note this compares the gh4 with cameras 3-4x more expensive - not fair

Apart from the Panasonic, can get the Sony a6000 from trademe for under $1000.  

gnfb:

 

Would you have a mirror-less suggestion?

 

Sony A6000 comes to mind.

Sorry though, what was the requirement for excellent autofocus for please?  Is this Vloging, where it's pointed back at your face or for race cars/athletes running etc?

How close can you get to your subject?

Remember a camera is just a sensor but it's the lens that directs the image onto it, so you usually have to match the two together and that's especially true if you're after AF during video. 

If you're using the onboard audio then you'll want a quiet lens with a quiet motor in it to avoid picking up AF noise etc.

Sorry, that's not a very specific answer, but without knowing what you really want to do with it, it's hard to suggest a solution.

For focusing I'd say hands down something that works like Canon's latest Dual Pixel AF is probably going to be the best, eg fast moving subjects for example, but slow moving I think it's a draw between a few systems.

But don't quote me, read reviews.

I have Canon 1DC and 5DS that both handle focus well, but I mostly use a Can XF300 video camera because it is so much better than a DSLR regards usability.  I doesn't come close to the DSLRs for low light, and can't match the shallow DoF, but together with a LANC controller it is way easier to use. 

TLD:

 

I have Canon 1DC and 5DS that both handle focus well, but I mostly use a Can XF300 video camera because it is so much better than a DSLR regards usability.  I doesn't come close to the DSLRs for low light, and can't match the shallow DoF, but together with a LANC controller it is way easier to use. 

 

Good to know but the allocation is only $1500

I got to play with a couple of a friends ones for video, and they still did the annoying thing where they constantly are hunting for focus slightly. The foreground thing in focus isnt really affected, but the things in the background out of focus really show it, bokehs on point light sources constantly getting larger and smaller as the AF tries to do its thing.

Lock the focus to manual and set it to where the thing is, and no problems.

Till that stops happening I dont see AF for video as being that useful since the moving background stuff is just annoying.

richms:

 

I got to play with a couple of a friends ones for video, and they still did the annoying thing where they constantly are hunting for focus slightly. The foreground thing in focus isnt really affected, but the things in the background out of focus really show it, bokehs on point light sources constantly getting larger and smaller as the AF tries to do its thing.

 

Lock the focus to manual and set it to where the thing is, and no problems.

 

Till that stops happening I dont see AF for video as being that useful since the moving background stuff is just annoying.

 

Yes, very annoying! Which model Canon do you know?

As the tech improves the hunting will get less.

joker97:

 

Yes, very annoying! Which model Canon do you know?

 

As the tech improves the hunting will get less.

 

Cant recall sorry, they kinda all look the same, but it wasnt a 5d or anything expensive. I was only really involved in a different part of the project to videoing it and just saw it when we were editing it together. As it had a lot of LEDs in the background the effect was really noticible.

Hey! A thread I can contribute to.

I own both a Panasonic GH3, GH4 and Canon 70D. 

I originally bought the 70D because of phase detection. Touch focusing was amazing compared to other DSLRs. It was buttery smooth and often looks like a nice focus pull.

Unfortunately, as others have stated the output was very soft. There were also heaps of other frustrations around what you could and couldn't do while actively filming with the 70D. It feels like a "Photo" first, "Video" second camera. The stills from the 70D were "OK", and the 1080p video was better than anything else in Canon's APS-C range.

On the other hand, Panasonic's GH3 and GH4 mirrorless cameras are nothing short of amazing. Specifically, both of them feel like "Video" first, "Photo" second cameras. Photo quality from them is "OK" - on par with the 70D, just lower stills resolution. But it's all about the 4K or 1080p60 video output from these mirrorless cameras. Absolutely incredible. The colours depth is phenomenal and there is a sharpness and cinematic quality that I could never get out of the 70D. Not to mention the battery life on the GH series is awesome - easily get 4-6 hours of recording out of a single charge. And lastly, the 70D is very heavy with it's kit lens (camera body alone is 750-odd grams). The GH series are all very lightweight (500ish grams).. they're more comfortable to hold for extended periods.

I know you've set a budget of $1500.. Which limits your options, but whatever you do, if filming/video is more your thing than photography, you may want to seriously consider researching mirrorless cameras.. they've come a long way.

@premiumtouring what sort of continuous filming duration can you achieve with the Panasonics? I understand that many cameras tend to overheat if recording continuously for some time?

joker97:

 

Panasonic GH4, GH5

 

These cameras are meant to be real standouts for video in this price range. I wouldn't go with DSLR for video.

nutbugs:

 

@premiumtouring what sort of continuous filming duration can you achieve with the Panasonics? I understand that many cameras tend to overheat if recording continuously for some time?

 

 

 

Hours on end. The only limitation of "Camera" based video recording is the 30 minute video recording limit imposed on 'cameras' that are not 'video recorders'. These mirrorless GH series cameras don't get hot when recording video. The 70D would get very hot and churn through battery very fast. GH3 is great if you want 1080p cinematic quality, GH4 is the way to go for 4K cinematic quality.

timmmay:

 

joker97:

 

Panasonic GH4, GH5

 

 

These cameras are meant to be real standouts for video in this price range. I wouldn't go with DSLR for video.

 

I almost fainted when I checked the price of GH5 ... my wife's iphone does 4K just fine! Albeit not at 60fps ...

It's a shame about the Canons, their DPAF is outstanding esp on the 5DMk4 ... shame they purposely handicap things at every level.