Go here for the Shootout:
http://www.zacuto.com/the-great-camera-shootout-2011/episode-one
Zacudo, who makes pro support gear and rigs for cameras and filmmaking, has been a long-time producer of web shorts about filmmaking, dslr cameras and film on the web- and now they have embarked on their second series of tests for cameras (the first
Great Camera Shootout was for DSLR's vs. Film and actually won an Emmy award). This one is supposedly even more professional, exhaustive, and high brow- with an LA production and screens all over the world with some of the world's finest cinematographers watching the tests & weighing in on the best of the best pro digital cameras.
The cameras chosen to compete this time were consistent with their more professional approach-- the best digital cameras in the world used on MOST films being produced today- including the DSLR's and including Kodak film as well. They tested the Arri Alexa, Red One MX, Sony F35, Sony F3, Phantom Flex, Kodak 5213, Kodak 5219, Panasonic AG-AF100, Weisscam HS-2, Canon 1D MkIV, Canon 5D MkII, Canon 7D and the Nikon D7000. My camera the Canon 60D should be rated similarly to the Canon 7D as it comes to image quality. This is part one of a three part series which will be gradually released in the next few months as they are being edited.
I have to say I think this is the biggest public test of this kind in the world- I just hope they did all the cameras justice and no one gets their little panties in a wad over some of the results... people can get VERY attached to their cameras of choice and I for one am surprised in a few of the results. The Alexa did as well as I thought it would. Film didn't do so hot in the low light but handled any available light very well. The Sony's surprised with their high's and lows. The Flex seemed to do badly all around, just as the Panasonic seemed to do- definitely NOT as good as the others... even compared to the DSLR's. The DSLR's surprised as well with fairly good latitude for the price. But, I think the Red did very well- though on par with the Alexa and with the Sony's in my view. I suppose the biggest surprise is the fact that I feel my investment in a DSLR was still very smart AND that the next cameras for me is either the Red Epic (which is supposed to be even better than the One) or one of the Sonys. I was very surprised in the quality of the Sonys latitude vs. some of the other cameras. I still can't wait to see more of the Epic & I hope to use it on a film once it comes out. It is a sad thing that they couldn't acquire one for the test.
Regardless, we should all remember the line in the end of the video from a great cinematographer, Don McAlpine, "...compared to getting a good script, a good director and a good cast... man... it's a fraction of a percent with where you're going with the result..." meaning the result of these cameras (compared to one another) is a fraction of what is really important in making a good film (compared with the importance if having a good script, director & cast). So, true.
