Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

This camera is big, forget about using it like a pocket cam, or even a traditional Handycam, it's about twice the size of the small Handycams, but it's 4K, so in theory, for this amount of resolution you would need like 4 of the smaller cameras to equal the resolution - this of course is a dramatization. The size though is much smaller then any other serious 4k camera, so don't mark it as a ding. I have owned a Red One original #1200, a BMC Cinema Camera, and several DSLR's. If your doing anything other then weight/size conscious shooting, not an issue, I can fit it in some purses I own. It's menus are very Sony traditional, just like the previous three generations of top quality Sony camcorders, so if you have used one before, navigation is the same. It offers far more manual shooting control then any of the previous Sony's I have owned, Sony finally got this right for manual shooting "Pro Style". It uses the same camera batteries as the previous Sony's I own, believe it or not really the same battery in at least three generations, again bravo SONY. The camera is made in China, I have never owned a flagship Sony camera made in China before, don't particularly know if that matters these days, but it's different to see made in China. The lens is not as wide as my previous Sony's, it's close to 30mm the wide side. I think this is the most major flaw for my taste, thus the 4 instead of 5 star for me. Others may be fine without going so wide, but for me I find it limiting. The camera does have a 62mm threaded filter front ring, excellent for adapting lenses (more on that later). There are also several buttons and slider controls, yes tactile control for human interface, again bravo Sony. The camera ships with a micro to HDMI cable. Yes that's micro not mini HDMI, so if you do some external monitoring be prepared for new cables or adapters if the supplied shortie won't do. Also to feed SD out of this, IE using it with projectors and real time mixers for live events, yes some things live are still SD, you will need a Sony multi AV cable sold separately. I like that there is still a small USB cable attached to the camera, riding on the handgrip, just like the previous Sony"s, another bravo. Basically it's just another in the fine line of Sony products I trust, appears high quality, and no BS. I like Sony, I have never had one fail yet, I currently own 8 of the previous models, none has ever failed. Back to the tight lens, I own a great piece of glass called a REDEYE .65x wide angle lens, I use it all the time for wider shots. It's made in Canada, and really augments the lack of wide angle on this camera. It's glass, and high quality, in my test I see no noticeable reduction in resolution, it just lets the camera see a larger field of view. I don't think they are still being made, but I bought a brand new one on an auction site, and it looks beautiful on the front of this camera. Make sure it has a 62mm threaded adapter. It has an anodized RED front metal ring, which just screams out I'm a mini RED camera, your screaming may vary. If you can find a REDEYE, it's dope much better then the Century lens I also own. I will have further comments as I get to know more about this wonderful new tool. My initial impression is Bravo Sony! Update 3/28/14 Yes the camera has higher rolling shutter then others I have used. Not to beat the drum, but since the REDEYE adapter allows for a wider field of view, it does help to minimize this. The wider you can go the better. I do really like the manual exposure and built in ND filters. This might not be the best cam for shooting trains going by, but if your subject is straight on like a landscape, or people, it's not an issue. The rolling shutter is very apparent in moderate to fast pans. If there is something this won't work with, I can always use my also excellent Sony HDR-PJ760. This camera is just another tool for a production. GH4 looks great on paper too, but I don't want to deal with sensor dirt in the field, and I like camcorder bodies better, as for me they are faster to work with. Also GH4 gets pricey with added lenses, higher bit rates eating more storage and so on. Use these until the next best thing. Just be sure to get some sort of wide lens for it. Update 3/30/14 Heres more of what I know. I like the built in ND filters and full manual exposure control a lot. It's camcorder style, but finally easy buttons and knobs. I like buttons and knobs. The REDEYE wide lens adapter lets me zoom in about half way and still autofocus sharp. Again it has built in ND filters, so I can shoot with some depth of field, use a f2.8 in shade. The .mp4 files open in Quicktime, they play at 1080, but inspector shows that it is a 4k file size. When you think of the GH4, it sounds great, but I live in a dry dusty climate, so changing lenses without sensor dirt would be hard to do. The current REDEYE adapter goes on the front of the lens, so no dust on the sensor. I like easy exposure control and the tilt able viewfinder, very good for daylight. It's heavier then other cameras, but the ergonomics for the most part are fine. I don't like to have to carry filters and clean and mount them to a lens, so again the built in ND is great. With a GH4, I would have to mount filters for ND, and change them with the light dropping, so this is better. The GH4 specs are excellent, I have no doubt it will look great. If I had the money, I would use both, for the best use of image capture for what the scene calls for. Also with the GH4 I would want one of those lens speed adapters, but I am concerned about the ghosting and flare it might introduce. By the time I bought an adapter to use my Nikon lenses, and a dedicated Panasonic lens or two, the total price of the GH4 would increase significantly over the Sony. I don't consider myself a "Kool Aide" drinking camera geek, dedicated to one brand like religion, I just want a fast, reliable package with good image quality. Is the Sony perfect? No, nothing in this size would be. Are there better cameras out there? Yes on paper and in quality, I'm sure, but every tool has it's merits, people rave about GoPro's, they can all do something with the right operator and good content. It comes down to content, content is king, go out use the tools you have, worry about your safety, treat people well, focus on your shooting, be good to your knees. Let other people discuss camera details and deliver the best you can.