ok, so i know this is a loaded topic. i realize that a piece ran claiming that among the cinema cameras available at the time of their test, VG900 did the worst.

but the EA50 wasn't in this test. and i'm seeing some vids now that seem to look better than the EA50. so the vg900 should technically not be able to get as good of an image right?

but check out a few of these vids:
Sony NEX VG900 and Rangefinder lenses - YouTube
Sony NEX VG900 Video Test - YouTube

and its not just depth of field that i'm talking about. i think both of these videos are made in APS-C mode so the depth of field should match to a EA50 if it had the same lens. i realize that many have posted vids of the EA50 with a speed booster and fast prime lenses like samyangs and such. color seems nicer in these vids and everything. and just i generally am confused how few videos have been made other than maybe the ones on this forum that seem to look this good.

so is the VG900 really worse than the EA50? and if so is there anything anyone can provide that really clarifies that? thanks in advance

and is the EA50 really that unpopular that vimeo has less than 50 videos made with this camera? (sorry thats another topic, lol)

just found some reviews that say this thing is FAR worse than the EA50, in ergonomics and everything.

CameraDiner.com Review - Sony NEX-VG900E, the full frame sensor camcorder with interchangable lens - YouTube

so should it just be assumed that the user of the camera in the above examples just is relying on great lenses and maybe a ninja to get the above shots or what?

Hi Chris

It's also about the operator!! Do a shoot with the EA-50 with crappy backlighting or see in the dark situations, don't bother with framing or composition and anyone can make a bad video!

The EA-50 for me is a tool but I want my camera to have a form factor I'm comfortable with...I used to get amazing footage from a hacked Lumix GH1 but is was a pain to use and I just wasn't happy with it.

For me the EA-50 has the perfect form factor and weight and all the fuctions I always needed so I bought two....how I use the cameras (well or poorly) is no fault of the camera. It's also like a car ...we all drive what we like not anything else.

I dislike the VG900 form factor ..it's to awkward to hold I would think BUT if you shoot only on tripod it would probably be an awesome camera....I shoot handheld 90% of the time so the 50's are perfect for me!

Chris

I got the little VG30 with the 18-200mm power lens and now the NEX 10-18mm.
The glass on the 10-18m lens is worth the $1000, its wider and better than my Tokina 11-16m in may ways.

Both NEX lenses have auto focus on the fly when shooting video and OSS.
All I can say is I feel sorry for all those that are using a DSLR now to shoot video :-)

The Black Magic camera may put out better quality but it would be useless for my work in the real world.
I'm going to make some good coin with this little Sony camera.

Hey thanks for the thoughts.
Have a link to any vids with you might have made with those lenses?

Yes, I find all these "tests" where people are jerkingly pointing the camera in random directions, shaking and having everything in full auto more than useless in judging the quality of a camera.
Try to find some finished footage that is similar to the work you will do, then you can tell.

I also find that the "real video camera" form factor of the EA50 is invaluable. I can't imaging having no dedicated buttons for common tasks and having to constantly go to menus...

yea some things irritate me. like why are all the reviews 10 minutes? i sometimes get the impression that maybe sony paid for a favorable review. i realize it takes time and money, but i'm not satisfied with reviews of this camera. the digital zoom is mentioned but never shown for more than a second, it took noa's video to show how bad it is. why the heck is that not in any reviews?! can someone review this camera again and NOT just rehash the list of features which i can read for myself on B&H? maybe spend more than 5 minutes on image quality? and stop talking about how good the image is, show us for goodness sakes and please more than one shot!!!

Most reviews come from people that get a preproduction model or they get the model as a loan and they get to play with a for a day or a bit more, that is too limited to get to know the real ins and outs. That is always reserved for the real users that actually buy the camera, that's why I started that blog about the camera, to gather as much as real world information I can find so new and existing users might learn from it. I will try to add some info this week about questions you often see returning, even-though I"m not a scientist I"ll try my best to provide some useful info.

One good example about how valuable input from the real buyers can be I experienced just recently, Philip did a review where he said rolling shutter was not an issue with this camera and that a "dslr" would display much worse rolling shutter.
I then did a test comparing with my 550d with the same camera settings (I tested in 25p) and my test showed the ea50 actually did worse then my dslr. Jerome, another ea50 user took it a step further and compared 25p to 50p (or in his case 30p to 60p) to discover the rolling shutter is less in 60p and that resulted in this article: Rolling shutter | Sony nex ea50 user blog (http://sonynexea50.wordpress.com/2013/03/08/rolling-shutter/)

This is what I want to achieve, real use input from users that finally can give an answer to some questions, like in above case to use 50 or 60p if you want to have less rolling shutter issues. The thing is that if I find something and publish it and if another user finds something that either complements or contradicts this I will change or add that info so it becomes more accurate. Known reviewers publish their short findings once but they rarely come back to what hey have claimed.

I guess you also have to stop and think: "does this matter to me?".

I've never done and will probably never do fast pans like that. And if so, it'll happen once, probably with music and/or other noises also happening at the same time, only experienced filmmakers would probably even notice in that case. So for me, rolling shutter is a none issue.

Moire could potentially be an issue, someone might wear a striped suit or checkered shirt.

Sometimes I think too many reviews focus technical stuff that very rarely matter in the real world and get blown out of proportion in forums.

It's good to now about issues, sure. But it's also good to take a step back and see if they really matter to you.

That's why I find all these test rather useless. Seeing finished work is really much more useful, I think.

That's why I find all these test rather useless. Seeing finished work is really much more useful, I think.

Agree, but whatever I post I leave it up to the viewer whether it would be a problem for them or not, but I find it important that this info is out there so people won't have to guess. I often hated it when I encountered some issues with a device, that affected my kind of work and that I didn't knew before, because if I did I probably would not have bought it. Now what would be a issue for me might not be a issue for another user.

Just check this what I just posted that was reported by Jerome: Cokin “Pure Harmonie Variable ND Filter” test | Sony nex ea50 user blog (http://sonynexea50.wordpress.com/2013/03/19/cokin-pure-harmonie-variable-nd-filter-test/)
It's a problem with a filter that gives serious focus issues when you zoom in fully with the stocklens, you could also say that for users that don't zoom in this is not an problem and their finished work would also suggest this is a good filter, would you not agree that it is useful then to report this but let it up to each individual user to decide if that would be an issue for them or not? At least then it is known what problems that type of filter can cause under which circumstances and that can only contribute in making better videos. That is actually the main goal of that blog.

I guess I'm just bitter because before I got my EA50 (damn early though) all I could find (except for the Pepephone vid and Alister's) was shaky footage from peoples back yards. And people are still doing it! It seems everyone who buys a camera (not just the EA50) feel the urge to post their own shaky video of their back yard, even if there's hundreds of those from the same camera online already ;)

EXACTLY!!! lol. no seriously, its either every technical thing except out in the field using the camera, or its out using the camera in an environment that i would never use it. and then i'm still left wondering "why didn't he take the camera outside or something?!"
this is EXACTLY how i feel, and its why i'm on here on this forum constantly asking questions cause i wanna know what i'm getting into, and since the reviews are giving me enough info i'm resorting to asking users of the camera directly.
PS,
i may finally make my decision next month. its either the EA50 or the FS100. its down to these two. and i'm beginning to wonder if the ergonomics matter at all to me, lol. i can always get the 1 and then get the other later.... we'll see.

The reason I didn't get the FS100:
I couldn't afford it.

Back then it was £1000 more expensive than the EA50 without a lens. Now it seems they have come down in price quite a lot, no?
Only reason to not get it today would be that it's been out a while and a successor is bound to arrive anytime.

Hi Dmitri

They buy the camera, charge the battery and then walk out the back door and film the yard, the cat (always cats) and a bit of grass and trees and the backyard fence and voila ..we have a review!! Totally useless as the guy normally hasn't even read the manual yet!!!

Chris? I looked at the FS100 but remember it has no form factor like the EA-50 ...if you are shooting always on tripod then it might be worth considering but if you are planning a lot of on shoulder shoots then the EA-50 is a better option.

Chris

Yes, I find all these "tests" where people are jerkingly pointing the camera in random directions, shaking and having everything in full auto more than useless in judging the quality of a camera.
Try to find some finished footage that is similar to the work you will do, then you can tell.

I also find that the "real video camera" form factor of the EA50 is invaluable. I can't imaging having no dedicated buttons for common tasks and having to constantly go to menus...

Nicely said!
JC

That camera diner review was really interesting. I watched the whole thing. Good info about the VG900.

I'm really intrigued by that camera. I like all the manual controls of the EA50, but the size of the VG900 appeals to me.

Would be nice to own both. Problem solved. Haha.

I'm really intrigued by that camera. I like all the manual controls of the EA50, but the size of the VG900 appeals to me.
Would be nice to own both. Problem solved. Haha.
I think having an EA50 and a VG20/30 would be to prefer in that case. They use same or similar sensors so they would be easier to match if you use them on the same shoot.

If I can afford it (which doesn't seem likely anytime soon) I'll try to get a used VG20 as b-camera to compliment the EA50.

Back then it was £1000 more expensive than the EA50 without a lens.

Here that is about £1500 difference and if you add the lens over £2000.

Here that is about £1500 difference and if you add the lens over £2000.
Creative Video - broadcast & professional solutions (http://www.creativevideo.co.uk) (where I got my EA50), has the EA50 for £2634 and the FS100 (without lens) for £2910. Not a massive difference if you already have lenses. Back then I didn't have any lenses and and I think the price difference was bigger. And I had to beg, borrow and steal to afford the EA50 in the first place so the FS100 was really no option then.
Looking at it now, the FS100 seems almost affordable, especially if you take advantage of CVPs VAT free shipping within the EU, then it's "only" £2425... That is about £2420 more than I have though so I'll keep on dreaming ;)

If anyone is thinking of getting the Sony NEX 10-18mm $1000 lens for video I would say go for it.

This is a video screen grab straight from the timeline as I was flying VG30 along the beach.
Lens was on auto focus. :-)

Hi Paul

That's a great still..was that at full wide ??? Is there any horizon curvature at 10mm or fisheye effect or do your horizons still appear relatively straight. The DOF at 10mm must be almost infinity!! You certainly would have too many focus issues!! That would be a nice lens for my Realty shoots inside houses!!

Chris

That camera diner review was really interesting. I watched the whole thing. Good info about the VG900.

I'm really intrigued by that camera. I like all the manual controls of the EA50, but the size of the VG900 appeals to me.

Would be nice to own both. Problem solved. Haha.

I use a VG-900 with various lenses for a website I own and personally I love it. I bought it mainly due to it's ease of use, it's super slim dof, full frame which lets me get the looks I want in tight situations, it's light gathering ability, the oled viewfinder, that it can use a-mount lenses out of the box, that the important controls to me easily accessible, and that I can basically use almost any lens with it. I don't agree with many points brought up in that Camera Diner review, but I suppose it just depends on your application and what you are used to.

For you guys that do weddings though I don't know if the VG-900's form factor makes sense, seems like the EA50 would be a much better form factor for that application. For weddings you want some heft to the camera to dampen your movements and make pans look smoother, and shoulder mounting I imagine could be rather important especially on long recordings.

I would say for weddings the EA50 is the one for sure.

Shot some interviews with the VG30 and found it frustrating going through the menu to set the sound up.
I did use it for a green screen shoot and it worked really well.

@Chris...yes that was full wide.
There may be a slight bit of horizontal distortion over the water at 10mm but nothing to worry about.
Inside verticals are perfect.

Here is that Nex 10-18mm lens again on a hand held stabilizer.
Hand held steadicam walk using the Blackbird Stabiliizer Cairns Queensland - YouTube

That looks like a sweet lens for sure for outdoor shots, only too slow for my purpose, f4.0 is not very usable at weddings.

Noa, tonight I was messing around with my Canon 60D and Tokina 11-16mm.
Canon set full wide 25P @ f2.8 with ISO set to 100.
Sony set to 50P @ f4 and 0 gain.
The Sony with the Nex lens on was better in the low light.
To get the Canon to the same as what I could see on the Sony I had to crank the ISO up to 160. :-)

Setting the Sony to 15db @ f4
Was the same as setting the canon to 640 ISO @ f2.8
Then ISO 1600 on the Canon was about the same as 21db on the Sony

I then maxed both out.
Canon on 6400 ISO and Sony on 30db, could not see any image on the Canon in the dark room but could just on the Sony :-)

Hi Paul

Thanks for that. I was looking at your tours for Real estate ...very neat too!! I do Property Condition reports for Rental homes at much the same price structure ....Now, It seems like you are doing the entire tour on the Blackbird and is that the VG900 with your new 10-16mm lens??? That to me seems a really efficient way to do the whole thing ..just a transmiiter on the agent and keep walking and he keeps talking and then upload to YT and they send the embed code to RealEstate.com.au to have the video in their listing.

I was doing quite a few videos for Coldwell Banker in Port Douglas but they would take the stills and I would pan and zoom to make the video (since I was in WA!!)...might be worth giving them a call about your services???

Chris

The Sony with the Nex lens on was better in the low light.

Currently my budget doesn't allow to buy any more lenses and the Sony is not that cheap here, I would prefer though to have a fixed f2.8 zoomlens, at weddings you need as fast lenses as you can get. :) Will be something for next year.

Chris how did you get a job for them over there?
I kind of like to stay away from Port, to much of a hassle to drive up there, get stuck behind tourists driving 40 kmph.. Enough work around here.

Blackbird, VG30 and the new lens.
Yes it a idea that is slowly catching on.
Property condition reports, theirs another angle, have you got a vid I could see.

Noa, what adapter do you use for your Tokina to get it on the Sony.

Here is one I did off a dark house, the VG30 has the same chip as the EA50 I think.
Was on 50P f4 ,15 - 18db
7 Teraglin Street, Kanimbla - YouTube

Hi Paul

No Title (http://www.pcrwa.com) .... I like them cos they are no rush jobs and are quite repeatable as plenty of tenants only rent for 6 months so you get the same house twice a year....

What was happening was agents in NSW and Queensland would go to the property and take still photos and then email them to me and I would do a bit of pan and zoom on the stills and then upload the end video and send them a link for realestate.com.au ... For me that market dried up a few years ago ....I haven't had much call for fly-thrus here but PCR's are pretty active...I just work with two agents and that keeps me pretty busy!!

Chris

I use the 20 and 50 in every shoot requiring multiple cameras and both work flawlessly together. The 20 has a terrific form factor for quick and impromptu videos while the 50 requires greater patience due to it's large size. As for the 100/50 debate, I'll take the 50 because of form factor, still capability and DZ. The camera's 1.5 stops slower then the 100 and the video is not quite as good but the difference is not vast. Ergonomically, as stated before, is a non-starter with the 100.

Just did 9 green screen shoots with teleprompter and the VG30 with the stock 18-200mm lens.
Works a treat.
Was on 9DB too and auto focus :-)