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I don’t know about when you’re in Reality only needing three cameras but here in Delusionville it’s eight minimum.

I’ve been thinking about camera needs lately, and I feel like, at the most basic level, everything can be broken down into three main cameras. First is the do-it-all, high-spec work camera. This is the one you use when clients ask for serious specs like 4K/120p or even 8K, or when you just want the best possible image quality. Cameras like the EOS R5 II, Nikon Z8, Sony a1, or Panasonic S1R II fit here. They’re expensive, but they can handle almost anything. Second is what I’d call an “art camera.” This is for personal use, travel, street photography, and just having fun. Ergonomics, size, and character matter more here, but it still needs to shoot good 4K video and work well in low light. Think Fuji X-Pro3, X100 VI, Sigma fp or fp-L, or even the Sony RX1R if video isn’t important. These are the cameras you actually want to carry around. Third is the high-end smartphone camera. Like it or not, this one is essential now and fills a lot of gaps. Of course, three cameras don’t really cover everything for professional work, and budget changes things a lot. You can get very capable work cameras for well under $3k, like the Fuji X-H2S. And if I added a fourth “serious” category, it would be medium format, like the Fuji GFX line or Hasselblad. But in reality… things get out of control fast. I somehow end up with way more “categories,” like high-spec all-rounders, art cameras, retro digicams, CCD cameras, Foveon cameras, IR-modded cameras, impulse buys, cameras I bought twice, cameras bought to flip, broken cameras I’m fixing, run-and-gun small sensor bodies, weird stuff like Mavicas with CD drives, and compact CCD cameras with flash for that Polaroid look. I’m sure I’m forgetting a few. What camera “category” am I missing?

You posted multiple photos of kiosks displaying photographic stills which was not relevant to the conversation at hand. Had you shown an example of 4k video being displayed vertically on topic with the current conversation I would have been interested in further discussion. In no way did i ever say or claim to be an expert in anything so please do not put words in my mouth. I was simply sharing my experience of delivering content professionally for numerous production companies in Los Angelas and Tokyo. if you don’t find that relevant, feel free to disregard. Funny, i was asking honestly if anyone has been delivering in vertical 4k delivery and you proceeded to interject for some reason despite having no relevant addition to the conversation. I also wonder why so many people need to respond and feel the need to play the “expert” and contribute nothing meaningful?

Oh shit, I have too many cameras.

For 10 years I have been traveling globally shooting docs and magazine content. Years ago I streamlined everything down to 3 cameras plus mobile phone. Similar to your categories above but trying to reach a modular “swiss army knife” style of kit. I got pretty streamlined at one point with crop sensor cameras and speedboosters all sharing the same mount. 1. The do it all 6k/8k flagship but focused on video. Maybe rigged up with Raw recorder as needed and bigger IO unit for better audio. 2. The high res stills camera that still shoots solid 4k or better video. 2nd angle in interviews and used for product photos or studio portraits. Photographing media and printed materials for later use in documentaries. 3. High end compact street cam. Third angle for interviews when needed and BTS. Nice to have as a backup in the camera bag in case something goes wrong with the other gear. Pocketable and fast for intimate and candid shots. Stealing low light B-Roll and mounting up in the rafters for high angle shots or in car interiors. 4. iphone 15 pro camera for BTS and quick stuff in the moment. Rigged up next to the A cam for vertical social media stuff. it’s nice being able to have 3 lenses and crop modes for S35 to give you a multitude of focal length options. Pair that with speedboosters and you can really cover a lot of ground with a small bit of kit. I would now add the Vlog cam as necessary these days so either the iphone does that job or maybe a Osmo pocket 3/4 in addition to the above. These are combos I’ve been playing with. Lumix S1H Lumix S1R Lumix S9 Fuji GFX 100ii Fuji X-H2s Fuji X-M5 Sony A1 Sony A9iii Sony ZVE1 Leica SL2 Sigma FP-L Leica Q2 Sony A7CR Sony ZVe1

I suspect the OP is a bot, but it’s an interesting question nonetheless. I only need one type personally and that is a compact, hybrid, hi res monster because with that I can do it all. And am, so 😛

I’d prefer the OM-1 for stills and the S9 for video but the OM-1 is a vastly better built bit of kit.

Minor point - the S9 *does* have a 3.5mm mic input jack (but no headphone jack).

Having owned (and sold) a lot of the high-end stuff I have given up a bit on the idea of an 'end-game' camera, because limitations breed creativity and part of the enjoyment of camera tech is experiencing 'camera culture', all the rich tapestry of ways to get an image and how different tools inspire different shooting styles, altering the creative vision. So when you lock yourself into 1, or even 3 capable models, you always yearn for something more weird. Well, I do anyway. Everyone should have an old beater camera for instance where carrying flashy experience gear makes you nervous. I always feel tense with an expensive camera, if an accident happens, or it gets nicked, it'd be a fucking disaster. Everyone should try an old CCD model, they do have a different look. I recommend original Canon 1D with Panasonic APS-H CCD, Minolta 5D or a Canon Powershot G10. And the reason you can't stick to just one format is there's so many nice and unique lenses for other sensor sizes. Actually that's where a Sigma Fp-L comes in handy with the crop modes and Cinema DNG 4K even at 2x crop for the Super 16mm look and C-mount lenses. I'm still in favour of small sensor options, like a Panasonic G9 II or Olympus OM-1... Full frame look is not always what you want.