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The funny thing is, the bigger budget shoots I have been on, getting to use larger, nicer cinema cams, I usually also have a whole team of art design, beautiful set dec, gaffers and grip lighting everything so nicely, photogenic pro talent, hmu artists... By the time I get around to hitting the red button everything already looks incredible. Lighting is dialed, everything pre-planned, I don't really feel like I need the DR and flexibility of the high-end cine gear because it already looks incredible in-camera, and still would with much cheaper gear. Contrast that with lower budget, run-and-gun stuff, that's when I'm going to potentially miss white balance or not be lighting as well and having to push the camera harder. My point being, it's kind of ironic that on higher end work everything is so dialed in around the camera that raw, extreme DR, amazing color science, etc., is kind of a moot point, and it's on low budget work that I often really wish I could have that level of quality and flexibility to make up for other areas that are lacking.

Yeah, I've made that point a number of times, except relating to camera size, and it's frustrating as hell. As soon as you want something smaller, it instantly comes with less. Less bitrate, less bit-depth, less DR, less IQ, just... less. It's like the logic seems to go: Me: I'd like to have high image quality in a small and simple rig The world: Then use a large camera Me: You didn't hear me - I want a small simple rig The world: Then use a 35Mbps 8-bit 8-stop point-and-shoot Me: You didn't hear me - I want high image quality AND a small simple rig The world: Here's an FS5, cine prime, 7" monitor, matte box filter set on an easy-rig Me: No, I need something that is almost pocketable The world: Why do you need something so small? Me: In order to be able to take it where I want to film, which is places where "professional" filming isn't allowed The world: If size matters then why do you need high image quality Me: I shoot in uncontrolled conditions with no lighting or control and need lots of latitude in post The world: Well, if you want both then.. um.. err.. well.. you shouldn't. You should want what is available. Me: Why don't you make something with high image quality in a small and simple rig? The world: No-one wants it! Me: *facepalm*

The Sigma FP with its Full Frame 8bit RAW to SD card/12bit RAW to tiny SSD/External BRAW and ProRes Raw to HDMI/Removable and tiltable EVF/fully scalable lens options from tiny M mount to FF cine primes and all manual and electronic points in between has just jumped out of my jacket pocket and is screaming "are you not entertained ?"

Tens of thousands of people were completely content to watch Porn Movies when I was young shot on 8mm, super 8mm film cameras. They ignored the horrendous handheld jitters, terrible low light ability, and just crap film skills for what, Content, and Content is king. The camera, be it an iPhone or an Arri is the least of your problems.

Yes, definitely true. The image out of my Panasonic S1 is noticeably better than out of my m43 Olympus E-M! MK II. But I love using the Oly and I loathe using the S1.

Curious if you have footage that you can link - in the market for a r5/r6 for persona/travel purposes as you noted and the occasional sports game/mini doc for education

Do you need HDMI loop through? If so, the Portkeys has it. Atomos and SmallHD do not which is their major downfall for me. The LH5P is a nice monitor and I use it for gimbal work. It’s nowhere near as easy to use as my SmallHD 702 Touch as that has a great menu system compared to the average one on the Portkeys but the image of the LH5P is nice and bright enough for outdoor use. I also like being able to control my Pocket6K pro from the LH5P screen. Means rarely having to touch the camera when on the gimbal. I think the LH5P is the one to get of the monitors you mentioned and you will get used to the clunky menu system after a bit of use.

A few people will create videos in a new genre with this...perhaps, but the vast majority of the billion or more phones being sold will be used to make cheesy rack focus tiktok memes. Personally, the trend towards short social media content is disturbing. Spend 5 days straight swiping through instagram reels or tiktok and then step back. You will be less patient, dull, and be addicted to instant gratification. Shits toxic.

I've now done 5-6 weddings (as well as quite a few corporate videos) with the S5 and I have hired a S1 as a B-cam/emergency cam for a few jobs. S5: I like the camera but if I'm going to nit pick I find that the button on the front of the camera is very easy to touch without meaning to (in my case set to IBIS). The IBIS is not as good as the S1 (probably due to weight). I wasn't bothered about the EVF until I tried the EVF of the S1. Wow! What a difference (I use the EVF 80% of the time).The light weight is a pro and a con. A con for IBIS but half way through a long wedding changing from the S1 to the S5 is a notable difference in weight which can be a pro. It doesn't get in the way of the mic and headphones and is central. IBIS, really good and better than the S5. 2 SDs is a great feature. S1. EVF. Wow. Just brilliant. I have now realised I prefer the S1's tilt screen as well. IBIS is excellent. Best I've used (coming from GH5). Weight is pro and con like the S5. Prefer the S1 until I get tired then a stint with the S5 is a relief! 2 different card types is a bummer. So, at first I wondered if I had made a mistake buying the S5 after trying the S1 but I realise that's not the case. I alway have 2 cams and there's no way I'm lugging about 2 S1s! So I think having an S1 (or S1H) and a S5 makes total sense as a A Cam/B Cam kit. Both are capable of being A or B cam depending on you needs. Now I need to find an S1 on offer like those I missed our on over the summer! Lenses: 20-60 : Nice walk about lens for photo or as a wide 20 F3.5 for video (I dislike variable iris for video). 24-105 f4 - great all round lens with really good macro. 50 f1.8 - Really light in both senses. Weighs nothing and can see in the dark. Very happy with this lens. Next: Look out for a Lumix 24-70 f2.8 and a S1 or S1H to buy second hand!