Best mirrorless camera for 4K video under $1500?

Question

I have a wedding shoot coming up in like two weeks and my current setup just died so I need a new mirrorless body for 4K video fast. I have exactly $1500 to spend on this. I spent all night looking at the Sony a6400 and the Fuji X-S10 but I'm torn. Everyone says Sony autofocus is king but I keep seeing people complain about overheating during long takes which scares me since I gotta record long ceremonies. The Fuji seems better for video features but I dont know if the autofocus is actually reliable for moving subjects. Is there a better 4K option I'm missing in this price range or should I just go with one of these?

Celeste Ocean · Accepted Answer

Honestly, those older Sony bodies like the a6400 will definitely cook themselves during a long ceremony. Since you have $1500, I would suggest looking at:

Sony Alpha a6700 4K 10-bit APS-C

Fujifilm X-S20 4K 60p IBIS Be careful with the S10, the battery life is kinda trash for weddings. Make sure to check out the a6700 tho, it handles heat way better and wont die on you mid-vows.

studiya_tomn · Answer

Like someone mentioned, those overheating issues are a total nightmare for weddings! I totally agree you need something way more reliable for a long ceremony. You should seriously look at the Canon EOS R7 32.5MP 4K60p Mirrorless. I love it because:

Dual SD card slots for instant backup!!

Amazing autofocus for moving subjects

Fantastic battery life Its honestly such a rock solid workhorse for under 1500. Good luck with the wedding!

MoonbeamRider · Answer

Like someone mentioned, those a6400 thermals are basically a disaster for long wedding ceremonies. I have had issues with those compact Sony bodies shutting down right when things get important, which is honestly incredibly frustrating. Fuji autofocus is also not as good as expected for me lately... it tends to hunt too much when someone is moving towards the lens. You should definitely check out the CineD or RTINGS databases for actual thermal stress tests before you buy. They give you a much better idea of how long these things actually last in the heat compared to the marketing specs. Since you need reliability for $1500, look at these:

Panasonic Lumix S5 II 24.2MP Mirrorless

They finally added phase-detect AF so it doesnt pulse like the old ones. It is a total beast for video.

Nikon Z6 II Full-Frame Mirrorless

Super solid build and the skin tones are way nicer than Sony stuff imo. Just make sure you dont get stuck with something that needs a break every 20 minutes because it gets too hot...