I may be coming into some money and MAY buy a new camera. I am defiantly going to ger a 18-105 for my NEX but I was thinking about a JVC GY-HM650 for another kit. How do you think it will stack up? Especially in low light?

I've been thinking about a Sony A7s to go with my EA50 and A6000. Let's hope the A7s doesn't overheat as quickly as the A6000.

I may be coming into some money and MAY buy a new camera. I am defiantly going to ger a 18-105 for my NEX but I was thinking about a JVC GY-HM650 for another kit. How do you think it will stack up? Especially in low light?

I have both the NEX-EA50 and the JVC HM600. In low light, the HM600 does quite well. But even at 0dB, it is noisier than the EA50, and the footage isn't as sharp. I've not been able to get the 2 cameras to match well.

I did this low light test a while back. Both cameras were set to 0/50 shutter, 0dB gain, f3.5. I found the results very interesting, but I'm told the native ISO on the HM600 is much higher than the EA50. I can also bump up the gain of my EA50 to 20dB easily, while the HM600 gets noisy at 6dB. This is typical for a 1/3" chip camera.

In saying all that, the HM600 is still a great camera. I use it a lot for run and gun work. The manual lens controls are fantastic. And the 50mbit codec is very good. However if I was in the market for a new camera, I'd personally be looking at the Sony PXW-X70.

http://s3.postimg.org/3m7rhjycf/test.jpg (http://postimg.org/image/3m7rhjycf/)

Hi Randy

Based on your requirements you really need to be looking at a 3 chip camera that has a servo zoom and good autofocus. What about the Sony handhelds? As long as you stick to a camera that has a nice big fixed zoom lens you will be fine. Why not rather get a NX5 ... it will match the EA-50 nicely and has much the same profiles too.

If I had just one EA-50 I would get a second EA-50 ... shared lenses with my Nikons is brilliant .. my only other option would be get rid of the EA-50's and get two JVC 850's

Chris

Hi Chris,

That JVC GY-HM850 has a pretty small sensor, why would that be your choice? I'm a beginner and trying to learn more about specs and features.

Hi Chris,

That JVC GY-HM850 has a pretty small sensor, why would that be your choice? I'm a beginner and trying to learn more about specs and features.

I'l chime in here...

Small sensor cameras still have their place.

A lot of us like large sensor cameras for their good low light performance and shallow depth of field. However, cameras like the HM600/850 with 3 smaller 1/3" or 1/2" chips are generally preferred for fast paced news gathering, sports events, etc, because of their deep depth of field (easy focusing), manual iris/focus/zoom rings, smooth servo zoom, etc. They also typically don't have issues with aliasing/moire like some larger sensor cameras are plagued with. And they often record internally to 50mbit broadcast-approved codecs which make them a good choice for those in the broadcast industry.

There are plenty of other benefits, but those are all I can come up with right now.

I wouldn't say a 1/3rd chip is a small sensor by any means ... The BBC are using the 800 series for ENG ...when things are moving fast and you need a servo lens and autofocus (Unlike the 700's the 850 band 890 has an Fujinon AF lens!!)

If you don't need to have to worry about shallow DOF and adapters these cams are awesome and seem to have a fairly good low light rating too. Prior to my EA-50's by Panny AC-130's had 1/3rd chips and they were pretty good in low light!!

I would take the 850 over the 650 purely because of the form factor and balance!! Those JVC's sit on your shoulder perfectly. Best form factor I have ever seen.

But if you want to match with the EA-50 then the NX5 will be better or another EA-50 like I have. There is a big advantage having matched cameras. If I went for the 850's I would sell BOTH EA-50's and get two 850's

Chris

Randy what are your requirements? I'm tempted to agree with Chris and go for the NX5 if you need gun and run as it will match up to your EA50 footage better than the JVC - especially if you use picture profiles.

I shoot weddings so low light is a real issue for me - that's why I went with the Sony A7s as my second camera of choice - I still do not like the DSLR form factor as it makes me slower to respond in a fast moving situation but it can pretty much see in the dark and the footage is gorgeous - better than the 5D IMO

Pete

Hi Pete

I did look at the A7S and was blown away by the low light performance but I still cannot work well with that silly form factor!

I know that you guys have castles that are darker than we could ever imagine but I have been able to comfortably (with the aid of a video light) do all my weddings with the stock lens. OK, I did struggle a bit but I did manage. With the Sigma 18-35 F1.8 on my camera now I virtually have no need for the light and I got it on a special at $700. My issue is that even if I got an A7S I would still need an adapter for the Nikon lenses so that's probably $3,000 out my pocket which I don't want to spend on gear!!

I honestly don't think I would go back to a 1/3rd chip camera again ... the 50 with still lenses works really well for me so why change?? I really feel that the slight inconvenience of using a tiny bit of light now and again when it's really pitch black outweighs fighting a DSLR body form factor.

Randy really is looking for two BIG things ...servo zoom and autofocus both which I can do without. Unless Sony bring out a 17-50 emount lens with AF and power zoom he is stuck with the two stock zooms which are not that fast so that's why I suggested an NX5 ....I don't like it as a handheld camera as I'm so used to shoulder mount so it's not my choice personally but it has the features that Randy wants.

I'm seriously looking at my second 18-200 stock lens which has been sitting in the camera case for 3 months now and wondering why I shouldn't sell it as well. I don't need the servo zoom and they retail here for nearly $1500 ... I could get something more useful that's also faster too. I have no issues manually focussing the Tamron 17-50 F2.8 for bridal entry either ... I know you still use the stock lens for that but what do you do in a really dark venue ?? Use the A7S for bridal entry?

Chris

I think having a 3rd inch camera as part of your kit is a smart move and the 600/650 and 800 series cameras would be suitable. Pick it up, turn it on and shoot.

My move to the A7s Chris (via the 5D3) was to avoid using lights completely - I don't like the fact that a light draws attention to myself and makes people 'react' which is the opposite of what I want to accomplish as a documentary film maker.

I find the EA50 footage from 18db - 24db (where I limit it) to be murky and ill defined - not quite soft but not exactly sharp - even with my good Canon glass. It is however good for most of the wedding day providing I can open up to f2.8 - In the evening however it struggles sometimes so the A7s is where it's at for me - I am getting more and more used to the form factor now though the more i use it :)

Thanks Pete

I limit my cams to 21db and the footage looks great and never had a complaint! However that's with the Sigma 18-35 and F1.8 ..the stock lens is murky at anything over 18db I agree.

All my wedding lenses now are no slower than F2.8 and it makes a big difference ...Nice to see the gain sitting at 9db instead of 18db!!

I'm actually going to dump my second stock lens this week as it hasn't been used since June!!!

With fast zooms the EA-50 is a completely different machine!!

Chris

I've been thinking about a Sony A7s to go with my EA50 and A6000. Let's hope the A7s doesn't overheat as quickly as the A6000.

The A7S has over heating issues I believe :-(

That's a pain - the A6000 seems to heat up culmulatively (if that makes sense). I can shoot for 10 or 15 minutes with no problems, then each subsequent take is shorter and shorter before the warning symbol appears.

The sort of money you will be coughing up for the A7S you might want to consider buying a pre-owned FS100.

Hi James

That's a good point but for me the FS100 is brilliant as a camera but again sucks big time for us handheld guys! Love the sensor but hate the form factor

Pete said in another thread that he has had no issues at all with the overheat issue..however that's in the UK where you guys get pretty mild weather compared to us. The EA-50 has impressed me in the heat ..it was at an outdoor wedding in full sun at a lovely 43 degrees last February ..it never skipped a beat and I had to pick it up, tripod and all with the towel as it was too hot to grab the handle ... it gets warm in these parts at weddings!!!

The Panasonic FZ1000 is quite an amazing camera for the price if you don't mind the DSLR body ..fixed super zoom lens and it shoots in 4K too which the A7S cannot do without an external recorder !!
Not sure how the A7S is with autofocus ?? and does it have a servo zoom?? Those seem to be absolute essentials for Randy so even with an FS100 he would be limited to e_mount lenses ... His issue there is that he would also need to buy a few e-mounts which is his major complaint about the EA-50..not enough range by Sony and they are pricey !!

Chris

To be honest the JVC 650 looked like a well thought out camera with a great lens, its the first camera in a long time to show true sensitivity (2000 lux @f-11) thats as good as my old DV cameras. I was considering the 850 too I think it may have the same chips as the 650. the NX 5 looks nice im not crazy about a different media format though. The EA-50 is great for me BUT in order to make it great you NEED third party lenses in that case you lose so much. We'll see I know I will buy the lens for my EA 50 first so maybe after a few jobs with that I may just get another EA 50:)

Choices choices choices ... No wonder all these cameras have their markets.

After buying my FS700 and being blown away, I've always wondered why everyone just doesn't own a FS100 or FS700 and call it a day. But I can see why. People are willing to sacrifice one feature to have another and vice versa.

Just a little side note: After reading through this thread i was looking up the cams that were suggested and i could not help but notice the way they have the sensor looking so big on this cam HERE (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=a7S&gclid=CK6izIOq2sACFZJr7AodU00Aqw&N=4291215468+4288586281). I guess it is a marketing ploy to give the consumer the notion that this cam has a big sensor, I assume, lol!

I for one would love to have a FS100. I see you can pick a previously owned one now for 2.5K now. That is awesome when they were 5K brand new at one time.

Aaron that's because the A7S has a full frame sensor. The FS100 has a Super 35 sensor. The EA50 has a APS-C.

My FS100 cost less than my EA50 (which I purchased brand new) ... go figure.

I sold both within months of use and settled with a FS700 though. Love the built in ND's and high speed under proper lighting.

Yeah James, the FS700 is a little out of my price range as of right now. I hope to make it to that level soon. I love the features of the FS700 especially the slow motion abilities.

I got my EA50 from B&H for $2700 in the used Dept., which last year I got my Sony AX2000 from B&H Used Dept for the same price, Sucks!

I was going to sell my AX2000 but i'm glad i held on to it. After reading through this thread it help me understand the advantage of having it in my gear. I shot with it today, as i'm building an opener for a talk show and I'm very pleased at it's low light performance. So now I'm looking at my two cams in a different light as i develop a strategy with them.

Back to Randy again?

Over here we can get the EA-50K unit which is a body only. It's a lot cheaper as it has no lens so it's great as a B-Camera as you just use your existing Nikon lenses and when you need a zoom just grab the 18-200 or 18-105 servos and use it on the camera you are running.

Makes dollar sense ..There was a guy here also selling a body only a little way back but you can always sell the 2nd stock lens like I did

Chris

Makes dollar sense ..There was a guy here also selling a body only a little way back but you can always sell the 2nd stock lens like I did
That might have been me! ;)
Camera is sold now though, unfortunately it had to sell it with the lens in the end. I already miss that lens.

The A7S has over heating issues I believe :-(

James I shot a 15 minute civil ceremony last week without any problems

Hi Pete

Does it have a record limit? Apart from over-heating we still have the odd old fashioned Catholic ceremony where my EA-50 runs non-stop for anything from 45 minutes to an hour and a quarter! Thank goodness those are rare. I do cheat a little too though and normally stop and restart the camera after the readings, homily and before the vows simply cos I'm too lazy to have a split clip and it's easier to edit 4 x 12 minute clips than plow thru nearly an hour on the timeline!

If the A7S overheats does it require an appreciable amount of cooling down time or does it merely need a few seconds of reset? Even so I have seen a few posts where guys have the overheat icon come up and they just let the camera run with no ill effects. You obviously wouldn't have any long run times at the reception unless the Father of the Bride wants everybody to know the life history of his little precious!!!
(I did have one Dad who ran up a 37 minute clip once!)

Chris

Hi Dmitri

It might have been you..but I think it was more recent and a guy here in Australia. I don't miss my 18-200 at all, in fact I have my second one on eBay at the moment. At weddings I have no use for it and on Realty shoots it's nowhere wide enough so I do those with a Tamron 10-24 (locked at full wide and zone focused as auto focus just won't work if you are try to film a vacant room interior with white walls and a white ceiling..there is nothing for it to lock onto so it goes crazy!!) I normally have either a Tamron 17-50 F2.8 or at bigger Churches a Tamron 28-75 F2.8 on the static cam and then my Sigma 18-35 F1.8 on the B-Cam..magic lens but quite heavy!!

If I need a big zoom I have a Nikon 18-200 also F3.5 so I am covered.

Chris

Hi Pete

Does it have a record limit? Apart from over-heating we still have the odd old fashioned Catholic ceremony where my EA-50 runs non-stop for anything from 45 minutes to an hour and a quarter! Thank goodness those are rare. I do cheat a little too though and normally stop and restart the camera after the readings, homily and before the vows simply cos I'm too lazy to have a split clip and it's easier to edit 4 x 12 minute clips than plow thru nearly an hour on the timeline!

If the A7S overheats does it require an appreciable amount of cooling down time or does it merely need a few seconds of reset? Even so I have seen a few posts where guys have the overheat icon come up and they just let the camera run with no ill effects. You obviously wouldn't have any long run times at the reception unless the Father of the Bride wants everybody to know the life history of his little precious!!!
(I did have one Dad who ran up a 37 minute clip once!)

Chris

Yes Chris even though I bought the 'world' edition camera it's still limited to 29 minutes. TBH I only really use it at evening receptions and bride prep - the EA50 with my Canon or Tamron 2.8 is adequate for most ceremonies and speeches so it's really a non issue for me - I just wish it was in a camcorder body!