M43 and video

[msbarnes]

I want an M43 and have no experience with video. I don't plan on getting too into video but it is one thing I want since I can't do any of this stuff with my film cameras.

I'm considering these cameras: Pm1, GX1, and GH2. Now, the GH2 is better for video from what I read but why is that? How is the video "normally" implemented. I have little/no experience with digital cameras, let alone, video.

1. How is focusing normally done? Autofocus and manual focus? Can I focus continuously? Would I be able to just autofocus on faces if I pan the camera?

2. How is the aperture selected? I read that you can change the aperture with the GH2 but does that mean that I can change it whenever I want, during the video? Does that mean that the aperture is predetermined with the other cameras?

3. What is the big deal with 24p video?

Anything else that should be notably mentioned?

I'd rather get the PM1/GX1 for stills depending whether I want the better sensor/flash (GX1) or with stablization (PM1) but if the GH2 is worlds better for video then I'd strongly consider that one since it should be no less of a picture taker...just bulkier.

 

[Prest_400]

I have an EPL2, which does up to 720p HD in 30FPS. I guess it's rather similar to the EPM1. Use the video feature little and for not very important stuff. This is some experience and stuff I recall reading around.

It lets you choose MF/AF and AF with the possibility of correcting manually (might be wrong as I'm getting the facts from my head).

24 FPS is the framerate used for 35mm film and it became the standard. It was found to be a nice equilibrium between movement and film use. Each frame is exposed to an equivalent of 1/50 of a second so there is a characteristic way of rendering movement, by not freezing completely. A 50/60 framerate is more smoother showing movement (freezes it), but it becomes rather "sterile".

I seldom use video, and I was very surprised that at 720/30, the EPL2 is giving me about 200mb of data for each minute of video, huge! I guess that from a GH2 the output must be much higher.

 

[msbarnes]

how about the aperture? Can you select the aperture?

 

[msbarnes]

I think that between still and video I'd prefer a "better" still camera and the form factors of the other cameras are more preferable, to me. I

 

[Prest_400]

On the video options you can select between Program, Aperture and Manual. However, in this mode there is the option of taking stills too and perhaps it doesn't relate to the video.

As of having a better still camera, I am quite happy with the IQ of the PL2. Specially as I got it very cheap. Afterall I just use it in JPEG and shoot in Shutter or Aperture priority.
If you like manual, this camera is rather awkward for it as it won't let you adjust both settings at the same time easily. The dial rotates and clicks and each function is adjusted by either of these controls, and it's quite hard to rotate and click. I learnt on an OM-1 and the tactility is much lesser.

Which one of those? I don't have experience on the Panny's except some research I did long ago.

 

[JoeV]

On any of the u4/3 cameras with video, manual focus can be done with an adapted "legacy" lens, which is one of the great usage modes of these cameras, bringing new life to old lenses. Some bodies also permit manual focus to be selected in the menu on AF system lenses, where the manual focus ring can be used.

The GH2 has inputs for external mikes, and offers some manual exposure control that some of the others don't.

I recently acquired a G5, it's a great camera, its video is pretty darned good - almost as good as the GH3, but doesn't have external mike inputs, and limits the kinds of exposure adjustments that can be done.

However, many of the scene modes (Toy Camera, Dynamic Monochrome, etc.) will work in video, so that offers the possibility of shooting video with in-camera effects and a quick edit/upload to YouTube using a simple video editor (even importing the MP4 files to an iPad and using iMovie, which I've done), for fast turnaround and upload.

~Joe

Edit: Regarding aperture control, cameras like the GH2 will permit those adjustments on system lenses, while cameras like the G5 won't; but using manual "legacy" lenses does bring back the aperture control even in those cameras.

24P video: same frame rate as motion picture film. Some people swear that 24P video looks like film, while others argue it doesn't, or that the newer high-end formats are "better" than film anyway. Framerate determines how much strobbing effect you see in fast moving objects in the scene. If you don't know if you need it or not, you probably don't need it (at least right now).

 

[msbarnes]

For these cameras (or the ones that are being discussed...PL2/G5), Can I shoot a video at ANY ISO that is within the limits of the camera? Just to be clear: I am not interested in using legacy lenses at all (I prefer semi-wide to normal focal lengths and I don't have wide enough lenses on FF to be useful).

Manual exposure control isn't that big of a deal. I am happy happy with Aperture and Shutter priority modes for shooting.

I'm still not seeing the big deal with the GH2, if I do not use legacy lenses then it seems that all I lose is an external mics and 24P? Outside of the usual white balance, noise, and other image quality differences? Those features would be cool (24p is a bit intriguing...not sure if i need it) but unnecessary (for me). I can see why people would want those though...