Links to BH do not work. Your conversational style of camera reviews and spending your own money makes the videos enjoyable and enhances your credibility. Thank you for your post!!!
Thank you for the kind words! I really appreciate. And thanks the heads up about the links- they should go to a page where you can choose Amazon and B&H. It’s still working for me, so not sure what’s happening. I’ll have to keep an eye on it.
Tom, I love your videos and your puns. I bought an EOS R in 2022, just as you were switching to Sony, and from time to time I still watch your Canon videos just to remember the potentials those cameras have. I'm a photographer, so rarely do video. We can feel your passion on your videos. Keep on the good work.
The first seconds of the video I was like "wow, what camera are you filming this video on, it looks really really good!" And OMG, it’s the OG EOS R! That camera really holds up! 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
The R does kick butt, but this was filmed with my Sonys. Trying to learn more about SLOG- still have a ways to go, but enjoying it so far. (Edit: I’ve gone crazy and this is entirely wrong haha)
I’m a dummy- of course it was the R since all the Sonys were on the table 😅 (I’m working on a video now where I have the R with me in screen and for some reason got confused between what’s being watched vs. what I’m editing 😵💫
I personally love these unedited videos! Feels more like we’re holding a conversation and I’m asking you questions about the camera, it also seems like more what you’re into especially considering you used to be a teacher!
I Iove this! Great video. The A7iv to me is one of best tools I have. The dual card slots, full size HDMI and a bunch more features make it stress free to use.
I have Sony a pretty good shot. A7s ii, A7c, a6400 and a5100. They were incredible webcams, but… something just didn’t mesh with me for using as primary cams. I still can’t explain it. Wound up back at Canon and happy here.
What are your thoughts on the log profiles and files? The R5 files are a pain in the ass to edit and I'm not a fan of CLOG3 compared to SLOG3 I had on my previous Sony cameras.
@@bladerealm124 I don't like shooting LOG at all if it's not in Raw. So on my R5 C, I'm shooting everything CLOG3 and CRAW. Which I love. But for my R6, I just do Rec709 and grade from there.
Can't be any regrets. Obviously Canon had no real options but Sony did, it paid the bills. Some people prefer to sit down and wait for that perfect piece of equipment but you did what you had to do, so good for you. Now with the introduction to 3rd party lens and better autofocus, picking up a Canon, Sony, Nikon, Fuji or even a Panasonic is not a hard decision as it was before, it's pretty much depends on your preference, all are pretty good now. Obviously some better than others but they can all get the job done.
I switched from the Canon Rebel t7i ( yikes for video! lol) to Sony cameras 3 years ago. The user experience has been so much better. Easier to find and order the right lenses for those who don’t know what you’re doing yet, video work flow has been better. Canon Rebel EF, EF-S, 🤯n mount was tough as a newbie, constantly ordering lenses that said it was compatible when it wasn’t…Totally different experience as a beginner growing into a hobbyist.
I definitely love the Sony lens selection and simplicity of the E mount! Your right about the workflow too- it's crazy, 4K footage from my Sonys takes up the same amount of space as HD footage from my Canon 🤷🏻♂️
Been a Sony user since early 2022, picked up the A7IV and I love the Sigma lenses. I agree, the 16-35GM was a let down for me and the only GM lens I have left is the 50mm F1.4. Other than that Sigma 24-70mm, 16-28mm, and 24mm have all been amazing!
Thanks for making this video Tom! Couldn't of come at a better time. I'm in the process of switching from Canon to Sony after 17 years. It was a huge step to let go of the known quantity for something that could actually work better for me. This helps me see that it is all going to be OK. Anyway, thanks again!
It will definitely be ok! I for sure felt overwhelmed, but it ended up being pretty ok. Just took a bit of time to really get a feel for the different cameras and how to get the best results from them.
Watching this video and seeing the Canon do its slight focus hunt is interesting. I own Canon, Blackmagic and Panasonic. I sold my a6400 but kept some e-mount glass because I will own a Sony cam again. Good video Tom!
It's so confusing! I get when a camera becomes out of date, but in the case of cameras like the a7SIII or a1, they're still the flagship models in their respective lineups 🤷🏻♂️
Thanks for that, Tom. I relate to this a lot. I have shot on Canon through my job for years and been reasonably happy. But I picked up an a6700 for my personal stuff recently and I feel similarly to you. It’s so small and SO powerful, but when the quirks do show themselves they’re pretty disappointing. EG losing raw and subject detection when using clear image zoom. And the ergonomics just don’t hold a candle to a chunky canon DSLR, but maybe that’s just me. Anyway, great video.
Canon's ergonomics are pretty much impossible to beat. Give me a Canon lens on a body with Canon ergonomics, Sony internals, and a Blackmagic Menu system. 😁
Thanks, Tom. Another great discussion. I absolutely love my Sony FX3. For me, it is the colour profile. The picture is so sharp and the images are so vibrant. It was incredibly expensive, but I can’t see any reason to change it for a very long time.
The Sony A7iv interests me, however I have too many Nikons, including Z6ii. Maybe someday, if I add a Sony. I totally respect Sony for what they do so well in video! I do photos more, however if I did mostly video, Sony would be at the top of my list.
My switch to Sony came from Panasonic/Lumix world and into the purchase of an A5100, going from Micro 4/3 to APS-C. Full frame was not an option until Sony released the A7III and that was just around the time I started getting photography and video jobs. That camera paid for itself several times during the first year of use and I was hooked, got me three more Sony cameras.
@@tombuck They are very very impressive. Tom thank you for all that you do! Every time you release a video it feels like I’m talking to someone who shares my passions.
Great review Tom. Have the FX3, A74 and a A7R4, updating to the A7R5 soon. Love them, best cameras I’ve had in a while. The lens especially the zooms have been good for me, just work out which ones suit you and the jobs you do.
My journey has always been Sony, I think mainly from friends/family. I use the FX30 and A7IV - and love them both deeply. I use the Fujifilm X100V for travel photography. I don't feel locked in an ecosystem but really have no reason to leave Sony.
Tom - great video. Valuable especially since your comments are so authentic. I like Sony and I have sticker shock from the costs of their many lenses. Thanks for sharing your knowledge!
Man, I’m sorry you had such a bad experience with your 24GM. I’ve been shooting sports and fitness content 6 days a week for almost 15 years now almost exclusively using GM lenses for the last 7 ish and I’ve never had any issues like that. Although, I will say, the 24 GM doesn’t feel as good in the hands as the newer primes like the 50 1.4 (which is an absolutely stunning lens). I would actually say the lenses are one of the primary reasons I stay with Sony. I used have to get my canon 50 1.2 serviced almost every other year and don’t get me started about the 85mm, those wide aperture L series primes were always prone to front and back focusing as they got older. I will say, I do have a couple Sigma and Tamron lenses now, and they are quite good for the price, but there is definitely still a quality drop in most cases and for my particular use case of shooting sports and fitness the AF speed drops with third party lenses when you are shooting fast moving subjects IE gymnasts or basketball players exploding across the frame (that most reviewers don’t catch IMO). I love the 20-40 tamron and the 17-70 Crop lens, but I can’t trust them on client shoots so they most get used to shoot my daughter she still sometimes pushes their capabilities to the limits. The gap is definitely closing between 3rd party and 1st party lenses though - very exciting time. Edit: I did have to repair my old 24-70 GM once, because a tiny piece of liquified hot metal hit the front element and immediately melted the glass. That might have been user error though. 😅😅😂😂
I'm glad to hear that! I'm bummed about my lens and disappointed in Sonys lack of support, but I'd be glad to know it's not the norm. Sports and fitness definitely push a lenses performance to the max! Hopefully your melted lens was able to be saved 😁
I'm just glad you didn't knock anything off the desk. If I remember correctly my first house, circa 1985, cost about the same as your camera & lens collection! Admittedly that was before the UK hit a house price boom. That was a lot of Bucks extracted from Mr Buck.
I’m glad you like that! I know there’s a tendency for “quantitative” info to be taken more seriously, but I’ve always loved the “here’s how it works for me” approach.
I've been Canon for soooo long with the C200 and C70. I've considered grabbing an FX3 to dip my feet in the water. It's just a shame I'd have to get a whole new lens collection too if I switched. I definitely think that the Sony AF has taken a few leaps ahead of Canon. I was holding out to see if Canon makes any advancements but it's been crickets.
I feel like Canon has something up their sleeves for this year, but we'll see what they do. Hopefully they've learned some lessons form the past and decide to give customers what they ask for! I saw an interview with one of their engineers when the R5c was released and he was asked why it still has Micro HDMI even though it's a filmmaking camera and everyone wanted full size. His answer was something like, "yeah, it would be great if we could add full size in there." And I just thought wait, what do you mean?! You are literally the ones who design these things! So I'm hoping they've become a bit more proactive 😉
Sony has some great cameras! Just for comparison, I'd be curious to hear what you think about Panasonic Lumix lineup and the direction they're going with the S5ii(X), G9ii and similar. The new phase-detection autofocus was a huge improvement. I'm loving my S5iiX, but I'm still somewhat new to the Lumix system, so time will tell. One very cool thing they've done is release the S-series prime lenses. They're basically all the same size, weight and share the 67mm filter size and very affordable.
I haven't used a Lumix yet, but I'd really like to. I was seriously considering them back when I got my a7SIII, but they didn't have autofocus at the time and the lens options seemed a bit limited. I've been thinking of renting one to try out.
@@tombuck I think the higher end Sony's might still have an edge with their pro video features. I'd say the S5iiX falls somewhere closer to the A7iv, but with a few extra perks. If you do rent one, I'd give your review a watch.
Hey Tom, great video. I too was using the R for both photo and video. Been wanting to switch but am so invested in lenses that it's just out of the question right now. I ended up with the R6ii as my daily hybrid. It's a fantastic camera especially compared to the R. I often wonder if it's a "grass is always greener" situation. For now I'm satisfied. Thanks again for the low down!
Ahh yeah, the R6II seems like an awesome camera. I actually had an order in for one before I cancelled and wen't with the a7SIII. It's definitely the one I was most interested in!
My 24GM has been rock solid for years, been all over the world, seen all kinds of weather and hasn’t been babied at all. Sucks that you got a dud, but mine has been phenomenal. And Sony lenses get you better stabilization and of course focus breathing comp. 👍 The open E mount makes every other brand irrelevant to me after switching from Canon when the a7rII came out many years ago. And now the lens selection at every price point will never be equaled with any other mount.
I'm really glad to hear that! I have had several other people say they've had similar issues to me, but I'm sure it's the minority. Just a bummer when the one GM lens I bought has been a dud in that regard (image quality is still stellar though).
@tombuck As a former canon shooter that moved to Sony, I bought the "Sigma MC-11 Mount Converter/Lens Adapter" and I can use all my canon glass on Sony. I can even use AF. its about $200
It's a great one! I actually have a whole video about it. Video autofocus is great with Sigma lenses, but my Canon lenses only have AF in photo mode. Kind of a bummer limitation.
Crikey Tom, this was a beast but useful I am still juggling the two systems, In the canon Corner: C300mk3 now sold so down to two C70s and and and R5... Over in the Sony Corner, three FX30's with mainly only sigma lenses ( the compact primes and two sigma 18-35 1.8 noisemakers) The only thing I miss and it's really the ONLY thing, is built in ND's. I love how compact and lightweight the FX30's are vs the C70s. RAW is nice on the canons but still, most of 400+ productions have shot and edited over the past five years don't even see me using Clog!
I said it before, canon is really good if you have a really big budget, and I always recommend Sony for new folks, and I tell people to stay away from canon! With that said, now that I have the budget to buy anything I want from canon, it’s amazing. I thought going from canon r5 to R5c was only a slight upgrade… boy was I wrong. R5c is a giant step up. All canon weaknesses are gone. Yes you can make the case about battery life and limitations. However, those limitations are on the most extreme settings (like 8k clog3 or raw). But the giant step up is the video tools and DR boost, and mainly, the rich/thick color. I haven’t been “inspired” to crest stuff in a long time, but using R5c feels like you are making a “real movie”. With that said, I STILL want an fx3!
Loved this video style. I’m so tempted to try a Sony but… it is so costly to change systems and there seems to be pros and cons with each. I like your idea of making a list of what your needs are and doing your very best to choose a brand that fits those needs most.
If you’re in an area with rental options, something like LensRentals can be a much more affordable way to get firsthand experience. It’s been really helpful to me in the past. 👍
If Sony doesn't get the hint after your (multiple) videos about that dang lens, I think us smaller channel folks are screwed. I only run on Sigma and have had no problems (knock on wood), but as I search for the next lens, it'll likely not be Sony and probably either Sigma again or Tamron. (17-70mm)
Haha, I don't think I have much sway of any kind with Sony 😅 But I am working on a re-review of the Tamron 20-40 which I absolutely love. If I had an APSC camera, the 17-70 would definitely be the way to go.
@@tombuck if the R6 II was the camera that came out in 2020 then there would be a good chance you would still be with canon. 6D was my first full frame dslr as well. T2i was my first dslr after I moved from my Canon AE-1 which I used in high school to learn black and white photography. Sony is tempting sometimes but so many memories with canon. It’s like the song….”Love the one you’re with” ;)
Tom you should really check out the Panasonic s5iix its got amazing autofocus that easily keeps pace with all the other auto focuses systems out there! Also L mount glass is amazing!
I haven't used a Panasonic camera yet, but they definitely seem interesting. The lack of autofocus is what kept me away from them 3 years ago, but obviously that's not an issue now. Might be fun to rent one to try!
@@tombucksince the launch of the s5ii they have really caught up and even surpassed the competition in some areas. Top tier ibis, amazing autofocus and open gate 6k unlimited recording! Borrow one from a camera store I promise you'll be blown away!
Just purchased the S5iix (after watching far too many Panasonic/Sony comparison videos). Love it so far - particularly the real-time LUTs and stabilisation.
I've been deep into both systems for extended periods of time. There are tradeoffs at every tier, and like you said, these days everything by both Sony and Canon are so good it doesn't make a huge amount of difference anymore. I personally love the RF lenses, so Canon is where I am currently....I DO miss that 1/400th flash synch of the A1 though. Tradeoffs.
Tom, great video. While I’m not in the market right now for a camera you gave me a lot of helpful information that I’ll use when I decide to upgrade. I’ll be watching for any future upgrades you make because I’d use a camera in a similar way. As for Sony not relating to customers that’s one reason I stopped considering them. Back in the 90s and early 2000s I had their cameras that used a priority memory card that they stopped making. When my cards stopped working and could only buy some from questionable companies I suddenly had to buy a new camera. My latest is a Canon DSLR. The one I have, Rebel EOS SL2, was very popular at the time I bought it with CZcams creators and used by many. While I realize it’s now out of date and I could get much better video and photos from a marrowless camera, my Canon is still working fine for what I need. Once I started using a power adapter with it I haven’t had problems with it shutting off every 30 minutes. I realize I’ll eventually need to invest in a better camera but I just can’t afford the cost.
Sony has always been a bit strange when it comes to proprietary things like cards (I remember "Memory Sticks" 😁). The SL2 is still a great camera for sure. Upgrading is always tempting, but new things don't suddenly make what you have stop working.
FX30 with a speed booster is a cheaper-ish alternative to the FX3 which I like a lot. The only negative point might be the horrible Sony UI, especially coming from Blackmagic... A "video camera" would probably have SDI, take external v mount / gold batteries, have internal NDs, XLR audio ins, false colors, shutter angle instead of shutter speed, etc. - autofocus being not really that used (maybe for gimball shots ?). The Blackmagic Pyxis looks really yummy... but super overkill for a home studio only camera 😅
The corrupted file story at 14:40 is the story of my life shooting Sony. Doesn't matter if I use the dual SD feature, my FX30 regularly corrupts files. I film for 4-6 hours straight, so I'd understand if it spit out warnings or something, but silently corrupting the file has ruined multiple days of filming for me. I talked to Gerald and he's had similar issues, albeit much less frequently Since moving to USB C SSD recording on the Lumix S5II X, I haven't had a single issue. Moving OFF of Sony is the best thing I've done for my channel
That happens often with my old EOS M6, no longer with me, but was cool as a webcam, too, but after 30 minutes on a live stream…boom stops and have to go rearrange… 😂😂😂😂
I would be really interested in hearing your thoughts about the Canon R5C and the new RF lenses, especially that new 24-105 f2.8, compared to your Sony setup, I have the feeling it’s the perfect hybrid camera right now, two cameras in one. I think like a lot of the positives you mention in the Sonys are also in the R5C. I’m still using my 2 Canon 7DmkII cameras. They’re still absolute workhorses for FullHD corporate/event video work. And so far my clients don’t care about 4K. The only really annoying thing is that stupid half hour record limit. But one off them is going to die on me at some point and then I’d like to upgrade my whole setup to full frame. I am really torn between staying with canon for the great ergonomics, the Sonys feel like bricks in the hand😅, or going with Sony for the supposedly superior autofocus, the full size HDMI, the audio add-on module… there’s a lot to like for sure 😊
I haven't used the R5c myself, but a few of my friends have it and love it. Their stuff always looks amazing too. I know it has battery issues since it requires so much power, but if it can be plugged in to a wall outlet, then that's solved. I do think Micro HDMI on a cinema camera of that caliber is mind boggling though 🫠 I do really love the RF lenses. I haven't used most of the newer ones since my Sony switch, but the ones I've owned/used in the past are excellent. Very pricey, but if the EF mount is anything to go by, they'll be both functionally and usable for a looooooong time to come.
Love the channel and your quirky jokes Tom, question; What are your thoughts on starting a podcast style CZcams video about gear, similar to this video you made here? Do you think something like that could work? I see that most videos on gear are more like the traditional CZcams videos. Or do you think a channel that does podcasts about gear and traditional videos on gear could work on this subject?
I think that could absolutely work! Especially if you focus on honing your unique perspective and personality to make it something people can connect with. Thank you for the kind words!
With your Elgato telepromter and your FX3, how do you live stream in zooms? I have the FX3 and my Elgato Telepromter arrives today ... Trying to figure out how I can use the FX3 for both CZcams videos and Zooms etc.
You can just drag the Zoom window over to the Prompter and you're good to go 👍 How you mount the prompter depends on your lens, but I have a video that covers pretty much all of the options here: czcams.com/video/kabU0TQpMIk/video.html
@@tombuck thanks.. ahh I was more meaning how can I use my FX3 for recording videos for CZcams as I am now but also use the FX3 as the webcam for Zooms.. I think maybe if I use a camlink?
About the problems with the lenses, it sounds like the electrical contacts are getting "dirty". Try taking Q-tips and wipe them. I would use them dry. Wipe both the body and the lens contacts.
I was, but still figuring out the new setup. Lots more reflections and things since moving the space around! I wish my boom arm has just a bit more reach to it.
Myself a person who switched from Canon to Sony. I totally agree with your point. I love Canon but its not yet user friendly in Price, Lens and Charging limitations. Sony rocks on all of there factors and in many more levels. I have a Sony A6700 paired with FE 20-70 F4. Its a wow combination. The dynamic range is unimaginable. Even if I had to run the camera for a whole day with minimum power off situations, it works perfectly fine. I also have a Fujifilm XS20, its a good camera but Sony is undeniably the best in the market right now.
You mention not wanting to invest in the Sony Ecosystem. At least it has an ecosystem. Canon and Nikon have very few lenses outside of their own, whereas there are dozens of companies making lenses for Sony's E Mount.
Regarding Nikon. There are multiple 3rd party lenses from Tamron, Sigma, 7Artisans, TTArtisans, Viltrox and more. Plus there are multiple E-mount to Z-mount adapters which allow using lenses for Sony on Nikon.
Genuinely surprised you put extra effort to record audio in-camera rather than use an external audio recorder. I guess it saves syncying in post and avoids timing drift issues?
Lumix have moved to phase-detect autofocus with the S5-II and S5-II X, so you can put the autofocus gripe to bed. And the S5-II and S5-II X beat your A7IV hands down on literally everything.
Sony for me but I find all brands interesting like the latest Nikon and the up coming Canon camera will be also interesting. For me I love Sony as it suits my workflow etc but I think whoever releases a hybrid with built in NDs and shutter angle I could be swayed even if it’s not Sony :-)
@@tombuck Has to happen some day I’m guessing it’s the size aspect that is holding them back! Thanks for your answer to my DJI + Boom mic question on your live video the other day! Almost tempted to buy the FX3 just for that handle !! Maybe the FX4 will have built in NDs?! We can dream !
Great video, thanks for sharing your experience! Have you ever tried Fujifilm cameras? They don't have FF sensors but those are getting better for video. I'm wondering your take on those when compared to Sony cameras.
Like you, I've had a lifetime shooting Canon. It's always been my jam. But in 2020, with the release of the ZV-1, I started using Sony (okay, I did use Sony in my ENG days) and I've been enjoying it and kinda hating on my m50. I even told this to our local Canon rep when we were hanging out the other week. But I got to thinking: maybe I've been unfair to my maligned m50? Let me use it for a project and see if it's really as disappointing as I've made it out to be. I used it and it was fine. Sure, there were some things that irritated me a little - like it's a bit heavy for the tripod I use with the ZV-1. I shot the video, edited and released it - and you really can't tell the difference. People say they love the compactness of the m50, but it's not compact enough for me. That's fine. It has Dirty HDMI Out and now I have separate Sony cameras for livestreams that take care of that. I've decided to keep the m50 because it's really the only "still camera" I have to use (other than a bunch of actual film SLR cameras) and because I discovered that I did enjoy using it. At the end of the day, these are all just tools. The results from the m50 demonstrated that to me once again. It's up to us to utilize whatever tool we have available to make our vision. And, if we have enough knowledge about what/how we are doing, we can make that happen.
I do have this theory about the "missing features" in firmware updates for the A7S3 vs newer (cheaper) cameras though, and my guess is that on the newer models there is either a better/different implementation of the Bionz XR-processor, *or* some kind of support processor or hardware circuit/hardware feature, that doesn't exist in the A7S3, or some other hardware related to autofocus and tracking and other features that's in the newer cameras, but not in the A7S3, based on when they where developed and produced. It would be the most logical reason/explanation for something like this, (other than "Sony is weird") and definitely not something Sony would come out and plainly explain in the open. The only mentioning I've found of this was a sentence about the A7IV and it having the "updated autofocus" of the IV-series ... which could point to *something* hardware-related in combination with firmware/software, not exactly "rock hard" evidence of any sort, but from a purely product development standpoint it does explain a lot.
This definitely makes sense and I would actually love for it to be the case since it's logical! But I am skeptical. I don't know for certain how Sony works, but from what I've priced together over the years the "Alpha" and "Cinema" teams are different and they then of course answer to their respective bean counters. This is one explanation I heard for why the FX3 got so many different updates vs. the a7SIII when they're basically the same camera- there was a directive/quota to sell more cinema cameras, so they made the cinema line more appealing. Ultimately I think Sony is so big that even though they can do some things extremely well, they also often find themselves in a "left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing" situation.
@@tombuck Ooooh, that's an interesting thought indeed :) Of course, them being two different teams, making two different branches of the OS/Firmware (not sure how different the OS of the FX3 is visually from the A7S3, but guessing there are minor differences in there?) Each team having different guidelines and priorities, like the Alpha team putting resources into newer Alpha-models while the Cinema-team, with a "newer" camera maybe staying more focused on adding features to their newest model also makes sense from a business perspective. That would also explain why an older Alpha-model is *not* getting resources thrown at developing/implementing new features for it in the OS (with additional resources needed for testing/quality assurance etc), and why we have the A7RIV and A7RV if they are actively trying to push "video-people" onto the cinema line. Pushing *every* feature into *every* camera is usually a bad business idea, even though a particular model could handle X and Y, so it makes sense from a business perspective. Not trying to make excuses, but I do think Sony really didn't understand beforehand how well they hit the spot in the market when they made the A7S3, and for it to almost "threaten" the cinema line entry point camera coming down the road ;) Usually since a product is planned several years prior to reveal the Fx3 for the videographer "segment" was probably in the pipeline when the A7S3 was released, so it's popularity might have taken them by surprise indeed.
Wow, even though among common brands, Sony GM has the best optical quality, I'm surprised about their lack of reliability. Zeiss and Leica are exotic brands, not common brands.
Hey Tom, I just have to ask but can you please review and give your honest thoughts of the Canon Mini DV ZR900? cuz it's my childhood camera and i would really like you to make a video just about this camera and to be honest for me the footage from it doesn't looks so bad and you can get this camcorder for around 30-190 U.S dollars
Hey Nathan! I don’t currently have any ZR’s, but back in high school I did have a ZR65 (older version of yours). The footage definitely wouldn’t be great. From a technical standpoint, there’s nothing super special about the camera- it’s a pretty standard MiniDV camera from the time. But the nostalgia factor is what matters most in these cases! It’s not necessarily about getting the best footage (any semi-modern phone will do a better job). Instead it’s about recapturing the feelings of fun and excitement you had when this was your camera, and that’s something that no other camera can compete with. 👍
@@tombuck Hahaha, thanks for that, high praise indeed :) Pushing the phone as far as I can, and even the first vids from last year was the iphone X - but I do miss having a dedicated unit for filming, freeing up the phone to do b-roll/documenting things, looking things up while filming, and the option of transfer files from a memory card while doing other things, not having to constantly empty out my phone over the sloooooooow iphone connection (even on the 15 pro with 20gigabit doing low quality prores log filming it takes ages locking my phone to the machine). Not really complaining, I’m lucky to afford the 15 pro max, but I do long for a dedicated unit with some added flex when it comes to aperture, memory cards and «freedom» … but one day :D
I actually much prefer the way my Sony camera feels in comparison to the Canon I sold a few years ago. It seems like the grip on cameras is super subjective. I've heard lots of mixed opinions about how different cameras feel to operate.
I think it depends on price. In today's market, something like the Sone ZV-E10, even as an "entry level" camera is significantly more capable than some of the older higher end models. So if the a7II is $200-$300 and can suit your needs, then it could totally be worth it. But if it's anymore than that, jumping up to the E10 is probably the way to go.
Switching to Sony is the best move anyone can make in videography & photography. Don’t let “color science” detour you from GREATNESS! /sidebar/ LOVE your videos & your home stew setup is gang-busters braH🫡💪🏽
Thank you sir! / And yeah, I never really paid attention to "color science." I kind of figure en engineers who make these things know a lot more about it than I do and everything from every brand ends up looking pretty good at this point.
I’m sorry that you haven’t had a good experience with your GM lens, but I beg to differ with your opinion of Sony GM lenses simply because my experience with them has been the complete opposite of yours. In my experience, the GM lenses I own leave 3rd party lenses in the dust in terms of autofocus speed and reliability compared to the Sigma lenses I own (can’t speak for other 3rd party brands).
WOW what a long video. 1st Sorry your having issue with your Sony GM no company today is run well. Chick-fil-A, In-and-Out make all camera companies look terrible. The best be have is B&H but after it's out of there hands it downhill. I like Fuji because I have contact in Fuji! We have about the same Camera but totally different usage. Doing Commercial work and getting into Documentary work. I never likes the A7siii but Love the FX3. I got the FX30 as I have no issues with crop sensors. As a consultant I have talk many a customer out of a FX3 to get a simple ZV-E10. I have never like Canon camera but I love there Camcorders. I was very happy with my Fuji XT4 except the autofocus was not good enough so I switched to Sony. I have the Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM and a 1.4 35MM GM On my A74 I rarely change lens it make get stuck because the Tamron 35-150 is such a beautiful lens! My favorite lens are full manual Super 35 Fujinon MK set a perfect Marriage for the FX30! I've sent may customers some of your video and then had to convince them the FX3 is more that you need I install proper light and mic's and you can't tell the difference that it was shot on a ZV-E10 Then again the ATEM only goes to 1080. But one customer moved up to a 4K ATEM and the ZV-E10 is doing it just fine. I generally buy Tamron lens because this is all inside work. Now that I moving into semi-retirement and Documentary work I looking at the Sony Burano but that alot of money to use for a week and just sit ideal. Now I understand why people rent!
The ZV-E10 is such a capable camera and definitely the right fit for so many people. It's a tough one to beat! I do have a friend who got a Burano and rents it out. He's had it since release and I think he said it'll pay for itself within the next few months. I'd be terrified of letting other people use my gear though 😁
I loved My A74 for 2 years, but it shut down on me twice in the past 3 months during important long shoots. I switched to powering from a dummy battery to USB which could be the source of the overheating and shut down, but I couldn’t chance another so I purchased an FX30 (FX3 to come). How are you powering your A74 for long shoots since it’s never shut down on you?
@@tombuck I use the same. I used to use a dummy battery on AC and I never had an issue until we had a brown out. That's when I changed to USB. I believe that's when my overheating problems began. But I shoot VERY long form videos. Meetings lasting up to 2 to 2.5 hours. Maybe I'll try a dummy battery with a V-Mount battery and see if that reduces the over heating. Thanks for the update.
Dude these unedited videos are the best!
I appreciate that!
Links to BH do not work. Your conversational style of camera reviews and spending your own money makes the videos enjoyable and enhances your credibility. Thank you for your post!!!
Thank you for the kind words! I really appreciate. And thanks the heads up about the links- they should go to a page where you can choose Amazon and B&H. It’s still working for me, so not sure what’s happening. I’ll have to keep an eye on it.
@@tombuck It was that secondary page where one can choose between Amazon and B&H where it seemed to be an issue. Keep up the great videos!!!
Tom, I love your videos and your puns. I bought an EOS R in 2022, just as you were switching to Sony, and from time to time I still watch your Canon videos just to remember the potentials those cameras have. I'm a photographer, so rarely do video. We can feel your passion on your videos. Keep on the good work.
The R kicks butt! I've still been using mine a lot for hockey videos and it's fantastic.
The first seconds of the video I was like "wow, what camera are you filming this video on, it looks really really good!" And OMG, it’s the OG EOS R! That camera really holds up! 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
The R does kick butt, but this was filmed with my Sonys. Trying to learn more about SLOG- still have a ways to go, but enjoying it so far.
(Edit: I’ve gone crazy and this is entirely wrong haha)
@@tombuckBut you said you were using the EOS R at the start of this video. 🤷🏼♂️ At 1:50 in.
@@TC_Conner yeah, that’s what I thought also 💁🏼♂️
@@RogerAVHansen Is Tom Buck “CANfused” about if we was using a Canon or not? 😂😂
I’m a dummy- of course it was the R since all the Sonys were on the table 😅
(I’m working on a video now where I have the R with me in screen and for some reason got confused between what’s being watched vs. what I’m editing 😵💫
I personally love these unedited videos! Feels more like we’re holding a conversation and I’m asking you questions about the camera, it also seems like more what you’re into especially considering you used to be a teacher!
It’s nice to let things breathe a bit for sure! And yeah, gives me “classroom vibes”!
I Iove this! Great video. The A7iv to me is one of best tools I have. The dual card slots, full size HDMI and a bunch more features make it stress free to use.
It's kind of magical! haha
I have Sony a pretty good shot. A7s ii, A7c, a6400 and a5100. They were incredible webcams, but… something just didn’t mesh with me for using as primary cams. I still can’t explain it.
Wound up back at Canon and happy here.
Yeah, your Canon stuff looks awesome.
What are your thoughts on the log profiles and files? The R5 files are a pain in the ass to edit and I'm not a fan of CLOG3 compared to SLOG3 I had on my previous Sony cameras.
What's your canon attraction?
@@bladerealm124 I don't like shooting LOG at all if it's not in Raw. So on my R5 C, I'm shooting everything CLOG3 and CRAW. Which I love. But for my R6, I just do Rec709 and grade from there.
@@DarkPa1adin Hard to say, really. The feel is a HUGE part of it, on top of the lenses.
Can't be any regrets.
Obviously Canon had no real options but Sony did, it paid the bills. Some people prefer to sit down and wait for that perfect piece of equipment but you did what you had to do, so good for you. Now with the introduction to 3rd party lens and better autofocus, picking up a Canon, Sony, Nikon, Fuji or even a Panasonic is not a hard decision as it was before, it's pretty much depends on your preference, all are pretty good now.
Obviously some better than others but they can all get the job done.
So many great options out there now for sure!
I switched from the Canon Rebel t7i ( yikes for video! lol) to Sony cameras 3 years ago. The user experience has been so much better. Easier to find and order the right lenses for those who don’t know what you’re doing yet, video work flow has been better. Canon Rebel EF, EF-S, 🤯n mount was tough as a newbie, constantly ordering lenses that said it was compatible when it wasn’t…Totally different experience as a beginner growing into a hobbyist.
I definitely love the Sony lens selection and simplicity of the E mount! Your right about the workflow too- it's crazy, 4K footage from my Sonys takes up the same amount of space as HD footage from my Canon 🤷🏻♂️
Been a Sony user since early 2022, picked up the A7IV and I love the Sigma lenses. I agree, the 16-35GM was a let down for me and the only GM lens I have left is the 50mm F1.4. Other than that Sigma 24-70mm, 16-28mm, and 24mm have all been amazing!
Thanks for making this video Tom! Couldn't of come at a better time. I'm in the process of switching from Canon to Sony after 17 years. It was a huge step to let go of the known quantity for something that could actually work better for me. This helps me see that it is all going to be OK. Anyway, thanks again!
It will definitely be ok! I for sure felt overwhelmed, but it ended up being pretty ok. Just took a bit of time to really get a feel for the different cameras and how to get the best results from them.
Watching this video and seeing the Canon do its slight focus hunt is interesting. I own Canon, Blackmagic and Panasonic. I sold my a6400 but kept some e-mount glass because I will own a Sony cam again. Good video Tom!
I think Canon's autofocus has gotten much better since the original R, but Sonys breathing compensation is EXTREMELY helpful.
you nailed all the frustrations of a sony owner! Especially the part where the cheaper cameras get features the expensive ones don't get.
It's so confusing! I get when a camera becomes out of date, but in the case of cameras like the a7SIII or a1, they're still the flagship models in their respective lineups 🤷🏻♂️
Thanks for that, Tom. I relate to this a lot. I have shot on Canon through my job for years and been reasonably happy. But I picked up an a6700 for my personal stuff recently and I feel similarly to you. It’s so small and SO powerful, but when the quirks do show themselves they’re pretty disappointing. EG losing raw and subject detection when using clear image zoom. And the ergonomics just don’t hold a candle to a chunky canon DSLR, but maybe that’s just me. Anyway, great video.
Canon's ergonomics are pretty much impossible to beat. Give me a Canon lens on a body with Canon ergonomics, Sony internals, and a Blackmagic Menu system. 😁
Thanks, Tom. Another great discussion. I absolutely love my Sony FX3. For me, it is the colour profile. The picture is so sharp and the images are so vibrant. It was incredibly expensive, but I can’t see any reason to change it for a very long time.
It’s such a great camera! Genuinely a joy to use.
The Sony A7iv interests me, however I have too many Nikons, including Z6ii. Maybe someday, if I add a Sony. I totally respect Sony for what they do so well in video! I do photos more, however if I did mostly video, Sony would be at the top of my list.
My switch to Sony came from Panasonic/Lumix world and into the purchase of an A5100, going from Micro 4/3 to APS-C. Full frame was not an option until Sony released the A7III and that was just around the time I started getting photography and video jobs. That camera paid for itself several times during the first year of use and I was hooked, got me three more Sony cameras.
The a7III was such a legendary camera. Seems like that was the turning point for many many people.
A7iv & A7c image quality and Af have kept me from moving to Lumix, Canon or Nikon. I do still have my m6ii and gh5ii. Great unedited video Tom!
It's great to have reliable focus. I almost never have to think about it and it's great peace of mind.
I only do photography, really never any video. But the R5 for me has been incredible. I just wish RF glass didn’t cost a college tuition.
Yeah, it's expensive, but dang Canon lenses are so wonderful!
@@tombuck They are very very impressive. Tom thank you for all that you do! Every time you release a video it feels like I’m talking to someone who shares my passions.
Great review Tom. Have the FX3, A74 and a A7R4, updating to the A7R5 soon. Love them, best cameras I’ve had in a while.
The lens especially the zooms have been good for me, just work out which ones suit you and the jobs you do.
Yep! Everybody's "perfect" tool is different and takes time to figure out!
@@tombuck - exactly it. Doing great work Tom, my go to guy for all audio stuff. thanks
I've been using an @6000. For years. It's a little dated now but I still love it and get compliments on stream.
Wow the colors look amazing. What did he change?
Tom two min later: Recording this on my Canon... 🤣
Are you able to get Canon or Fuji colours on your Sony?
My journey has always been Sony, I think mainly from friends/family. I use the FX30 and A7IV - and love them both deeply. I use the Fujifilm X100V for travel photography. I don't feel locked in an ecosystem but really have no reason to leave Sony.
Tom - great video. Valuable especially since your comments are so authentic. I like Sony and I have sticker shock from the costs of their many lenses. Thanks for sharing your knowledge!
Appreciate the kind words!
Man, I’m sorry you had such a bad experience with your 24GM. I’ve been shooting sports and fitness content 6 days a week for almost 15 years now almost exclusively using GM lenses for the last 7 ish and I’ve never had any issues like that. Although, I will say, the 24 GM doesn’t feel as good in the hands as the newer primes like the 50 1.4 (which is an absolutely stunning lens). I would actually say the lenses are one of the primary reasons I stay with Sony. I used have to get my canon 50 1.2 serviced almost every other year and don’t get me started about the 85mm, those wide aperture L series primes were always prone to front and back focusing as they got older.
I will say, I do have a couple Sigma and Tamron lenses now, and they are quite good for the price, but there is definitely still a quality drop in most cases and for my particular use case of shooting sports and fitness the AF speed drops with third party lenses when you are shooting fast moving subjects IE gymnasts or basketball players exploding across the frame (that most reviewers don’t catch IMO). I love the 20-40 tamron and the 17-70 Crop lens, but I can’t trust them on client shoots so they most get used to shoot my daughter she still sometimes pushes their capabilities to the limits. The gap is definitely closing between 3rd party and 1st party lenses though - very exciting time.
Edit: I did have to repair my old 24-70 GM once, because a tiny piece of liquified hot metal hit the front element and immediately melted the glass. That might have been user error though. 😅😅😂😂
I'm glad to hear that! I'm bummed about my lens and disappointed in Sonys lack of support, but I'd be glad to know it's not the norm. Sports and fitness definitely push a lenses performance to the max!
Hopefully your melted lens was able to be saved 😁
I'm just glad you didn't knock anything off the desk. If I remember correctly my first house, circa 1985, cost about the same as your camera & lens collection! Admittedly that was before the UK hit a house price boom. That was a lot of Bucks extracted from Mr Buck.
I've definitely learned from past mistakes in that regard 😉
@@tombuck Supplemental thought. Maybe post the Sony GM lens to yourself every few months...
#LateralThinking
I did the exact same thing switching from canon to Sony. I think the workflow for me was the reason for switching.
Super helpful, as much of your content here is qualitative, and not conveyable on paper. Thank you for making it!
I’m glad you like that! I know there’s a tendency for “quantitative” info to be taken more seriously, but I’ve always loved the “here’s how it works for me” approach.
I've been Canon for soooo long with the C200 and C70. I've considered grabbing an FX3 to dip my feet in the water. It's just a shame I'd have to get a whole new lens collection too if I switched. I definitely think that the Sony AF has taken a few leaps ahead of Canon. I was holding out to see if Canon makes any advancements but it's been crickets.
I feel like Canon has something up their sleeves for this year, but we'll see what they do. Hopefully they've learned some lessons form the past and decide to give customers what they ask for!
I saw an interview with one of their engineers when the R5c was released and he was asked why it still has Micro HDMI even though it's a filmmaking camera and everyone wanted full size. His answer was something like, "yeah, it would be great if we could add full size in there." And I just thought wait, what do you mean?! You are literally the ones who design these things!
So I'm hoping they've become a bit more proactive 😉
4k out the wallet goes brazy 😂🔥🔥 thank you. Can’t decide, I’ll get them all
Sony has some great cameras! Just for comparison, I'd be curious to hear what you think about Panasonic Lumix lineup and the direction they're going with the S5ii(X), G9ii and similar. The new phase-detection autofocus was a huge improvement. I'm loving my S5iiX, but I'm still somewhat new to the Lumix system, so time will tell. One very cool thing they've done is release the S-series prime lenses. They're basically all the same size, weight and share the 67mm filter size and very affordable.
I haven't used a Lumix yet, but I'd really like to. I was seriously considering them back when I got my a7SIII, but they didn't have autofocus at the time and the lens options seemed a bit limited. I've been thinking of renting one to try out.
@@tombuck I think the higher end Sony's might still have an edge with their pro video features. I'd say the S5iiX falls somewhere closer to the A7iv, but with a few extra perks. If you do rent one, I'd give your review a watch.
Love the honesty and transparency.
Hey Tom, great video. I too was using the R for both photo and video. Been wanting to switch but am so invested in lenses that it's just out of the question right now. I ended up with the R6ii as my daily hybrid. It's a fantastic camera especially compared to the R. I often wonder if it's a "grass is always greener" situation. For now I'm satisfied. Thanks again for the low down!
Ahh yeah, the R6II seems like an awesome camera. I actually had an order in for one before I cancelled and wen't with the a7SIII. It's definitely the one I was most interested in!
My 24GM has been rock solid for years, been all over the world, seen all kinds of weather and hasn’t been babied at all. Sucks that you got a dud, but mine has been phenomenal. And Sony lenses get you better stabilization and of course focus breathing comp. 👍 The open E mount makes every other brand irrelevant to me after switching from Canon when the a7rII came out many years ago. And now the lens selection at every price point will never be equaled with any other mount.
I'm really glad to hear that! I have had several other people say they've had similar issues to me, but I'm sure it's the minority. Just a bummer when the one GM lens I bought has been a dud in that regard (image quality is still stellar though).
@tombuck As a former canon shooter that moved to Sony, I bought the "Sigma MC-11 Mount Converter/Lens Adapter" and I can use all my canon glass on Sony. I can even use AF. its about $200
It's a great one! I actually have a whole video about it. Video autofocus is great with Sigma lenses, but my Canon lenses only have AF in photo mode. Kind of a bummer limitation.
Crikey Tom, this was a beast but useful I am still juggling the two systems, In the canon Corner: C300mk3 now sold so down to two C70s and and and R5... Over in the Sony Corner, three FX30's with mainly only sigma lenses ( the compact primes and two sigma 18-35 1.8 noisemakers)
The only thing I miss and it's really the ONLY thing, is built in ND's. I love how compact and lightweight the FX30's are vs the C70s. RAW is nice on the canons but still, most of 400+ productions have shot and edited over the past five years don't even see me using Clog!
Would also love a RF-mount on a Sony body. And I would love 300 fps as well. 😅
I said it before, canon is really good if you have a really big budget, and I always recommend Sony for new folks, and I tell people to stay away from canon! With that said, now that I have the budget to buy anything I want from canon, it’s amazing. I thought going from canon r5 to R5c was only a slight upgrade… boy was I wrong. R5c is a giant step up. All canon weaknesses are gone. Yes you can make the case about battery life and limitations. However, those limitations are on the most extreme settings (like 8k clog3 or raw). But the giant step up is the video tools and DR boost, and mainly, the rich/thick color. I haven’t been “inspired” to crest stuff in a long time, but using R5c feels like you are making a “real movie”. With that said, I STILL want an fx3!
I was definitely thinking of you while making this. The R5c really does seem outstanding and your stuff always looks amazing.
Loved this video style. I’m so tempted to try a Sony but… it is so costly to change systems and there seems to be pros and cons with each. I like your idea of making a list of what your needs are and doing your very best to choose a brand that fits those needs most.
If you’re in an area with rental options, something like LensRentals can be a much more affordable way to get firsthand experience. It’s been really helpful to me in the past. 👍
If Sony doesn't get the hint after your (multiple) videos about that dang lens, I think us smaller channel folks are screwed. I only run on Sigma and have had no problems (knock on wood), but as I search for the next lens, it'll likely not be Sony and probably either Sigma again or Tamron. (17-70mm)
Haha, I don't think I have much sway of any kind with Sony 😅
But I am working on a re-review of the Tamron 20-40 which I absolutely love. If I had an APSC camera, the 17-70 would definitely be the way to go.
Hey, Tom, on the card fail…I’m guilty as charged… happened twice or more to me 😂😂
Would love to see a "one year later" review on the Tamron 20-40mm f/2,8 😊
That just so happens to be the exact video I'm working on for next week!
@@tombuck Looking forward to it! 😊
Rent the R6 II, Tom ;). I’ve been extremely impressed. It would make a good comparison video with Sony on your channel.
I've only heard great things about it! The original 6D and 6DII hold a special place in my camera heart, so it'd be a good one to try.
@@tombuck if the R6 II was the camera that came out in 2020 then there would be a good chance you would still be with canon. 6D was my first full frame dslr as well. T2i was my first dslr after I moved from my Canon AE-1 which I used in high school to learn black and white photography. Sony is tempting sometimes but so many memories with canon. It’s like the song….”Love the one you’re with” ;)
Tom you should really check out the Panasonic s5iix its got amazing autofocus that easily keeps pace with all the other auto focuses systems out there! Also L mount glass is amazing!
I haven't used a Panasonic camera yet, but they definitely seem interesting. The lack of autofocus is what kept me away from them 3 years ago, but obviously that's not an issue now. Might be fun to rent one to try!
@@tombucksince the launch of the s5ii they have really caught up and even surpassed the competition in some areas. Top tier ibis, amazing autofocus and open gate 6k unlimited recording! Borrow one from a camera store I promise you'll be blown away!
Just purchased the S5iix (after watching far too many Panasonic/Sony comparison videos). Love it so far - particularly the real-time LUTs and stabilisation.
I switched from Sony to Lumix and love it but the lens selection on Sony is just unmatched.
So many options! I've heard great things about the Lumix cameras (maybe except for the most recent one 😬 )
I've been deep into both systems for extended periods of time. There are tradeoffs at every tier, and like you said, these days everything by both Sony and Canon are so good it doesn't make a huge amount of difference anymore. I personally love the RF lenses, so Canon is where I am currently....I DO miss that 1/400th flash synch of the A1 though. Tradeoffs.
Tom, great video. While I’m not in the market right now for a camera you gave me a lot of helpful information that I’ll use when I decide to upgrade. I’ll be watching for any future upgrades you make because I’d use a camera in a similar way.
As for Sony not relating to customers that’s one reason I stopped considering them. Back in the 90s and early 2000s I had their cameras that used a priority memory card that they stopped making. When my cards stopped working and could only buy some from questionable companies I suddenly had to buy a new camera.
My latest is a Canon DSLR. The one I have, Rebel EOS SL2, was very popular at the time I bought it with CZcams creators and used by many. While I realize it’s now out of date and I could get much better video and photos from a marrowless camera, my Canon is still working fine for what I need. Once I started using a power adapter with it I haven’t had problems with it shutting off every 30 minutes. I realize I’ll eventually need to invest in a better camera but I just can’t afford the cost.
Sony has always been a bit strange when it comes to proprietary things like cards (I remember "Memory Sticks" 😁).
The SL2 is still a great camera for sure. Upgrading is always tempting, but new things don't suddenly make what you have stop working.
FX30 with a speed booster is a cheaper-ish alternative to the FX3 which I like a lot.
The only negative point might be the horrible Sony UI, especially coming from Blackmagic...
A "video camera" would probably have SDI, take external v mount / gold batteries, have internal NDs, XLR audio ins, false colors, shutter angle instead of shutter speed, etc. - autofocus being not really that used (maybe for gimball shots ?). The Blackmagic Pyxis looks really yummy... but super overkill for a home studio only camera 😅
The corrupted file story at 14:40 is the story of my life shooting Sony. Doesn't matter if I use the dual SD feature, my FX30 regularly corrupts files. I film for 4-6 hours straight, so I'd understand if it spit out warnings or something, but silently corrupting the file has ruined multiple days of filming for me. I talked to Gerald and he's had similar issues, albeit much less frequently
Since moving to USB C SSD recording on the Lumix S5II X, I haven't had a single issue. Moving OFF of Sony is the best thing I've done for my channel
Yes, I hope Sony will make USB C SSD direct recording available
I have seen Tamron, and thinking about get those for my Canon
great video! regarding firmware update, I feel for those that bought an a1...
Yeah, that's a ridiculous situation for sure.
This is going to be a REALLY weird and off-subject question... What is the paint color you used for your walls? That blue is amazing
“Living Stream” from Behr in a flat 😁
@@tombuck Thank you!
That happens often with my old EOS M6, no longer with me, but was cool as a webcam, too, but after 30 minutes on a live stream…boom stops and have to go rearrange… 😂😂😂😂
Thanks for this talk about your choices on Sony's camera
I would be really interested in hearing your thoughts about the Canon R5C and the new RF lenses, especially that new 24-105 f2.8, compared to your Sony setup, I have the feeling it’s the perfect hybrid camera right now, two cameras in one. I think like a lot of the positives you mention in the Sonys are also in the R5C.
I’m still using my 2 Canon 7DmkII cameras. They’re still absolute workhorses for FullHD corporate/event video work. And so far my clients don’t care about 4K. The only really annoying thing is that stupid half hour record limit. But one off them is going to die on me at some point and then I’d like to upgrade my whole setup to full frame. I am really torn between staying with canon for the great ergonomics, the Sonys feel like bricks in the hand😅, or going with Sony for the supposedly superior autofocus, the full size HDMI, the audio add-on module… there’s a lot to like for sure 😊
I haven't used the R5c myself, but a few of my friends have it and love it. Their stuff always looks amazing too. I know it has battery issues since it requires so much power, but if it can be plugged in to a wall outlet, then that's solved. I do think Micro HDMI on a cinema camera of that caliber is mind boggling though 🫠
I do really love the RF lenses. I haven't used most of the newer ones since my Sony switch, but the ones I've owned/used in the past are excellent. Very pricey, but if the EF mount is anything to go by, they'll be both functionally and usable for a looooooong time to come.
Thank you on your experience about Blackmagic… still love its iOS app, since I use it for my walk k vlog videos… love it!
2021, for tech upgrades, was wild.
So crazy! But I'm glad that a lot of that stuff seems like it can last a long time.
@@tombuck Exactly! I had to replace my El Gato 60s, and I remember getting that just as it sold out.
Unedited video filled with a lot of information with a cool background ❤!!
Glad you enjoyed!
I am sticking to Canon money wise, but thinking about a Sony A7ii, what do you think? It’s second hand but in great condition… your thoughts?
I’m actually making the switch from Panasonic to Sony!
Oh interesting! Hope you like it!
The A1 has been totally ignored of updates.
Which is absolutely insane considering the price and its status as a "flagship" model.
I am happy with my Sony fx30
Absolutely! I recommend that one all the time to anyone who needs the reliability of the FX3 without the need for full frame.
Love the channel and your quirky jokes Tom, question; What are your thoughts on starting a podcast style CZcams video about gear, similar to this video you made here? Do you think something like that could work? I see that most videos on gear are more like the traditional CZcams videos. Or do you think a channel that does podcasts about gear and traditional videos on gear could work on this subject?
I think that could absolutely work! Especially if you focus on honing your unique perspective and personality to make it something people can connect with.
Thank you for the kind words!
With your Elgato telepromter and your FX3, how do you live stream in zooms? I have the FX3 and my Elgato Telepromter arrives today ... Trying to figure out how I can use the FX3 for both CZcams videos and Zooms etc.
You can just drag the Zoom window over to the Prompter and you're good to go 👍
How you mount the prompter depends on your lens, but I have a video that covers pretty much all of the options here: czcams.com/video/kabU0TQpMIk/video.html
@@tombuck thanks.. ahh I was more meaning how can I use my FX3 for recording videos for CZcams as I am now but also use the FX3 as the webcam for Zooms.. I think maybe if I use a camlink?
What Sony camera would you recommend to me to take a step forward in filming as a hobby….I'm stuck with the DSC HX60V right now😂
I always recommend the ZV-E10 as a great entry point. It's relatively affordable (for a camera) and very feature-packed.
About the problems with the lenses, it sounds like the electrical contacts are getting "dirty". Try taking Q-tips and wipe them. I would use them dry. Wipe both the body and the lens contacts.
Sadly I’ve tried everything (as have the Sony repair center folks)
Tom, were you using your MKH 50 in this video? Your audio sounded different than normal. I am hearing more room noise in this video. 🙂
I was, but still figuring out the new setup. Lots more reflections and things since moving the space around! I wish my boom arm has just a bit more reach to it.
Myself a person who switched from Canon to Sony. I totally agree with your point. I love Canon but its not yet user friendly in Price, Lens and Charging limitations. Sony rocks on all of there factors and in many more levels. I have a Sony A6700 paired with FE 20-70 F4. Its a wow combination. The dynamic range is unimaginable. Even if I had to run the camera for a whole day with minimum power off situations, it works perfectly fine. I also have a Fujifilm XS20, its a good camera but Sony is undeniably the best in the market right now.
Yeah, when I was able to put all my biases aside and just look at what I need and what each company offered, Sony was the clear choice.
You mention not wanting to invest in the Sony Ecosystem. At least it has an ecosystem. Canon and Nikon have very few lenses outside of their own, whereas there are dozens of companies making lenses for Sony's E Mount.
Yeah, the Tamron and Sigma options alone are awesome.
Regarding Nikon. There are multiple 3rd party lenses from Tamron, Sigma, 7Artisans, TTArtisans, Viltrox and more. Plus there are multiple E-mount to Z-mount adapters which allow using lenses for Sony on Nikon.
Yo I’m excited to watch this video!
Genuinely surprised you put extra effort to record audio in-camera rather than use an external audio recorder. I guess it saves syncying in post and avoids timing drift issues?
Yep! It's a great timesaver for sure.
Lumix have moved to phase-detect autofocus with the S5-II and S5-II X, so you can put the autofocus gripe to bed. And the S5-II and S5-II X beat your A7IV hands down on literally everything.
Sony for me but I find all brands interesting like the latest Nikon and the up coming Canon camera will be also interesting. For me I love Sony as it suits my workflow etc but I think whoever releases a hybrid with built in NDs and shutter angle I could be swayed even if it’s not Sony :-)
Oh that would be sweet!
@@tombuck Has to happen some day I’m guessing it’s the size aspect that is holding them back! Thanks for your answer to my DJI + Boom mic question on your live video the other day! Almost tempted to buy the FX3 just for that handle !! Maybe the FX4 will have built in NDs?! We can dream !
Great video, thanks for sharing your experience! Have you ever tried Fujifilm cameras? They don't have FF sensors but those are getting better for video. I'm wondering your take on those when compared to Sony cameras.
I haven't tried Fuji yet! But it seems like everyone who has one loves them.
@@tombuckbut their AF suck big time
Like you, I've had a lifetime shooting Canon. It's always been my jam. But in 2020, with the release of the ZV-1, I started using Sony (okay, I did use Sony in my ENG days) and I've been enjoying it and kinda hating on my m50. I even told this to our local Canon rep when we were hanging out the other week.
But I got to thinking: maybe I've been unfair to my maligned m50? Let me use it for a project and see if it's really as disappointing as I've made it out to be. I used it and it was fine. Sure, there were some things that irritated me a little - like it's a bit heavy for the tripod I use with the ZV-1. I shot the video, edited and released it - and you really can't tell the difference.
People say they love the compactness of the m50, but it's not compact enough for me. That's fine. It has Dirty HDMI Out and now I have separate Sony cameras for livestreams that take care of that. I've decided to keep the m50 because it's really the only "still camera" I have to use (other than a bunch of actual film SLR cameras) and because I discovered that I did enjoy using it.
At the end of the day, these are all just tools. The results from the m50 demonstrated that to me once again. It's up to us to utilize whatever tool we have available to make our vision. And, if we have enough knowledge about what/how we are doing, we can make that happen.
With Topaz AI it only matters what gives you a good HD or 4k image. Run it through that, and itll all look the same.
So curious about Topaz! Seems like it's pretty powerful.
Ayayay…. Nope! Going for the second hand for now, at least it will get me on the Sony ecosystem….and I’m in the desert too!
Great video, Tom
Many thanks!
I do have this theory about the "missing features" in firmware updates for the A7S3 vs newer (cheaper) cameras though, and my guess is that on the newer models there is either a better/different implementation of the Bionz XR-processor, *or* some kind of support processor or hardware circuit/hardware feature, that doesn't exist in the A7S3, or some other hardware related to autofocus and tracking and other features that's in the newer cameras, but not in the A7S3, based on when they where developed and produced.
It would be the most logical reason/explanation for something like this, (other than "Sony is weird") and definitely not something Sony would come out and plainly explain in the open. The only mentioning I've found of this was a sentence about the A7IV and it having the "updated autofocus" of the IV-series ... which could point to *something* hardware-related in combination with firmware/software, not exactly "rock hard" evidence of any sort, but from a purely product development standpoint it does explain a lot.
This definitely makes sense and I would actually love for it to be the case since it's logical! But I am skeptical. I don't know for certain how Sony works, but from what I've priced together over the years the "Alpha" and "Cinema" teams are different and they then of course answer to their respective bean counters.
This is one explanation I heard for why the FX3 got so many different updates vs. the a7SIII when they're basically the same camera- there was a directive/quota to sell more cinema cameras, so they made the cinema line more appealing.
Ultimately I think Sony is so big that even though they can do some things extremely well, they also often find themselves in a "left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing" situation.
@@tombuck Ooooh, that's an interesting thought indeed :)
Of course, them being two different teams, making two different branches of the OS/Firmware (not sure how different the OS of the FX3 is visually from the A7S3, but guessing there are minor differences in there?)
Each team having different guidelines and priorities, like the Alpha team putting resources into newer Alpha-models while the Cinema-team, with a "newer" camera maybe staying more focused on adding features to their newest model also makes sense from a business perspective.
That would also explain why an older Alpha-model is *not* getting resources thrown at developing/implementing new features for it in the OS (with additional resources needed for testing/quality assurance etc), and why we have the A7RIV and A7RV if they are actively trying to push "video-people" onto the cinema line. Pushing *every* feature into *every* camera is usually a bad business idea, even though a particular model could handle X and Y, so it makes sense from a business perspective.
Not trying to make excuses, but I do think Sony really didn't understand beforehand how well they hit the spot in the market when they made the A7S3, and for it to almost "threaten" the cinema line entry point camera coming down the road ;) Usually since a product is planned several years prior to reveal the Fx3 for the videographer "segment" was probably in the pipeline when the A7S3 was released, so it's popularity might have taken them by surprise indeed.
I have tried Sony, Canon and Nikon… Canon just works, with its quirk's, but it works.
Wow, even though among common brands, Sony GM has the best optical quality, I'm surprised about their lack of reliability.
Zeiss and Leica are exotic brands, not common brands.
The optics are phenomenal! Just wish the reliability was as well.
Sony has amazing cameras and their marketing team are not selfish and cowards I only wish they will update their systems often like Panasonic
Hey Tom, I just have to ask but can you please review and give your honest thoughts of the Canon Mini DV ZR900? cuz it's my childhood camera and i would really like you to make a video just about this camera and to be honest for me the footage from it doesn't looks so bad and you can get this camcorder for around 30-190 U.S dollars
Hey Nathan! I don’t currently have any ZR’s, but back in high school I did have a ZR65 (older version of yours).
The footage definitely wouldn’t be great. From a technical standpoint, there’s nothing super special about the camera- it’s a pretty standard MiniDV camera from the time. But the nostalgia factor is what matters most in these cases! It’s not necessarily about getting the best footage (any semi-modern phone will do a better job). Instead it’s about recapturing the feelings of fun and excitement you had when this was your camera, and that’s something that no other camera can compete with. 👍
@@tombuck very true but thanks for responding right away you seem to be a very good CZcamsr and person again thanks for responding.
20:25 fyi the a7sIII has a 48mp sensor binning down to 12mp
I'm guessing that means the FX3 works the same way?
@@tombuck yes, same sensor. If you search for "a7sIII 48mp" you can find the blog post from the lab who took a look at the sensor with a microscope
What about the Sony FX6? Would you buy it or not? Maybe a MKII
If I had the money! 😁
I LOVE the internal variable ND and form factor.
just having the AquaBats poster behind you just slightly blurred is so distracting >.<
Wish it was more blurred or just darker compared to you :D
Im not par to spend $2000-2200 on a camera yet….but they are amazing…. Sold! I’ll get my Sony today….if it is available🤣!
your puns are top tier
Oh how I long for the day I can say «I finally switched to Sony from filming on my cell phone for my channel …» … some day …
Honestly though your stuff looks great, so the phone is working well!
@@tombuck Hahaha, thanks for that, high praise indeed :) Pushing the phone as far as I can, and even the first vids from last year was the iphone X - but I do miss having a dedicated unit for filming, freeing up the phone to do b-roll/documenting things, looking things up while filming, and the option of transfer files from a memory card while doing other things, not having to constantly empty out my phone over the sloooooooow iphone connection (even on the 15 pro with 20gigabit doing low quality prores log filming it takes ages locking my phone to the machine). Not really complaining, I’m lucky to afford the 15 pro max, but I do long for a dedicated unit with some added flex when it comes to aperture, memory cards and «freedom» … but one day :D
I actually much prefer the way my Sony camera feels in comparison to the Canon I sold a few years ago. It seems like the grip on cameras is super subjective. I've heard lots of mixed opinions about how different cameras feel to operate.
Still I wish to have your opinion on this second hand A7ii I’m looking at, second hand….God bless!!
I think it depends on price. In today's market, something like the Sone ZV-E10, even as an "entry level" camera is significantly more capable than some of the older higher end models. So if the a7II is $200-$300 and can suit your needs, then it could totally be worth it. But if it's anymore than that, jumping up to the E10 is probably the way to go.
Switching to Sony is the best move anyone can make in videography & photography. Don’t let “color science” detour you from GREATNESS!
/sidebar/ LOVE your videos & your home stew setup is gang-busters braH🫡💪🏽
Thank you sir! /
And yeah, I never really paid attention to "color science." I kind of figure en engineers who make these things know a lot more about it than I do and everything from every brand ends up looking pretty good at this point.
I’m sorry that you haven’t had a good experience with your GM lens, but I beg to differ with your opinion of Sony GM lenses simply because my experience with them has been the complete opposite of yours. In my experience, the GM lenses I own leave 3rd party lenses in the dust in terms of autofocus speed and reliability compared to the Sigma lenses I own (can’t speak for other 3rd party brands).
I just set my blackmagic cameras on infinity focus when it’s just me.
Love those Blackmagic cameras!
@@tombuck if only Sony could make a menu like BM lol
WOW what a long video. 1st Sorry your having issue with your Sony GM no company today is run well. Chick-fil-A, In-and-Out make all camera companies look terrible. The best be have is B&H but after it's out of there hands it downhill. I like Fuji because I have contact in Fuji! We have about the same Camera but totally different usage. Doing Commercial work and getting into Documentary work. I never likes the A7siii but Love the FX3. I got the FX30 as I have no issues with crop sensors. As a consultant I have talk many a customer out of a FX3 to get a simple ZV-E10. I have never like Canon camera but I love there Camcorders. I was very happy with my Fuji XT4 except the autofocus was not good enough so I switched to Sony. I have the Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM and a 1.4 35MM GM On my A74 I rarely change lens it make get stuck because the Tamron 35-150 is such a beautiful lens! My favorite lens are full manual Super 35 Fujinon MK set a perfect Marriage for the FX30! I've sent may customers some of your video and then had to convince them the FX3 is more that you need I install proper light and mic's and you can't tell the difference that it was shot on a ZV-E10 Then again the ATEM only goes to 1080. But one customer moved up to a 4K ATEM and the ZV-E10 is doing it just fine. I generally buy Tamron lens because this is all inside work. Now that I moving into semi-retirement and Documentary work I looking at the Sony Burano but that alot of money to use for a week and just sit ideal. Now I understand why people rent!
The ZV-E10 is such a capable camera and definitely the right fit for so many people. It's a tough one to beat!
I do have a friend who got a Burano and rents it out. He's had it since release and I think he said it'll pay for itself within the next few months. I'd be terrified of letting other people use my gear though 😁
I use canon m6 Mark 2 and its decent but do want no crop one day. I don't need view finder and only shoot video. Which sony would be the best upgrade?
If you are taking images for social media purposes ... the A7siii takes amazing images ..
Tom advice me with best camera for me as person i love picture and podcast.
I loved My A74 for 2 years, but it shut down on me twice in the past 3 months during important long shoots. I switched to powering from a dummy battery to USB which could be the source of the overheating and shut down, but I couldn’t chance another so I purchased an FX30 (FX3 to come). How are you powering your A74 for long shoots since it’s never shut down on you?
I use USB, but got a 65w power adapter and it’s worked well so far.
@@tombuck I use the same. I used to use a dummy battery on AC and I never had an issue until we had a brown out. That's when I changed to USB. I believe that's when my overheating problems began. But I shoot VERY long form videos. Meetings lasting up to 2 to 2.5 hours. Maybe I'll try a dummy battery with a V-Mount battery and see if that reduces the over heating. Thanks for the update.
I haven’t seen anamorphic lenses for Canon lately, have an R50, an M50, and a T3i in my possession right now, are there any for them that you know?
I only know about my Sirui lenses for Sony, to be honest.