full size sensor, prores, global shutter, option to go up to at least 60fps, good dynamic range, ability to effectively monitor and record sound
off the top of my head
... So a Blackmagic Production?
Here's the thing: Alexa is real average at monitoring audio! It has an uncommon 5-pin XLR input; and RED's audio controls are average and the pre-amps are not great. Audio guys I've worked with have had to create their own special cables for RED's inputs.
Most of the time they're only used for a guide track.
Neither RED nor Alexa have global shutter, at least not at their base option prices.
RED doesn't even record in ProRes or DNxHD. The F5 records in it's own proprietary format, and requires a $5,000 recorder for raw; C500 requires an ($5,000) external recorder just to get 2k, let alone raw, and the Alexa requires an external recorder to get raw (though the difference between 2k 4444 and ARRIRAW is negligible).
The cheapest external recorder for ARRIRAW is the Gemini, at ~$5k, the most popular is the Codex on-board, which is ~$10-$15k.
As far as I can tell, the cheaper cameras are actually better for those with lower budgets and less crew, as they have the options and features that are wanted by one or two man band setups.
$4k for 4k raw, balanced audio inputs with seperate level control, global shutter, 12ish stops of DR etc. on the Blackmagic.
Yep, the image is nowhere near as good, but I've already told you why that is - it's the same reason a car specifically designed for racing costs much more than a family car that happens to also be able to race.
Seems the more those on lower budgets get, the more they want
not even 10 years ago many would have just been happy just with a large sensor!
You can still get awesome images out of an HVX202 with a 35mm adapter. As always, it's more about the person than the equipment. I've seen footage shot with a Varicam and a 35mm adapter that looks miles better than stuff I've seen shot on a DSLR or Blackmagic, or even RED.
Not all that long ago, just a 35mm adapter cost as much as some DSLRs that can shoot video do today!
10 years ago, the Sony Z1 cost $5,000, came with 1/3" sensors, and could only record in interlaced formats.
The Sony F900 had 2/3" sensors, recorded in 1440x1080, at 29.976 as its max fps, and recorded onto incredibly expensive HDCAM tapes, which have 3:1:1 chroma subsampling @ 170Mbps compression. Cost ~$250k IIRC.
It's cheaper than ever to make great looking, high quality imagery!
