What camcorder or dslr do I need?

[Gizmo j]

I want to make vlogs about politics.

I want my video quality to be similar to The Amazing Atheist(his videos in the links below).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4meFtW1_Eo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWPFN4gEouY

I also want a vari-angle monitor so I can see myself while I'm making videos and I want a "Shotgun Microphone"

Sorry If I being difficult but I don't have a real budget because I don't know how much it will cost to have that kind of quality, really appreciate the help!

 

[NoTine42]

I'd spend some time over at EOSHD
Here's an older comparison chart:
http://www.eoshd.com/2014/02/video-quality-charts-february-2014/

Since then the Panasonic GH4 (internal 4k recording) and the Sony a7s (full frame camer but needs an external recorder if you want 4k) are now top choices.

 

[Gizmo j]

I only need 1080p.

 

[zinfamous]

These days, I would go with a DSLR over a camcorder, because they offer so much more flexibility above and beyond the capability of any 1080p camcorder.

First decision is if you are married to a format yet--do you have any Nikon or Cannon lenses?

If so, then go with the DSLR body for those lenses.

I haven't been following up on the models for, well, 7 or 8 years now, but there is very little that even an entry-level DSLR can't do these days. I think the lowest models max out at 30 seconds of 1080p? You don't want shots that last nearly that long for most productions, anyway. ...granted, that very much depends on what you want to do.

Either way, you will never be able to put out quality photos with a 1080p camcorder. Go DSLR.

 

[FleshLight]

GH4

/thread

 

[RossMAN]

This should be sufficient.

 

[Thebobo]

http://forums.anandtech.com/forumdisplay.php?f=36

 

[Red Squirrel]

I'd get a proper camcorder, lot of DSLRs have limits such as how long they can shoot video for. What would be nice though is a camcorder that takes DSLR lenses, that way you have one set of lenses that work for both cameras. I'm not sure if there are any of the DSLR companies that also make camcorders that use the same lenses though. I'm sure there must be. Never looked too deeply myself but I would imagine Nikon or Canon must make camcorders too.

 

[Scarpozzi]

This should be sufficient.

Nice if you have $25k sitting around.

 

[RossMAN]

Nice if you have $25k sitting around.

I'm fairly certain MKBHD can afford $25k.

 

[Kaido]

GH4

/thread

Seconded, for a lot of reasons including:

1. It works with a huge variety of lenses (Nikon, Canon, etc. via adapters).
2. It has continuous video recording (most dSLR's max out at 30 minutes per clip).
3. It has 4K UltraHD recording, which can be downsampled to 1080p for a super high-quality HD picture.
4. It's small. Having a compact camera is nice.
5. It has advanced film tools like color bars, zebra, etc., can use speed boosters like the ones from Metabones, doesn't overheat like a lot of the other dSLR's do, etc. That means it can grow with you as you gain knowledge & experience.

Body is $1500 on Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-DMC-...dp/B00I9GYG8O/

OP, if you want video blog-style footage, just buy a cheap prime lens like a Canon 50mm f/1.8:

http://www.amazon.com/Canon-50mm-1-8.../dp/B00007E7JU

It will be manual-focus only and you will need an adapter:

http://www.amazon.com/Fotodiox-Mount...dp/B003EAXT5G/

You can use an external monitor via HDMI for monitoring (to see yourself). There are lots of cheap 5", 7", and 9" HDMI monitors available (do an eBay search for "Lilliput", or you could just spring for like a $99 20" LED screen. Alternatively, you can also monitor via wifi on your smartphone or tablet:

http://cheesycam.com/panasonic-gh4-can-simultaneously-output-hdmi-with-image-app-wifi-remote/

One other thing you'll need is lighting. I like LED light panels, which run about $150 for a cheap 500-LED unit. Or you can get a lighting kit, either a couple of umbrellas with bulbs for $50, or a bit of a nicer setup like this:

http://www.amazon.com/Linco-Lincosto...dp/B00IRXMH0S/

As far as audio goes, you do not want a shotgun mic. There's a common misconception in audio recording that a shotgun mic works like a zoom lens - it doesn't. Audio is simple: place the microphone within 12" of the speaker's mouth. Either on a boom mic above their head, or on a clip-on lavalier mic on their shirt collar. It's not like a camera lens, where you can zoom in on a subject & filter everything else out - if you use a shotgun mic 6 feet away, it's going to pick up computer fan noise, HVAC noise, room noise, your cat, everything.

The easiest way is to do audio is with a lav mic. That's a whole different discussion, but the bottom line is that you need to invest in a quality audio setup if you want to look professional. Most Youtube videos look amateurish because they have crap audio. The GH4 has a 1-volt 3.5mm jack, so you can run certain mics right on the camera:

http://www.amazon.com/Rode-LAVALIER-...dp/B003Z8OUUA/

Just needs an adapter:

http://www.amazon.com/Rode-MiCon-2-C...dp/B003ZDVKC6/

It all depends on your budget. With good lighting, you can get great-quality footage on even an iPhone. If you have a tight budget, I'd suggest picking up a 5th-generation iPod Touch (1080p video) and a Rode SmartLav. The iPod comes in 16, 32, and 64gb sizes: ($220, $250, & $320 respectively)

http://www.apple.com/ipod-touch/specs.html

The mic is $80:

http://www.amazon.com/Rode-smartLav-...dp/B00EO4A7L0/

A tripod adapter is $4:

http://www.amazon.com/Octopus-Portab...dp/B007NFI656/

That includes a desktop tripod - you can just buy a cheap $30 tripod to put the clamp on:

http://www.amazon.com/Professional-P...dp/B002ONSZPI/

The Filmic Pro app has a lot of video controls for only a few bucks:

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/filmic-pro/id436577167?mt=8

Plus, you can edit & publish right from the iPod, which is super convenient. All depends on how much you want to spend. At minimum, this is what I would buy:

1. A good-quality camera
2. A tripod to stabilize the video picture
3. A clip-on lav mic (with a long cord)
4. A basic lighting setup

For $500, you can get a killer iPod-based setup. That may sound stupid, but the picture & sound quality of today's portable devices is incredible. For $2000, you can get a really serious system. Although if your budget is even tighter than that, you can get away with a couple of desk lamps for lighting, a 1080p webcam, and a cheap lav mic for under $100:

http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Webca...dp/B006JH8T3S/

http://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica...dp/B002HJ9PTO/

A lot of people like to shoot on GoPro cameras too...they're small & can be stuck anywhere, which makes them convenient. There's aftermarket software for removing the fisheye effect as well. Lots of options. I guess the first question is: OP, what's your budget?

 

[RelaxTheMind]

+ for a DSLR if you needed the extra vote.

heck if its just 1080p and <30m continuous recording you have a lot more to choose from with current models. most if not all the major brands stepped up their recording capabilities in this years releases.

+1 for the c920 webcam and audio technica mic. thats exactly what i use for work meetings except a different model mic. may want to invest in diffused lighting or strategically placed lamps.

some low end camcorders also have the <30 limit. they still need an external mic for decent sq and have features like 500x+ zoom that you wouldnt be using while vlogging.

even higher end camcorders wont compare in image quality to shooting video with dslrs.

 

[Gizmo j]

Are you guys sure I need that much money to obtain this quality?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4meFtW1_Eo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWPFN4gEouY

Would this camcorder give me that kind of quality?
http://www.amazon.com/Canon-VIXIA-Ca...9365068&amp;sr=1-1

If its 100% necessary to spend thousands of $$$ I would buy it but if its not necessary I am all ears for cheaper equipment.

 

[zinfamous]

Yeah, you really only asked for 1080p video anyway, and so I think you are aiming in the right direction.

Still, you can find some good DSLR bodies at that same price, with those same capabilities plus some extras.

Equipment can only take you so far, anyway. composition and experience accounts for, probably 85-90% of a quality production.

1080p is 1080p--if you actually want something to look good, then you have to invest in a good lighting system and actually learn the basics of lighting for video--differences between white light sources (incandescent, flourescent, natural); key, back, fill lighting, diffusers, etc...

 

[mooncancook]

What would be nice though is a camcorder that takes DSLR lenses, that way you have one set of lenses that work for both cameras. I'm not sure if there are any of the DSLR companies that also make camcorders that use the same lenses though.

I think Sony makes one that takes E-mount lenses with APS-C sensor, but it is close to 3 grands.

 

[NAC]

Basically any modern camera will do great - it is just splitting hairs in terms of image quality. But I would recommend a DSLR because of the flexibility and affordability. And if you follow a similar format to that guy, you won't be hindered by the 30 minute limitation. I'm a Canon guy, but I would recommend a Nikon D3200 which is available refurbished quite often for less than 350. Start out with the kit lens. Later if/when you want to play with shallow depth of field, Nikon has a couple of good cheap lenses - the 35mm 1.8 and the 50mm 1.8, about $200 each.

Lighting is more important than the camera. Sunlight is great, and free. If you want to shoot after the sun goes down, the image quality will suffer because any artificial light has less color rendering (google CRI). Led and florescent don't have very high CR ratings, halogen and good old incandescent suck up power but put out nice light. Home depot sells halogen work lights - a 250 watt one is $9, or you can get double or more power. Maybe start with one, and add another one based on your results. Get a shoot through umbrella for each light. You will want to spend a lot of care in setting up lighting where it is relative to you and the camera. You may want to experiment with reflectors - poster board will do the trick. See 5:48 of the second video - that guy uses a 2 light setup with huge umbrellas a few feet from his head - I think they are compact florescent bulbs.

Audio is more important than the camera. I use a Tascam DR-40, which has built in mics and I love. You can also plug mics into it. I find it gives me a lot more flexibility than always piping sound into the camera. It also, I believe, simply has higher quality recording with a very low noise floor. Synching the sound to the video is very easy in a video editing software - just put the original video with audio track, put in the replacement audio in a different track, zoom in very close and move the replacement audio until it lines up visually. Apparently separately recorded audio can become out of synch if the clip is very long, but haven't encountered that. Regarding sound, you'll want to spend care ensuring that you get little or the right amount of echo. If you have a small room, you may want to consider hanging curtains, getting a rug.

More than equipment, it takes practice and research. Someone who knows what he is doing can produce better video with an iPhone and a piece of poster board than an novice in a well equipped studio.

 

[IndyColtsFan]

Yeah, you really only asked for 1080p video anyway, and so I think you are aiming in the right direction.

Still, you can find some good DSLR bodies at that same price, with those same capabilities plus some extras.

Equipment can only take you so far, anyway. composition and experience accounts for, probably 85-90% of a quality production.

1080p is 1080p--if you actually want something to look good, then you have to invest in a good lighting system and actually learn the basics of lighting for video--differences between white light sources (incandescent, flourescent, natural); key, back, fill lighting, diffusers, etc...

I have to second the vote for the DSLR. I have an EOS 70D and took my first video with it during my vacation in Germany in October, at the Wiekirche. It turned out really well IMO and I am pretty much an amateur when it comes to video.

 

[slatr]

You could do that with an Iphone. Spend a bit on your sound equipment so your audience can actually hear you.


***
Gizmo Are you guys sure I need that much money to obtain this quality?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4meFtW1_Eo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWPFN4gEouY

 

[Gizmo j]

You could do that with an Iphone. Spend a bit on your sound equipment so your audience can actually hear you.

I want a vari angle monitor.

I'm leaning towards this camcorder but am still looking for something cheaper.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Canon-iVIS-...rofessional_Video_Cameras&hash=item2342fbd7bc

As for sound I was thinking about getting this.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004K8WPUQ/...I3NXNUYWBW2X0U

 

[tdawg]

Why spend that much on a camcorder to start out with, especially since you just need 1080p? Why not just one of these at much cheaper prices: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=sr_nr_p_...nid=2470954011

Also, it seems Kaido's post was overlooked or ignored regarding both video and audio. He's one of the experts around here regarding shooting video from what I've seen and his post shouldn't be trivialized. Just my .02 though.

 

[Gizmo j]

After watching a bunch of quality test I think this is good enough for me

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Canon-VIXIA...rofessional_Video_Cameras&hash=item19f8a7326d

But I am still curious about DSLRs, I want to get one to take pictures with.

Do you guys think I should get the camcorder AND a DSLR or should I get a DSLR like the d5100 to shoot video and take pictures in.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Nikon-D5100...344534?pt=Digital_Cameras&hash=item2ecdce4b16

 

[NAC]

IMO, I wouldn't get that Rode shotgun mic for what you want to do. I have a similar mic - a Sennheiser MKE400. If you can position it close to the speaker, my cheaper Tascam DR-40 produces MUCH better sound for less money.

 

[Gizmo j]

I just learned that I cant attach a shotgun mic to the top of the r500 camcorder.

Is there something I can attach to a tripod that would give me 2 mounts one for the camcorder and one for the microphone?

 

[JohnnyRebel]

This.

Seconded, for a lot of reasons including:

1. It works with a huge variety of lenses (Nikon, Canon, etc. via adapters).
2. It has continuous video recording (most dSLR's max out at 30 minutes per clip).
3. It has 4K UltraHD recording, which can be downsampled to 1080p for a super high-quality HD picture.
4. It's small. Having a compact camera is nice.
5. It has advanced film tools like color bars, zebra, etc., can use speed boosters like the ones from Metabones, doesn't overheat like a lot of the other dSLR's do, etc. That means it can grow with you as you gain knowledge & experience.

Body is $1500 on Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-DMC-...dp/B00I9GYG8O/

OP, if you want video blog-style footage, just buy a cheap prime lens like a Canon 50mm f/1.8:

http://www.amazon.com/Canon-50mm-1-8.../dp/B00007E7JU

It will be manual-focus only and you will need an adapter:

http://www.amazon.com/Fotodiox-Mount...dp/B003EAXT5G/

You can use an external monitor via HDMI for monitoring (to see yourself). There are lots of cheap 5", 7", and 9" HDMI monitors available (do an eBay search for "Lilliput", or you could just spring for like a $99 20" LED screen. Alternatively, you can also monitor via wifi on your smartphone or tablet:

http://cheesycam.com/panasonic-gh4-can-simultaneously-output-hdmi-with-image-app-wifi-remote/

One other thing you'll need is lighting. I like LED light panels, which run about $150 for a cheap 500-LED unit. Or you can get a lighting kit, either a couple of umbrellas with bulbs for $50, or a bit of a nicer setup like this:

http://www.amazon.com/Linco-Lincosto...dp/B00IRXMH0S/

As far as audio goes, you do not want a shotgun mic. There's a common misconception in audio recording that a shotgun mic works like a zoom lens - it doesn't. Audio is simple: place the microphone within 12" of the speaker's mouth. Either on a boom mic above their head, or on a clip-on lavalier mic on their shirt collar. It's not like a camera lens, where you can zoom in on a subject & filter everything else out - if you use a shotgun mic 6 feet away, it's going to pick up computer fan noise, HVAC noise, room noise, your cat, everything.

The easiest way is to do audio is with a lav mic. That's a whole different discussion, but the bottom line is that you need to invest in a quality audio setup if you want to look professional. Most Youtube videos look amateurish because they have crap audio. The GH4 has a 1-volt 3.5mm jack, so you can run certain mics right on the camera:

http://www.amazon.com/Rode-LAVALIER-...dp/B003Z8OUUA/

Just needs an adapter:

http://www.amazon.com/Rode-MiCon-2-C...dp/B003ZDVKC6/

It all depends on your budget. With good lighting, you can get great-quality footage on even an iPhone. If you have a tight budget, I'd suggest picking up a 5th-generation iPod Touch (1080p video) and a Rode SmartLav. The iPod comes in 16, 32, and 64gb sizes: ($220, $250, & $320 respectively)

http://www.apple.com/ipod-touch/specs.html

The mic is $80:

http://www.amazon.com/Rode-smartLav-...dp/B00EO4A7L0/

A tripod adapter is $4:

http://www.amazon.com/Octopus-Portab...dp/B007NFI656/

That includes a desktop tripod - you can just buy a cheap $30 tripod to put the clamp on:

http://www.amazon.com/Professional-P...dp/B002ONSZPI/

The Filmic Pro app has a lot of video controls for only a few bucks:

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/filmic-pro/id436577167?mt=8

Plus, you can edit & publish right from the iPod, which is super convenient. All depends on how much you want to spend. At minimum, this is what I would buy:

1. A good-quality camera
2. A tripod to stabilize the video picture
3. A clip-on lav mic (with a long cord)
4. A basic lighting setup

For $500, you can get a killer iPod-based setup. That may sound stupid, but the picture & sound quality of today's portable devices is incredible. For $2000, you can get a really serious system. Although if your budget is even tighter than that, you can get away with a couple of desk lamps for lighting, a 1080p webcam, and a cheap lav mic for under $100:

http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Webca...dp/B006JH8T3S/

http://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica...dp/B002HJ9PTO/

A lot of people like to shoot on GoPro cameras too...they're small & can be stuck anywhere, which makes them convenient. There's aftermarket software for removing the fisheye effect as well. Lots of options. I guess the first question is: OP, what's your budget?