Cheapest used camera for semi-pro videos?

[anonymouse1]

A friend asked for recommendations. After a quick review of dpr.com, the following make sense. What do you think?

All Panasonic:
Low-end
GH3
GH4
G85

High end
GH5

Open to any other alternatives, either low end or high end....

[jonny]

Another thing to consider, if your friend has a relatively recent iPhone, the video capabilities are amazing. That, with a decent video app, and an external audio recorder and you're in business.

[anonymouse1]

He wants interchangeable lenses, IIRC. But I will pass that along.

[clay]

I like the Blackmagic pocket 4k. Doesn't do stills, though.

[Ombligo]

The Canon 7D mark II is a few years old but was top of the line five years ago and is still an excellent still and video camera.

The price is an affordable $800 (plus whatever lens he wants)
https://www.keh.com/shop/canon-eos-7d-ma...-only.html

KEH is very reliable and conservative in its conditioning ratings. Something listed as very good is essentially mint.

[robfilms]

all of the listed cameras are dslr/mirrorless cameras.

my question would be about use.

will there be a need for continuous autofocus where the subject is moving through the frame or will they be seated ala a talking head interview? some of the listed cameras do CAF much better than other.

will be used indoors or outdoors? will there be lighting? chip size and higher ISO are related.

is sound important because none of the listed cameras can handle xlr inputs which is useful for pro quality mics.

will the camera usually be on a tripod? some of the listed camera bodies have some form of stabilization.

and since the person wants interchangeable lens system. do they already have any lenses?

lastly, how will the footage be used? will it be edited? posted on the web? what edit system/nle will the camera owner be using?

after the above questions can be answered, then i can get to offering some camera body thoughts.

ymmv

stay well.

rob

[anonymouse1]

This will be used in a home studio for videos to be used in presentations via the web. No current lenses, little need for continuous autofocus.

[mrbigstuff]

Heck, I've watched lots of YouTube videos by "regular" presenters done with a smartphone (usually an iPhone) and they look just fine. The weak link is sound and mic attenuation in music vs speech. But even that can be remedied with a Shure mic.

[robfilms]

with a home studio than the lighting can be constant. set it up and forget it. a decent key light. and bounce board opposite the key light and a second smaller light to illuminate the background and set apart the subject from the background. if you are going to light the scene then chip size (to any extent) becomes a lesser matter.

home studio also implies setting up and leaving an audio set-up. then you are back at xlr or 3.5 mic jacks.

again, a home studio would imply the camera on a tripod.

so...

the cheapest...

a Canon SL2 with a EF-S 24mm/2.8 lens, along with an audio adapter that can plug into the SL2 and offer two mic inputs and a headphone jack to monitor audio.

the Canon SL2 shoots a very nice 1080p footage in 24/30/60p. it has Canon's very fine dual-pixel auto focus (DPAF) when added to the 24mm will offer a nice, in-focus talking head size of 40mm field of view. for a bit more flexibility, Canon also has a very nice EF 18-55/4-5.6/STM kit lens which allows for framing choices.

the Canon SL2 can be had used in the $300-$350 range
the Canon EF-S 24mm is less than $100 used
the Canon EF 18-55/4-5.6 can also be had for less than $100
there are various audio adapter/pre-amps in the $100 range.
get a decent carotid polar pattern mic for less than $200
get a wired omni lav mic for less than $100

the above does not include a tripod or lighting.

my guess, all in...maybe $1100-$1250 if you buy used.

and i will almost guarantee that NO ONE will see the footage and be wanting for anything more.

ymmv

be well.

rob

[AllGold]

robfilms :ftw: