JawZ

So here's my idea while I was cooking dinner. Two options. Option 1. Get a good used Canon T2i, load it with Magic Lantern, and get a used Zcuto for the LCD and use whatever is leftover for the best glass you can afford or get adapters for what you have now. Option 2. Get a brand new Canon 70D with the 18-55 STM lens for $1149. It's only $49 over your budget and it has a touch screen and wifi. Load it with Magic Lantern and get a used Zcuto later on when you can afford it. Thats is all I have for ideas.

Is 4K a must?

There is also a plethora of vintage glass on the market which works great as cine lenses if you were so inclined. With your strobe/evf issues, I'm sure the good people here might be able to give you options/workarounds. If the evf weren't an issue, would you still be looking for a new camera?

Just wanted to chime in before you make any big mistakes. The 12MPX A7S will generally wipe the snot out of most cameras on the market because while it's only 12MPX, it's still full frame which means those photosites can receive much more and higher quality light information resulting in much better dynamic range. If you plan on making huge wall splattering size prints than go for something else. If you want super quality then do your homework before you drop cash on a body you're not satisfied with. Lastly, all cameras benefit from the quality of glass you put in front of it. I can show you footage from a GH4 with an SLR Magic lens that could compete with anything that is out there. Please don't rush to buy a body. Do your research first. Don't wanna see you waste money.

I'm an Apple employee. If there is one thing I've learned while at Apple it's this; make the greatest product YOU want to make and then markets will not just follow, they will be created. dear Canon, please stop playing the market and just make the most bleeding edge product you can without crippling it in any way and the masses will follow. Don't worry if it cannibalizes your own product line...that's how product lines are defined.