xenogears

I own these lenses and i'm sure it can work with your budget (used of course)

Lumix 14-42mmPZ ($280)

Lumix 45-175mmPZ ($330)

Lumix 25mm f1.4 ($400)

Olympus 45mm f1.8 ($300)

I'm thinking of using an external mic, probably some sort of clip-on type, since it's just voice recording.

Mono or Stereo? I already have a 3.5mm to 2.5mm adaptor for a mic.

A lavalier mic is a good option, you can find a wired one pretty cheap, the Audio-Technica ATR3350 but if you prefer or need to use a shotgun mic, the Audio-technica at897 is a fairly cheap option, small and good performer.

I do recommend you the Tascam Dr60 is very cheap right now at $199 (at B&H includes PluralEyes) and it works with XLR inputs and 3.5mm, do you can send your balanced audio to the GH2 and keep a copy on the recorder if you need to.

 Is best to have at least a a pair of basics 500 Led lighting kit, always be prepared to the unknow ;)

If you're a Lonely Ranger on this project i do recommend to stick with just one camera; because do as camera man, audio recording, directing and producer if a very hard job to do it alone.

But if you have someone else with you, then use the second camera as B-roll, it really add very much to any production.

A little advise, use some sort of slate prior to do any take recording, (get a slate clapper board) or use a white paper and clap in the beginning of any recording, this will help you if do you need to sync audio or when are recording with 2 cameras.

Good luck is a very stressed job but a very regarding one ;)

Well, i think this a fault from Panasonic, has anyone saw the booth of the Lumix? it was pathetic to say at least.

My Homer's cars is a Panasonic GH4 with the 5-axis stabilization from Olympus and the new XLR adapter from Sony :D

It is likely that the unified firmware is needed first before that can happen. No point modding the hardware when the firmware to support active mount on the 2.5K isn't ready yet.

Thanks Andrew, sure! it must be that; because they already developed the active mount even the new Studio Camera has a active one, something that i noticed and what really make me interested in the Cinema version and not in the Pocket is the 2.5k and for what i can see is a lot sharper than the Pocket; from your experience, this is true? i really need the 12bit output from the Blackmagic because my main work is digital compositing and this camera is priceless for what you get, for what you pay, and even better if Blackmagic fixed those annoyances.

By studio camera do you actually mean Cinema Camera (2.5K)?

Yes, i'm talking about the Cinema Camera not the Pocket, because the last year they announced a Active M4/3 mount on the Cinema Camera but this has been banished on the time; to me was the perfect version for this camera i never understand why they release this camera with a passive mount and few moths later release the Pocket with the Active one.

There's something I really would like to know, when the Active 4/3 studio camera will be release? has been announces since the Pocket launch, but no sight yet.

I'm sure that Sony has technical difficulties to implement 4k recording on the a7s due to the small size, they even have overheating on HD recording with some of the latest Nex. To me was a dumb decision to leave this body for a 4k camera, of course this obey to marketing tendency, i wish they make it in a body like the a77 but with the same E-mount, I'm tire of this miniaturization to create cameras with great specs but are gripped because of the size and when do you add fast lenses it's become worse, obviously no Canon sizes camera either. What's the point to have a pocket body when do you need big a heavy lenses. I  really love what Panasonic has made with the GH4 and if Sony want to been take seriously this is the way, a proper body.

I felt that the a7s was a little rushed product, maybe Sony has in works for a new fs100 generation (low light monster) until GH4 was appeared at CES, so Sony in a hurry put this sensor on the a7 and that is it.

No internal 4k recording is a downer also the 4K hdmi output at 8bit; sure the FF sensor will give us a lovely image, but i feel that a DSLR form factor as the GH4 make more sense for prolonged video recording, and Sony maybe never could resolve the overheating due to the size of the body and maybe that is the explanation of why we don't have XAVC 4k recording in body.

Personally for video the GH4 is a much more complete package and i'm sure it will be cheaper too.

At 1:48" it's says the HDMI output is 10bit, must be a error.

The 28-135mm sure it's looks gorgeous.

It's looks like Sony granted something with Atomos, looking this video the GH4 has nowhere mentioned.

The URSA HDMI recorder it looks interesting.

Something i wish that Panasonic create is a dedicated video lens like the pre announced Sony 28-135mm f4.

Both Tamron and Tokina are good and less expensive alternatives.

If the AX100 even with a smaller sensor and the same Bionz X engine (i guess) can generate so alarming levels of rolling shutter, then on this a7s this will be something to take at look.

Andrew, I really have no words to thank you about all the test and the energy you invested on this reviews, with all the info you give us have made my choice easier, but now the ambient became dark again with the rumored Sony launch of the a7s, just when i have been decided to get the GH4 the shadow of Sony appears ;)

Great times ahead.

If this a7s use a 12Mpx FF sensor just mean this camera will became something like the FS100 successor, like the GH4 can be a direct successor of the AF100, is not a bad move at all, becasue this a7s with the xlr adapter could make this camera my first option for documentary work, just hope this a7s doesn't became a rushed product thank to the GH4 launch.

Might, sure. But cost and implementation are two massive, impossible-to-overlook factors. If it comes in at $2999, is it really a direct competitor? What if it only offers UHD? What if the compression isn't as elegant as Panasonic? What if it's significantly larger? What if audio implementation is poor? Not saying any of these things are true, but there's a lot still undecided.

And the great experience with overheating on small Sony cameras ;)

Don't get me wrong i really like the idea of the a7s 4K but seriously i doubt it will be possible.

Full frame 4k in a small body?, I don't believe Sony can launch a product like that right now (hope to be wrong here) my guess is this:

-Hybrid AF system similar as the a6000
-Up to 7 frame-per-second continuous shooting with AF

-29mins record time limit removed.

-Improved sensor readout to increase video quality maybe include XAVC S format.

Maybe Sony will try to introduce the a7s as a good video documentary tool.

Nice to see improvements on the Sony front. I'll been waiting for your final review, thanks.

Sure some HDMI 4K external recorders will come in the near future; hope it came with xlr input as the SoundDevices Pix 220, that would be awesome, this thing will keep the rig at minimum.

Right now i changing my equipments (again), i will keep my GH3 for video works (until the GH4 been available) and now i'm in the process of build a Sony a7r package just for photo, but is not a easy task because the lack of good and affordable native lenses, i thinking of the Sony Alpha lens route but the adapter (LA-EA4) make the whole package bigger and heavier, but still loving the image coming from the a7/r series, i have some Canon FD and Olympus OM primes that i will use until can get a fast zoom for the Sony.

Change the Canon MKII for a GH4? anyday.

For normal use with the E-M5 i have the Lumix 14-42mm PowerZoom, is a very versatile lens with a nice range, small when is off so is pocketable, with OIS because also own a GH3, for each zoom i add prime with me, so the 25mm f1.4 is the 14-42mm companion. Same with the Lumix 45-175mm, his companion on the streets is the Olympus 75mm f1.8.

 But yeah, still neat that the GH4 is still priced well below (and gives 4K).

And take photo too! :)

I wish for a battery base with just audio interface and 2 XLR adapters, something like the Tascam DR-60 but  less bulky. I'm sure i will use the 4K just for re-composition, and the upgraded HD image and another specs will be my main reason to get the GH4.