Whats the best camera to get right now? 2013

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RealJasonBourne

My budget is $1000-2000. I was thinking of getting the black magic pocket cam, but I looked at Panasonic HVX200 which I can get for around $1200. I wouldnt have to buy lenses if I got that.

Is the HVX200 too old to be wasting money on right now? Are there any other good cameras? Should I just save up and get the Black Magic Cinema Cam for $2000?
 
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There is no "best" camera. A Go-Pro is better than an Alexa or Epic... if you're shooting sports POV's and action scenes. A 5D is better than a 35mm cinema camera... if you need to shoot in tight spaces.

It all depends on what you are shooting. Doc? Fictional feature? Short film? What locations? What temperates? What other equipment do you own? Will you be shooting in low light locations? What audio equipment? The list goes on.

Give some more info on the project, and giving an answer will be far easier :)
 
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I use the Canon 6D which I love. My preference would have been for a 5D Mk3 but my budget could not stretch to that. Have you budgeted for lenses, lights, stands, audio gear, cards, batteries etc?

I did a budget and lots of research prior to buying - was amazed at how much my 'film camera' budget actually blew up once I included everything I needed to (micro-budget) indie film (visuals as well as audio).

Canon 6D EOS
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/892349-REG/Canon_8035b002_EOS_6D_Digital_Camera.html
 
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RealJasonBourne said:
i have a canon HG20, do you think i should just use that instead of buying a new cam?
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Are you kidding?!
For a youtube-esque web show it's perfect!

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/576009-REG/Canon_3085B001_VIXIA_HG20_AVCHD_Hard.html
http://www.usa.canon.com/cusa/suppo...finition_camcorders/vixia_hg20#Specifications

1920 x 1080 HD
12x Optical zoom
37mm filter threads (Hope you already have a UV filter on 24/7. I think my lens has had about five minutes of fresh air since I opened the box.)
SD card
Shoots in 30p and 24p
Mic in.
Headphones out.

Don't blow money on a new camera until that one gets unrelaibly glitchy or you're making money off your films.
Plenty of popular webshows look like cr@p.
(Pssst! It AIN'T the camera! Wink, wink!)
For the internet, content and MARKETING are waaaaaaaay more important than resolution et al.
 
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rayw said:
Are you kidding?!
For a youtube-esque web show it's perfect!

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/576009-REG/Canon_3085B001_VIXIA_HG20_AVCHD_Hard.html
http://www.usa.canon.com/cusa/suppo...finition_camcorders/vixia_hg20#Specifications

1920 x 1080 HD
12x Optical zoom
37mm filter threads (Hope you already have a UV filter on 24/7. I think my lens has has about five minutes of fresh air since I opened the box.)
SD card
Shoots in 30p and 24p
Mic in.
Headphones out.

Don't blow money on a new camera until that one gets unrelaibly glitchy or you're making money off your films.
Plenty of popular webshows look like cr@p.
(Pssst! It AIN'T the camera! Wink, wink!)
For the internet, content and MARKETING are waaaaaaaay more important than resolution et al.
Click to expand...

ok sweet thankz
 
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MartyMcfly said:
I'm looking to improve from a T2i. What would be the next step up for me in terms of short films?
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I think we need a little more information in order to help, Marty. What's your budget? Where do you plan to distribute your films? YouTube/Vimeo? Broadcast/cable? Festivals/theatrical?

If you have a few hundred dollars and shoot for YouTube, I agree with ChimpPhobia.

If you have a few thousand, plan to shoot for TV or theatrical, my answer would be different.

If you're tired of your camera's limitations (e.g., moire, lack of a headphone jack, lack of a video viewfinder, lack of autofocus or the 12 minute limit) and plan to sell it and change systems, my answer would be different again.

Hope this is helpful,

Bill
 
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brunerww said:
I think we need a little more information in order to help, Marty. What's your budget? Where do you plan to distribute your films? YouTube/Vimeo? Broadcast/cable? Festivals/theatrical?

If you have a few hundred dollars and shoot for YouTube, I agree with ChimpPhobia.

If you have a few thousand, plan to shoot for TV or theatrical, my answer would be different.

If you're tired of your camera's limitations (e.g., moire, lack of a headphone jack, lack of a video viewfinder, lack of autofocus or the 12 minute limit) and plan to sell it and change systems, my answer would be different again.

Hope this is helpful,

Bill
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Haha first of all i just joined this site and already love the responses. I've been in forums where simple questions are answered in a way that will make you feel like a newborn baby in a Honors Precalc class.

I have a T2i with the stock kit lens and i plan on shooting skits for YouTube/Vimeo and short films for local(dallas) film festivals. I was looking at the Sony NEX-VG30 as it looks like a pretty good investment. Although right now i'm planning 4-5 months down the road, my budget was no more than $1,200. As far as features go, id like a rotatable screen and the best Video Quality possible in that price range. If a T2i with different lens is the best option than please let me know. Thanks again!
 
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MartyMcfly said:
...id like a rotatable screen and the best Video Quality possible in that price range...
Click to expand...


Welcome to the forum, Marty! I like the group here, they have strong opinions, but they know what they're talking about and most people try to help and not stroke their own egos.

If you want the absolute "best image quality possible" for $1200 that would be a little different camera than an easy-to-use camera with a "swivel screen" such as the VG30.

Assuming you have sound taken care of, I'll recommend 3 cameras in your price range:

Absolute Best Image Quality:

Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera - $995

Used Panasonic 14mm f2.5 lens - about $200

You'll need extra batteries, a rig or tripod, an LCD shade/viewfinder or EVF, an external recorder for sound, etc. - but this camera will give you the most film-like dynamic range in this class.

Here is what this camera can do:

The Case: http://vimeo.com/77648980

The One (please watch at 1080p): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v5gAq_eN1ks

Most camcorder-like ergonomics with a large sensor camera:

Used Sony NEX-VG30 (body only) - $1041 and up

Metabones Smart Adapter for your Canon lenses - $300

With this combination, you will have 1080/60p, a headphone jack, good in-camera sound, a rotating LCD, no clip length limit, and the ability to add a power zoom and fast autofocus when you can afford to buy the Sony 18-200 NEX power zoom lens.

On the downside, NEX cameras, like Canons, are susceptible to moire. And this camera is limited to 28mbps AVCHD compression.

Here is what this camera can do (examples from VG20):

Blonde Ambition: http://vimeo.com/48634282

Date: http://vimeo.com/38673429

Best Combination of Ergonomics and Image Quality:

Panasonic GH3 - on sale for $998

Used Panasonic 14mm f2.5 lens - about $200

This camera is moire-resistant, has the swivel screen that you're looking for, shoots at 1080/60p for smooth action and slow motion, shoots multiple codecs, to include Quicktime .MOV (like your T2i) at up to 72mpbs, has a viewfinder that actually works while you're shooting video (unlike your T2i), has fast and quiet video autofocus with system lenses, shoots hours of continuous video like a camcorder and has a headphone jack.

Here is what this camera can do:

Clash: http://vimeo.com/64377878

Genesis: http://vimeo.com/49420579

Hope this is helpful!

Bill
 
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