Kangaroo Posted July 10, 2015 Share Posted July 10, 2015 I recently sold a fuji x100 and I loved the small form factor...now I want to buy something that it's roughly the same size but with a small budget.I've found a cheap gx7, at the same price i can get the Sony a5100, my only requests are 60p and good stills.I don't need the mic input but the evf on the gx7 is very usefull, is really comparable to the gh3? What about the a5100? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Hughes Posted July 10, 2015 Share Posted July 10, 2015 Yep, it's a great camera. In fact, I find myself bringing it with me for photos more than the GH4 because it's so tiny. The EVF is nice, but is really contrasty for some reason- you don't a fully accurate picture but I don't mind so much and it's better than no EVF. a5100 is also supposedly a very nice cam- not sure about still quality but it has a bigger sensor, slightly better low-light and slightly better AF, but worse color (subjective). As far as lenses go, you have more options available for the GX7 in the lower price range, but Sony has a lot more high-end options (which probably isn't relevant to you at the moment).GX8 will very likely be announced next week so prices could drop even further. I always recommend renting a camera before buying it- lensrentals.com is very good if you're in the US. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fuzzynormal Posted July 10, 2015 Share Posted July 10, 2015 I recommend it. I've shot a ton with it over the past year. Very valuable cam for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kangaroo Posted July 11, 2015 Author Share Posted July 11, 2015 Yep, it's a great camera. In fact, I find myself bringing it with me for photos more than the GH4 because it's so tiny. The EVF is nice, but is really contrasty for some reason- you don't a fully accurate picture but I don't mind so much and it's better than no EVF. a5100 is also supposedly a very nice cam- not sure about still quality but it has a bigger sensor, slightly better low-light and slightly better AF, but worse color (subjective). As far as lenses go, you have more options available for the GX7 in the lower price range, but Sony has a lot more high-end options (which probably isn't relevant to you at the moment).GX8 will very likely be announced next week so prices could drop even further. I always recommend renting a camera before buying it- lensrentals.com is very good if you're in the US.The bigger sensor of the a5100 is the thing that is holding me from buying the GX7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fuzzynormal Posted July 11, 2015 Share Posted July 11, 2015 The bigger sensor of the a5100 is the thing that is holding me from buying the GX7Eh, never bothered me much. You can get easier interview shots with a FF cam, sure, but otherwise it's a really great image for not a lot of $$. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mercer Posted July 11, 2015 Share Posted July 11, 2015 I just picked up a manufacturer refurb a5100 for next to nothing and I couldn't be happier. The 50mbps XAVSC is amazing. Good dynamic range for s camera at this price point as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Inazuma Posted July 11, 2015 Share Posted July 11, 2015 The bigger sensor of the a5100 is the thing that is holding me from buying the GX7Bigger sensor but also bigger megapixel count.. so the noise and DR is about the same in both cameras. The evf on the GX7 is pretty crap imo but because its tiltable you can actually use it in a unique way by getting a Manfrotto Pixi http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/81M38qFcN-L._SL1500_.jpg you can rest the legs against your chest and rotate the camera's EVF up so you can look into it comfortably and get stable shots.That's how this was made mercer 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kangaroo Posted July 11, 2015 Author Share Posted July 11, 2015 Can I use xavcs for 60p on the a5100? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators Andrew Reid Posted July 11, 2015 Administrators Share Posted July 11, 2015 The GX7 is nice. Definitely better quality video than the A5100, more detailed. Emanuel 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mercer Posted July 11, 2015 Share Posted July 11, 2015 Can I use xavcs for 60p on the a5100?Yes, 24p, 30p and 60p. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mercer Posted July 11, 2015 Share Posted July 11, 2015 Bigger sensor but also bigger megapixel count.. so the noise and DR is about the same in both cameras. The evf on the GX7 is pretty crap imo but because its tiltable you can actually use it in a unique way by getting a Manfrotto Pixi http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/81M38qFcN-L._SL1500_.jpg you can rest the legs against your chest and rotate the camera's EVF up so you can look into it comfortably and get stable shots.That's how this was made I assume this is your video? Great job... It looks beautiful!!! Very nice!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kangaroo Posted July 11, 2015 Author Share Posted July 11, 2015 Thanks to everyone, today I decided to buy the GX7 but the offer in the store was gone...I'll wait till next week for the amazon prime day and then I'll probably pick the a5100 because right now is cheaper. mercer 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mercer Posted July 11, 2015 Share Posted July 11, 2015 Like I said, I got mine in the mail the other day and I have filmed about 5 minutes of tests with it and so far I am really happy with it. My other camera is an eos-m, and I have duplicates of a Minolta MD 50mm f2, nice underrated lens btw, and I think I may do a side by side test between the two. I was always happy with the eos-m but now I am curious to see how the a5100 stacks up. jbCinC_12 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbCinC_12 Posted July 12, 2015 Share Posted July 12, 2015 Like I said, I got mine in the mail the other day and I have filmed about 5 minutes of tests with it and so far I am really happy with it. My other camera is an eos-m, and I have duplicates of a Minolta MD 50mm f2, nice underrated lens btw, and I think I may do a side by side test between the two. I was always happy with the eos-m but now I am curious to see how the a5100 stacks up. Wow, mercer. I can't wait to see it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Inazuma Posted July 12, 2015 Share Posted July 12, 2015 I assume this is your video? Great job... It looks beautiful!!! Very nice!!!Not mine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kangaroo Posted July 18, 2015 Author Share Posted July 18, 2015 I'm back!I've found another deal on the gx7 but at the same time I started thinking about the lx100 and now I'm really confused : /The lx100 has a great lens and the range it's quite good to me, but it's also more expensive...it has 4k and in body stabilization (IBS is something that i really care about), moire is more visible but not that much, I'm a little bit concerned about dynamic range and the focus ring (bad experience with the fuji x100).On the other hand the gx7 is cheaper but just add the cost of 20mm and we are above the lx100 price. It seems to be better in low light but IBIS works only for stills, no 4k. I'll be able to use some legacy lens ( I love using this lens with smoooooth focus ring) but this could be also a problem if I want to travel light.I really can't decide, the IBIS of the lx100+4k+compact size+great lens it's taking over but I'm afraid I'll regret not been able to use old lenses... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fuzzynormal Posted July 18, 2015 Share Posted July 18, 2015 I really can't decide.If you start caring more about getting nice shots than the camera, I think you'll be fine no matter what. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kangaroo Posted July 18, 2015 Author Share Posted July 18, 2015 If you start caring more about getting nice shots than the camera, I think you'll be fine no matter what. I know that the camera is just a tool but that doesn't mean that is not important, I just want to buy something that suits my needs, I'll be fine also with an old 550d but now that I can decide what to buy I want to take the right decision because I can't afford to change gear every week Volker Schmidt 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fuzzynormal Posted July 19, 2015 Share Posted July 19, 2015 I know that the camera is just a tool but that doesn't mean that is not important, I just want to buy something that suits my needs, I'll be fine also with an old 550d but now that I can decide what to buy I want to take the right decision because I can't afford to change gear every week I'm just saying I think you'll ultimately have a camera that works fine for you regardless. Choose either one and you're not going to be making a mistake because they both have strengths and weaknesses. Six or a half dozen. Whateva' You can't solve all your desires on a low-budget, so my advice (and my experience) is to not worry about it.I mean, I bought a EM5II knowing that the IQ was inferior to a GX7, but I willingly work within that limitation. Just something you gotta accept...or break out the pocket book and go upscale. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tosvus Posted July 19, 2015 Share Posted July 19, 2015 I'm not sure anyone can give you the perfect advice for you. I own the LX100, but not the GX7 (though I have a GH3). Since getting the LX100, I find that the GH3 is left home a lot more, whether I want to shoot video or take pictures. There are obviously limitations in zoom range, but I find it sufficient most of the time, especially since if you only plan on outputting 1080p, by recording in 4K, you can crop in and get more zoom that way. The LX100 is the best camera purchase I ever made (but that's me and my preference in terms of quality, usability and portability) just my 2 cents. Cinegain 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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