Panasonic Micro 4/3 Camera for Video

We’ve been using the Sony HDR-MV1 camera to video our gigs, and it works reasonably well, but I’m continuously frustrated by the poor quality in low light. The stages we play in my band are always either super-sunny, or very dimly lit.

I know that my Canon T2i DSLR works much better in low light with its bigger sensor and better lenses, but like most cameras, its maximum video recording time is very short (under 15 minutes). So it’s impossible to use for gigs.

There is some bizarre industry restriction on photo cameras compared with camcorders that would require manufacturers to pay an additional tax for the camera if it is classified as a video camera.

Camera manufactures would rather limit recording capability in software than raise the price of its cameras (or lower their margins).  (source)

But I recently discovered that newer micro 4/3 interchangeable lens cameras from Panasonic, like the Panasonic G7 pictured above, can record 1080p video with unlimited length.  Now, I’m interested!

The micro 4/3 system has many benefits over DSLR’s.  The quality is comparable to a DSLR, but the cameras and lenses are sooo much smaller and lighter.   Check out these size comparisons– the lenses shown are equivalent focal length, aperture and quality.  Micro 4/3 on left, and Canon DSLR on the right:

The 4/3” sensor is a bit smaller than the Canon APS-C sensor, but it is waaay bigger than the 1/2.3” sensor in the Sony HDR-MV1, as you can see in this sensor size comparison.

A 1/2.3” sensor is actually a pretty good size for a camcorder. My Canon HF200 camcorder is even smaller at 1/4”, and an iPhone 5S is only 1/3”.  The micro 4/3” sensor dwarfs all those, and is far more sensitive and can capture way more light than those.

So when I saw a good deal for the Panasonic G7, I picked it up.  And wow, it is indeed amazing! Light and tough, extremely high-quality build, great articulating touch screen. Furthermore, it’s a stellar low-light performer.
Another benefit of this system- it’s easy to adapt old lenses to the micro 4/3 system.
I picked up an old inexpensive manual Canon FD 50mm f/1.4 lens on ebay, along with a Fotasy FD – M4/3 adapter.  This is some high quality glass for a very low investment!
This lens can basically see in the dark when wide-open. There are a few downsides: because of the micro 4/3 crop, this 50mm lens is equivalent to a 100mm lens, so you have to be pretty far away from your subject. (Update October 18: with this speed booster, the focal length is reduced to around 71mm, and the aperture is boosted to around f/1.0!). Cons: it’s pretty heavy compared to a typical micro 4/3 lens, and it’s manual, so no auto-focus. But for gig videos, we typically just set it up, hit record and walk away, so manual should suffice.

Here’s a 1080p video capture from a gig we played last weekend– the first time I used this new camera setup.

This was outdoors at night. There were some string lights hanging up, and a few dim side fills, but it was really dark.  My video settings on the Panasonic G7 with the Canon FD 50mm lens were:  AVCHD 1920×1080, 24p, Photo Style Cinelike D, Manual Focus, Exposure Mode M, f/1.4, Shutter Speed 25, ISO 1600. I am absolutely thrilled with the quality of the image! This is the most amazing low-light video quality I’ve ever achieved, compared to any other camera I’ve used.

Unfortunately, at this gig, I didn’t mount the camera high enough to see over the crowd’s heads, so I didn’t get a very useful video from this gig once everyone started dancing.  Lots of lessons learned here!

Speaking of mounting- there’s not always a convenient place to set up a tripod or mic stand.

I have found that the Joby GorillaPod Hybrid (shown here with my Sony HDR-MV1) is strong enough to mount the Panasonic G7 even with the heavy Canon lens and adapter.  It claims to be good for up to 2.2 pounds, and can attach itself to nearly anything.

I’ll update this post at the next gig, if I get some good video.

Update October 31, 2015: I love the Panasonic G7 so much, I picked up a used Panasonic GM1 and Panasonic 20mm f/1.7 lens.  It’s tiny and works great as a B-cam.

It has become my favorite camera to carry around- including on a recent camping trip, where it took great shots around the campfire at night!

Here’s a video from our recent Halloween gig, with the Panasonic G7 with Canon FD 50mm and speed booster in back (mounted high enough this time!), and the Panasonic GM1 with 20mm on the side.