High quality camera recommendations for live streaming (C100, C300 or BMCC)

[carsantini]

Hi everyone! We are a nonprofit organization in the process of evaluating camera alternatives for high quality live streaming video.  We want to do something similar as CreativeLive.com. Another aspect of our project is the production of instructional videos doing interviews and going to the field to film different types of scenarios relating to entrepreneurship, special communities, and nonprofit organizations.  We are trying to deal with this completely different areas using just two types of cameras. Budget for 2 cameras is $20-25K (Another budget for gear and accesories) We already have the Tricaster 455 for the project.  Linning to the Canon C100 for live streaming and a C300 or BMCC for filming outside the studio. Do you think the c300 will do for both live stream and post production of videos? Many thxs!

 

Charlie

 

 

[HurtinMinorKey]

BMCC is definitely no good for live streaming.  You could get all three and still be under budget. Personally I'd go with the c300, and BMCC.  But if you only wanted to get one camera, I think the c300 would be just fine. I think it's a great camera for interviews (kind of expensive). You also might want to check out the Sony f5.

[vas907]

I would go with 2 FS700s. Have money left over for 2 speed boosters and few different options of cannon glass.

[peederj]

C100's are just as good as C300s for live streaming work, if not better due to the more compact size, and the low-light capability is significantly better than the FS700, even with the speed booster add-on. The FS700 is superior for overcrank, which of course is not a live application (unless you are doing "instant replay" things, in which case it would be a great option, but it will take significant time to offload the replay and rate conform it). The C100 supports eye-fi cards to continuously stream clips from the camera out to a computer wirelessly though there is lag...a Teradek Cube or something may be best for wireless streaming if you need it. The C300 has multicam timecode sync if you need it.

 

The Blackmagic products offer no benefit whatsoever for your needs...the ergonomics and workflow are hopeless for run'n'gun and rapid turnaround...the only advantage is the onboard RAW for those who have enough unpaid time on their hands for a leisurely post workflow.

[Ben Prater]

The Tricaster 455 doesn't have HDMI input, it's primarily a production-grade SDI input switcher. The C300 outputs to SDI. The C100 does not. (So you'd need some kind of hardware conversion.) If you are doing field work, you can't beat the C100's form factor. It's a gift to documentary filmmakers. 

 

The BMCC is a tool for filmmakers, not streaming -- it flourishes in a typical production workflow, especially in color grading, which you can't really do when you stream. I won't suggest using it in this context. 

 

Based on your requirements, you should go with a C300 + C100 pairing for about $22k. The C300 will be dedicated for studio-work. And the C100 for B-cam in the studio as well as being used in the field for documentary-style shooting. 

 

You should consider sitting down with an experienced video production company to discuss this purchase. There are a bunch of additional questions you'll need to answer -- lens choices, rigging choices, lighting choices -- and how everything can fit together in a package that allows you to really showcase your non-profit. An expert can help you see the details that may frustrate you later on.