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Can’t make up my mind on a new DSLR…
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There are lots of people who are not happy with the video recorded by the Sony A99 camera…
A99 Video a Major Disappointment
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Oh wow…I was not aware of the problems with the video.
I guess I should try one out for myself just to see how bad it is.
Any good footage comparisons of the a99 up against the Canon and panasonic?
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If you’re looking for a comparison of the cameras’ video quality there was a video test done by Andrew Reid with the vg900 (video output identical to A99), plus the gh3, Blackmagic Cinema camera, 5DIII, gh2 (hacked) and the FS100.
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The EOSHD Blackmagic Cinema Camera Shootout – 2.5K Version from Andrew Reid on Vimeo.
As for what to pick. Different tools are going to meet different needs. I’ve done a lot of research on these cameras and here’s how I break it down:
5DIII
Pros:
Unrivaled lowlight performance (IMO usable up to ISO 12800), full frame (easier subject isolation), moire filter, high bit rate video files (higher than the gh3, headphone/mic jack, and lots of lenses made for the EF mount.Cons:
Costs the most, weighs the most, doesn’t resolve as much detail as the GH3/GH2, limited clip length, 60fps is only at 720p and fixed LCD screen.6D
Same as above but minus the headphone jack and moire filter. But costs $1,000-1,200 less and weighs less.A99
Pros: In-body image stabilization (which makes every alpha mount lens you put on it stabilized), also full-frame, tilt/swivel screen (only full-frame camera that does have it), headphone/mic jack, good auto focus for video mode (but limits f-stop to f/3.5), 60fps at 1080p, also has a headphone/mic and is weather sealed and weighs around the same as the 6D.Cons: low light performance no where near the same league as the 5DIII/6D:
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Also has no moire filter, doesn’t resolve as much detail as the GH3/GH2,limited clip length and video bit rates are significantly lower than the 5D/6D/GH3 which means less wiggle room when color grading in post.GH3
Pros: Significantly cheaper than the 5D/6D/A99, unlimited video clip length (will record up to battery/SD card runs out), resolves a lot more detail than the other cameras, moire filter,tilt/swivel screen, most versatile lens mount system (which can save you a lot of money on lenses), 60fps at 1080p, with the right lens also has good rack/auto focus for video (at any f-stop), high video codec bit rates,headphone/mic jack, weather sealed, and a camera body/lens selection a lot smaller and lighter than the others:
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Cons: low light performance also no where near the 5D/6D and slightly worse than the A99, and more depth of field due to smaller sensor (subject isolation more difficult to achieve, not impossible, just not as easy as a full-frame camera).
Summary: If you’re shooting a lot of situations where you don’t have control of the lighting (indoor events or at night) than go with the 5D/6D. If you’re recording long takes/speeches and carrying gear all day long, go with the GH3. If you’re doing a lot of run and gun and don’t always have the luxury/time of setting up a mono/tripod then go with the A99.
Keep in mind that all these cameras could ultimately work in those scenarios but it would require different equipment/accessories in order to accommodate the weakness of each camera in said scenarios.
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https://vimeo.com/32204670 high iso gh2
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As of right now I have a majority of interview/testimonial work. I am getting more work for live events, weddings, presentations, etc.. A lot of things that would require continual recording.
As far as interviews lighting isnt an issue, but when I am filming for a wedding or something similar…lighting can become an issue.
Would you say a GH3 with a nice low light lens will be able to provide me with what I need where I don’t need to fork over the extra money for the 5D?
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Both are lovely cameras. https://youtu.be/8qLJ5Oc5adM
Both might stress you a bit on getting good audio.
To my mind the big differentiator is the bigger image sensor, leading to reduced depth of field in focus for the 5D. This can be a great look, though reduced depth of field is also of course achievable on the GH3 through shooting wide aperture. The better autofocus of the GH3 in video mode offsets that advantage somewhat
For stills only the Canon might be the better bet. Or a good Nikon – D7000 maybe. https://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d7000.htm
For video, the panasonics have big pluses.
Whether the 5D is worth the lot-of-extra money is a big call.
You’ve probably seen all the comparison sites like
https://philipbloom.net/category/reviews/camera-reviews/
https://www.eoshd.com/content/9214/the-eoshd-blackmagic-cinema-camera-shootoutFor the money, if it’s run-and-gun event coverage, there’s still a case for thinking camcorder and not stills/video hybrid, and amongst those at budget levels the Canon XF100 is still a very good piece of kit, with good zoom, good sound control, excellent ergonomics.
https://philipbloom.net/2011/07/09/video-review-of-the-canon-xa-10-xf100-and-xf105/And the Sony NX7 or even NX5 might be worth a look … heresy on a dslr forum i guess !
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I have progressed through the Panasonic GH1, 2 and now the 3. The GH3 has so many new and improved features, I must say it has finally reached a level of performance that excels in many different situations. Audio ‘Confidence Monitoring’ from the headphone jack, the addition of settable timecode, 50 Mb/sec .MOV setting, AVCHD 2.0, new OLED EVF and OLED LCD, clean HDMI out and the availability of (2) really excellent Panasonic X Vario ‘Power Zoom’ lenses (which I now own and use – yes, some types of video production do require power zooming!), and the list goes on. I owned/used and sold, after a year, my Sony A65 (brother to the problematic A99. The GH3 is a far more-capable camera.
John D. Frey
25 Year owner/operator of two California-based production studios.Digital West Video Productions of San Luis Obispo and Inland Images of Lake Elsinore
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I got to play around with a Sonya99 it has some great features for video and photo, and the photos look great.
With that said the video didnt look much better than my a33 camera. It really shows that it is all about the lenses.
The video isn’t as mushy as I was thinking though, also did some test with moire and it did a lot better than my a33.
Just some insight…I still want to get my hands on a gh3 and canon 5d mkiii though before making a decision.
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I do also want to get more involved with with photo…will the gh3 deliver well enough for photo?
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The GH3 stills quality is excellent, though not quite 5D mark 3 level, and the stills ergonomics on both canon and lumix probably still trail Nikon.
You’ll have to decide what’s well enough for you.
There’s GH3 review stuff around, including https://www.photographyblog.com/reviews/panasonic_lumix_dmc_gh3_review/image_quality/
Of course a GH3 $1,298.00 and a D70000 $896.95 together would compare in cost with the 5D $2,199.00…. though lens duplication or adpator issues might haunt you. (all prices for body only, from https://www.bhphotovideo.com
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