Best camera options today?

[empedocles]

Hi all, 

I've been away from the field for a few years and am having a hard time catching up, hence why I'm posting this question.

What cameras would you go for in 2025 for the following scenarios?

1) For recording live events, such as concerts or interviews, on a limited budget (minimum 3 cameras)?

2) ditto, but no budget constraints?

3) For independent feature films (or shorts)?

 

My picks would for each category would be:

1) Lumix GH5 (are the GH5II or S1 worth the extra money?)

2) GH6 or Fuji X-H2S?

3) same as above?

 

Your input would help a lot. Thanks.

[MrSMW]

Do you need AF at all?

[eatstoomuchjam]

The questions are overly broad and lacking in enough detail to answer effectively.  What's the crew look like?  How "limited" is "limited budget?" Do you already have a set of lenses?  Since phones got pretty good, how many of your goals can you accomplish with a modern iPhone?

In general, focus less on the camera body - as long as you find something with no recording time limits (or long limits), nearly any camera that has been sold in the last 10 years will be more than sufficient for concert videography.  If you need good autofocus, then that's certainly a consideration as well.

Also, the cameras you've chosen for the "without budget constraints" option are kind of weird.  Why the GH6 if on an unlimited budget?  If nothing else, the GH7 exists and is, by most accounts, a far more capable camera.

[majoraxis]

Depends on your shooting style... I shot a concert with a GH6 in a fix position pointing at the stage and a shoulder mounted URSA Mini Pro 12k with B4 lens adapter, Broadcast Zoom Lens and BM view finder... the URSA was happier with the stage lighting than the GH6 was.

The GH7 would have been even better than the GH6 as it can use a lower ISO for V-log (800 vs 2000) also 32 bit XLR mic adapter option for less chance for audio user error...and the GH7 has better audio focus...

Black Magic sells and URSA broadcast which comes with the B4 lens adapter if shoulder mounted zoom lenses is your thing...

If you are looking to shoot a cinematic interviews after you the show there are many lens options including the Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Summilux 10-25mm f/1.7 and Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Summilux 25-50mm f/1.7 lenses - these could also work for shooting the concert depending to the venue.

Also, I find the Ultra noise reduction option in DaVinci Resolve Studio works incredibly well, so you can de-noise your footage in post, which can be a life saver.

As a note on noise reduction in Resolve 19 with V-log (at least with the GH6 footage) - apply the noise reduction as the first node, second node color correction/keyframe automation for exposure etc, final node LUT... it will save you if you need to keyframe exposure changes and want the least amount noise and most dynamic range:

NR>CC>LUT...

[Tim Sewell]

If your main use case is concerts etc, I would say M43 is not the best choice (although I guess one might be useful for the reach, with a fast zoom). You might be better off looking at the S line from Pana - full frame, so better in lowish light and extremely well-made cameras - and would match reasonably easily if you did, in fact, go for one Pana M43. If AF isn't a big deal, there are lots of well-priced 1st gen S-line cameras out there used.

If you have non budget constraints, I'm going to plump for a combination out of the Sony FX series. Full frame workhorses with great colour, codecs and great-to-amazing AF (if you want that). Again, for reach, you could combine with an FX30.

You could shoot a short or a feature film with any of the stuff listed above, but you'll obviously have to pay far more attention to story, art direction and production to get something you can be proud of done.

 

[newfoundmass]

5 hours ago, empedocles said:

1) For recording live events, such as concerts or interviews, on a limited budget (minimum 3 cameras)?

I still believe there is no better value out there than the Lumix S5 on the used market. You'll be amazed at what images you can get even with the cheap 20-60 kit lens. There is just something really, really nice about that camera's image. I prefer it over my S5II. 

The GH5 is a great camera too, even today, but it's worth spending the extra to get the S5 for the better low light.

5 hours ago, empedocles said:

2) ditto, but no budget constraints?

That's a lot harder because there are so many options. As a Lumix shooter I'd still go that route and get S5II bodies and the Sigma 24-70mm for all of them, but there are no shortage of options if you aren't limited by budget. I still prefer to shoot as light as possible and are familiar with their cameras,  so that's my primary reason for choosing Lumix, but you really can't go wrong with anything available today. 

5 hours ago, empedocles said:

3) For independent feature films (or shorts)?

Another hard one, honestly. There are just so many options. This is probably a weird choice but I think I'd still go with the original Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera. I still love that image very much. 

[Benjamin Hilton]

If budget is no option, FX6s all around. You're talking a sturdy body to handle the shake of long lens, good autofocus, good low light, good audio and timecode options, good dynamic range and color. If you are majorly constrained by budget, GH5s would be fine, FX30s would be better if you can afford them. As some have mentioned though, lens constraints are a major factor here. 

[MrSMW]

9 hours ago, newfoundmass said:

I still believe there is no better value out there than the Lumix S5 on the used market.

This is exactly why I was asking for the need for AF, because if not really, then 3x these with a lens each.

[Snowfun]

Isn’t this precisely what Blackmagics were designed for? 

[empedocles]

23 hours ago, MrSMW said:

Do you need AF at all?

It's always a plus, though not absolutely necessary. It does make things easier when not using an external monitor (which I often do).

22 hours ago, eatstoomuchjam said:

The questions are overly broad and lacking in enough detail to answer effectively.  What's the crew look like?  How "limited" is "limited budget?" Do you already have a set of lenses?
Also, the cameras you've chosen for the "without budget constraints" option are kind of weird.  Why the GH6 if on an unlimited budget?  If nothing else, the GH7 exists and is, by most accounts, a far more capable camera.

Usually one man. Budget is a couple thousands bucks. And I already have some m43 and FF lenses. However I was more interested in what equipment you would choose today.

As for the GH7, I've been out of the loop. I thought the GH6 was the latest one.

19 hours ago, Tim Sewell said:

If AF isn't a big deal, there are lots of well-priced 1st gen S-line cameras out there used.

Are the 1st gen S cameras really lacking in terms of AF capabilities?

Noted on the FX30 rec.

18 hours ago, newfoundmass said:

I still believe there is no better value out there than the Lumix S5 on the used market. You'll be amazed at what images you can get even with the cheap 20-60 kit lens. There is just something really, really nice about that camera's image. I prefer it over my S5II. 

The GH5 is a great camera too, even today, but it's worth spending the extra to get the S5 for the better low light.

That's a lot harder because there are so many options. As a Lumix shooter I'd still go that route and get S5II bodies and the Sigma 24-70mm for all of them, but there are no shortage of options if you aren't limited by budget. I still prefer to shoot as light as possible and are familiar with their cameras,  so that's my primary reason for choosing Lumix, but you really can't go wrong with anything available today. 

Why would you go for the S5II if you prefer the S5 image? By the way, how do you feel about the S1?

18 hours ago, Benjamin Hilton said:

If budget is no option, FX6s all around. You're talking a sturdy body to handle the shake of long lens, good autofocus, good low light, good audio and timecode options, good dynamic range and color. If you are majorly constrained by budget, GH5s would be fine, FX30s would be better if you can afford them. As some have mentioned though, lens constraints are a major factor here. 

Good recommendations, thanks. Could you summarize the difference between GH5, GH5ii and GH5s?

4 hours ago, Snowfun said:

Isn’t this precisely what Blackmagics were designed for? 

They're out of my budget honestly, and a different workflow. I still can't figure out how Resolve works.

[BTM_Pix]

33 minutes ago, empedocles said:

They're out of my budget honestly, and a different workflow. I still can't figure out how Resolve works.

With the recent price drop, the Pocket 4K is now under £1K new and that has pushed used prices below £700 so they are now far more affordable.

It shoots ProRes as well as BRAW so theres no need to get involved with Resolve and even if you did want to shoot BRAW there are now direct importers into FCPX.

As you are shooting multi-camera for live events etc then the BM range are absolutely hands down better options than any other range for work like that. 

With the ATEM Mini Pro series starting at under £300 you can do the live camera switching (or even just very efficient multi camera monitoring to a single monitor) and have full remote control of the cameras as well.

If you get three used P4K cameras and the ATEM Mini Pro, then its £2.5K for the whole integrated multi camera system and the cameras are obviously more than capable in the cinema role too.

Particularly as it is roughly the price of a single X-H2S.

Without the live aspect then options such as the X-H2S etc are a good choice of course but as an all round system for fulfilling the different roles that you've listed then the P4K x3 /ATEM Mini Pro is far more suitable in my opinion.

 

[KnightsFan]

On 1/22/2025 at 8:43 AM, empedocles said:

1) For recording live events, such as concerts or interviews, on a limited budget (minimum 3 cameras)?

2) ditto, but no budget constraints?

3) For independent feature films (or shorts)?

1) With the caveat that I don't use AF, the Panasonic S5 is a wildly good value at $800 used (what I paid for mine). Imo, the improvement in noise and dynamic range over the GH5 is worth it, but if you're always in well-lit areas maybe you won't notice much benefit. If you aren't tied to existing lenses, camcorders can be more convenient than hybrids. I'm not familiar with available models since I don't shoot events, but I'd research camcorders for event videography with no photos.

2) C400 or FX6. The C300 Mk III is also fine--I choose full frame because of the lenses I own. It also depends on how much weight matters, as the FX6 is extremely light. If I need photos as well, then add a photo body in addition, and honestly everything is so good these days that I'd take anything modern.

3) Assuming 1-3 person camera crew, it depends on the script. My general pick right now for myself is a C500 Mk II (cheaper than a C400). I used to have Z Cam, which has unbeatable wireless monitoring and control, but I don't like the lack of color management support in Resolve. I would pick a Z Cam F6 if I need to fit the camera into tight spaces. If it's a lot of fast action like a car chase, a Komodo's global shutter would be great. The Ronin 4D is also very interesting for extensive handheld--never used one myself, though. If I can step up in budget, I'd love to try the Blackmagic 12k LF.

[newfoundmass]

6 hours ago, empedocles said:

Why would you go for the S5II if you prefer the S5 image? By the way, how do you feel about the S1?

The overall quality of life improvements (plus auto focus) are just worth it to me. Currently my three camera set up is the S5II X and two S5 bodies. I just prefer the image out of the S5, it has better colors and just looks more natural (less sharpening.) That's not to say that the S5II doesn't have a good image, though. It really boils down to preference.

I've only used the S1 a few times, but it's a great camera too! I do think the S5 though is overall a better value on the used market. It's crazy how affordable they are.

 

6 hours ago, empedocles said:

Are the 1st gen S cameras really lacking in terms of AF capabilities?

Some will tell you they are awful and completely unusable, but they are fine once you figure out how to work with their limitations. But there are limitations and it's important that you know that going in. It is nice not having to worry about it as much with my S5II X BUT there are times when that auto focus fails, as there are times when Canan and Sony auto focus fails.

[newfoundmass]

Also, Blackmagic is a great option, however if you are doing a lot of handheld you'll want to at the very least have stabilized lenses, if not some way to stabilize any handheld camera work you do. Those cameras aren't very heavy or friendly in the hands, as they are pretty cheaply made, so you'll want something to add some bulk to it and make it more handheld friendly.

[Ninpo33]

Another vote for the Lumix S5 if AF isn't a priority. I got mine for $535 and it's a big step up from the GH5 which I sold to get it. I waited long enough in the depreciation cycle that I actually had some money left over after the trade up to full frame. I would combine S5iix with S5 and S9 for a really solid and cheap 3 camera system that gets you most of the 2020's tech advancements but at minimum cost for the image you're getting. If you need high quality stills just swap out the S5 for a Lumix S1R and you're all set. This was my plan before I got swayed into Fuji bodies and a bump up to the GFX medium format system.