Video Camera Buying 2014-15

[JimBoSox9]

I'm in the market for some A/V recording equipment, specifically:
 
-2 video cameras (~ $1200-$1600 each) - should be prosumer but looking to avoid overly complex
-USB audio mixer ( < $250)
-Shotgun mic & stand ( < $300)
-Some kind of portable lighting kit  ( < $200)
 
The items I'm looking at most closely right now are the Canon Vixia HF G30 (camera), M-Track Quad (audio mixer), and Rode NTG2 (mic), but I'm interested in alternative suggestions, particularly for the camera and lighting.
 
 

 

[ifmanis5]

Love that Rode mic, nice and warm. Great choice.
 
As for audio mixer have a look at this: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1086798-REG/tascam_dr_70d_4_channel_audio_recording.html/?m=Y&gclid=CLX9sp2-r8ICFcpAMgodmDAAvw
 
The lighting is so cheap these days, a few Chinese LEDs on cheap stands are actually okay.
 
If you're willing to go up to $1600 on a camera, keep in mind that the Panasonic GH4 is basically that price.

 

[JimBoSox9]

Is the GH4 really all it's cracked up to be?  To hear people talk you'd think they managed to shove a movie studio camcorder into a Nikon F.
 
Edit: I'll add that for these cameras, I don't care much about photo capability, these are for straight video.  The $1600 is prob at the high end; really what I'm going to need to do is buy one now and one in Q1, that second purchase would be easier if the grand total came to something less than 3 grand.

 

[ifmanis5]

I used to have a Vixia, it's pretty solid. The picture quality of the GH4 4K image downsampled to 1080HD is awesome with tons of detail. If that's not a big deal though, save the money.

 

[JimBoSox9]

That part actually is.  What I'm dealing with is business-purpose filming mostly in a large open 'Loft' space that was basically designed to be hell on earth for shooting video.  Anything that can help me with lighting or ambients pre-capture is top priority, and pure quality helps with the former in post.  Definitely worth investigating.

 

[ifmanis5]

That part actually is.  What I'm dealing with is business-purpose filming mostly in a large open 'Loft' space that was basically designed to be hell on earth for shooting video.  Anything that can help me with lighting or ambients pre-capture is top priority, and pure quality helps with the former in post.  Definitely worth investigating.

In that case definitely consider the GH4. The Vixia is auto-iris (most cams in that class and price are auto exposure) so that could get ugly.
 
EDIT: another contender for you is the new Samsung NX1 which is $1,500 and also 4K video. However, it shoots in new h.265 codec so you will need some transcoding but the images seem to be good so far.
 
Sorry, last one: If you want the Vixia-style form factor but manual exposure (and XLR audio) then the Canon XA10 is a contender: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/749467-REG/Canon_4922B002_XA10_HD_Professional_Camcorder.html