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Which one is the better basic video camera?

johnvanr
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Which one is the better basic video camera?

The Panasonic GH6 or the Canon R6 II?

Saw the DP Review video on the improvements of the R6 II over the R6 and it left me wondering if overall the Canon is a better video camera than the GH6 that the DP Review team has long used as its basic setup.

Not a video guy, but eager to learn on a setup that delivers quality and consistency with minimal hassle.

Jan 21, 2023 at 08:39 PM

molson
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Which one is the better basic video camera?

johnvanr wrote:
The Panasonic GH6 or the Canon R6 II?

Saw the DP Review video on the improvements of the R6 II over the R6 and it left me wondering if overall the Canon is a better video camera than the GH6 that the DP Review team has long used as its basic setup.

Not a video guy, but eager to learn on a setup that delivers quality and consistency with minimal hassle.

It depends on what sort of subjects you want to film. The EOS R6 II doesn't seem to offer much in the way of video features, and doesn't even have a full-size HDMI port, but if you already have a bunch of Canon lenses, it's probably a good basic choice for vlogging.

Jan 21, 2023 at 09:17 PM

Jesse Evans
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Which one is the better basic video camera?

The Canon will be far better for a normal user. The GH6 has terrible autofocus and the S5II still clearly has autofocus deficiencies, tho it is in every other metric a better video camera.

Canon still makes their hybrid cameras quite limited in video assist tools. You can’t see your audio levels or histogram or level while recording video. To me, this doesn’t matter, and it probably won’t matter to you either. But to people that are more deeply invested in video then it can matter.

Canon also just has other stupid limitations, like for example, the dual pixel focus assist for manual focus lenses doesn’t work for lenses without an EF or RF chip in them (truly manual lenses). Again, I suspect this won’t matter for you.

Jan 21, 2023 at 09:46 PM

Jesse Evans
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Which one is the better basic video camera?

Also don’t get sucked in to the discussion about hdmi. You most likely won’t use it.

Jan 21, 2023 at 10:55 PM

johnctharp
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Which one is the better basic video camera?

johnvanr wrote:
Not a video guy, but eager to learn on a setup that delivers quality and consistency with minimal hassle.

The most important part of video isn't video - it's sound. Ideally, for any video solution, you'll want the sound recorded separately; if you plug anything into the camera itself, it'll be for reference for putting the externally recorded audio back in (synchronization in post).

Another option to think about is Sony's FX3 and FX30 cameras. Can adapt Canon DSLR lenses, lots of lens options period, with plenty of video and sound features and sit in a comfortable mid-point IMO, particularly with the audio interface handle option.

Though personally I'd just rig up an R6 II. I could make anything work, but the combined capability and versatility work in favor of the R6 II along with personal familiarity, and of course the R6 II is a better photography camera than most hybrid or video-focused alternatives.

Jan 21, 2023 at 10:58 PM

AmbientMike
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Which one is the better basic video camera?

We can debate how much quality you need, but 6k downsampled to 4k on a FF sensor looked pretty impressive to me.

Jan 22, 2023 at 12:07 AM

tsangc
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Which one is the better basic video camera?

You know what's great at video? Canon's C series Cinema EOS cameras.

Like johnctharp says...audio is the single most important part of a video shot and the Cinema cameras have dual phantom powered XLRs with discrete controls. Audio levels right on your viewfinder.

Video recording time isn't limited by some weird arbitrary limit.

Lens wise, you can use all your EF lenses and some of the newer bodies have RF mount support.

Lots of power options and an AC adapter included in the box.

They're easy to configure onto all sorts of setups, including ENG style, Steadicam, gimbal, tripod etc and extremely modular.

The only problem with a Cinema series camera is the price. But...by the time you've added on all the stuff to make an R6 II ready, like an audio adapter etc, you might be looking at the same price as a used C300 Mark II.

Jan 22, 2023 at 12:20 AM

AmbientMike
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Which one is the better basic video camera?

I didn't wind up doing as much video as I thought I might, but I just got a good voice recorder recommended on here, to improve sound. Sound can get complicated like photography depending on your needs, it looks like. Expensive mics, proper placement, and that sort of thing.

Jan 22, 2023 at 12:25 AM

Jesse Evans
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Which one is the better basic video camera?

The guy asked for a recommendation for a basic video camera and y'all are recommending cinema cameras.

Just get an R6 II dude. It's going to have enough video overhead for you for years to come. Get a Rode Videomicro II and put it in the hotshoe, use manual audio levels, and call it a day. Maybe look in to a DJI wireless mic system if you're going to record people talking to the camera a lot.

This will last you a long time. I wouldn't overthink it too much.

Jan 22, 2023 at 12:36 AM

koenkooi
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · Which one is the better basic video camera?

The R6II has a really useful feature borrowed from the C series: 'detect only' AF. It will only focus on the subject(s) you have configured. So if a person/bird/horse/car leaves the frame, it won't refocus on the background.

On the GH6 you can set focus limits in software to do something similar, but that won't stop it refocussing on non-subjects that happen to be in the focus range.

I'd love to have both options, since my R5 doesn't have dragonfly AF, yet

Jan 22, 2023 at 05:36 AM

johnvanr
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · Which one is the better basic video camera?

Thanks for all the replies. Cinema cameras aren’t in the picture, as I really don’t know how much video I’ll do. Currently I just want to try it out and make sure I can handle the whole process on a technically sound level with minimal hassle.

Sound-wise, I’ve already picked up some stuff when the prices were good. Early in my career, I actually dabbled in radio and TV for a Dutch broadcast company. Traveling abroad for a radio piece, I had set the audio wrong for an entire week and gave the techies back home a real challenge to fix it. So, I learned that lesson. Audio scares me

Jan 22, 2023 at 08:04 AM

johnvanr
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · Which one is the better basic video camera?

molson wrote:
It depends on what sort of subjects you want to film. The EOS R6 II doesn't seem to offer much in the way of video features, and doesn't even have a full-size HDMI port, but if you already have a bunch of Canon lenses, it's probably a good basic choice for vlogging.

Pretty much videos while I travel, to maybe do something on YouTube. Would be mostly b-roll, but maybe also some interviews. Plans aren't set yet. First have to figure out whether I even like doing it. I know myself well enough that if this would become too much hassle, I'd not do it or have someone else handle the tech side (there's a reason I became a print journalist even though I started in TV and radio).

Jan 22, 2023 at 09:14 AM

johnvanr
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · Which one is the better basic video camera?

molson wrote:
It depends on what sort of subjects you want to film. The EOS R6 II doesn't seem to offer much in the way of video features, and doesn't even have a full-size HDMI port, but if you already have a bunch of Canon lenses, it's probably a good basic choice for vlogging.

Speaking of lenses, I’m just reading up on suggested Canon lenses for video and it all veers toward the heavy zooms and primes. While I’m looking at shedding bulk and weight. No way I’m carrying f/2.8 FF zoom lenses or the RF 50/1.2 all day long. What would be good and small alternatives? I generally won’t need fast AF or AF at all.

Jan 22, 2023 at 10:44 AM

molson
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · Which one is the better basic video camera?

johnvanr wrote:
Speaking of lenses, I’m just reading up on suggested Canon lenses for video and it all veers toward the heavy zooms and primes. While I’m looking at shedding bulk and weight. No way I’m carrying f/2.8 FF zoom lenses or the RF 50/1.2 all day long. What would be good and small alternatives? I generally won’t need fast AF or AF at all.

I don't really know much about the type of video work you're planning to do - my interest in video is primarily for wildlife, so my wants and needs are quite different than yours.

For basic vlogging and travel videos, pretty well anything on the market will work, including fixed-lens cameras like the Canon GX series - still probably the most popular vlogger cameras out there. You have to first identify what video features are most important to you before you can start selecting a camera system; until you do that, I would not recommend either a GH6 or R6 II.

(Edit). I just remembered you said you bought a GH6 recently - if you still have it, why not just use it? Much cheaper than buying a new camera system for large expense and little gain...

Jan 22, 2023 at 11:00 AM

johnvanr
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p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · Which one is the better basic video camera?

molson wrote:
I don't really know much about the type of video work you're planning to do - my interest in video is primarily for wildlife, so my wants and needs are quite different than yours.

For basic vlogging and travel videos, pretty well anything on the market will work, including fixed-lens cameras like the Canon GX series - still probably the most popular vlogger cameras out there. You have to first identify what video features are most important to you before you can start selecting a camera system; until you do that, I would not recommend either a GH6 or R6 II.

(Edit)....Show more →

I did indeed pick up a GH6 in Japan, a few days before Panasonic announced the S5II with better AF (which undoubtedly will come to the GH6 successor). I could try it, but I can probably also sell it for about the same price as I bought it for.

I'm also leaning more and more toward selling my Leica M10 and Q2 but keeping some M-mount lenses to use with my R5 and R6. Previously, I planned on selling the R6, but unless I need the resolution of the R5 I prefer the R6. The only downside I see to the R6II over the GH6 are the larger Canon lenses.

It's all confusing. People do videos with their mobile phones or tiny cameras like the DJI Pocket and if the light is fine, the IQ is no issue. At least with audio, you know what baseline equipment is needed to get technically acceptable output.

Jan 22, 2023 at 11:20 AM

molson
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p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · Which one is the better basic video camera?

johnvanr wrote:
I did indeed pick up a GH6 in Japan, a few days before Panasonic announced the S5II with better AF (which undoubtedly will come to the GH6 successor). I could try it, but I can probably also sell it for about the same price as I bought it for.

I'm also leaning more and more toward selling my Leica M10 and Q2 but keeping some M-mount lenses to use with my R5 and R6. Previously, I planned on selling the R6, but unless I need the resolution of the R5 I prefer the R6. The only downside I see to...Show more →

Well, I'll give you my two cents worth...

I picked the GH6 primarily for these reasons:

- I wanted 4K120P for slow motion wildlife video
- I wanted to be able to record all codecs and bitrates internally (no Ninja V+ required)
- I wanted a tilting rear LCD screen that stays in line with the body and lens

The R6 II lacks all of those features, so it would not have even made my short list. Plus, probably the most important thing for me, was that I already have lots of excellent m4/3 lenses, and Canon offers nothing comparable to the OM 150-400 zoom.

Since you already have both systems, why not use what you've already got and see how you like it? The R6 II doesn't appear to add any meaningful video upgrades compared to what you already have in the R5... unless you just have a bad case of G.A.S.!

Jan 22, 2023 at 11:39 AM

johnvanr
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p.1 #17 · p.1 #17 · Which one is the better basic video camera?

molson wrote:
Well, I'll give you my two cents worth...

I picked the GH6 primarily for these reasons:

- I wanted 4K120P for slow motion wildlife video
- I wanted to be able to record all codecs and bitrates internally (no Ninja V+ required)
- I wanted a tilting rear LCD screen that stays in line with the body and lens

The R6 II lacks all of those features, so it would not have even made my short list. Plus, probably the most important thing for me, was that I already have lots of excellent m4/3 lenses, and Canon offers nothing comparable to the OM 150-400...Show more →

Actually, in this case the idea of upgrading the R6 to the R6II started with the thought of selling the Leica's and shooting M lenses with Canon gear. The R6 is lighter than the R5 and gives me plenty of resolution. Then I watched DP Review's review of the R6II and they really liked the video aspects of it. So, my thinking was more along the lines of selling the R6 and upgrading to the R6II and if it's good for video, maybe I can ditch the GH6.

I don't see myself upgrading to the R5II, because I don't need 8K video.

But you're right, I've got a ton of great MFT glass and while I have some nice or excellent Canon glass, I'm forever in doubt about keeping those bulky Canon lenses.

All of this against the background (as I've written before) of us moving from the US to Europe this year and me wanting to consolidate my gear into a kit I expect to use for a long time with minimal upgrades or additions. This would be especially true for video stuff, as I tend to have G.A.S. for photo gear but absolutely not for video or audio gear. I've had a wish list on B&H for video stuff for the longest time which I update once in a while with whatever replaces older gear, but unlike my photography wish list, I don't feel inclined to move items into the cart, and I try to cull that list as much as possible.

Jan 22, 2023 at 12:59 PM

jefflee
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p.1 #18 · p.1 #18 · Which one is the better basic video camera?

Look up the Gh5/Gh6 forum on Facebook. The Gh6 is a video beast and the autofocus is good if you know what you are doing. For wildlife VFR (Gh6 also has 4K 120 as a standard codec) is crucial. People who shoot video all the time have a very different perspective.

Jan 22, 2023 at 01:33 PM

johnctharp
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p.1 #19 · p.1 #19 · Which one is the better basic video camera?

jefflee wrote:
Look up the Gh5/Gh6 forum on Facebook. The Gh6 is a video beast and the autofocus is good if you know what you are doing. For wildlife VFR (Gh6 also has 4K 120 as a standard codec) is crucial. People who shoot video all the time have a very different perspective.

I think the biggest issue most would have with the GH6 is that it would be best used with proper setup - and that the request of a 'basic' video camera runs afoul.

But this is primarily focused on autofocus. It's not whether the GH6 could get the job done, but rather, that it has a narrower set of conditions for successful capture than the R6 II. To me, this would discourage using the GH6 while traveling when making videos is not the primary goal.

Jan 22, 2023 at 07:56 PM

AmbientMike
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p.1 #20 · p.1 #20 · Which one is the better basic video camera?

johnvanr wrote:
Thanks for all the replies. Cinema cameras aren’t in the picture, as I really don’t know how much video I’ll do. Currently I just want to try it out and make sure I can handle the whole process on a technically sound level with minimal hassle.

Sound-wise, I’ve already picked up some stuff when the prices were good. Early in my career, I actually dabbled in radio and TV for a Dutch broadcast company. Traveling abroad for a radio piece, I had set the audio wrong for an entire week and gave the techies back home a real challenge to fix...Show more →

Audio is separate. I suppose you might be OK with a shotgun mic on camera but I have a digital voice recorder recommended on here so it's a good chance if I really did serious video I'd do audio on that and add it in pp. I can give you the model it's older though so you might be interested in more recent. I think dB -12 on audio is kinda like 18% grey, and I've played around on auto and manually adjusting Gain, so I have a clue. I'm thinking if I ever get serious I can probably attach better and multiple mics to the digital recorder?

Looking at reviews r6 II looked like a really good video camera. Especially since major competition, A7IV, does 4k video in crop. I thought FF video either down sampled from 6k or 6k recorded raw using atomos looked pretty good. But seemingly anything on FM bearing the Canon logo gets derided on FM, so I guess these responses should be expected. But I'm kinda surprised it's not recommended more. I'm no expert but it looked great to me.

Watch your computer. Maybe you already do a lot of video and upgrade your computer often so it's not a problem, but video is a lot harder on your computer.

Jan 22, 2023 at 10:44 PM

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