Topic: Should I upgrade to a 4K or 8K video cam?

[u2_fly_2]

Greetings to all of you out there in videoland.

Should I upgrade to a 4K or 8K video cam?

My old video cam specs:

Videocam
Panasonic HDC - TM 80
SDHC 16 GB Memory Card
42 x Zoom
Codec: H264 - MPEG-4 AVC
.MTS-files
AVCHD
Blu-ray Disc Audio-Video (BDAV)
iFrame: 960 x 540/25p
Dolby Digital (2 ch)
AAC (2 ch)
5906 KB/S
16:9
1920 / 1080i HD


The focus and zoom does not work anymore on my old Panasonic HDC - TM 80 and I need a video cam that can record in dark places, such as small dark rock clubs...and I need sharp picture quality.

I have looked at these so far:

- Panasonic HC-VXF1
- Sony FDR-AX43A

Any advice?

Cheers

[morst]

For filming concerts, good low light pickup is more important to me than more dots.


1080 is still adequate for playback, for most viewers, so 4k is sufficient for originals.


That said, if you don't mind 4x the file size and probably more money up front, 8k will be more future proof, as everything gets faster and 4k is not as much of a bandwidth impediment.

[grawk]

Just be aware editing 4k and 8k requires a significant computer.

[u2_fly_2]

For filming concerts, good low light pickup is more important to me than more dots.


1080 is still adequate for playback, for most viewers, so 4k is sufficient for originals.


That said, if you don't mind 4x the file size and probably more money up front, 8k will be more future proof, as everything gets faster and 4k is not as much of a bandwidth impediment.

Thank you Morst, good points indeed.

[u2_fly_2]

Just be aware editing 4k and 8k requires a significant computer.

Thanks Grawk :-)

[Teen Wolf Blitzer]

Just be aware editing 4k and 8k requires a significant computer.

Yep.  I mix 9 4k cams on average.  I use a Legion gaming laptop.  It just hangs on.   

[morst]

Just be aware editing 4k and 8k requires a significant computer.

Yep.  I mix 9 4k cams on average.  I use a Legion gaming laptop.  It just hangs on.   

Laptop? Yow!

[t_chance]

There are a many options out there, and it is time to upgrade. 1080i doesn't cut it.
I do 1080P live streams and everyone thinks they are great. Another camcorder is your best solution. One thing about getting a 4K camera is that newer cameras will have newer technology and features. You will what you pay for. I like and use Panasonic, Canon and Sony. Each has their own strengths and weaknesses.

[u2_fly_2]

There are a many options out there, and it is time to upgrade. 1080i doesn't cut it.
I do 1080P live streams and everyone thinks they are great. Another camcorder is your best solution. One thing about getting a 4K camera is that newer cameras will have newer technology and features. You will what you pay for. I like and use Panasonic, Canon and Sony. Each has their own strengths and weaknesses.

Thank you for the input!

[morst]

There are a many options out there, and it is time to upgrade. 1080i doesn't cut it.
I do 1080P live streams and everyone thinks they are great. Another camcorder is your best solution. One thing about getting a 4K camera is that newer cameras will have newer technology and features. You will what you pay for. I like and use Panasonic, Canon and Sony. Each has their own strengths and weaknesses.

Oh that's true. 1080i/30 ain't all that anymore... 1080p, 60 fps minimum please.
 

[beatkilla]

You mean something like this one?

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1833189-REG/canon_cinema.html

[bhoy]

I sometimes have access to a Sony PXW-Z150 Camcorder.  I think that may be a $3K camera or so these days.  I like what I am able to make with that camera. What's the next step up from that in 2025 (for non stealth shoots, of course).

Is that Canon camera, mentioned above, at $8,000 the best one could realistically do these days?  Like, very expensive, but if money was no object, that would be what to aim for?

[morst]

At my work, our cameras usually have to at least provide SDI output (serial digital interface) over BNC connector, so that's definitely a level up from what a portable user would need...


We get Black Magic cameras when the clients don't want to pop for the more expensive Panasonic or Sony pro cams, or occasionally Grass Valley. Other pro brands that are above my level are Arri and Red - those are more for pro cinema I think.


When we get combo camcorders for mid-level tech gigs, it's been sony and panasonic, off the top of my head, again, usually with SDI


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serial_digital_interface

[beatkilla]

I sometimes have access to a Sony PXW-Z150 Camcorder.  I think that may be a $3K camera or so these days.  I like what I am able to make with that camera. What's the next step up from that in 2025 (for non stealth shoots, of course).

Is that Canon camera, mentioned above, at $8,000 the best one could realistically do these days?  Like, very expensive, but if money was no object, that would be what to aim for?

With the cinema cameras(Canon included) you still need lenses as well.

I'm still using an old school Canon C100 mkii.  I already have  a ton of lenses from my DSLR.Yes this is 1080 but the sensor is 4k instantly downsampled to 1080 and it looks great for my purposes/budget.

I really prefer these with all the manual control at your fingertips.

Camcorder might be more convenient if you don't know how to shoot manual but to each there own.

[Gone Fishin']

Be aware that learning a new camera these days means:

1. Reading and watching many "how-to's"
2. Time to learn your new instrument and use it well. (at least a month of daily use)
3. Upgrades, upgrades, upgrades.... 
A. Software to the camera, flash, controllers, etc.
B.  You're gonna want a bigger and better monitor
C.  You're likely to need a faster and better appointed graphics card
D.  Your computer may need a complete upgrade, but consider memory and SSD first

Consider editing software that can efficiently manage it all, could be a $300/ yr. upgrade

What? No SSD?   That's one of a few bottlenecks...

Video at 8K to me means minimum of 32GB of fast memory, USB 3.2 support, 1TB of m.2 SSD (or faster) and about 10TB of magnetic storage (HDD).

So a higher-end Mac M2 set up or better, or if Winders, see above specs and start with at least a gen 12 Intel chipset and the fastest processor that you can muster.

You can work in a lesser environment, but it gets tedious.



About cameras, my "if I win the lottery" rig:
https://www.blackmagicdesign.com/products/blackmagicursaminipro