September 21, 2015 at 11:48AM, Edited September 21, 11:53AM
Panasonic ---> GH4 bs G7???
Need an advice that will be a huge help for me.
Coming from Canon Rebel line the GH4 felt like my best bet to play with Pro level functionality and the 4k, though honestly the more I read about it the more I discovered that only a fraction of pros fully utilize those functions and options and even many well established pros don’t bother about those details and rely upon basic settings and usually opt for fix the stuff in post strategy.
GH4 is having tough time from Sony a7s and now the a7s Mark ii with 4k means serious problems for GH4 so it is logical to say that GH5 going to be awesome because Panasonic will defend their grounds and make serious improvements in new model (THOUGH the paid upgrade was something really cheap).
Question - Shall I wait for GH5 that isn’t going to hit the market before early or mid 2016 OR look for something more affordable with 4K option?
Now the most logical and affordable solution (at least to me) is to get a Panasonic G7 which is like a little brother of GH4 with quite a few limitations (I feel positive about more functionality options in future firmware updates though usually i am over optimistic ) though it got 4K which can help any newbie to learn many things about 4k, its work flow, coloring etc. and specially if instead of Adobe line it is used with Davinci Resolve 12 (free version as a standalone editor) then I am sure the learning curve would be more speedy and fruitful as well as can prepare any new guy for more pro cams and work flow.
This is what I am thinking but I MAY BE WRONG so that’s why I am here asking all of you to please guide me and help me.
Shall I go for G7 and play with it and prepare myself for bigger game, OR bite the bullet and get GH4 (I know deep down I won’t be happy because its soon going to be obsolete, I know still it’s a monster for a learners like me but still you know the feeling when you are getting something new while knowing that soon I will be craving for new model and thinking to dump the existing model) or wait for GH5 while going back to Canon and Magic Lantern that I have always avoided.
Guys help me and guide me please.
6 Comments
>>>GH4 is having tough time from Sony A7S Mk1 and now the A7S Mk2
They are different cameras, each with their own pros and cons, so I would NOT say that the GH4 will have a tough time from the A7S.
A7S PROs
- It's the low-light king
- 13+ F-stop dynamic range
- Easy to make very shallow DOF shots
- Has LOG recording profile built in
- Mk2 model records 4K internally
- Mk2 model has internal sensor stabilization
A7S CONs
- Can only record continuously for 30 minutes
- Short 1 hour battery life
- 8-bit 4:2:0 internal recording
- 8-bit 4:2:2 external recording
- Mark 1 does not record 4K internally
- Mark 2 might have the same A7RII 4K overheating problem ( waiting for confirmation )
- Costs $ 1,000 more than the Panasonic GH4
GH4 PROs
- 4K Internal recording
- 12 F-stop dynamic range
- No 4K overheat problem
- No limit on recording time ( as long as your battery and memory lasts )
- Battery lasts for 3+ hours ( 6+ hours with the battery grip )
- Workable DOF at wider apertures ( ie. f/2.0 - f/2.8 )
- 10-bit 4:2:2 external recording
- Has LOG recording profile upgrade ( built in on the GH4R model )
- Costs $1,000 less than Sony A7S
GH4 CONs
- Smaller sensor requires faster lenses for shallow DOF
- Smaller sensor gets noisy at high ISO ranges
- 8-bit 4:2:0 internal recording
The GH5's biggest competition is going to be the GH4, so I expect to see some significant improvements in the GH5. ( I am hoping for 10-bit 4:2:2 internal recording, better dynamic range, and better low-light performance ) Most likely the GH5 will be priced at $1,800 when it arrives, and the GH4 will drop down to about $1,000. ( the GH3 will probably be discontinued )
September 21, 2015 at 2:27PM, Edited September 21, 2:33PM
Guy McLoughlin I really respect you for your reply and I do appreciate this effort from your end though to be honest you have really missed the real question :)
Question was "Shall I get G7 as a newbie and after a year (or sooner) when GH5 is out then will opt for that while being more prepared rather then just jumping for GH4 now and like many not being able to fully understand and utilize its true potential?"
:) I hope I have now cleared my self.
September 22, 2015 at 8:16AM
Sorry if I missed the boat on this one...
If you need a camera now then the G7 offers a lot at this price range, especially if you plan on eventually moving to a more advanced Micro 4/3 camera. This will also give you the ability to shoot 4K video, which takes some practice to get used to. It's nice to have all that additional 4K image detail to play with. Being able to reframe shots in post gives you more creative options when creating a visual story.
I expect by late Spring 2016 the GH5 will be here and priced around $1,800, the GH4 price will probably drop down to about $1,000, and used GH4 cameras will be selling in the $600 - 700 range. ( GH3 will probably be discontinued )
September 22, 2015 at 1:42PM
One thing that could be a deciding factor, ergonomics. One thing I really like about the GH4 is ergonomics, all the buttons seem to be just in the right spot, menu is easy to use(comparatively to Red or Sony, at least for me). Pansonic's menu system is very much like the Arri Alexa, easy to use and easy to get through. G7 physically was to small for me, so I didn't like it.
You'll definitely need to get into the shop and mess around with them. Or just rent, they are relatively really cheap to rent.
But Guy gave a great pros and con.
September 24, 2015 at 12:36PM
I want to pitch in here, and see if anyone owns the G7, and how they find it to be? Coming from the GH2, I don't mind the size, and would say to S M, the g7 looks like a steal.
September 25, 2015 at 11:43AM
With the recently released V-Log L the GH4 is a phenomenal camera. I am really happy with it. I guess the GH5 will come with V-log L and hopefully will have better low light performance as that is the key ingredient missing from the GH4.
September 26, 2015 at 3:00AM
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