panasonic-AG-HPX170-High-Definition-Camcorder-Optical/dp/B001E96LGI

It looks like those are going for about $1,600 used on Amazon. (No HDMI out on this one, but a $50 converter would get you by until you can get your switcher.)

I think you should keep the 70d for your photography, and perhaps look at a different brand for a video camera. Canon does have good quality cameras, a lot of other companies like Sony and Panasonic are beating them out in the <$3000 price range. I would definitely say 4K is an important feature at this point, especially due to the stabilization. I understand your dislike for the digital viewfinders, but you'll definitely want to be using a monitor or something for doing video work.

Consider using something like a Blackmagic URSA Mini 4k for your video. You can get it with the EF mount and use all your lenses from your Canon camera, that way you don't need to buy all new glass.

I would have to agree with most others here saying it a problem of the cam op and not of the camera you are dealing with. Auto settings is a thing of middle school video productions where I live. That being said, HybridCamRev's suggestion of the Sony PXW-X70 with the 4k upgrade is a great option. If you want to stick to canon, the Canon XC-15 would also be an option. Definitely look into reviews and footage from each camera you are considering before you purchase. Let me if you have more questions!

I think the term you're looking for is wireless transmission, not streaming.

Streaming implies encoded video is sent over the internet to a streaming server (usually via RTSP or RTMP.)

What you want to do is wirelessly transmit your video to your computer, yes?

If you want to stream to the internet, like Facebook live, YouTube live, Livestream, Ustream, Twitch etc. then you need either a camera that had built-in functionality to do that, or a separate video encoder.

A lot of JVC cameras have built-in web streaming, requiring only a WiFi or LTE dongle. The $5,495 JVC GY-HM660, the [$2595 4K JVC GY-LS300] (https://www.amazon.com/JVC-GY-LS300CHU-Ultra-Camcorder-Handle/dp/B00USBVISE/ref=sr_1_1?s=photo&ie=UTF8&qid=1486961846&sr=1-1&keywords=jvc+ls300) and the $1,700 GY-HM200 all have this feature. (beat that /u/hybridcamrev!)

If you're looking to wirelessly transmit the video to your computer, Teradek has you covered. The Bolt is a transmitter and receiver pair that takes SDI or HDMI signals, and can transmit up to 2000 ft.

The Cube is an encoder, but the stream can be viewed by something like VLC or OBS. You can also use it to broadcast directly to any of those online platforms.

The VidiU is an encoder that connects to those platforms directly, through a variety of network connections (wired, WiFi, and cell.)

By video camera, they probably mean things specifically designed for video that tend to be huge.

You should be fine with a DSLR so long as it isn't attached to a large lens like a 70-200 f/4 or the like.

They use three-camera-set-ups for Half in the Bag and Best of the Worst discussions with this type of camera (my best guess based on seeing glimpses of the camera in some Best of the Worst episodes):

http://www.amazon.com/AG-AF100-Professional-Micro-HD-Camcorder/dp/B004LV68IC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1417556452&sr=8-1&keywords=panasonic+af+100

Don't know what they use for VFX and animations.

Actually, for video, the Panasonic AG-AF100 is a better micro four thirds camera than the GH2.

I'd go FS5 and A7iii wide angle will be much better for real estate, and the colours out of the FS5 will rival the black magic with some grading, which i assume you're doing anyway if you're considering BM. amazon referral links included

Sure, they already do. You might have to wait a couple years for the prices to come down.

I believe this has live streaming ability built in:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00UNIKU2M/?coliid=I17SN4G6OXX95M&colid=1H5U1BY8G71JM&psc=0&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

Woops, guess it doesn't. I've been a Panasonic guy for the last 4 years myself so I only use the Canon cinema lineup when a client drops it on me right before shooting!

Actually, with a budget of $5000, I'd actually buy this Sony camera. Can't believe I forgot to mention it!

Sony Nex-VG30. Full HD recording onto an APS-C sensor, purpose built (but still interchangeable) lens for video. Grabs full sensor stills.

http://www.amazon.com/Sony-NEX-VG30H-Handycam/dp/B0097CXFJU

You're right, edited it. I checked, and those cameras are Panasonic AG-AF 100 plus lenses, so that shit is expensive. Though maybe they bought them used, then it would be about half the price.

wasn't the AF100 sensor the same one in the GH2? with a new Fs100 being as low as $1,500 in some places and blowing this thing out of the water in every way, B&H is gonna need to do a little bit more to get rid of their backstock of AF100's