31 Comments

1. l_d_allan · March 24, 2017

   LR >> In the past, we’ve put together an investigative piece showing the equipment that most frequently needs to be repaired and why.

   Sorry to be off-topic, but I’d be interested and appreciative of an update of the repair data for closer to the 2017 time frame.

   1. Athanasius Kirchner · March 24, 2017

      Totally seconded! I miss those articles.

   2. Roger Cicala · March 24, 2017

      We’re trying folks but we’ve sort of out run our coverage. The last time I did that, several years ago, it took me about 60 hours of going through spreadsheets. We’re three times larger now and I don’t have the time to do it scientifically, nor am I willing to ‘give impressions’ on something so important.

      We’re computerizing all of the repair information and will be back to giving those reports when we can have the computers spit out all of the data.

      1. Athanasius Kirchner · March 27, 2017

         That sounds fantastic, thank you for going to such lengths to satisfy y(our) inner geek(s)!

2. l_d_allan · March 24, 2017

   LR >> In the past, we’ve put together an investigative piece showing the equipment that most frequently needs to be repaired and why.

   Sorry to be off-topic, but I'd be interested and appreciative of an update of the repair data for closer to the 2017 time frame.

   1. Roger Cicala · March 24, 2017

      We're trying folks but we've sort of out run our coverage. The last time I did that, several years ago, it took me about 60 hours of going through spreadsheets. We're three times larger now and I don't have the time to do it scientifically, nor am I willing to 'give impressions' on something so important.

      We're computerizing all of the repair information and will be back to giving those reports when we can have the computers spit out all of the data.

3. Athanasius Kirchner · March 24, 2017

   This is a good resource, but I don’t see information on the runtime of cameras, which would be very useful. Sorry to sound like an ingrate ^_^

   1. Zach Sutton Photography · March 24, 2017

      We’re still piecing together some of the information, but runtime can be found in the ‘Record Time (Minutes per GB)’ column. For example –

      If you have a 64GB card, and the camera has a runtime of .65, then you use the formula 64 x .65 = 41.6. So the camera will fill the card at 41.6 minutes (41 minutes and ~35 seconds)

      1. Derek · March 29, 2017

         Also all dslr cameras runtime is maxed out at 29:59, I imagine some could be less but I doubt it. External recorders max out based on media capacity

         1. Caleb Minear · March 29, 2017

            Currently true, but the new Panasonic GH5 (no Panasonics listed for whatever reason) has no record limits.

4. Athanasius Kirchner · March 24, 2017

   This is a good resource, but I don't see information on the runtime of cameras, which would be very useful. Sorry to sound like an ingrate ^_^

   1. Zach Sutton Photography · March 24, 2017

      We're still piecing together some of the information, but runtime can be found in the 'Record Time (Minutes per GB)' column. For example -

      If you have a 64GB card, and the camera has a runtime of .65, then you use the formula 64 x .65 = 41.6. So the camera will fill the card at 41.6 minutes (41 minutes and ~35 seconds)

5. Fazal Majid · March 24, 2017

   You seem to have only Canon and Sony data. What about Nikon, Panasonic or Fuji?

   1. Zach Sutton Photography · March 24, 2017

      Sony, Canon, Panasonic, Blackmagic, JVC, and Digital Recorders are all in the Spreadsheet (Be sure to click the link to the full spreadsheet containing all the info). We’re hoping to add Fuji and Nikon really soon.

   2. Zach Sutton Photography · March 24, 2017

      Sony, Canon, Panasonic, Blackmagic, JVC, and Digital Recorders are all in the Spreadsheet (Be sure to click the link to the full spreadsheet containing all the info). We're hoping to add Fuji and Nikon really soon.

6. Jochen Römling · March 25, 2017

   Sorry if I misunderstand something here, but what you did was testing the file sizes for the DSLRs, not the battery life, right? I can’t find any information on how long I can record with a single charge on, say, a 5D IV. The headline of this post suggests that.

   1. Samuel H · March 27, 2017

      I was going to say the same thing: there’s data rate information in the table, as well as battery type information, bot nothing regarding battery life, at least for internal recording (the table for external recorders does show a “runtime” column).

      1. Joshua Richardson · March 27, 2017

         The battery field is currently more helpful on the full spreadsheet linked below the tables. We have the info filled in for more traditional video cameras, but the numbers are a lot harder to pin down for DSLR/mirrorless video use. We do plan to update the list when we get more concrete battery life information.

         1. Samuel H · March 28, 2017

            Thanks, I see some interesting info in there. Having the DSLR/mirrorless data regarding battery life would be interesting (all the other stuff, I can find it on the manufacturers web page; actual battery life is the bit only LensRentals can provide!)

         2. Leg · October 10, 2019

            I’m grateful for the information provided, but came because of the title “Testing of Battery Life” and there is no information about that. Testing of camera battery duration recording a constantly moving scene would be so so useful.

         3. Leg · October 10, 2019

            I'm grateful for the information provided, but came because of the title "Testing of Battery Life" and there is no information about that. Testing of camera battery duration recording a constantly moving scene would be so so useful.

   2. Joshua Richardson · March 27, 2017

      We don’t have the battery data for DSLRs yet, unfortunately. Manufacturers don’t provide very good battery life numbers (if any) for video use. Getting those numbers will require setting a timer and exhausting the battery which will be a pretty time intensive task. We do hope to fill that info in but felt there was enough info here to provide a valuable resource until we can.

7. Jochen Römling · March 25, 2017

   Sorry if I misunderstand something here, but what you did was testing the file sizes for the DSLRs, not the battery life, right? I can't find any information on how long I can record with a single charge on, say, a 5D IV. The headline of this post suggests that.

   1. Samuel H · March 27, 2017

      I was going to say the same thing: there's data rate information in the table, as well as battery type information, bot nothing regarding battery life, at least for internal recording (the table for external recorders does show a "runtime" column).

   2. Joshua Richardson · March 27, 2017

      We don't have the battery data for DSLRs yet, unfortunately. Manufacturers don't provide very good battery life numbers (if any) for video use. Getting those numbers will require setting a timer and exhausting the battery which will be a pretty time intensive task. We do hope to fill that info in but felt there was enough info here to provide a valuable resource until we can.

8. David Bateman · March 26, 2017

   Interesting subject, but looking into the file only the full data for the Canon M5 is provided. I am glad to see my Panasonic GM5 listed, as some time in the future the data will be provided. However since the stock batteries are only 640mAh, I usually use 3rd party 1000mAh to get more life. So that other variable maybe needed to let people know what battery was tested.

9. Carleton Foxx · March 26, 2017

   Mother of Heaven! You guys are tireless! Thanks for doing all this work.

10. Mario H. · March 29, 2017

    Good job on providing this information.
    One concern though, was there a reason why the Amount Sony camera’s weren’t included?
    I see other systems are included as some have already mentioned but just wanted to ask about the A-mount system as well.

11. Mario H. · March 29, 2017

    Good job on providing this information.
    One concern though, was there a reason why the Amount Sony camera's weren't included?
    I see other systems are included as some have already mentioned but just wanted to ask about the A-mount system as well.

12. CheshireCat · April 2, 2017

    Very interesting, thanks. I just have to complain about the “Codec” information, as it is quite messy and incomplete. This is because of a copy&paste from each product specs, which are quite messy and incomplete in the first place as they are revised by marketing monkeys 😉

    What should be called “Recording Format” is defined by at least all of the following parameters:
    – Container: MOV, AVI, … (this has nothing to do with the codec, and is a high-level wrapper for metadata, indexes, codecs, et cetera).
    – Codec: MJPEG, MP4, H.264 (aka MP4-AVC), H.265, … (in order of efficiency in terms of bits).
    – Frame types: All-I, IP, IBP, … (an All-I codec is simpler and less efficient in terms of bits).
    – Frame dimensions: 720p (aka HD), 1080p (aka Full-HD), 4k…
    – Frame rate: 30, 60, … (frames per second).
    – Bitrate: Bits per second, this defines the “Record Time” in the table. Every lossy codec can be adjusted to match a bitrate at the cost of quality. The most efficient a codec, the less bits are required for the same quality. For example, MJPEG is an obsolete codec with low efficiency and it takes a lot more space for the same quality than better codecs.

    All these parameters are very important when comparing recording quality of different devices. Don’t fall for the common misconception that “more MB per second means better” quality, because many other parameters need to be taken into account (including sensor output quality !).

13. CheshireCat · April 2, 2017

    Very interesting, thanks. I just have to complain about the "Codec" information, as it is quite messy and incomplete. This is because of a copy&paste from each product specs, which are quite messy and incomplete in the first place as they are revised by marketing monkeys ;-)

    What should be called "Recording Format" is defined by at least all of the following parameters:
    - Container: MOV, AVI, ... (this has nothing to do with the codec, and is a high-level wrapper for metadata, indexes, codecs, et cetera).
    - Video Codec: MJPEG, MP4, H.264 (aka MP4-AVC), H.265, ... (in order of efficiency in terms of bits).
    - Frame types: All-I, IP, IBP, ... (an All-I codec is simpler and less efficient in terms of bits).
    - Frame dimensions: 720p (aka HD), 1080p (aka Full-HD), 4k...
    - Frame rate: 30, 60, ... (frames per second).
    - Bitrate: Bits per second, this defines the "Record Time" in the table. Every lossy codec can be adjusted to match a bitrate at the cost of quality. The most efficient a codec, the less bits are required for the same quality. For example, MJPEG is an obsolete codec with low efficiency and it takes a lot more space for the same quality than better codecs.

    All these parameters are very important when comparing recording quality of different devices. Don't fall for the common misconception that "more MB per second means better" quality, because many other parameters need to be taken into account (including sensor output quality !).