January 25, 2016 at 11:10PM
Should I upgrade to the A7S or GH4 from the 60D?
Hi,
I'm currently using a Canon 60D but I'm looking to upgrade. She's been a great piece of gear, but after 3 years I'm at a point where I'm really needing something more.
The thing is, what to upgrade to?? I've used both the A7S and the GH4, and I really like both cameras.
I love the lowlight and SLOG 2 of the A7S, but I also love the VLOG L or the GH4 as well as the anamorphic 4:3 (and the price point too heh heh)
I really want my next camera to be something that I'm able to use for the next several years.
The question is though, which one would be more of an upgrade from the 60D?
(Also if you know of some other camera that I've totally neglected to mention feel free to tell me about it)
Thanks in advance!
15 Comments
In December 2011 I bought a Panasonic GH2 to use with my Canon 60D cameras. Up until this point I had been a die-hard Canon fan for the past 10 years.
In January 2012 I decided to sell all of my Canon gear ( cameras and lenses ) because I knew that I would never want to shoot video with my Canon 60D ever again, after using the Panasonic GH2 for about one month.
Since then, I'm still shooting with Panasonic GHx cameras, and will probably upgrade to the GH5 when it comes out later this year.
Either camera ( Sony A7S or Panasonic GH4 ) would be a HUGE technical upgrade to your Canon 60D camera. ( even the old Panasonic GH2 camera would be a large technical upgrade to your 60D )
So I don't think you can go wrong with either camera. Just pick one.
January 26, 2016 at 10:18AM
If you choose one of those two I'd say go with the A7S, however, I'm beginning to lose my taste for it. All the footage has begun to look the same, with very low contrast high ISO shots, from people who think they don't need to light anymore. As long as you don't do that, I think it'd be a slight better choice. The highlights are more attractive on it in low ISOs (which is where the camera really shines, in my opinion), and I've never really been a fan of how the GH4 looks in videos and films I've seen. Looks too clinical to me. Maybe it's how people are shooting it, though, because I'm still shooting on the GH2 and it looks great.
On top of that, finding proper focal lengths, especially wides will be much easier on the A7S and you'll have superior capability for photography if you're into that.
Might be a bit controversial, but in the end, I'd say you should forget about both of those cameras unless you NEED the stills ability. At the same price point (or cheaper), you can pick up a C100. You have lenses that might work on it, it has great ISO performance, plus the image quality and form factor is superior to either of the other cameras. It's been a great camera up to this point, and I see no reason why it wouldn't be down the road for several years.
January 26, 2016 at 4:13PM, Edited January 26, 4:20PM
That's actually a good idea, and I'll have to keep my eyes out for a C100. A good friend of mine has one and he loves it.
January 27, 2016 at 12:27PM
I completely agree. C100 for the win.
February 11, 2016 at 9:42AM
I've shot with the C100 and A7s and in my opinion if you're doing ANY low light, that includes indoors, A7s would be best for you! The quality is astounding! Some people say that slog2 falls apart fast, I haven't noticed any of that it's amazing!
C100 is awesome for the form factor and quality at 1080p. Pair it with an atamos recorder and it's great.
February 25, 2016 at 4:31PM, Edited February 25, 4:31PM
Bear, the A7S guys will tell to get an A7S and the GH4 guys will tell to get a GH4. As Guys said: "Either camera ( Sony A7S or Panasonic GH4 ) would be a HUGE technical upgrade to your Canon 60D camera."
January 26, 2016 at 4:23PM
I was exactly in your shoes, I now own a gh4, the main reason for that was the price point, but not only, I love how panasonic listens do costumers, how they keep upgrading the camera via firmware, etc, i'm not feeling that in other manufactures (at least not at this price point).
With that being sad lets not forget how crazy the sony is at low light, wich may come in handy, more for doc works or works that need an extremely fast turnaround otherwise its mandatory that your properly light what you're filming ;)
TL;DR: If you have the money to spend go with the A7s, if not, the gh4 it´s a great camera for you to have for some years, without having to upgrade the body for a long time. the only thing you lose its the low-light crazy performance but on the other hand you win internal 4k
January 27, 2016 at 2:55AM
Thank you all for your replies! You've definitely given me food for thought.
I've rented the A7S a few times for projects in the past, so maybe I'll rent the GH4 to test it officially and then decide after that.
January 27, 2016 at 12:30PM, Edited January 27, 12:30PM
Make sure you know how to adjust the settings for the GH4, because it can produce a wonderful image with the right settings and absolute garbage with the wrong ones.
January 27, 2016 at 12:49PM
A7S Mark II hands down
January 29, 2016 at 11:40AM
I think he meant the sony A7S (mark I) not the A7S mark II. The A7S body can be purchased on ebay for around 1700 USD.
January 30, 2016 at 11:43AM
If you go with the a7s (mark I) I'm looking to sell mine and would give a good deal to an interested filmmaker.
david {at} sikescreative.com
February 24, 2016 at 4:50PM
Hard to compare because the A7S (mark 2) is more than twice as expensive as the GH4.
I suspect the GH4 in the next few months to steeply drop in price because the GH5 eventually will come out.
The best I think is the A7S (mark 2) but on the other hand you can almost get 3 GH4s for one A7S. Also you got to think of the cost of lenses, full frame lenses are obviously more expensive. And with heavier lenses come a whole range of other problems related to the additional weight, nothing not to overcome, but it requires more expensive solutions.
An alternative is to use the "old" A7S (mark I) and get a ninja assassin. This combination gives you a great sensor with high quality recording and a good field monitor.
February 24, 2016 at 9:51PM, Edited February 24, 9:52PM
I didn't see anywhere if you mentioned what you'd be filming. Are you doing documentaries, short films, weddings, commercials, etc?
February 25, 2016 at 3:31PM
I think the OG C100 is a better upgrade. You can get one new for $2500. You get amazing built in audio, nd, and all the necessary monitor assists (peaking, waveform, etc.) I think the image looks better, too, but that's obviously subjective.
You don't have to buy bits and pieces to kit it up. You grab and go. It's lovely. Also, works great in low light. A7s is way better (obviously), but I've rarely ever needed to push a camera past ISO 3200, so I think the sensitivity is more of a specialty thing.
No slow mo (not a problem for me most of the time), but that's obviously a big thing to consider.
February 25, 2016 at 3:48PM
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