Olympus XZ-2

[krame]

Anyone have much experience with this camera for video?

The housing and camera cost about the same as the RX100ii camera by itself. I know that it isn't top of the line, but it appears to be a step up from a GoPro.

Ultimately, I want a compact system that has the fewest required add-ons to get up and moving. I'd rather sink money into a good pair of lights over the hottest new camera.

M

 

[Interceptor121]

Lights are not as important as the camera and the XZ-2 is poor at video. The next step from a gopro is the panasonic lx7 due to its fast lens lights are only used for macro and close up work (as they should be). The xz2 makes a terrific photo camera though at its price point

 

[Foxtrot16]

Wouldn't you be better off buying a dedicated video camera if that is what you want it for - these are still camera with a video mode so the video will never be of a decent quality.

Karl

 

[Interceptor121]

Wouldn't you be better off buying a dedicated video camera if that is what you want it for - these are still camera with a video mode so the video will never be of a decent quality.

Karl

Says who?

Panasonic LX7
[youtubehq]JYDVDKzMzmo[/youtubehq]

Sony RX100
[youtubehq]vDsJaR2Crgs[/youtubehq]

Entry level camcorders for underwater use are pretty much dead. Only the high end RED/Sony professiona/Black magic exists together with DSLR and then it's compacts

 

[diversteve]

Depends on your definition of "entry-level".

This one shows promise - 4K for $2K - 4K Camcorder with 1" sensor - FDRAX100/B Review - Sony US

Aditech and Sealux are making housings for it.

 

[Interceptor121]

Entry level = less than $1,500 for camera and housing I would not consider your suggestion that could reach $4,000 once you add the housing as an entry level rig

 

[krame]

Wouldn't you be better off buying a dedicated video camera if that is what you want it for - these are still camera with a video mode so the video will never be of a decent quality.

Karl

Believe me, I'd really like to go that route.

Can you show me a video camera housing that currently accepts a camcorder that isn't discontinued? Or doesn't cost $1200 (on sale) to start?

Equinox, I think, enters into the market at $900, but gets jacked up once you have ports for controls and an lcd monitor added.

I really want to like the RX100II, but I can't afford the camera, housing, AND the lens adapters to make it worth while under water.

I also want to like the Lx7, but the lack of a manual focus is a little unnerving because I muck dive 99.9% of the time and the price difference between a RX100II and an Lx7 with an Ikelite housing is only $150 - $200

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

 

[Interceptor121]

Believe me, I'd really like to go that route.

Can you show me a video camera housing that currently accepts a camcorder that isn't discontinued? Or doesn't cost $1200 (on sale) to start?

Equinox, I think, enters into the market at $900, but gets jacked up once you have ports for controls and an lcd monitor added.

I really want to like the RX100II, but I can't afford the camera, housing, AND the lens adapters to make it worth while under water.

I also want to like the Lx7, but the lack of a manual focus is a little unnerving because I muck dive 99.9% of the time and the price difference between a RX100II and an Lx7 with an Ikelite housing is only $150 - $200

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

The lack of manual focus with the ikelite I suppose you mean? The LX7 has an amazing autofocus and I didn't use manual focus at all. Focus lock instead is useful and that is available I believe with ikelite you may want to check.
A useful feature that the ikelite housing does not support is the ND filter that is very useful

 

[diversteve]

Entry level = less than $1,500 for camera and housing I would not consider your suggestion that could reach $4,000 once you add the housing as an entry level rig

But I do. My last HDV rig cost about $3500 camera/housing. It's still a prosumer solution even at $4K. Any of the quality housings still left - Amphibico Genesis, Light & Motion Bluefin, any of the Gates - start at $2500+. Maybe Ikelite will make a $1200 housing for it eventually if it becomes popular. The form factor is the same as the current prosumer Sony camcorders so it should fit in their standard box with just control mods.

 

[Interceptor121]

But I do. My last HDV rig cost about $3500 camera/housing. It's still a prosumer solution even at $4K. Any of the quality housings still left - Amphibico Genesis, Light & Motion Bluefin, any of the Gates - start at $2500+. Maybe Ikelite will make a $1200 housing for it eventually if it becomes popular. The form factor is the same as the current prosumer Sony camcorders so it should fit in their standard box with just control mods.

The op is coming from a gopro and looking at something under $1,000 judging at the options he mentions. For you $3,500 is entry level for him seems not.