Female Filmer of Loud Live Music Needs P&S Upgrade Advice!

Jasper Street

Jasper Street

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Hello! I have been filming concerts for the last seven years as a hobby, but have gotten more and more serious about it and have a pretty huge YouTube following (see http://www.youtube.com/wojo4hitz). For the past three years I've used a Canon G7, which has been phenomenal. However, my third G7 has just had a microphone malfunction, and you can no longer buy the G7 new anywhere. I know there have to be more improved cameras for this since 2007 when the G7 came out, but I've been unable to find one that's overall "better," especially in the sound department. Can anyone help? Here are some of the issues I've been having:

1. I can't use a video camera.

Most venues allow personal point-n-shoot cameras but not video cameras. The G7 isn't a "video camera," and yet it shoots excellent low-light HD videos with the best sound quality I've been able to find in a P&S camera. But yeah, all of the best video technology I've seen has been reserved for video cameras and camcorders, which you can't take into a concert venue. Additionally, I'd like to take pictures at shows too, in between filming.

2. I can't use a DSLR.

Same as video cameras. Most venues don't allow DSLRs. If it has a removable lens, it's usually not allowed.

3. I can't use a later G-series model.

In the G9, G10, and G11, Canon removed the HD video capabilities. That's just no good. They add it back for the G12, but the sound on the G12 is just not as good as the G7. Why? My friend (who is a sound guy) has a theory that it's because the G7 is the last G-series model with monaural sound. All later models have stereo sound. Though stereo is great for everyday or acoustic settings, once you throw in the drums and heavy bass, the sound distorts. My sound-guy-friend's theory is that stereo sound leads to twice as much data being compressed, which leads to increased sound distortion. I don't know if this is right, but it sounds good. Anyone else know?

4. This rules out most other current P&S models.

Everything now has stereo sound. Which flat out doesn't sound as good as the sound from my G7. I can't find video from any other P&S model that sounds as good as mine. WTF is a person to do?!

5. Using an external mic is possible, but questionable

I've never tried it, because the G7 doesn't have an AV input jack, but the whole thing seems complicated. It's also something venues probably wouldn't like.

6. Problems with the G7

I adore it, but like I said, you can't buy it new anymore, and I'm already on my third one, which is off for repairs. Also, it only shoots HD at 15 frames per second. Which is fine if your subject is not moving much, but if they're bouncing around the stage like a maniac, the picture gets choppy and not very smooth to watch. Most newer cameras shoot HD at 30fps. Second, you can't zoom while filming in HD, which sucks. Once you start recording, you're stuck where you started. Third, it only has 6x zoom... which is okay, but not great if you *can't* get to the front row of a show or end up in the balcony. Most other high end P&S easily top this as well. Fourth, though it shoots great in low light, the picture is a bit noisy. Okay, now I'm just being picky.

7. Problems with other P&S models I've tried

First and foremost, the sound quality usually sucks. However, my friend's Lumix is not *too* bad with the sound (but not awesome), has 18x zoom, and can zoom while filming in HD. All of those things are nice, but it has one other problem: autofocus. Though autofocus is usually a great thing, during a concert with lots of bright light, especially strobe lights, the camera is constantly confused and going out of focus, especially after lighting flashes. So this leads to video that is pretty annoying to watch. Can't they make one with autofocus you can turn off and on?!

Conclusion

Sooooo... given all of these considerations, does anyone have any suggestions??? Does anyone know of any other P&S cameras that can rival the G7 in sound quality, and that can improve on some of the G7's other filming features? I don't know if Canon knew what a good camera they'd built for filming live music when they released the G7 (apparently not, since they removed the HD from the next few models) but I consistently hear from fans that my videos are better than any others they've seen, short of professional footage from people who are actually allowed to have professional video cameras on stage (hhhmmmpphhh).

I would love to hear your thoughts. There are a million forums out there for serious audio recording of live music, but for video recording... it seems like we're kind of few and far between. Thanks!!!
 
Thanks for posting the link to the video. It helps to illustrate what it is you're looking for. Unfortunately I can't help you, but I'll be following since I plan to take videos of my brother's band in August. I've never done anything like that before. Good examples like yours helps.
 
loquax ludens said:
Thanks for posting the link to the video. It helps to illustrate what it is you're looking for. Unfortunately I can't help you, but I'll be following since I plan to take videos of my brother's band in August. I've never done anything like that before. Good examples like yours helps.
Click to expand...

Lol yes, that was me filming MY brother's band! And the sound is usually better, actually... this was after I had sent it off to have the microphone repaired, and it was an improvement, but it didn't sound quite as sharp as it used to.
 
What about mirrorless system ? With the kit lens it's still not big to look like DSLR. I can't speak about the sound though. For that you could search for portabal digital sound recorders - they'r not too big and would give you nice sound, just need to synchronize the video and the sound at the start
 
Contact Downtown Camera in Toronto or Henry's Outlet Centre. One of them might have a G7 sitting around.
 
The linked video is cool. Image stabilization does wonders. The quality is nice.

You have something that works for you; stay with it till you find something better. It's probably expensive to repair the G7, but buy a couple used and run them till they die.
 
Try the S95? I know it has a stereo mic, but it sounded great when I shot Reverent Horton Heat earlier this year:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZORQh7duo8

I shoot a lot of live shows (always stills, I'm awful with video as you can see from my YT upload). I usually get my photo passes from the bands publicists or the venues themselves but I couldn't secure one for this show. So I left my dslr at home and brought my S95 instead. Was my first time shooting a concert with it and was really happy with the results.
 
hey all, thank you all so much for your suggestions! i'm starting to check some of them out to see what their specs are. i wish there were a way to test out some of these cameras at live shows (buying them and returning them would be good if it weren't for the 15% restocking fee!) but i appreciate some of the youtube links so i can hear for myself... because definitely, if the sound isn't good, it's not even worth getting to the rest of the camera. but thanks again, i appreciate it!
 
ColSebastianMoran said:
The linked video is cool. Image stabilization does wonders. The quality is nice.

You have something that works for you; stay with it till you find something better. It's probably expensive to repair the G7, but buy a couple used and run them till they die.
Click to expand...

lol... your suggestion has stuck in my head. i sent off my G7 with the power failure to canon to be repaired, since i figure it'll cost about the same as buying another used one that is just as likely to have a similar problem in the future. it's probably a good idea to get another one used right now since they're fairly cheap and there are still some in good condition. for me it's just hard to find something better... since when it comes to recording concerts, everyone comes to ME for advice! there isn't really anyone *i* can ask! but yeah, there's clearly room for something better, i just obviously haven't found it yet...
 
dbarnes said:
Another thought: I wonder if the Fuji X10 wouldn't be worth a look.
Click to expand...

I'd have to agree:

Videography features

Format

•H.264

Microphone

Stereo

Speaker

Mono

Resolutions

1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (70, 30 fps), 320 x 240 (120 fps), 320 x 112 (200 fps)
 
I was in your shoes recently at a weekend music festival. For me, the answer depends on how serious the venues enforce their rules. "No SLRs" is easy - get a m4/3rds or Sony NEX, as nothing else comes close.

But I recently went to a venue whose rule was "No SLRs, No removable lens cameras." For that, the Panasonic Lumix LX-5 might be the one. But I'd do everything I could to sneak in the Sony mentioned below.

Overall: I would go with a Sony Nex-5n with a small lens (but not the Sony 16mm since it is terrible). With the right lens this camera is indistinguishable from a point and shoot. To say that this camera's images are a class above the G10-G11-G12 is putting it mildly.

The low-noise image and video capabilities of the 5n and its bigger cousin, the 7n, are unparalleled for their size; I've recently been loaning my 7n to a pro videographer friend and the footage cuts together with his pro HD cameras with few, if any, problems.

Note that the 7n has inputs for an external mic, in addition to onboard mics.

Sincerely,
Clark
 
jsrockit said:
I'd have to agree:

Videography features

Format

•H.264

Microphone

Stereo

Speaker

Mono

Resolutions

1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (70, 30 fps), 320 x 240 (120 fps), 320 x 112 (200 fps)
Click to expand...
i'll check it out! wonder what the sound is like with a stereo microphone, though?
 
mackigator said:
I was in your shoes recently at a weekend music festival. For me, the answer depends on how serious the venues enforce their rules. "No SLRs" is easy - get a m4/3rds or Sony NEX, as nothing else comes close.

But I recently went to a venue whose rule was "No SLRs, No removable lens cameras." For that, the Panasonic Lumix LX-5 might be the one. But I'd do everything I could to sneak in the Sony mentioned below.

Overall: I would go with a Sony Nex-5n with a small lens (but not the Sony 16mm since it is terrible). With the right lens this camera is indistinguishable from a point and shoot. To say that this camera's images are a class above the G10-G11-G12 is putting it mildly.

The low-noise image and video capabilities of the 5n and its bigger cousin, the 7n, are unparalleled for their size; I've recently been loaning my 7n to a pro videographer friend and the footage cuts together with his pro HD cameras with few, if any, problems.

Note that the 7n has inputs for an external mic, in addition to onboard mics.

Sincerely,
Clark
Click to expand...
Nice, thank you! I hadn't heard of that one before. Do you know what the sound is like with loud speakers or a lot of bass or drums? That's really helpful if you can use an external mic, too, but I don't know if I'd always be able to get away with that with security lurking in front of the front row! And yes, most venues I've been to stick to the "no removable lenses" rule... although that usually means what the untrained security guards *perceive* to be "removable lenses." So basically, anything that looks too professional.
 
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