The Sony FS700 remains a highly capable camera in 2024 and beyond, especially for those working with a limited budget. It delivers a beautiful, filmic image that holds up well even by today’s standards. In an age driven by consumerism and constant gear upgrades, the FS700 offers a budget-friendly solution that lets you focus on what truly matters: the story. I use a similar setup to shoot documentaries, and most of my clients are more than satisfied with the results. This camera proves that you don’t need the latest, most expensive gear to produce compelling visual content.
I still have my FS700, and it will still record 4K raw SLOG2 at 120fps continuously, or 240fps 4K in burst mode, or 960fps high-speed in HD burst mode - and few cameras can do that for what it costs. It's great as a music-video camera, for that reason, although there are lots of uses for high-speed 4K. All the Sony APS-C and full-frame E-mount lenses fit it, and several have power zoom, controlled with a nice variable-speed rocker switch - also a rare feature for Super35mm cameras, at least non-Sonys
Sorry to be pedantic but the fs700 records 4K RAW to an external recorder in SLOG2 at 120 FPS in 4 second bursts whilst in HD it will record continuous 240 FPS. Stll amazing for a camera released around 12 years ago!!
Thanks very much for your comprehensive take on the fs700. I’m a beginner and would like to learn more about cinematography but the language of codecs and slogs and pro res’ is a mystery to me. Is there a book or online course that you could recommend to get started. Thanks
Thank you for your kind words. Caleb at DSLR Video Shooter has a great video on the FS700 where he talks about the codecs. ruclips.net/video/JDS_pfn_kNY/видео.htmlsi=Sx3hJg-jtqU_1u8t
So just like you I have 3 x FS700 with a single Atomos Inferno. The most recent purchase was for £250.00 for a reseller. It was listed as not having been upgraded to the 4k but please imagine my joy when I powered it up and discovered that it was a 4K version!!! I use them in a studio setup I build at the Royal Albert Hall every year in London where presenters host Prom Praise ruclips.net/user/livePRcNopU6hLM?si=d5KRb59Fv20y_aV8&t=465 . TX dept insist on 50i interlaced video which I can send via the 3G SDI outputs whilst recording a 25P signal internally. The RAW recording via the Atomos is great but you have to manage the noise levels as the 12 bit Raw outputs seems to bypass any of the real time noise reduction built in to the internal signal path. Great cameras!
@@JamesMcKenzie1972 Yes the ergonomics was what made everyone jump to the FS5 and beyond but even the latest gear struggles make fundamental improvements to it image recording capabilities.
@ it’s interesting how quickly camera gear becomes irrelevant with such small incremental changes to image quality and usability. Having said that there are certain cameras that retain an almost cult-like appeal for over a decade. Often it is ergonomics that determine if a camera becomes a cult classic or is quickly forgotten.
I picked up this camera for $400 on facebook marketplace. Shoot baseball clips with it and love it, great slow mo.
Awesome. It's one of the best deals out there no doubt.
The Sony FS700 remains a highly capable camera in 2024 and beyond, especially for those working with a limited budget. It delivers a beautiful, filmic image that holds up well even by today’s standards. In an age driven by consumerism and constant gear upgrades, the FS700 offers a budget-friendly solution that lets you focus on what truly matters: the story.
I use a similar setup to shoot documentaries, and most of my clients are more than satisfied with the results. This camera proves that you don’t need the latest, most expensive gear to produce compelling visual content.
@@Africanewsnet excellent analysis. I fully agree. Great results can definitely still be achieved with the FS700 today!
I just ordered 2! For live broadcasts.
Awesome! They’re working great for us in a live switched multi-cam podcast.
I still have my FS700, and it will still record 4K raw SLOG2 at 120fps continuously, or 240fps 4K in burst mode, or 960fps high-speed in HD burst mode - and few cameras can do that for what it costs. It's great as a music-video camera, for that reason, although there are lots of uses for high-speed 4K. All the Sony APS-C and full-frame E-mount lenses fit it, and several have power zoom, controlled with a nice variable-speed rocker switch - also a rare feature for Super35mm cameras, at least non-Sonys
I agree the specs are still pretty impressive. I have the fx30 as well but in many ways the fs700 still outshines it!
Sorry to be pedantic but the fs700 records 4K RAW to an external recorder in SLOG2 at 120 FPS in 4 second bursts whilst in HD it will record continuous 240 FPS. Stll amazing for a camera released around 12 years ago!!
I thought it could shoot 240 fps at 2K?
@@Gibberish1983 yes that’s correct
Yep you are right 2k (2048 pixels across rather than HD at 1920)
i love this camera
Yeah it’s a cool camera. Still produces great shots!
Thanks very much for your comprehensive take on the fs700. I’m a beginner and would like to learn more about cinematography but the language of codecs and slogs and pro res’ is a mystery to me. Is there a book or online course that you could recommend to get started. Thanks
Thank you for your kind words. Caleb at DSLR Video Shooter has a great video on the FS700 where he talks about the codecs. ruclips.net/video/JDS_pfn_kNY/видео.htmlsi=Sx3hJg-jtqU_1u8t
So just like you I have 3 x FS700 with a single Atomos Inferno. The most recent purchase was for £250.00 for a reseller. It was listed as not having been upgraded to the 4k but please imagine my joy when I powered it up and discovered that it was a 4K version!!! I use them in a studio setup I build at the Royal Albert Hall every year in London where presenters host Prom Praise ruclips.net/user/livePRcNopU6hLM?si=d5KRb59Fv20y_aV8&t=465 . TX dept insist on 50i interlaced video which I can send via the 3G SDI outputs whilst recording a 25P signal internally. The RAW recording via the Atomos is great but you have to manage the noise levels as the 12 bit Raw outputs seems to bypass any of the real time noise reduction built in to the internal signal path. Great cameras!
@@markratcliff7204 that’s great that the latest one also had the 4K raw upgrade. It’s amazing how inexpensive these cameras are these days.
@@JamesMcKenzie1972 Yes the ergonomics was what made everyone jump to the FS5 and beyond but even the latest gear struggles make fundamental improvements to it image recording capabilities.
@ it’s interesting how quickly camera gear becomes irrelevant with such small incremental changes to image quality and usability. Having said that there are certain cameras that retain an almost cult-like appeal for over a decade. Often it is ergonomics that determine if a camera becomes a cult classic or is quickly forgotten.