| Sign in: |
| Members log in here with your user name and password to access the your admin page and other special features. |
|
|
|
|
|| SportsShooter.com: Member Message Board
Video - Sony PMW-XH1 or Panasonic HVX200a?
Daniel Brayack, Photographer
 |
Charleston | WV | USA | Posted: 10:44 AM on 02.05.09 |
->> I'm looking to add another basket for my eggs -
I do primarily rock climbing and bouldering work which tends to be fast action/low light - and I am torn between these two cameras.
The price is about the same once blank media is purchased - it seems the Sony is better in low light (it has a CMOS) while many swear religiously by the HVX200a - and i hear it gets better color off the camera...
Thoughts?
Thanks,
-Dan
http://www.brayackmedia.com |
|
Jason Joseph, Photographer
 |
Dublin | OH | USA | Posted: 11:13 AM on 02.05.09 |
| ->> I assume that you mean the Sony EX-1. I am currently using an EX-1 and am very happy with both the low light and the color reproduction. I absolutely love that the grip rotates. It makes it very comfortable to shoot from low angles. |
|
Daniel Brayack, Photographer
|
Charleston | WV | USA | Posted: 11:18 AM on 02.05.09 |
->> Correct - Sony Sony PMW-EX1.
I've heard that people have ghosting issues - but it seems like this is just a consequence of slow shutter speed and 24 frames.... |
|
Jon Malis, Photographer
 |
Washington | DC | USA | Posted: 11:28 AM on 02.05.09 |
->> Daniel -
Do you mean the Sony EX-1?
I'm been shooting films recently with both the HVX's and the EX's, and honestly, I really like them both. If I were to purchase a system for myself, though I'd probably go for the Panasonic system with the HPX170.
The 170 and 200a are about on a par, the big difference being the 200 having DV tape heads and the 170 being P2 only. The 170's a lot smaller and lighter, something to think about after a long day working outdoors and in the elements.
I've read online that the EX1 might be a tad more sensitive than the 200a (I've seen/heard things that "equivalent" ISO ranges b/w 400-800 depending on the recoding format), but they should be in the same ballpark. In the real world, I'd say they're about the same. At the wide end, the glass is 1.6 (panny) and 1.9 (sony), though on the tele end, the 200 jumps to 2.8. Not sure what exactly the Sony is on the long end - I'll play with it this afternoon and check.
If you're going used, make sure to get the 200a and not the 200, which has horrible low-light performance.
I do prefer the Panasonic files straight out of the camera, though the Sony still looks really nice too.
What computer are you planning on editing with? If you're using a MacBook Pro, one thing to think about is that you can just stick the sony cards right into the ExpressCard slot, with the Panasonic/P2 cards you need an adapter. The Sony files are smaller (and thus longer recording times per card), but I think use slightly worse compression than the P2. I haven't really noticed much of a difference.
Both cameras feel very differently in your hands, and I use totally different shooting styles depending on which system I'm using.
Really, I'd recommend trying to find somewhere you can demo both systems and do a side-by-side demo of the footage to see which you prefer.
feel free to drop me a line and I can try to help you out some more.
--jon malis
jon@jonmalis.com |
|
Daniel Brayack, Photographer
|
Charleston | WV | USA | Posted: 11:49 AM on 02.05.09 |
->> Really - its starting to feel 6 one way - half a dozen the other...I'm not concerned so much about weight as I already carry a lot in...and I can deal with ergonimics - I'm looking for something that I can achieve GOOD RICH colors (though I can do this in post production if need be.)
I've seen people having sync issues with the P2 - audio/video sync while importing - the Sony System - it seems that the video format is just a .MPG2 or whatever - so its all wrapped into one nice file for me to work with.
I had someone suggest that I just get a D90..........(not an option) |
|
David Harpe, Photographer
 |
Louisville | KY | USA | Posted: 11:53 AM on 02.05.09 |
->> Something to keep in mind is the National Association of Broadcasters convention is coming up in mid-April. It's a video industry trade show similar to PMA where most major manufacturers roll out new products. Both of the models you mention are fairly long in the tooth, so replacements for them are probably just around the corner. I'm in the market for a camera in this category as well, but I'm in a holding pattern until after NAB.
With all of the activity around the Canon 5DMkII video capabilities, I'm very interested to see if Canon releases something jaw-dropping that is less DSLR and more tapeless HD video camera. Either way, Sony and Canon are both overdue for more tapeless releases, so something will probably come out soon...hopefully at this NAB. |
|
Daniel Brayack, Photographer
|
Charleston | WV | USA | Posted: 12:09 PM on 02.05.09 |
->> David,
Thank you - I will wait for sure.
-Dan |
|
Matthias Krause, Photographer
 |
Brooklyn | NY | USA | Posted: 12:18 PM on 02.05.09 |
| ->> A big plus for the Sony in my books is that you can use it with cheap SDHC cards... |
|
Daniel Brayack, Photographer
|
Charleston | WV | USA | Posted: 1:08 PM on 02.05.09 |
| ->> Slight OT - does anyone know a good place that gives SS dicount for video? I haven't asked B&H and Samy's doesn't have the video cameras I'm looking at... |
|
N. Scott Trimble, Photographer
 |
Lake Oswego | OR | USA | Posted: 2:04 PM on 02.05.09 |
->> Personally, as far as low light goes, I feel the Canon XH-A1 is better, and the ergonomics suit me better, plus, the camera is native 16:9, a big plus in my book. The only downside, is I am not a fan of miniDV tapes, having shot on flash cards like the HVX and the RED camera. Now I am spoiled.
Anyone who loves tape interested in buying my XH-A1??? |
|
Jim Colburn, Photo Editor, Photographer
 |
McAllen | TX | USA | Posted: 4:42 PM on 02.05.09 |
->> Go for the Panasonic HPX170. It's an HVX200A without the tape drive mechanism.
The big problem I see with the Sony EX1 is that the format it uses is a lot more compressed than that of the Panasonic. It's basically HDV (at a higher, albeit variable, rate) with four channel high-quality audio. Then there's its 15 frame GOP (group of pictures) inter-frame (vs intra-frame) compression.
The Panasonic's format takes up a lot more HD space (1GB/minute Vs 14Mb/minute) but it holds a lot more information. |
|
Myung Chun, Photographer
 |
Los Angeles | CA | USA | Posted: 10:55 PM on 02.05.09 |
->> I can only speak about the Sony EX1 as I've been using it for the past few months replacing a Sony V1U. It records 1920x1080 natively and the images are beautiful.
I've had no issues with "ghosting" unless you mean interlacing.
You can create various picture profiles to create the look you want. I believe there are settings you can get off the net. The low light capability is good. I like the fact that the lens has a real, lock-to-lock manual focus capability. The rotating handle is nice.
However, the camera is awkwardly balanced. It's very front heavy because of the lens and because the rotating handle is so far from the longitudinal axis of the camera body, it wants to tilt to the left as well and puts a lot of strain on the wrist. It's a camera you want to use on a tripod (or some other support) as much as possible.
Overall though, I'm very happy with it. |
|
Daniel Brayack, Photographer
|
Charleston | WV | USA | Posted: 12:56 PM on 02.06.09 |
->> Jim - I've been thinking about the HPX170 as well - what is really the big difference? Same chip set - no tape drive...a little wider lens - I don't care about weight...
Thanks everyone else as well.
-Dan |
|
Ray Anderson, Photographer
 |
San Francisco | CA | USA | Posted: 1:18 PM on 02.06.09 |
->> I agree with Jim for the best quality the P2 card has no competition in the price range the files are a lot larger but they are uncompressed.
It is amazing the still images you can pull from the video too. |
|
Greg Cooper, Photo Editor
 |
Ventura | CA | USA | Posted: 12:21 AM on 02.07.09 |
| ->> I've used both, like the Sony better. |
|
Garrett Hubbard, Photographer
 |
Washington | D.C. | USA | Posted: 1:11 AM on 02.07.09 |
| ->> I have been shooting with the EX1 for over a year now and I like it a lot. The image quality continually blows me away. I just wish it had external controls for image stabilization and shutter speed. I've never shot with those Panasonic but I was a big fan of the DVX's |
|
Daniel Brayack, Photographer
|
Charleston | WV | USA | Posted: 10:47 AM on 02.07.09 |
->> Greg, What is your primary use?
I'm leaning toward the Panasonic...
And I don't think I'll wait til April - it seems the HVX and HPX170 both seem quite adequate... |
|
Jim Colburn, Photo Editor, Photographer
|
McAllen | TX | USA | Posted: 12:22 PM on 02.07.09 |
->> "I don't think I'll wait til April - it seems the HVX and HPX170 both seem quite adequate..."
Perhaps if you can wait until new models are anounced/released then you'll be able to get a great deal on one of the "old" ones.
Trailing edge technology. It's cheap and the bugs have usually been fixed... |
|
Daniel Brayack, Photographer
|
Charleston | WV | USA | Posted: 2:33 PM on 02.07.09 |
| ->> Indeed............ok I'm going to think about it - thanks Jim. |
|
James Lee, Photographer
 |
Vincent | OH | USA | Posted: 11:15 AM on 02.08.09 |
->> It might be worth noting that Sony has a CF recording unit that will allow you to record to a CF card and to tape simultaneously. Here's the link: http://www.fullcompass.com/product/362140.html
Otherwise, you're talking about using a LOT of hard drive space for backup. Personally, I'd be looking at the Sony FX1000 or Z5 for their low light ability and one of these recording units. I think that they would do the job very well for significantly less $$. I'm a bit old school though, happily using a Sony V1u. |
|
David Harpe, Photographer
|
Louisville | KY | USA | Posted: 12:21 PM on 02.08.09 |
->> James,
Have you hooked that unit to anything other than a Z5U/Z7U? The documentation wasn't exactly clear about whether that is possible or not...
Dave |
|
David Harpe, Photographer
|
Louisville | KY | USA | Posted: 2:10 PM on 02.08.09 |
| ->> That looks awesome! |
|
Dirk Dewachter, Photographer
 |
Playa Del Rey | CA | USA | Posted: 4:33 AM on 02.09.09 |
| ->> I've been researching the Z5U and the Z7U and that cf card reader/writer is included with the Z7U but not the Z5U and the only other main difference is that the Z7U has interchangeable lenses. For the price differential between those two I'd opt for the Z7U at this point. I am writing a staff report to create a video unit and the final decision is not going to be mine but I am pushing for the Z7U |
|
|| Sponsor Special Deals
SB-900 TTL AF Shoe Mount Speedlight
|
Available from:
Samy's Camera
|
Price: $499.95 |
Notes:
The SB-900 i-TTL Speedlight leads the Nikon Creative Lighting System delivering the portability, power and versatility to support any photographer's creative lighting imagination. SportsShooter.com users should call 866-726-9463 to get the special SportsShooter price.
|
|
-- More Info -- |
|
Return to --> Message Board Main Index
|