I'm looking to get a new camcorder for home/family use. I currently have a Canon HF M500, circa 2013. FHD, 1/3" sensor. It's not bad but I'd like to get something with better image quality, better lowlight, $1000 and under. Ideally I'd go with the Canon G60 but it's out of the budget. Would the Canon G50 provide a significant quality upgrade? That is one I'm considering.
Mark
With the small sensor in that camcorder, you can count out low light. Ever consider a bridge camera that can do double duty taking photos?
With the small sensor in that camcorder, you can count out low light. Ever consider a bridge camera that can do double duty taking photos?
Thanks. I have a Sony a6300 with some decent lenses for when I really need image quality. The camcorder is more for "run and gun" situations. Just looking for something better than what I have really.
I think that you already have the solution in your 6300. Want to run and gun? Maybe consider a gimbal? It would cost much less than another camera, and you will still have the APSC sensor for cleaner, more dynamic range and better low light.
No the total package wouldn't be smaller or lighter than a camcorder, but in the under $1K category, I don't think there is anything that will fit your needs.
1" Sensor Budget Busters
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=AX100&N=0&InitialSearch=yes&sts=ma
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1362622-REG/sony_fdr_ax700_b_fdr_ax700_4k_camcorder.html
I dislike camcorders, so I use this:
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1361560-REG/sony_sony_rx10iv_digital_camera.html
I think wwaag uses some vintage of this: (on budget)
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1280827-REG/panasonic_lumix_dmc_fz2500_digital_camera.html
1" Sensor Budget Busters
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=AX100&N=0&InitialSearch=yes&sts=ma
I dislike camcorders, so I use this:
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1361560-REG/sony_sony_rx10iv_digital_camera.html
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1362622-REG/sony_fdr_ax700_b_fdr_ax700_4k_camcorder.html
I think wwaag uses some vintage of this: (on budget)
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1280827-REG/panasonic_lumix_dmc_fz2500_digital_camera.html
Good suggestions. Thank you.
The Panasonic comes with selectable ND filters built in which is a nice touch.
Hi @Hulk,
The G50 would have better image quality because of 4K but wouldn't be the best choice for low light situations because it also has a small sensor. The M500 remains a good performer even today for HD became it has a CMOS Pro sensor which is only 1/3" but only 2MP so each pixel is larger. Have you tried filming in the 24p PF mode so that you can shoot with a 1/48 shutter which also improves on low light capabilities somewhat? You can use Handbrake to remove the pulldown. The G60 is a better performer but the cost may be prohibitive.
The Sony FDR-AX700 4K Camcorder as suggested by john_dennis has a 1" sensor. I have its predessor, the FDR-AX100 (also with a 1" sensor), and have found it to be excellent. If under consideration, I'd suggest to check it out in person at a camera shop as it is a bit bigger and heavier than most domestic cancorders. More info about it here: https://www.sony.com.au/electronics/handycam-camcorders/fdr-ax700 (no matter which Sony website I went to, the product pages always reverted to the AU website).
Hi @Hulk,
The G50 would have better image quality because of 4K but wouldn't be the best choice for low light situations because it also has a small sensor. The M500 remains a good performer even today for HD became it has a CMOS Pro sensor which is only 1/3" but only 2MP so each pixel is larger. Have you tried filming in the 24p PF mode so that you can shoot with a 1/48 shutter which also improves on low light capabilities somewhat? You can use Handbrake to remove the pulldown. The G60 is a better performer but the cost may be prohibitive.
Good idea about trying 24p for the extra exposure. I've never tried to edit that in Vegas. Will I have a problem with 29.97 cell phone video and that in the timeline together?
That G60 is so nice I might have to just pay up. I saw some low light tests online and it's very impressive.
Hi @Hulk,
Cell phone video is often a variable frame rate and not true 29.97 so you could try to conform the footage to a constant 23.976 with Handbrake as well. Some cell phones allow you to shoot at 24fps. I recently shot a long piano recital at 24PF with an M400 and was shocked how well it held up to another newer camera with a much larger sensor. You should limit the amount of video gain possible on the M500 to around 7dB to avoid excessive noise. The G60 footage is quite stunning if you want to stay with Canon but as Dexcon mentions, the Sony AX700 and AX100 are excellent.
As an owner of the Sony FDR-AX700 I can vouch for it’s excellent 4K image quality. I have actually done tests in low light and, coming from my previous Canon Legria HF G10 (which has a smaller sensor, I forget the size), it is quite good. I also enjoy the more professional settings menu of my Sony AX700. It’s quite straightforward to find the settings you want. I highly recommend it. It even outperforms my (which you might think is silly) iPhone 12 Pro Max. You might think, well of course it would, any camera would. But, the video quality on smartphones these days is quite impressive.
I won’t push you into it, but I just thought I’d sign in and post this because I have been extremely impressed with my Sony FDR-AX700.
Thanks again for all of the great advice.
Cell phone video is impressive. They use every trick in the book to get it looking good out of the phone. It's similar to the "torch mode" TV's are set at in the store. I've noticed the contrast in cell phone video is always cranked up to give the perception of higher resolution at the expense of latitude, crushed blacks, etc.. But yes, it holds up well next to "real" video.
Mark