I am looking to but a new camera and I have narrowed it done to a few cameras. I have been reading all over the forum looking for information to make my decision easier but cant seems to get exactly what I want. So here is what I am trying to choose between
PMW- 200
NX5U
FS700
Those are my 3 picks. Now I like the NX5U and PMW because of their form Factor but I love the FS700 because of its picture quality and interchangeable lenses. Now here are a few questions that I am pondering.
Could I still make short films with the PMW and NX or will it suffer to much from fixed lenses and smaller sensors?
How much of a difference is there between the NX and PMW?
Does age matter? (NX5U is 2 years old)
Those seem to be my main issues. I am really worried about the age of the NX even though from what I can see I think I would like the camera. I also really don't want to be hindered to much when it comes to making shorts and low budget films. Thank in advance for feedback
Hi darkkar - what sort of "short films" do you plan to make? If you plan to shoot narrative, you will probably want to have some control over depth of field (DOF). Although they are both wonderful cameras, small sensor camcorders such as the
NX5U and
PMW-200 won't give you much control over DOF.
Images from the
NX5U will look something like this:
http://vimeo.com/15155793
And images from the
PMW-200 will look something like this:
http://vimeo.com/49126061
This is a great look for documentaries, reality shows and newsgathering intended for broadcast. Not so much for commercials, music videos or narrative story-telling intended for theatrical projection or online distribution.
Contrast the look from these cameras with the shallow DOF look from large sensor cameras such as the
FS700:
http://vimeo.com/54848186
Or the similarly priced
Canon C100:
http://vimeo.com/56264185
In the final analysis, you will have to decide which look you want - and then how much you're willing to pay for it.
You can get the
FS700U from Adorama for $7999(US) plus duties and shipping to Canada or
from ebay.ca for about $7950(US), shipping included.
The C100 is
$6499 plus shipping and duties from Adorama.
In your price range, unless you really need the
FS700's slow motion capability, I would look seriously at the
C100.
...my biggest pro for going with the pro cameras were the xlr imputs but now I think a dslr might be a good option like the A77? Would that work for low budget stuff?...
XLR inputs and high quality in-camera sound are not the only reason to shoot with a pro camera instead of a DSLR, Sony DSLT (like the
A77) or Panasonic DSLM.
DSL cameras suffer from a phenomenon called moire (shot-ruining shimmering colors in patterned objects such as shingled roofs, brickwork, and striped clothing). See this example from the A77:
https://vimeo.com/36310528
Note the moire on the venetian blinds in the windows at 1:19, on the skyscrapers in the distance at 1:32, and to a lesser extent on the shingled roofs.
And, except for the
$1300 Panasonic GH3, all DSL cameras below $2000 lack headphone jacks.
DSL cameras also lack power zooms, control of cine gamma, most lack zebras, focus peaking and many other features that make life easier for DPs. If your budget supports it, buy or rent a pro cine camera or camcorder.
If you can't afford a cinema camera, DSL cameras will produce great images, but they have serious limitations.
Hope this is helpful,
Bill
