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Sony A7 or Panasonic GH3

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skiingizkewl
Posts: 33 - Karma: 528
I am looking to by a new camera sometime in the near future and i was hoping if you guys could give me some tips on the two. I am currently shooting on a canon 60d. The reason im looking at the A7 and GH3 is because they both have 1080p 60fps and are under 2000. Which one do you think would be the best all around camera. I have a production company with my friend so i would be shooting a lot of different things. +k for helpful responses!
Jan 22 2014 9:35PM
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plorr
Posts: 3131 - Karma: 528
I heard the A7 and A7r have pretty terrible moire and aliasing. Plus they're AVCHD, right? AVCHD sucks compared to the 54mb IPB .MOV codec on the gh3.

If I were you I would get a used GH3 and spend the extra 800 dollars on a speed booster and a set of F mount lenses.
Jan 22 2014 10:34PM
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eheath
Posts: 61603 - Karma: 123,093
I wouldn't say avchd sucks at all, the gh3 codec is similar to avchd with more pixels jammed into it, but these days compression is so good that people are starting to care less about mbps.
Jan 22 2014 10:51PM
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j-cal
Posts: 693 - Karma: 3,295
I would agree. Avchd is a great codec. Cant handle server grading but is perfect for filming skiing and action sports. Most the time people don't do very hard grading for action sports.

I can vouch for the gh3 though I own one and love the image out of it. It is a very good camera for the money. I don't know much or have seen much of the sony cameras though. But i would spring for the gh3, Panasonic's sensor in the gh3/2is very pleasing to my eye. They have a sort of purplish flare witch i really like.
Jan 22 2014 10:58PM
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Laurent.
Posts: 10056 - Karma: 25,313
Black Magic Pocket Cinema camera, spend the rest on batteries and embrace the power of RAW.
Jan 23 2014 5:58AM
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BlackcountryBill
Posts: 955 - Karma: 576
Not 1080/60p

How about the Nikon d5300/3300?

Both 60p too?
Jan 23 2014 6:36AM
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PacificRimJob
Posts: 24725 - Karma: 29,944
I tried out the A7 and I think it's absolutely phenomenal. The biggest issue I had with it is by far the battery life during video being pretty weak - something the GH3 doesn't exactly have a great strength in either (or most non-camcorders, to be honest) I don't know what moire or aliasing POV saw if he's used it, but I certainly didn't see much if any in the stuff I shot with it...

the sensor and image quality is great, and the codec is totally fine. I've used it a bunch recently.

I used it with all canon FD glass. 28 f2.8, 50 f1.4, and a 100 f2.8. Worked perfectly.

The one thing I didn't test is the stereo input, and how it takes in sound. I personally record all my sound using a Field recorder rather than an external microphone, so I cant tell you how well it did. I'd assume just as well as the GH3, though.


...all this said, for the price you'd pay - and if you're doing just video, and if you're not doing just cinema style shit, i'd totally skip full frame, and go with something like a VG20 or VG30 and buy a bunch of really excellent old Minolta/Canon FD glass. Full frame format is totally unnecessary for shooting skiing and sports. Plus, then you get an on-board microphone that's actually pretty good (records in dolby 5.1, too). And yes, the 1080/60p you're looking for.


/gearrant

Jan 23 2014 8:51AM
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lIllI
Posts: 1255 - Karma: 1,986
Too bad the camera's RAW capabilities are overshadowed by tons of other factors which make it an unsuitable choice for skiing. Have fun shooting any sort of follow cam on that without rigging it to a 10lb external battery rig.

Right now the GH2 and GH3 are still the best DSLR-form cameras available for video. Though I'd personally wait for Panasonic's new (rumored) 4:2:2 10-bit SLR to drop...
Jan 23 2014 12:13PM
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eheath
Posts: 61603 - Karma: 123,093
You realize lawrence is never serious right?
Jan 23 2014 12:22PM
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lIllI
Posts: 1255 - Karma: 1,986
You'd think so, but then he posts pictures of stupid overpriced shit he actually owns, so who knows...
Jan 23 2014 12:28PM
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Laurent.
Posts: 10056 - Karma: 25,313
I'm never serious because I think, why do I think? I don't want to think any more, I am not serious because I think that I don't want to be, I think that I . . . because . . . ugh!
My thoughts remain misty and nebulous.

Quoting lIllI from Jan 23 2014 12:28:04:
You'd think so, but then he posts pictures of stupid overpriced shit he actually owns, so who knows...

Tell me what stupid overpriced shit I actually own, tell me.
Jan 23 2014 12:36PM
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Mag
Posts: 8155 - Karma: 14,809
^

"Someone talk me out of this...

Farewell money....

The limited edition from Helmut Newton's SUMO.

Some info for those who don't know: click( http://www.taschen.com/pages/en/catalogue/photography/all/02601/facts.helmut_newtons_sumo.htm )

I'm not paying full retail but still a ridiculous amount for a book that is so large and heavy (66lbs) that it needs it's own table."





Oh god what have I done....
Jan 23 2014 1:11PM
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Laurent.
Posts: 10056 - Karma: 25,313
^ It had a tear in the cover that I was unbeknownst off at the time of purchase, still sold it for profit.
It's an item of investment, the bloody thing cost a 1000 euro or so back in 2000.
Jan 23 2014 1:19PM
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Mag
Posts: 8155 - Karma: 14,809
Perhaps tears of joy that he managed to shift such extravagance to a punter such as yourself.

Jan 23 2014 2:24PM
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PacificRimJob
Posts: 24725 - Karma: 29,944
Are you mixing up Lawrence with Thomas? ;P

Only thing I ever see Lawrence post are photos of an old Nikon F photomic with a sweet retro strap. Not really something I'd call overpriced or anything.
Jan 23 2014 4:20PM
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