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  • Hey all, just changed over the backend after 15 years I figured time to give it a bit of an update, its probably gonna be a bit weird for most of you and i am sure there is a few bugs to work out but it should kinda work the same as before... hopefully :)

Sony A7S v Panasonic GH4

Eric those Veydra's look really nice :o)

David - I did have a look at the NX1 which has the most amazing autofocus ability but online feedback was not entirely positive. Thanks for the other suggestions too - I'll check out the G7, the LX1000 and also the BMMCC too.

Best wishes

Scott
 
Scott, what is not positive about it?
Do remember most people have not even used a Samsung NX camera! I at least own one.
Unfortunately very few places online having a gathering of owners discussing using it for filmmaking (EOSHD.com forums and a few Facebook groups are the only places). This could be why you're not getting any good info about it.
 
Hi David - I haven't used a NX1 and therefore based my comments purely on what I could gather from online reviews and test footage.

The NX1 certainly wins the pixel battle and as already mentioned, it has a phenomenal autofocus system that could be a massive help when using the camera on a gimbal or when mounted on a drone. I think also for stills, it wins hands down over the GH4 and the A7S. Again this is subjective and based on images I've seen online.

What can you tell me about your own experience with the NX1? It would be great to hear your thoughts and perhaps also see any footage you have shot with this camera.

I see that the NX1 used H.265 and wonder how this plays with editing software? Can FCP X or Premiere Pro work natively with this or does it mean transcoding? Also, what's it like in low light? One thing that does make the A7S attractive is that exceptional low light ability.

In the meantime, I'll check out the EOSHD.com forums for further info on this camera - thanks David.

Best wishes

Scott
 
I've only used the a7s once, so i can't comment on this.

but i have used a gh4 half a dozen days on a drone (s900).

the 4k images is very sharp (obviously) and the footage looks nice if the day is low contrast, overcast. seems over sharpened too. it has terrible roll off to highlights. even a small area can ruin a shot. shooting anything back lit, even with the sun low behind the clouds had the awful hi lights. we tried the low contrast settings, exposing dark as, but still did it as bad.
the low iso on the gh4 is very problematic with the drone as well. we tended to shoot low light as the nicest light from the drones perspective was then, but the gh4's 100-200 iso (gets bad at 400+) was really limiting.

i would have to test the a7s more, but my feeling is it will do better, even if its 1080p. i know you can record 4k into a recorder, but what recorder and weight are you wanting to strap onto an already heavy and short running drone?

if you are ok with 1080p, then this looks interesting.
https://www.blackmagicdesign.com/products/blackmagicmicrocinemacamera

paul
 
Hi Scott, I don't think the optics in the metabones interfere any with the image from the GH4. I primarily use the combo to go wide with my tokina 11-16. Giving me approx 17mm FOV. I see there is a new olympus 7-14 now which caught my eye but like Terry I don't want to invest in another system of lenses.
 
David Peterson said:
As well as the GH4 and A7s you should also check out the Samsung NX1 and BMD Micro Cinema Camera (though the BMMCC won't ship until July).

Also take a look at the Panasonic G7, is like the GH4 but even cheaper so you'll mind even less when you crash!

Last suggestion , but not least, Panasonic LX100! Probably my most preferred option, alongside the BMMCC. As the LX100 is affordable, 4K, and very lightweight!
Click to expand...

I think I'm going to pickup a LX100 next. Looks like a great carry around everywhere camera so you never miss a moment.
 
That LX100 seems like a crazy deal. To make things more complicated though. Have used both the A7S and the GH4. GH4 is definitely the easy one for obvious reasons, but you mentioned at the outset using a camera on a DJI rig so I would say the A7S is by far the better imager. Put a 4K recorder on that - esp if it is also a functional good rez monitor and you get close to the best of both worlds. GH4 is rough with highlights, and the image is pretty thin and plastic, and you are investing in M43 Veydra etc etc like anyone needs more format and sensor sizes to blow money on. GH4 OK as some mention for BTS footage - but for something that will bring you nearer to better quality color etc the A7S is great. It is a drag that it sounds like the A7II has a bit of moire and only 1080, as the idea of a small 5 axis stabilized Log cam that takes Leica etc is like the holy grail - maybe soon.
 
Thanks guys, I really do appreciate your input here.

It would be great to have a detailed professional test of the new generation of sub $10K cameras - most to these tests seem to focus on the higher end of the market.

My brain says get the GH4 as it should be a safe bet and it's also the lowest in terms of cost. That said, I still find myself drawn towards the A7S as the footage just looks better.

I found some great sample footage earlier on Vimeo - footage shot by a cameraman called Brandon Li. He's shooting mostly handheld with a Canon 24-105 F4 lens....some really nice footage there.

I'm also going to have another look at the Samsung NX1.

I think the A7S Mk2 will be a killer camera though whenever it hits the market as it's sure to have internal 4K and also image stabilization built in.

Best wishes

Scott
 
The GH4 is what it is. A $1700 4K camera. Add a SpeedBooster and it puts you back in S35 teritory. Biggest issues in my book are with the uber tiny HDMI port, timecode issues, and ridiculous latency which makes monitoring audio hell if using an external monitor.
 
I have had both, one thing in favor of the GH4 as well is battery life. You can shoot almost all day on two batteries while the A7's with the battery grip will give you about 3hrs. I still prefer the A7's because I really don't like the picture out of the GH4.
 
I think I need to get the GH4 and A7S side by side, shoot some footage and do a proper comparison. There do seem to be more GH4's flown from drones that A7S's which makes me wonder if the "jello" from the Sony will rule this out for flying.

If anyone has had good experiences flying the A7S, please do let me know.

Many thanks.

Scott
 
i want to buy A7s my questions are i wouldnt be shooting 4K with external recorder only 1080p.No High ISO stuff
Still should i get A7s or A7r A7II? im gonna use it on photography more than a video ,rarely use as a B cam next to Dragon when i need it.
 
My feeling is that for video the A7S is the way to go BUT it's not a fantastic stills camera and for this you may be better with one of the others. I believe that Sony are due to release the new A7R Mk2 in the not too distant future and this may offer a better solution.

Best wishes

Scott
 
Kemalettin Sert said:
i want to buy A7s my questions are i wouldnt be shooting 4K with external recorder only 1080p.No High ISO stuff
Still should i get A7s or A7r A7II? im gonna use it on photography more than a video ,rarely use as a B cam next to Dragon when i need it.
Click to expand...

If you only want to shoot in 1080 and no high ISO...I'd go with a different camera especially if your focus is stills. Nikon D810 comes to mind with a high MP count and decent sensor for stills work. Or you could go medium format digital, but that's in a completely different category in terms of price. The A7r I heard takes nice stills, just never used it.
 
Kemalettin Sert said:
i want to buy A7s my questions are i wouldnt be shooting 4K with external recorder only 1080p.No High ISO stuff
Still should i get A7s or A7r A7II? im gonna use it on photography more than a video ,rarely use as a B cam next to Dragon when i need it.
Click to expand...

My opinion: get the A7II, forget DSLRs. Why? 24Mpx is plenty of resolution. Lens compatibility is greater than with DSLRs. And it has a stabilized sensor. If you can wait for the A7rII, as Chris says, then wait. If you can't wait, the A7II is your money-melon.
 
Ive just ordered a A7s and and an Atoms Shogun, camera should be with me tomorrow, and Shogun early next week. I am keen to see how they are.
 
Kemalettin Sert said:
i want to buy A7s my questions are i wouldnt be shooting 4K with external recorder only 1080p.No High ISO stuff
Still should i get A7s or A7r A7II? im gonna use it on photography more than a video ,rarely use as a B cam next to Dragon when i need it.
Click to expand...

For stills I would add another vote for the A7II:
  • 5 axis in camera stabilization is excellent--may give you two or more stops handheld.
  • Short back focus allows the use of almost any existing lens with adapters
  • FF mirrorless form factor is great for street photography
  • Zeiss 1.8/55 lens is expensive, but outstanding. Detail and presence of images is impressive.
  • The free Capture One for Sony Software is useful, but the $55 upgrade is worth it--for raw images it's a step up from Lightroom (in my opinion.)
After a couple weeks use I would say the most obvious downsides are:
  • Auto focus with non-Sony lenses is impossibly slow, but 5 axis in camera stabilization works with non-Sony lenses & smart adapters.
  • Menus are a maze, but Fn button and Quick Navi Screens help
 
Phil Holland said:
Yes and yes. Also, investigate Speed Boosters and Focal Reducers. Not truly recommending them, but they are fun.
Click to expand...


Phil whats your take on the SpeedBooster for the GH4?
 
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