hard-earned lessons I've learned in videocamera gear for weddings and other *run-and-gun videography.

(not necessarily in order of significance)

1. DSLRs are overrated, esp now that their main advantage, shallow depth of field, is near achieved by videocameras with 1" sensors, and fast lenses. DSLRs  line skip (meaning they have to shoehorn all that captured digital info to fit into (what's really all that's needed) 1920x1080, or just over 2MP(!), don't have autofocus, are heavy and have a form factor suitable for Stills but not convenient  for video. Achieving videocamera ergonomics requires expensive and bulky rigs.

For videocameras:

2. Unless you are getting a Canon C100 or C300, which has the best implementation of AVCHD,  avoid AVCHD! Go with a videocamera that uses the codec XAVC (proprietory to Sony) or the codec used by Samsung (h.265). It must shoot at least 50MB/s, must have IS, ND filters, focus peaking, zebras, and manual exposure control. It should have Picture Profiles. Any camera that has the above will already have audio meters, headphone and microphone jacks.

3. Go 4k now, or at least get a camera that is 4K-ready (read Sony PXW-X70).

4. Buy SD cards  useable to 94MB/s (see #3 above)

5. Built-in XLR inputs are nice but they add $800-900 to the price of the videocamera. An alternative is to get a Beachtek pre-amp for $250.

If you're serious about your craft, you'll eventually get to the point where you'll need the above to fully realize your vision. So skip the multiple purchases (and losing money on resale) and get to where you'll eventually be, right away.
* run-and-gun: a guerilla style of shooting that occurs in hectic, unpredictable shooting situations.

The end of DSLRs for wedding videography

I can see the Sony AX100 replacing the DSLR for wedding videography. As in NOW!  For sheer functionality, the videocamera form factor beats a DSLR. Shallow DOF is the only DSLR advantage left; but even this is nullified by proper framing and composition (and wide-open at longer focal lengths), along with the 1" sensor. AX100 has a 1" sensor (excellent low light capability based on the few initial tests so far, on YouTube and on Vimeo), FULL manual controls, no downsampling (as opposed to DSLRs), superior IS, superior audio, full/manual focus, etc. 
Give me one of these babies and a regular 1080p cam for B-roll and I am good to go. You heard it here first!

Bob Nicolas and his wedding videos

Not unlike most wedding videographers, I browse through other videographers' works, hoping to be inspired and learn a few things that may be applied to my style of shooting: one camera DSLR, photojournalistic style. I came across Manila-based Bob Nicolas' vimeo site; I am bowled over by the consistency of high quality in his massive output. 

Doubtless, his way of working is different from mine: multi-camera with a crane, dollies and steadicams, much higher budgets and fees. And yet, I admire his point-of-view: the angles, the close-ups, and the smooth seamless editing (audio-video syncs, the choice of music). 

But most important of all, it is evident in the expressions of his subjects that he does his filming in a most unobtrusive manner. This is a quality that I admire most in a Stills photographer (and which I try to apply in every shoot I do) but which I have always thought was near impossible to apply when shooting video, with its inherent and attendant need to shoot a story line, as opposed to capturing moments. This is even more of a feat to achieved in Philippine culture where being discreet is expected (as opposed to the in-your-face-shooting, whatever-it-takes culture in Toronto/Canada).

I love his work and it is something to emulate. As they say in my Cebuano: pwerte kaayong pachadaa!