Good camera for pictures and video....

R.O.S.S.I · 5 Apr 2016 at 14:53

I want to start doing some good quality video pieces for the place I work such as interviews with staff to develop a YouTube channel etc and just wondering if any of you can recommend a good camera that takes good pictures but also similarly high quality video (1080p, not bothered about 4K).

In a previous job I used something like a Nikon D3100 which took good pictures and the video was good too. The only thing that let it down was the inability to connect a microphone into it to get some better sound.

Anyone able to recommend anything to me?

R.O.S.S.I · 6 Apr 2016 at 08:57

Sorry I should have been a bit clearer in the OP. I'm not a media professional in a sense that making videos is my job we just want to start putting together video content so was looking for a good all-rounder really which takes nice pictures and will handle the video side of things no problem.

Probably not going to invest in lights and all that gubbins in the first instance as I'd rather see how we get on with just a camera. The only thing we might do is purchase a mic to use with it as I know when I used the Nikon D3100 in the past the built-in mic isn't great and you pick up a hell of a lot of fuzz and background noise which i'm imagining wouldn't be an issue if we used a dedicated mic, oh and probably a tripod too!

I'll check out the Canon 700D and have a look at the Panasonic's. Any reason why you would go for the Panasonic GX8/80 over the Canon 700D? Sorry I'm a complete newbie when it comes to cameras!

R.O.S.S.I · 7 Apr 2016 at 08:45

topher said:
The 700d is a good camera but for video the Panasonic's are better..
the 700d records 1080p @ max 30fps and live view is poor, the G7 can record 1080p @ 50 fps (NTSC version can do 60 fps) and focus is nice a fast.

the G7 also does 4k @ 30fps.
guessing the GX8/80 are similar spec, I'd take a look on dpreview and other photography sites.
http://www.photographyblog.com/reviews/panasonic_lumix_dmc_g7_review/
Images from all the cameras mentioned will be very good, might be worth having a look at the price of lenses that you would be looking to use.

And herein lies another issue it seems. I have no idea about what lense I should use and which I shouldn't, I'm a complete novice. Do they not come with a lens as standard and would this be suitable for general video work?

R.O.S.S.I · 8 Apr 2016 at 11:19

Just general photos around the office. Nothing overly "professional".
Wanted something that will do decent video too for the interviews I want to record.
Just want an all rounder lens really, nothing that is too specific or only for a certain application.

R.O.S.S.I · 22 Apr 2016 at 20:07

Would something like a Nikon D3300 and external mic be a good starter as an all rounder?

R.O.S.S.I · 25 Apr 2016 at 09:47

R.O.S.S.I said:
Would something like a Nikon D3300 and external mic be a good starter as an all rounder?

Just wondering if the above would be a good starter kit?

Thinking about getting the Nikon D3300, a Rode SmartLav mic along with a tripod. Hoping it will be a decent start up bit of kit.