IronFilm

Just have your ISOs a little more conservative, and you can let your mix be hotter. (as there are always your ISOs after all) Pick better locations? You do that for the visuals and pick what looks good, so why not for audio too? Choose the places that will sound good. Are ears are amazing at fooling ourselves and filtering out unwanted sounds so we can focus in on the sounds we want to listen to. But then back at the studio when you're playing back the audio, you were all of what your mind was earlier filtering out / ignoring! So you need to learn to really listen! Putting on the headphones and closing your eyes can help to zone out and zone in. But with practice, you'll be picking up and noticing these small issues without even needing to wear the headphones. (but always do that too!!!)

Fujifilm X-T4 + Fujifilm XF 16-80mm F4 R OIS WR (perhaps pair it with a couple of primes too, if you've got the budget/time/space) Alternatively instead of the 16-80mm F4, you could consider the more expensive Fuji 16-55mm f/2.8 (you'd gain speed, but lose reach. Or the Fuji XF 18-55mm f/2.8-4, which is the cheapest of the three but a different mix of compromises instead). Panasonic S5, and Nikon Z6 are worth a look too. Even though you have already tried the Panasonic G9, it's got big firmware update in the past, and might be worth a second look again.

Film at least a couple more projects at a bare minimum before even thinking about upgrading again. Remember too: the latest model is going to drop faster in depreciation than previous gen. Thus don't feel any need to rush into an upgrade, as time goes by it will only get even cheaper to upgrade.

Was hoping for a version with SDI already included without needing an additional AtomX accessory 😞

Yes, the ability to screw in and lock off the focus is a very handy ergonomics design for drone fliers! (or for clutzy clumsy people like myself who might bump around their lens while trying to film themselves.....)

Could you imagine that there are some twisted weirdos out there who enjoy this???

Yup, Timecode Box on a camera full time is essential for all cameras. Can it do more than two tracks?

For the current TV Series I'm on, then we're using an EVA1 for 2nd Unit as their A Cam, and an EVA1 on Main Unit as D Cam. (and an AMIRA is G Cam! ha) That's me! (when I'm not working 100hr+ weeks.... but sometimes even when I am) The secret is to pre-drink 😉

Personally I see you have two very clear choices: 1) Pocket 4K: you have then two literally IDENTICAL cameras, very handy indeed for dual camera shoots. Plus the P4K is the best bang for the buck option. 2) Pocket 6K Pro: the pros are internal ND, optional EVF, tilting screen, bit longer battery life, and slightly more resolution (meh). Take your pick. (Canon? Canon who?)

It's dirt dirt cheap though! And if you're trying to self film yourself (especially without a flip out screen) then max F4 is not at all a bad thing. Those two factors mean I like to use it often.

So you want to spend more money so that you can then get a "XT4, rarely used"?? No, that doesn't seem like a wise way to spend money at all! Wait until you have "XT3, well used" first! Make the most of what you have currently, before thinking about spending even more money.

If you want to stick with Panasonic MFT (like your G6), and you don't care about the IBIS in the GH5/G9, then yes the Panasonic GH5S would be your "best" choice. (for maximum bang for buck though, consider also the Panasonic G85) But if you're to consider other Panasonic choices then consider: Panasonic S5 or S1 (or even S1H, if you have the cash). But if you're to consider other MFT choices then consider: Z Cam E2-M4 or BMD Pocket 4K.

A Nikon D750 is worth a look too! I'd even lean towards choosing that over a D810.

Primarily for stills? Why not a Z7? Keeps you in the same ecosystem! That's the smart practical choice. Oh! That's crazy cheap. But then you'll have the problems of the a7 mk2 series: overheating, short battery life, etc

I feel perhaps 1 to 4 is only another generation away, perhaps? (a Z Cam E3-M4??) 5. they've already got a touch screen display option 6. 4K I reckon is plenty:

The GH5S sensor could already do that speed. In fact the Z Cam E2-M4 ("same" sensor) does 4K 160fps 10bit internal!

Ouch. Could you quantify how bad it is when you say "much noisier"?

Fair enough, I might have slightly overexaggerated my point in my comment. Some people do spend some insane amounts on their hobbies! Be it golfing, drag car racing, stamp collecting, fishing, or whatever!

If you're doing this commercially and making money from it (which is the only type of person who should buy an FX6, unless you're a rich playboy getting a toy, in which case price doesn't matter... just get the FX6!), then the price gap between an a7S mk2 + basic accessories vs an FX6 is under two grand. In the long run, seems like a slam dunk decision to go the extra cost for the FX6.

Or get the Sony FX6, the price is broadly similar to the C70

I'd pick the MixPre3 for its super small form factor over its 32bit "feature".

I'll confess to having an Anti-Canon bias (which is arguably justifiable when you look at Canon's track record of being a jerk to its users, just because they had them "locked in" with the popular EF Mount, Canon felt like it could swing their cripple-hammer wherever they like). Thus from the start, it is hard for me to look favorably at the C70 (even though, Canon's done a better job here than usual). In my opinion, the Sony FX6 is overall a better camera than the Canon C70 for the same amount of $$$$. And my prediction is that the Sony FX Series (+ VENICE) will be more successful over the next five year cycle than the Canon C Series will be. And it is rather beneficial as a freelance camera op to have the most in demand type of camera.

Do you think you'll be staying with your employment as a content creator for the foreseeable future, or instead soon going 100% freelancer? If the later, then spend the extra for an FX6 Otherwise, with your EF lenses, perhaps get a Blackmagic 6K Pro for cheap? If it is just going to be for your personal / side projects.

Not saying buying a Blackmagic is a bad thing, I've got one myself! Have rented them too. And worked on many many many MANY shoots with BMD cameras. But I am saying, that I bet there is a large overlap between Blackmagic camera buyers and buyers of inappropriately cheap media.

You could get these two: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1469797-REG/deity_microphones_deity_connect_2_4ghz_wireless.html https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1503004-REG/sound_devices_mixpre_3_ii_3_channel.html