ASK & DISCUSS INDEX

7 years, 11 months ago - John Lubran

I used to be a complete camera nerd until a couple of years ago and kept abreast of every detail of them
These days manufacturers are knocking th out nineteen to the dozen, and they pretty much all claim to be 4K. So when one asks which is good for £2k the answer is, 'it depends on what you want to do with it?'

Through price range for 4K cameras is between £400 and over £100,000. There's reasons for this. For example EBU Broadcast Standards that most broadcaster in the developed world comply with for probably 80% of productions at 4K require a minimum bit rate of 50mbps for 1K HD and varying but greater bit rates for 4K. EBU specs also state that imaging sensors should be a minimum of 3 X half inch chips or a full frame sensor. A number of lessor specified cameras have been able to slip in under the radar because they can produce pictures that are as near as damn it. There's a little Sony Professional camera, whose name I forget right now that is one of these sneaky devil's priced at just under £2k plus VAT. It also has good audio features with XLR inputs and full manual options for every function
I imagine that Canon, Panasonic and JVC have contenders too. Black Magic have their pocket moviecam but it's not as versatile as the run and gun types.

One ought to factor in extra batteries and recording cards. An ND protector filter is a good idea and stuff like a tripod, mics etc. I imagine a £2k budget for everything will be a bit tight if you want to be equipped well enough to sneak in under that radar.

For cheaper kit, such as a GoPro and consumer stuff boasting 4K be aware of their shortcomings; not only slow bit rates and cut price sensors but limited contrast and motion handling that disappoint professional eyes , especially when viewed on a large monitor.

Take your time research the numbers. Avoid any product that fails to provide bit rates (mbps) on their specs because it usually means they're not proud of them.

7 years, 11 months ago - Gary Stevens

Thanks John some useful tip bits to look out for.

7 years, 11 months ago - Vlad Iliescu

Hi Gary,

Have a look at Canon XC10 for run and gun type or have a look at the Blackmagic Video Assist 4k and see what cameras u can use it with.

7 years, 11 months ago - John Lubran

The Canon XC10 looks likely to be a nice camera for the price but falls well short of EBU specs because of its slow bit rates and single small COS chip.

The Panasonic HCX 1000 although also nice for the price also falls short of EBU specs.

It seems frustrating though that for a bit more, at £1965 plus VAT (£2358 inc) one can buy a Sony PXW-X70 with 4K at as near as damn it broadcast standard and already widely accepted by broadcasters. Even better is the Sony PXW-Z90V at £2580 including VAT which is significantly improved version of the PVW-X70 due out in November.

7 years, 11 months ago - Gary Stevens

Thank you John & Vlad for your excellent advice I might just wait for the new Sony. It's bound to come down in price after launch and glad to see that Sony have also re-instated the Carl Zeiss lens.

7 years, 11 months ago - Paddy Robinson-Griffin

I'm interested in the Sony PXW-Z90V TBH - need to take 10x broadcaster approved 4k cameras to a PITA location - so this would be great.

7 years, 11 months ago - John Lubran

I expect the PXW-Z90V might be one of the cheekiest little numbers yet to scare some mega buck types. It should also make a great B roll and low profile support camera working with FS7 types. What's PITA though Paddy? 10 cameras of any sort is a lot of dosh, especially when all the ancillary kit is added to the inventory!

7 years, 11 months ago - Paddy Robinson-Griffin

PITA - pain in the arse!

Yes, serious lump of cash, although I'll probably be able to structure a deal where we might be going where we can trade cameras for labour. The cameras would actually be good value compared with the Petabyte or so of hard drives I need as well :-$. Going somewhere with no local supply chains is a challenge!

7 years, 11 months ago - John Lubran

Sounds like an interesting project. The sort of thing that new technology can make a lot easier than it used to be. Ironically it's also possibly a scenario where a robust low cost tape format might work better. There was rumour that a new 4K tape format was being developed?

7 years, 11 months ago - Paddy Robinson-Griffin

I would love a tape format! We're still trying to recover a crashed card, had the chip demounted from the board and remounted to try to recover as a card image. Awful.

7 years, 11 months ago - Azeem Khan

I bought the JVC GY-HM200E 4K camcorder about one and a half years ago for £1,800. It's a solid and reliable camera, which offers good quality results. I've only ever shot at 1080p, and not the 4K that it offers, but even here the results were crystal clear pictures, with good colour saturation and detail and depth. Plus the camera has two XLR sockets for professional microphones. It's a sturdy little camera which has delivered every time I've filmed with it.

7 years, 8 months ago - DIANA TAYLOR

sony pxw 70 palm camcordder amazing easy to hoot on dont touch JVC they are never as good as Sony try Newport Camers Centre as off.they will give you an x demo much cheaper

7 years, 8 months ago - Marlom Tander

Will you ever need to shoot in low light?

As soon as you want a camera that can cope in low light (nightclubs, night scenes, candles as practicals) that will help narrow your field.

My old Sony HDV was bloody marvelous at that and if I ever get back to filming gigs I'll be looking for whatever does it as well now.