Wanting a 4K DSLR / Mirrorless

RandomlySet

RandomlySet

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Afternoon all,

For the past year I've been toying on and off with the idea of getting a new DSLR. I currently has a Canon EOS 1100D, which was great to get me "into" photography. However, realising I much prefer video, the 1100D just doesn't cut it - as it can only record at 720p! So for the past 18 months, all of my videos have been recorded on my GoPro Hero 4 Black, Samsung Galaxy S6, and more recently my DJI Mavic Pro - all of which have 4K capabilities.

I find I do use 4K a lot, even if it's just to crop in in post (handy with a fixed lens such as the GoPro). I've created a couple of 4K videos, and would like to be able to create more, but that means getting a camera with more capabilities - such as zoom and manual focus.

So, that leads me to the point of this thread. What 4K DSLR / Mirrorless would you suggest?

Simply based on price, I was considering a Panasonic Lumix G7 (I'd like to stick as close to £500 as possible).

Most of my videos are of holidays, events, local parks etc. I don't do much vlogging, but wouldn't rule it out (so ideally needs a mic input and a screen that pops out).

*Nikon is a no go for me (no idea why, but just never fancied a Nikon),
 
Erm, dunno. Quick would be nice, but superfast isn't essential. Not like I'm the Casey Neistat of vlogging lol
 
RandomlySet said:
Erm, dunno. Quick would be nice, but superfast isn't essential. Not like I'm the Casey Neistat of vlogging lol
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You're either going to need fast af tracking or not. Will you be shooting at wide aperture or not, af with a tiny sensor where everything is in focus is very different to a large sensor where very little is in focus unless you stop down to f10.

Id recommend you watch some af tests on youtube.

Basically, sony a5100/6xxx, samsung nx1/500, 5div and 1dx2 have 4k and fast af, rest are slow.

Panasonic are great in terms of quality with a budget but af is slow in video.
 
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I’ve got the FZ1000 and am not dissatisfied with it, overall! I’m getting a hankering for a poerpery DSLR, but thats just me! The 4K video is great, and you can get them for under £500.. Could this complement your 1100D for when your ctually need 4k? As the 1100D will knock the socks off the FZ1000 for pure image quality all day
 
twist said:
You're either going to need fast af tracking or not. Will you be shooting at wide aperture or not, af with a tiny sensor where everything is in focus is very different to a large sensor where very little is in focus unless you stop down to f10.

Id recommend you watch some af tests on youtube.

Basically, sony a5100/6xxx, samsung nx1/500, 5div and 1dx2 have 4k and fast af, rest are slow.

Panasonic are great in terms of quality with a budget but af is slow in video.
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To be honest, I've not shot much in full manual mode, mainly because the cameras I don't have don't give many options in terms of manual adjustments whilst shooting. Other than adjusting FPS, and a few modes, they dont really allow me to set aperture/shutter etc.... The GoPro does have some manual settings, but that's a fixed lens, and the Mavic also has settings to allow me to adjust shutter speed *but not seen anything in regards to aperture setting yet).

So in regards to DOF, I'm not sure. Having everything in focus like the GoPro/Mavic is fine, I guess if I had the option to have a shallow DOF that'd be nice.

AF wise, again, unsure on that. I guess it's not a huge issue tbh. Mainly because I'd rather get focus set, and not have it constantly changing.... If I was to start vlogging more regular or shoot video that requires constant change of angles etc and AF was a problem, then maybe I'd have to buy again.
 
RandomlySet said:
To be honest, I've not shot much in full manual mode, mainly because the cameras I don't have don't give many options in terms of manual adjustments whilst shooting. Other than adjusting FPS, and a few modes, they dont really allow me to set aperture/shutter etc.... The GoPro does have some manual settings, but that's a fixed lens, and the Mavic also has settings to allow me to adjust shutter speed *but not seen anything in regards to aperture setting yet).

So in regards to DOF, I'm not sure. Having everything in focus like the GoPro/Mavic is fine, I guess if I had the option to have a shallow DOF that'd be nice.

AF wise, again, unsure on that. I guess it's not a huge issue tbh. Mainly because I'd rather get focus set, and not have it constantly changing.... If I was to start vlogging more regular or shoot video that requires constant change of angles etc and AF was a problem, then maybe I'd have to buy again.
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So the gopro (small sensor and wide angle), the dof is massive so you dont need to change anything, whatever you point at will be in focus. Youre guessing its not a huge issue because youre used to everything being in focus, when everything is out of focus youre going to be annoyed. In order to set your focus and not have it change means your subject cant move without you moving to re achieve the focus (depending on aperture etc).

Set your 1100d to record video, if you get on with the way the focus works then youll be alright to buy a slow focusing camera or using manual focus. If all is good youre onto a cheap setup, G7 or even better the G80. Mess about with the 1100d and see how it goes with manual focus.
 
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I've used the 1100d a lot in the past for video (just not in the last 18months or so) as I used to do a lot of product videos for work, so once focus was set, we was good
 
RandomlySet said:
I've used the 1100d a lot in the past for video (just not in the last 18months or so) as I used to do a lot of product videos for work, so once focus was set, we was good
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G80 then or g7 if you dont need stabilisation. Sensor performance should equal the 1100d.
 
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Thanks.... Checked a few videos and the G7 doesn't sloop good for the price. Even a low light video I watched was impressive.

I'd probably mainly use it on a Tripod as I usually use my GoPro on a Feiyu Tech G4S gimbal when walking around.
 
RandomlySet said:
Thanks.... Checked a few videos and the G7 doesn't sloop good for the price. Even a low light video I watched was impressive.

I'd probably mainly use it on a Tripod as I usually use my GoPro on a Feiyu Tech G4S gimbal when walking around.
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For video all round it's probably the best bang for buck.
 
twist said:
The a5100/6000 has fast af but yeah you're right no 4k. Only 1080p.
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There is nothing wrong with 1080P either.......it still produces awesome results.

I would rather see an interesting video on 1080p than a boring one on 4k. ;)
 
Lensflare said:
There is nothing wrong with 1080P either.......it still produces awesome results.

I would rather see an interesting video on 1080p than a boring one on 4k. ;)
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I know but the OP wants 4k and given the same content the 4k is better.
 
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Only if you have a 4k viewing platform...I'm not going to rush out and spend on another new telly, the one we have got will have to last another 10 years or so at least. ;)

How much 4k is there available in the UK at the moment?
 
Lensflare said:
Only if you have a 4k viewing platform...I'm not going to rush out and spend on another new telly, the one we have got will have to last another 10 years or so at least. ;)

How much 4k is there available in the UK at the moment?
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Wrong, 4k down to 1080p is way sharper than 1080p. Loads of 4k tvs and content isn't standard yet but will be soon. Why does that matter? The Op is producing content for himself anyway not sky.
 
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Every screen I have is 4k - even monitors and TVs at work (with the exception of my Samsung Galaxy S6)....

Plus, 4k allows me to crop in, create zooms/pans etc in post if using a fixed lens.

Also, as Twist has just said, even if scaling down, it can create a sharper image.
 
RandomlySet said:
Every screen I have is 4k - even monitors and TVs at work (with the exception of my Samsung Galaxy S6)....

Plus, 4k allows me to crop in, create zooms/pans etc in post if using a fixed lens.

Also, as Twist has just said, even if scaling down, it can create a sharper image.
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Exactly. It's also useful for post warp.
 
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4k is better than 1080p but if you only need 1080p then 1080p is fine. The OP needs/wants 4k.
 
How does 1080p and 4k work with APS-C and full frame sensors with regard to image quality, low light performance etc? Is it the same principles as with mega pixel count and photographs?

Just wondering about the limits of these sensors compared with say the dedicated 4k stuff as I've very little knowledge with all this.
 
me too - I just don't getthis constant 'arms race' - it is marketing spiel sucking everyone in. The lemmings are falling for it, constantly upgrading and outdoing each other. Where does it all end. Sometimes you just have to take a stand and be content with what you have, rather than forever wanting something you haven't got.
 
This certainly isn't an arms race purchase. If it was I'd be saving for a 8k Red camera. Lol.....

My current dslr only has 720 and at that it's s***.... So seeing as any half decent dslr is gonna set me back around £500, I may as well get one with 4k.
 
Lensflare said:
me too - I just don't getthis constant 'arms race' - it is marketing spiel sucking everyone in. The lemmings are falling for it, constantly upgrading and outdoing each other. Where does it all end. Sometimes you just have to take a stand and be content with what you have, rather than forever wanting something you haven't got.
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Lol. People also used to live in caves.
 
RandomlySet said:
This certainly isn't an arms race purchase. If it was I'd be saving for a 8k Red camera. Lol.....

My current dslr only has 720 and at that it's s***.... So seeing as any half decent dslr is gonna set me back around £500, I may as well get one with 4k.
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That I understand - I was referring to the manufacturers constantly moving the goal posts and telling the world that they are a nobody if they haven't got the latest, greatest doobrywhatsit - think of the Apple iPhone bridgade, and the queue to have the latest version, and paying stupid money for the limited edition 'gold coloured one'...type scenario. It is madness, or foolishness - a fool and their money are soon parted. Yes it is their money to waste in whatever way they want, but many people don't realise the pressure they are put under and capitulate very early.
 
twist said:
Lol. People also used to live in caves.
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And quite afew still do - funnily enough, the most CONTENTED people I have encountered were in the Amazon rain forest, they had nothing in our terms, other than a pair of shorts and flip flops, some not even the flops but they had EVERYTHING THEY WANTED and were entirely happy.

We are conditioned, or becoming conditioned, to want more and more......stuff that we don't actully NEED.
 
I know what you mean. Crackers how people jump straight onto the hype - even more crazy are those willing to pay for preorders.
 
RandomlySet said:
I know what you mean. Crackers how people jump straight onto the hype - even more crazy are those willing to pay for preorders.
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I think, maybe, you can now see where I was coming from earlier.

I hope you find a video camera that suits what you want to do - editing the stuff is so time consuming and so involved. You need a degree in computer science to understand the most basic bits!
 
I'm still wondering if an APS-C or full frame sensor can deal with 4k in such that it's significantly better than 1080p to make it worthwhile? Genuine question.
 
gman said:
I'm still wondering if an APS-C or full frame sensor can deal with 4k in such that it's significantly better than 1080p to make it worthwhile? Genuine question.
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Depends on which body your using really and how good it is reading off the sensor.
For example the new Sony A9 reads 6K full sensor read-out and then down samples to 4k, this results in superior 4K footage. I guess it has a superior price to match lol :D
 
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Riz_Guru said:
Depends on which body your using really and how good it is reading off the sensor.
For example the new Sony A9 reads 6K full sensor read-out and then down samples to 4k, this results in superior 4K footage. I guess it has a superior price to match lol :D
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Loads of (much cheaper) 4k cameras do that not just the 4500 quid a9.
 
gman said:
I'm still wondering if an APS-C or full frame sensor can deal with 4k in such that it's significantly better than 1080p to make it worthwhile? Genuine question.
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4k is better. Even when taken down to 1080p. Whether it's worthwhile to you only you know that.
 
As far as I know, the full frame Sony cameras record 4K using the full size of the sensor. Youtube indicates the A7 exhibits a tendancy to overheat when recording 4K, which shuts the camera down mid shoot. The Canon 5D Mk4 only uses a small portion of the full frame sensor for 4K video and encodes it using the most inefficient codec known to mankind in 2017. This gives the camera a really poor crop factor when shooting in 4K and vast file sizes to edit afterwards, to all intents and purposes, this camera is hopelessly compromised for 4K. I had a G7 and liked it, the G80 is probably even better with the addition of IBIS, both give a great bang for the buck. I use a Lens Turbo Speedbooster with my GH3 (not 4K compatible, the GH4 and GH5 are!) and 35mm manual lenses, the Speedbooster reduces the crop factor by x0.71.
 
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