[Roger Martin]

That was March 2011, this is 2014.
The D5300 is at least twice as good in low light.
I can now shoot acceptable images and video at 12,800 ISO.

My problem is the 10 minute limit on 1080 P60 Videos

My GH3 can shoot unlimited “unattended” because the AF-F is that good.
I already have a GH4 ordered because it should be even better in every way.

[Roger Martin]

I had a Super 8 and never ran out of “film”.
I guess my attention span was not very long.
I’ve had many under $1000 Videocams since but much prefer my Nikon V1 with PowerZoom lens.
I’ve had or tried nearly every Nikon DSLR made + the 5D2. The best of the lot is the new D5300.
That is because of the 1080P 60 Video quality, but it only last 10 minutes due to file limits.

So, I ordered a GH3 + 14-140 video lens just to extend recording + hopefully improve FullTime AutoFocus.
I should get it January 9-14th and will compare with the D5300 by shooting both at same time with Azden mics.

The only affordable external recorder that does 1080P 60 is the Odyssey7, that has not been released yet.
So I will send back the Panasonic and get it, if the Nikon proves better Video image quality.

[Roger Martin]

$850 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH3K 16.05 MP Digital Single Lens Mirrorless Camera with 3-Inch OLED –
Body Only (Black) Sold by alwaysAdeal Condition: Refurbished

$499 Adorama. Panasonic 14-140mm f/4.0-5.8 OIS Video Optimized Micro Four Thirds Lens for Panasonic Digital SLR Cameras.

I am hoping that I made a good investment, This more than I paid for my Nikon.

$1096.55 B&Hphotovideo, D5300 DSLR Camera (Black) with AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-140mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR Lens.

The GH3 is supposed to arrive between January 9 and 14th.
I’ve had the D5300 since the 1st of December and I am still finding things I like.

The big difference should be in shooting 1080P 60 Video.
Continuous shooting and much better FullTime AutoFocus with the Panasonic.

[Roger Martin]

I just ordered a GH3 and will be using one of my Azden SMX-10 mics on it.
We will see how this setup compares for Video with my D5300 at 1080P 60.
My main reason for getting the Panasonic is to extend in camera recording past 10 minutes.
The image quality of the Nikon is exemplary!

[Roger Martin]

Something new to consider is the Nikon D5300.
The 1080P 60 Video in low light at 12800 ISO is awesum.
However, you will need an external recorder (Odyssey7) to record over 10 minutes continuosly.
I may check out the GH3 (Hands On) just for that reason.
And there should be some used GH3 outfits available at a reasonable price.

[Roger Martin]

Un Scietific, I know, but when I compare the footage from my Nikon D5300,
The Picture looks much better at 1080P 60 than it does at 1080P 30

These were all recorded to the in-camera SD card, here is the MediaInfo:

1080P 60

Complete name : K:DCIM100D5300DSC_0381.MOV
Format : MPEG-4
Format profile : QuickTime
Codec ID : qt
File size : 137 MiB
Duration : 30s 30ms
Overall bit rate : 38.4 Mbps
Encoded date : UTC 2014-01-03 07:36:23
Tagged date : UTC 2014-01-03 07:36:23
NCDT : NCTG

Video
ID : 1
Format : AVC
Format/Info : Advanced Video Codec
Format profile : High@L4.2
Format settings, CABAC : Yes
Format settings, ReFrames : 2 frames
Format settings, GOP : M=3, N=30
Codec ID : avc1
Codec ID/Info : Advanced Video Coding
Duration : 30s 30ms
Bit rate : 36.8 Mbps
Width : 1 920 pixels
Height : 1 080 pixels
Display aspect ratio : 16:9
Frame rate mode : Constant
Frame rate : 59.940 fps
Color space : YUV
Chroma subsampling : 4:2:0
Bit depth : 8 bits
Scan type : Progressive
Bits/(Pixel*Frame) : 0.296
Stream size : 132 MiB (96%)
Language : English
Encoded date : UTC 2014-01-03 07:36:23
Tagged date : UTC 2014-01-03 07:36:23
Color primaries : BT.709
Matrix coefficients : BT.601
colour_primaries_Original : BT.709
transfer_characteristics_Original : BT.470 System M
matrix_coefficients_Original : BT.601

Audio
ID : 2
Format : PCM
Format settings, Endianness : Little
Format settings, Sign : Signed
Codec ID : sowt
Duration : 30s 30ms
Bit rate mode : Constant
Bit rate : 1 536 Kbps
Channel(s) : 2 channels
Channel positions : Front: L R
Sampling rate : 48.0 KHz
Bit depth : 16 bits
Stream size : 5.50 MiB (4%)
Language : English
Encoded date : UTC 2014-01-03 07:36:23
Tagged date : UTC 2014-01-03 07:36:23

and at 1080P 30

Complete name : K:DCIM100D5300DSC_0382.MOV
Format : MPEG-4
Format profile : QuickTime
Codec ID : qt
File size : 86.3 MiB
Duration : 30s 931ms
Overall bit rate : 23.4 Mbps
Encoded date : UTC 2014-01-03 07:37:18
Tagged date : UTC 2014-01-03 07:37:18
NCDT : NCTG

Video
ID : 1
Format : AVC
Format/Info : Advanced Video Codec
Format profile : High@L4.1
Format settings, CABAC : Yes
Format settings, ReFrames : 2 frames
Codec ID : avc1
Codec ID/Info : Advanced Video Coding
Duration : 30s 931ms
Bit rate : 21.8 Mbps
Width : 1 920 pixels
Height : 1 080 pixels
Display aspect ratio : 16:9
Frame rate mode : Constant
Frame rate : 29.970 fps
Color space : YUV
Chroma subsampling : 4:2:0
Bit depth : 8 bits
Scan type : Progressive
Bits/(Pixel*Frame) : 0.351
Stream size : 80.4 MiB (93%)
Language : English
Encoded date : UTC 2014-01-03 07:37:18
Tagged date : UTC 2014-01-03 07:37:18
Color primaries : BT.709
Matrix coefficients : BT.601
colour_primaries_Original : BT.709
transfer_characteristics_Original : BT.470 System M
matrix_coefficients_Original : BT.601

Audio
ID : 2
Format : PCM
Format settings, Endianness : Little
Format settings, Sign : Signed
Codec ID : sowt
Duration : 30s 888ms
Bit rate mode : Constant
Bit rate : 1 536 Kbps
Channel(s) : 2 channels
Channel positions : Front: L R
Sampling rate : 48.0 KHz
Bit depth : 16 bits
Stream size : 5.66 MiB (7%)
Language : English
Encoded date : UTC 2014-01-03 07:37:18
Tagged date : UTC 2014-01-03 07:37:18

and at 720P 60 just for comparison

Complete name : K:DCIM100D5300DSC_0383.MOV
Format : MPEG-4
Format profile : QuickTime
Codec ID : qt
File size : 89.6 MiB
Duration : 34s 134ms
Overall bit rate : 22.0 Mbps
Encoded date : UTC 2014-01-03 07:39:23
Tagged date : UTC 2014-01-03 07:39:23
NCDT : NCTG

Video
ID : 1
Format : AVC
Format/Info : Advanced Video Codec
Format profile : High@L4.1
Format settings, CABAC : Yes
Format settings, ReFrames : 2 frames
Format settings, GOP : M=3, N=30
Codec ID : avc1
Codec ID/Info : Advanced Video Coding
Duration : 34s 134ms
Bit rate : 20.4 Mbps
Width : 1 280 pixels
Height : 720 pixels
Display aspect ratio : 16:9
Frame rate mode : Constant
Frame rate : 59.940 fps
Color space : YUV
Chroma subsampling : 4:2:0
Bit depth : 8 bits
Scan type : Progressive
Bits/(Pixel*Frame) : 0.370
Stream size : 83.2 MiB (93%)
Language : English
Encoded date : UTC 2014-01-03 07:39:23
Tagged date : UTC 2014-01-03 07:39:23
Color primaries : BT.709
Matrix coefficients : BT.601
colour_primaries_Original : BT.709
transfer_characteristics_Original : BT.470 System M
matrix_coefficients_Original : BT.601

Audio
ID : 2
Format : PCM
Format settings, Endianness : Little
Format settings, Sign : Signed
Codec ID : sowt
Duration : 34s 34ms
Bit rate mode : Constant
Bit rate : 1 536 Kbps
Channel(s) : 2 channels
Channel positions : Front: L R
Sampling rate : 48.0 KHz
Bit depth : 16 bits
Stream size : 6.23 MiB (7%)
Language : English
Encoded date : UTC 2014-01-03 07:39:23
Tagged date : UTC 2014-01-03 07:39:23

[Roger Martin]

Then start with a used Nikon1 V1 kit.
Mine works great up to ISO 3200.
Great DOF
The Power Zoom Lens works great for Video.
I like it better than any camcorder under $5k
They make cheap, light weight stabilizers for them
although I have succesfully hand held mine.
The trick is little or no movement of your feet.

[Roger Martin]

What is uni?

If you want to go “cheap”, consider the D5300.
I like it better than my D800 for Video.
That is because the D800 can not do 1080P 60.
You might be shooting at 24fps, I do not know.
But at 1/4 the cost, it leaves a lot of money for Lens (and DX lens are cheaper and lighter too).
A good TriPod and computer are a must and that is just the start.

[Roger Martin]

I took this unedited 1080P 60 today with the D5300, hand held, not tripod allowed.
Your GH3 videos although much more professionally done, liked flat to me.

https://reels.creativecow.net/film/monterey-bay-aquarium-121213

I will post a different one if you wish

[Roger Martin]

So, The GH3 records for hours.
Is that at best Quality?

The D5300 only records 1080P 60 for 10 minutes at best Quality.
However, that quality is superb.
I have a Odyssey7 ordered, it does extended recordingss at 1080P 60.

How good are the best Videos from the GH3?

How high ISO can it use?

Are the Low-Light Movies any good?
The D5300 Video at 12,800 in low light are very good indeed

Are the Action (moving subject) movies any good?

Is there anyway to compare acurately?
I doubt YouTube/Vimeo shows 1080P 60 movies.

I will post some D5300 Videos to assuredphotos.com/Videos later today.
They will be original MOV files renamed to Camera and 1080P 60, 30 etc.
You can view them with free VLC media player.