Bought one 3 months ago with all the updates to essentially make it the mkii (without the colour science) Let's just say if I didn't buy this camera my business would not be in the position I'm in right now, it has opened and sped up my workflow 10 fold.. even though technically its a few years old I've shot 80h since buying it, I can put it on my crane2 gimbal, rig it up for film, take it overseas for work, doco, music videos, pro audio and the list goes on. It really is a great choice for someone looking at stepping up to that next level and out of the DSLR range I'm now shooting 12bit RAW for certain projects and I still can't get over how much use I can get out of a camera at this price - Just my two cents
Very informative. I am a videographer for a PBS station and we need a good shoulder mount camera because of the wide variety of video we need to obtain for our segments. I call it rock and roll because we have to quickly obtain the footage and often it is hand held. I have used the Cannon C 100 and did not like using it hand held. Hopefully Sony will create a shoulder mount attachment for the camera in the future.
You nailed it. An "ok" 4K camera and a superb HD camera. This is exactly what the C100 is. Canon may not be innovative but they wont put something into a camera that isnt of superb quality. Thats why the C100 mark II doesnt have 4K. But does that hurt their profits? I think so.
Really good review. Thanks a ton. I currently use Canon 5D Mark 3 with some L series Canon Lens, and planning to upgrade. Please help me choosing between these 2 options: 1. Sony PXW-FS5 =$5,599.00 or 2. Sony NEX-FS700R ($3,999.00) + Odyssey7Q+ with 7.7" Monitor & 256GB SSD ($2,295) = $6,294.00 or Should I just go with Canon C100 Mark 2 =$5,499.00 Thanks
If you buy an FS5 now, used on b&h photo you can get it for $4,200 and then you can eventually upgrade and get an Atomos 4K external recorder for $1,000 more which allows you to output 4:2:2 in 4k
Hi, LensProtogo. I'm thinking of renting either the FS7 or the FS5, but can't decide. I'm mostly worried about the FS5's inability to perform when it comes to 4K. The b8 bit 4:2:0 seems not enough for mini documentaries, and won't be able to capture enough color. But I would really like the portability of the FS5 over the FS7, even though the FS7 is not that much bulkier. And also, what lens is that on that FS5?
Thanks for the review! I have a couple of questions for you. Since the camera can record to both cards simultaneously, is it possible to dump the buffer for the slow motion to one of the cards while still recording at normal speed on the other? And the other question is; if with the current limitations of monitoring options while recording in 4K is still possible to monitor the HD mode both on the SDI and HDMI output while recording internally?
It is not a bad camera, a bit heavy for handycam style shooting, would love to mount the PZ 18-110 lens directly on this but that would throw it off-balance even more and probably rip the mount of so right now I'm using rods and the zacuto finder mess to turn it more into a eng style camera. This almost spoils the weight and size, but it is still a nice small package, even with a grip locator (Shape one, not the stupid zacuto one that locks the grip into place! What idiot thought extending a flexible grip in a fixed position was a good idea?!?) What would really have been cool: having a way to quickly turn it into a shoulder rig or tiny handheld. The other major disappointment is the 4K codec / bitrate. Ok it is nice I can use all my SD cards from the A7S, but I would prefer something 250mb + 422. The kitlens is pretty awful.
+RayValdezPhotography I'm in the same boat. I'm thinking of selling my c100 mark ii to get this. I just want to make sure the image is just as good or better.
+Mattia Merli Clear image zoom DOES work in crop mode but is limited to 1.5x and there is a slight drop in quality. S&Q does work in crop mode but the SuperSlowMotion mode does not.
i can't get rid of the massive amounts of noise. native iso is 3200 and coming from a stills background i am unable to produce a workflow which shows the amazing 1080p footage in people's reviews. any thoughts? many thanks for sharing
Might want to hold out a little long till the fs5ii comes out if you don’t need the new version at least it will drive down the price of the mark 1 but it is a really solid pair
Good video. However I believe you can get the same image quality at a cheaper price. The blackmagic 4K cinema camera downgraded to hd gives the same image quality of the fs5. Plus you get free software editing that's easier to color grade and work with in post. At least for me. Secondly, the Samsung Nx1 in 4K gives you the same image quality of the fs5 in 1080p. I could see absolutely no difference between the fs5 1080p or 4K image quality. The variable nd filter is pretty cool on the fs5. But is it almost 6000 dollars worth of cool?
+james cook Having shoot on both cameras and owned an URSA... Pixel peepers might prefer the Blackmagic. Working film makers and videographers will love the Sony.
LOL if you have ever done work in the field you'll understand why DSLRs and Mirrorless cameras suck. Everything is not about what looks the best... the fs5 kills the NX1 feature wise. Plus those cameras add in camera sharpening... Thats a no go. Also the BMPPC does not have the same image quality as the fs5. 10 bit 422 from a real 4 source.
Because of the crop factor, do you know what type of speed booster I would need for this lens to actually have it at a 85mm focal length? Or if you could link me to something on the site.
OTHMAN ALjAFAR ...the flame versions do...they record 4K in 10bit...But the FS5 has only 8bit out yet...there will be a press conference at NAB in 3 hours, and its expected, that sony announces an update: RAW out in 10bit.....that would make the FS5 a beast of a camera :)
