What (fav) cam manufacturer in late 2024?

[Emanuel]

Here's mine:

In my case, FF 6K, FX30, Osmo Pocket 3, Ace Pro 2 (also a weakness for Action 5 Pro).

[kye]

My favourite cams right now are either the OG BMMCC or GX85.  I would buy a GH7 to replace the BMMCC but it's $$$$$.

You could interpret that by saying:

• Blackmagic and Panasonic are my favourite manufacturers, but that's definitely not right
• Blackmagic in 2014 and Panasonic in 2016 are my favourite manufacturers
• Blackmagic and Panasonic suck because the best cameras they released are around a decade old
• Everyone sucks because the best cameras are around a decade old
• Camera users suck because they keep wanting things that make it so cameras are either rubbish or are absolutely huge

Your choice!

[Emanuel]

Yes, Panasonic also before but not today to me...

I concur I have found GH series out of a rational range nowadays, at least.

Just not about Blackmagic, they have produced the best cameras out there!

I have bought in the last year both 12K and 6K FF, I don't regret not even for a second! Great devices! Pieces of jewelry BTW ;- )

[Emanuel]

PS: Being FX30 the best workhorse and bang for the buck these days... Completely underrated IMHO.

 

[MrSMW]

I would have to split my choice into 4 categories and include lens options in the mix.

Group 01 = 'Real World Fantasy' as in if I had the money, but also had to actually use the things for work.

For stills, an easy one for me; a pair of Hasselblad X2D's each with a prime.

For video, until/unless an S2H appears, honestly, I can't see past the Lumix S5ii. Maybe the Burano paired with another smaller Sony, but I don't know enough about it really as it's so far beyond my pay grade and probably too big anyway.

Group 02 = my 'Real World' as in what I have/can afford/choose to use.

For stills, Sony A7RV with Tamron trio: 20-40 f2.8, 28-75 f2.8, 70-180 f2.8, for the range, size, weight, performance, price. I will be almost certainly replacing the 28-75 f2.8 with the new 28-70 f2 for next year as the only slight weakness this year has been lower light work within that focal length. I did briefly consider the even faster Sigma 50mm f1.2, but the focal length limited it.

For video, Lumix S5ii. As above with my 'fantasy' list, I just can't see beyond it at this time for my needs. I prefer the S1H body and its outright image quality, but it lacks certain features I need. Also as above, if a new 'S2H' comes out that is essentially the old S1H body updated and with equal or better than S5ii spec, it's a no-brainer as my primary, but as things stand, does not exist.

Lenses = all Sigma: 20 f2, 28-45 f1.8, 28-105 f2.8, 70-200 f4 which cover all my bases perfectly.

Group 03 = 'Honourable Mentions'.

Stills camera for primes under 500g, Nikon Zf. That thing is superb...until you add longer/bigger lenses on it.

Z6III looks a stellar hybrid unit and the fact that you can easily adapt e Mount lenses...

I love the form factor or the OM-1 and those chunky little M4/3 zooms and primes.

All things Fuji. Fuji are probably my favourite outright brand despite me having dropped them 3 years ago.

Sigma 1 for lenses, Tamron 2.

Group 04 = 'One & Done'.

If I had to choose just one single body and one single lens and it had to do everything; stills & video, work & personal, absolute no-brainer, my Sony A7RV with Tamron 28-75mm f2.8. The combo of; size, weight, capability/performance/cost, - as a 'one & done', I could do anything with this set up.

Summary, the 3 most important factors for me (beyond certain basic minimum specs such as decent IBIS, twin card slots, 6k 30p) are:

Lens ranges with minimal swaps when on a job.

Low light capability.

Realistic minimal size & weight.

[Emanuel]

1 hour ago, MrSMW said:

Summary, the 3 most important factors for me (...) are:

Lens ranges with minimal swaps when on a job.

Low light capability.

Realistic minimal size & weight.

Keys of same ring in late 2024, I guess or tend to believe ;- )

[Snowfun]

The obvious ones: Blackmagic (4k & 6k) and Sony (FX30). But I’m tempted now to add Apple. The 16 pro max is just so convenient and unobtrusive. Recording ProRes to an external SSD makes it a genuine video tool. Not to produce the highest quality cinematic image but as a tool to capture the world it is up there with the rest.

[Emanuel]

9 minutes ago, Snowfun said:

The obvious ones: Blackmagic (4k & 6k) and Sony (FX30). But I’m tempted now to add Apple. The 16 pro max is just so convenient and unobtrusive. Recording ProRes to an external SSD makes it a genuine video tool. Not to produce the highest quality cinematic image but as a tool to capture the world it is up there with the rest.

I obviously just left P4K out of my list because of that late 2024... LOL Even though I concur that even these days, it's a hell of a camera... Well, they have the Micro 4K G2, let's not forget it either... ; ) I also feel tempted myself to not let the 16 Pro Max outside but my beef is yet the overheating mantra : D especially @4K120fps... Hate limitations of this kind, not some others! ;- )

[newfoundmass]

I don't think there's a better value out there than the S5ii (and the X) except maybe the original S5, which is an absolute steal on the used market.

Having used the FX3 and the FX30, I just don't think either is a better camera than the S5II X. The only real benefit I can think of is Sony's larger user base and lenses.