Camera for filming... Sony A6300 ?? What others?

[LDN]

Need a compact camera for filming. It’ll be used for short films, music videos and the like.

4K great - but needs to shoot standard full HD well (I read some 4K cameras can excel at 4K but aren’t great at HD; makes no sense to me!)

Also, needs to shoot stunning shots in low light and be able to take lenses.

Needs to suit a beginner (I don’t need settings galore).

Cost no issue but the more affordable the better of course.

I’ve been reading up about the Sony a6300 - any experiences? What are the alternatives? Any tips appreciated.

[mr_fibuli]

The A6400 has just been announced. It has even better autofocus, unlimited recording time, and a selfie screen over the A6300.

[LDN]

mr_fibuli said:

The A6400 has just been announced. It has even better autofocus, unlimited recording time, and a selfie screen over the A6300.

Ah! Hadn’t realised. I’ll look into that. Any other cameras / tips on alternatives, the Sony seems a good bet?

[singlecoil]

About the A6400, these reviewers are very reliable

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RzJQy9iCUG8&t=...

I decided to get into video a while back, and after careful consideration decided to do what many many other people have done and got a Panasonic GH5.

[Sensei Rob]

Another vote for the A6400.

You might want to look into getting a gimbal as well.

[LDN]

Thanks will look at the GH and more at the Sony.

[Phunk]

LDN said:

Thanks will look at the GH and more at the Sony.

I wouldn't bother with the GH5, isn't great in low light and the autofocus is miles better on the A6400

[singlecoil]

Phunk said:

LDN said:

Thanks will look at the GH and more at the Sony.

I wouldn't bother with the GH5, isn't great in low light and the autofocus is miles better on the A6400

OTOH, A6400 has no IBIS and no headphone jack.

To the best of my knowledge, not prosumer video/still camera has everything, so it's still very much a case of working out what you need and what you can live without before choosing.

[LDN]

Phunk said:

LDN said:

Thanks will look at the GH and more at the Sony.

I wouldn't bother with the GH5, isn't great in low light and the autofocus is miles better on the A6400

I did read that. I’m still researching but low light and autofocus is quite important for me.

[LDN]

Looking at the BlackMagic pocket 4K. Seeing some of the footage with added film grain, has me convinced... I realise that his lens and talent count for a lot here:

https://youtu.be/5uw4M_Z4A5I

[Phunk]

LDN said:

Looking at the BlackMagic pocket 4K. Seeing some of the footage with added film grain, has me convinced... I realise that his lens and talent count for a lot here:

https://youtu.be/5uw4M_Z4A5I

Not really ideal for a beginner, plus no autofocus

[singlecoil]

LDN said:

4K great - but needs to shoot standard full HD well (I read some 4K cameras can excel at 4K but aren’t great at HD; makes no sense to me!)

Don't worry about that, just shoot in 4K and output from your video editor in 1080 if that's what you need. Chances are it will look better than if you had shot in 1080 to start with.

Autofocus is nice to have but it's not hugely necessary if you have focus peaking and a bit of practice.

[LDN]

singlecoil said:

LDN said:

4K great - but needs to shoot standard full HD well (I read some 4K cameras can excel at 4K but aren’t great at HD; makes no sense to me!)

Don't worry about that, just shoot in 4K and output from your video editor in 1080 if that's what you need. Chances are it will look better than if you had shot in 1080 to start with.

Autofocus is nice to have but it's not hugely necessary if you have focus peaking and a bit of practice.

Thanks; my PC is maxed out and handles massive Premiere sessions no worries; I’m guessing 4K will slow things down some? But if I choose 1/2 quality in the preview pane; will I get away with editing 4K as is?

[singlecoil]

LDN said:

Thanks; my PC is maxed out and handles massive Premiere sessions no worries; I’m guessing 4K will slow things down some? But if I choose 1/2 quality in the preview pane; will I get away with editing 4K as is?

You'll want to do your editing with proxy files, in DaVinci Resolve this is called generating optimised media, I expect Premiere has something similar.

[LDN]

singlecoil said:

LDN said:

Thanks; my PC is maxed out and handles massive Premiere sessions no worries; I’m guessing 4K will slow things down some? But if I choose 1/2 quality in the preview pane; will I get away with editing 4K as is?

You'll want to do your editing with proxy files, in DaVinci Resolve this is called generating optimised media, I expect Premiere has something similar.

Thanks. I’ll look into this.

As it happens... with the massive waiting list for the BMPCC 4K... I’ve just bought a used standard BMPCC. I’ve got a lovely lens on the way for it also. Thanks everyone, for the tips.

[Andy M]

Sony A7s, A7s2 or A3.