Best camera options today?

[IronFilm]

On 1/23/2025 at 4:43 AM, empedocles said:

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

How limited in budget? 

Probably 3x secondhand Panasonic GH4, can't do beter than that for less!

On 1/23/2025 at 4:43 AM, empedocles said:

2) ditto, but no budget constraints?

ARRI 35 obviously. And it just got itself to be even cheaper: 

https://ymcinema.com/2025/01/28/arri-unveils-new-alexa-35-entry-level-model-with-flexible-licensing-and-affordable-media/ 

On 1/23/2025 at 4:43 AM, empedocles said:

3) For independent feature films (or shorts)?

Depends on budget? And if you have a competent 1st AC or not. (presumably yes... but got to ask! Sometimes they don't, for instance I just the other day finished up working on a feature film done without an AC)

 

On 1/23/2025 at 4:43 AM, empedocles said:

My picks would for each category would be:

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

If you have the extra money, get a GH7 or S5mk2. Wouldn't ever consider GH5II or S1 if I could get those instead. 

But if the level of GH5 / GH5II / S1 money is the strict money limit here, then go for the Panasonic GH5S instead of a GH5, if you're doing these interviews on sticks. (I'd assume you are! No way are you handholding 3x GH5 at once) P4K is also a consideration as well. 

On 1/23/2025 at 4:43 AM, empedocles said:

2) GH6 or Fuji X-H2S?

I guess you have a very different idea to me what "no budget constraints" means. 

Personally I think of the FX6 as a low priced professional camera. And if you can step up the budget from Panasonic GH/S series price points, then going for 3x Sony FX6 is the way to go for sure. 

If I was very tight on a budget, I'd even seriously consider going for 1x Sony FX6 + 2x Sony FX30 rather than doing 3x Panasonic GH7 / S5II. (the Sony setup is still a fair bit more expensive, but at least it makes the option of working for/with others more viable) 

On 1/23/2025 at 4:43 AM, empedocles said:

3) same as above?

If you wish to stick with MFT, then clearly go for BMD P4K or Panasonic GH7 or Z CAM E2-M4 Mark II. 

If you will consider other non-MFT options, and you don't have an AC, then go for Sony FX6 if you have a modest budget.

Otherwise, the other ultra low budget non-MFT top options for filmmaking would be: Sony FX3, Sony FX30, Fujfilm X-H2S, Fujfillm X-T5 (or the even cheaper X-T50), Fujifilm X-M5, Nikon Z8, Nikon Z6 III (or even the older Mk2 or heck the Mk1 with an Atomos recorder), Z Cam E2-S6 Mark II (or the bigger sensor Z Cam E2-F6 Mark II), Blackmagic PYXIS (I think all the other cheaper Blackmagics are not really cheap enough to justify getting them instead of the obviously better PYXIS, except for the P4K which is waaay cheaper. Cheap enough to justify itself over the PYXIS!), Panasonic S1H, Panasonic S5II/S5IIX (the S5II is so cheap, I wouldn't consider the OG S5 unless it's insanely cheap secondhand), or Canon (but nah, don't like them, so won't go into much detail here, wellll... ok, fine, go check out the C80/C70/R5C).

 

[IronFilm]

On 1/24/2025 at 12:28 AM, Snowfun said:

Isn’t this precisely what Blackmagics were designed for? 

If this will be used with a Blackmagic live streaming / switching set up, then certainly there could be some pros leaning it in the direction of going with Blackmagic cameras. 

 

On 1/24/2025 at 5:22 AM, empedocles said:

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

In this situation then I'd be strongly considering having at least one camera with solidly good AF, for your tight shots, but the wide / mid shots (which are very likely going to be mostly unmanned, because you're working OMB) could use cheaper cameras with average / bad AF and even manual lenses, as those can be kinda just set and forget cameras. (well, checking in on them now or then, but they don't have your full 24/7 attention)

On 1/24/2025 at 5:22 AM, empedocles said:

Usually one man. Budget is a couple thousands bucks.

Two grand? I guess per camera? Not in total. 

Also I very strongly suspect you're underbudgeting for lighting / lenses / audio / camera support, so let's try and go as far under $2K/camera as we can!

In that is the case then it's hard to look past getting 2x Panasonic OG S5 cameras secondhand, plus one new Panasonic S5II.

Maybe if you have a lot of MFT lenses that you don't wish to sell off, then you might go for a hybrid approach, with 2x secondhand Panasonic GH5S + 1x Panasonic S5II (just getting perhaps a couple of native L mount lenses for the S5II, say the Panasonic Lumix S 85mm f/1.8 Lens and the Sigma 28-70mm f/2.8 are both very affordable but great lenses) 

If compact size is very important (perhaps for travel work for instance, or docos where you'll be hiking carrying your gear a lot) then go for 2x secondhand GH5S + 1x new GH7, that way you can go all in on lightweight and compact MFT lenses. 

If you want some kind of compromise middle ground, the Sony FX30 would be very appealing. Their S35 lenses are sometimes not that much bigger than MFT lenses, but are at least a lot more compact than FF lenses are! (with more reach)

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1729317-REG/sony_ilme_fx30_fx30_digital_cinema_camera.html 

 

On 1/24/2025 at 5:22 AM, empedocles said:

And I already have some m43 and FF lenses. However I was more interested in what equipment you would choose today.

FF lenses from what brand, for what mount?

 

On 1/24/2025 at 5:22 AM, empedocles said:

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

Nope! It's three years old now. 

On 1/24/2025 at 5:22 AM, empedocles said:

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

You can kinda vaguely think of them as sort of ish comparable to the AF in the GH5/GH6 cameras. 

Workable enough autofocus for stills work, even professional work. 

But for video? You can use the AF to set your focus very accurately, then flip it over to manual focus to leave the focus point there. But you don't want it to try and track a shot during a take. 

Not until PDAF arrived in the G9II / GH7 / S5II / etc did Panasonic get to have truly good (but not perfect! Nothing is) autofocus performance for during a take. 

On 1/24/2025 at 5:22 AM, empedocles said:

Noted on the FX30 rec.

Sony just dominates in the low / mid budget work of professional shooting. 

If you think you'll be working a lot for/with other professionals then that's a very strong reason to go for the  FX9 or FX6 (or perhaps one of the even cheaper FX models). 

If you'll be working independently, then just ignore this factor though. (or if you'll be working with just a small group of friends/colleague, then go with whatevere they're using. Most are Canon? Go with Canon! Most are Blackmagic? Get a Blackmagic yourself! Or are they all using LUMIX? Then guess what... you do the same!)

 

On 1/24/2025 at 5:22 AM, empedocles said:

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

 

GH5S is essentially identical to the GH5, but it removes IBIS (no big deal at all if you'll be shooting on sticks), however it adds timecode support (yay! A big deal for me), and uses a 12 megapixel sensor instead of the GH5's 20 megapixel (the new GH5S sensor is a lot better in low light than the GH5. BTW, "the same sensor" ish in the GH5S is also used in the P4K and Z Cam E2-M4).

As for the GH5 vs GH5II? Almost identical cameras, there is trivially little difference between them. It's more like a whole bunch of little improves in the GH5II that all add up to make a difference vs the GH5.

But I'd summarize it briefly like this: 
Features:    GH5  vs  GH5 II
Video Quality:    4K 60p (8-bit), 4K 30p (10-bit)  vs  4K 60p (10-bit), pre-installed V-LogL
Live Streaming:    later updates gave it beta software compatibility for live streaming vs Built-in wired/wireless live streaming
Autofocus:    Somewhat slower, less accurate  vs somewhat marginally improved face/eye detection, better tracking
Stabilization:    5 stops IBIS  vs  6.5 stops IBIS
Display:    Standard brightness vs   Brighter, better color accuracy
Connectivity:    Bluetooth 4.2, Wi-Fi 4 vs   Bluetooth 4.2, Wi-Fi 5 (faster wireless transfer)
Power Options:    Standard battery  vs  USB-C power delivery support

Personally I wouldn't spend the couple of hundred dollars extra for a secondhand GH5II over an OG GH5, but if the difference is a hundred bucks or less between them? Then sure, I'd get the newer GH5II. 
 

 

On 1/24/2025 at 5:22 AM, empedocles said:

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

It's worthwhile learning Resolve, it's arguably the best NLE right now, and certainly the best tool for color grading. 

 

  

On 1/28/2025 at 4:08 AM, newfoundmass said:

I don't think stagnant is the proper word, but things haven't changed very much in the last few years. You can pretty much pick up any camera released after 2017 and it still holds up well even today. The leaps that were made between the DSLR revolution and the release of the A7SII and GH5 were gigantic. The leaps made since, while welcomed, aren't nearly as significant. I know people who still are using the GH5 for their video business and while it's kinda crazy to imagine running your business on 8 year old cameras, it's really not as crazy as you'd think given how well it still holds up. 

Yes, the GH5 / GH5S / P4K / a7Sii (heck, even the GH4 in controlled conditions or the a7S mk1 with an external recorder. Or hell the OG BMPCC if you don't mind FHD!) still hold up so well today that if you don't mind missing out on arguably marginal improvement gains they can still do the job professionally in 2025 for low budget productions. 

And the slow down to more incremental changes happened even earlier over in the stills world than for us in the film/video world. 

The likes of a Nikon D800 or D750 holds up shooting with professionally in 2025 a lot better than a GH4 or GH5 does today. (and arguably a person could even get away with a Canon 5Dmk1 or Nikon D700 from 2005 and 2008 respectively, depending on exactly what sorts of shooting they're doing) Remember, when the Nikon D800 was launched, then the very latest GH series camera from Panasonic was merely the Panasonic GH2!

[newfoundmass]

2 hours ago, IronFilm said:

If you have the extra money, get a GH7 or S5mk2. Wouldn't ever consider GH5II or S1 if I could get those instead. 

But if the level of GH5 / GH5II / S1 money is the strict money limit here, then go for the Panasonic GH5S instead of a GH5, if you're doing these interviews on sticks. (I'd assume you are! No way are you handholding 3x GH5 at once) P4K is also a consideration as well. 

While I don't have a ton of experience with the S1, I'd go with it over the GH5/GH5s. Why would you recommend the GH5s instead? 

 

2 hours ago, IronFilm said:

Panasonic S5II/S5IIX (the S5II is so cheap, I wouldn't consider the OG S5 unless it's insanely cheap secondhand)

You can get a used S5 with warranty from MPB for a little over $800 or even less on ebay/marketplace without a warranty. The S5II used is about $500 more, enough of a difference that I'd recommend the S5 instead. You can get almost 2 Lumix primes used for that $500 difference. 

 

1 hour ago, IronFilm said:

And the slow down to more incremental changes happened even earlier over in the stills world than for us in the film/video world. 

The likes of a Nikon D800 or D750 holds up shooting with professionally in 2025 a lot better than a GH4 or GH5 does today. (and arguably a person could even get away with a Canon 5Dmk1 or Nikon D700 from 2005 and 2008 respectively, depending on exactly what sorts of shooting they're doing) Remember, when the Nikon D800 was launched, then the very latest GH series camera from Panasonic was merely the Panasonic GH2!

I'm waiting for the S1R replacement to be announced so I can pick a S1R for even cheaper for still photography. I'm sure the replacement will be a great camera, but the S1R will be perfect for my high resolution still picture needs and I don't need the latest and greatest. 

[IronFilm]

5 hours ago, newfoundmass said:

While I don't have a ton of experience with the S1, I'd go with it over the GH5/GH5s. Why would you recommend the GH5s instead? 

You can get the GH5S cheaper, the S1 costs over 50% more. And as they are shooting on sticks, then IBIS doesn't matter. Get the GH5S over the GH5. 

And because they already have MFT lenses, and are shooting stuff that needs reach (such as concerts) then MFT system makes sense. 

6 hours ago, newfoundmass said:

You can get a used S5 with warranty from MPB for a little over $800 or even less on ebay/marketplace without a warranty. The S5II used is about $500 more, enough of a difference that I'd recommend the S5 instead. You can get almost 2 Lumix primes used for that $500 difference. 

I did make the point that if on a budget, then one S5II (for the angle where Autofocus does matter) and two OG S5 makes sense. 

6 hours ago, newfoundmass said:

I'm waiting for the S1R replacement to be announced so I can pick a S1R for even cheaper for still photography. I'm sure the replacement will be a great camera, but the S1R will be perfect for my high resolution still picture needs and I don't need the latest and greatest. 

If I needed high resolution I'd personally go for a D800/D810 or an OG a7R (or maybe mk2), as each of them goes for mere pennies these days on eBay. 

If I was to splurge then I'd get a Pentax 645Z, which is going for surprisingly cheap prices these days. 

[newfoundmass]

5 hours ago, IronFilm said:

You can get the GH5S cheaper, the S1 costs over 50% more. And as they are shooting on sticks, then IBIS doesn't matter. Get the GH5S over the GH5. 

I'd still go with the S1. In the US the GH5s still goes for about $700-750 on eBay vs. $1000 for the S1. The S1 is such a better camera in every way, it's worth the extra $250. And you can start a pretty good lens lineup for pretty cheap between the excellent kit lens and the primes on the used market.

5 hours ago, IronFilm said:

If I needed high resolution I'd personally go for a D800/D810 or an OG a7R (or maybe mk2), as each of them goes for mere pennies these days on eBay. 

If I was to splurge then I'd get a Pentax 645Z, which is going for surprisingly cheap prices these days. 

My primary reason for looking at the S1R is that I've already got the L-mount glass. Buying into another lens system just doesn't make sense since I've got so many great lenses already. Once the S1R hits sub-$1200 it'll be hard not to pick one up.

[IronFilm]

5 hours ago, newfoundmass said:

I'd still go with the S1.

The S1 is a stills camera first with some video features, the GH5S is a video camera with some stills features. 
S1 doesn't have timecode, can't do full sensor 4K 60fps, can't do 4K 60fps 10bit internal, v-log is a paid update vs free with it like the GH5S, lacks 240fps HD, lacks anamorphic support, etc... while being more expensive. 

They're both great cameras! But easy to see why leaning towards the GH5S over the S1 for some people makes more sense. 

5 hours ago, newfoundmass said:

My primary reason for looking at the S1R is that I've already got the L-mount glass. Buying into another lens system just doesn't make sense since I've got so many great lenses already. Once the S1R hits sub-$1200 it'll be hard not to pick one up.

Fair enough! I've got the glass for a Nikon D800/D810 or Pentax 645Z if/when I get one. 

[Emanuel]

I'd go for both FX30 and Osmo Pocket 3... Just sayin' ; )

Other than that, P4K and Ace Pro 2 are a must no less : )

My current fav ones.

 

Without mention some other speciality captures devices or...

Blackmagic 6K FF... with this, you're set on the Aussie manufacturer camp : D works like a charm straight to those who always claim for stabilised stuff ;- )