What do you think about these equipment choices?

[Karen Lee]

Hi, I’ve been shooting vids on a Sony NXcam FS100 for a few years after taking courses with a Canon Vixia. A friend rec’d the Sony and it’s given consistently good clips. Projects are wide ranging, pro and hobby — corporate and original doc and narrative films.

I love the ENG ease-of-use but I’m on the petite side, so it’s cumbersome for travel and I’m limited to stills taken with my iPhone X. I want to purchase a DSLR for stills and vids that will integrate with the Sony clips in Premiere Pro, along with occasional stills from the cell. The Canon 80D is deeply discounted due to the 90D — but I’m also weighing a full-frame like 6D Mii. I like the option of manual focus and white balance, but at times need these functions automated.

I have a Zoom h4N and would like to have the audio be native to the clip — can this be done with a 3.5 – XLR cable on either 80D or Mii, and are there any glitches that need workarounds? If so what accessory do I need to carry the equipment? (have a good sachtler tripod)

The most elegant solution would be to have the DSLR replace the Sony — in which case full frame would make sense — but I’ve never shot vids with one before and am put off by the 29 minute memory card after being spoiled by the Sony.

What are your thoughts / suggestions about this mashup of equipment?

[Karen Lee]

Update — I’m leaning toward a Sony a7 to keep use of the lenses I have although I’ll needed a dedicated one to use with this camera to take advantage of the full frame sensor. It sounds like the menus are easier to navigate for vids than those of the Canon, also the mirrorless is lighter weight.