Finally Image comp. Canon Vs Sony HDV!

Hi evryone,

Sory if this was already answered in another thread but I wasn´t able to really find an answer to what I need to know.

I need to equipe a new camera team to shoot outdoor sports and different kind of ESPN stuff.

For 4 years we have been using DV-Cam quite successfully delivering shows all around the globe and to most TV stations.

Now that we are anyhow needing to invest in two new cameras, I think it is a good idea to go for HDV. Not that I´m thrilled about HDV but it just seams to make no sence to me to by another pair of Sony's 170s.
The idea is to keep on delivering normal SD Digital Betacam masters and not to deliver HD... for the same clients. On the other hand there are some small documentaries we also do that could take advantage from the "HD-you name it" format.
Essencially I look for a better look, nicer picture and a bit of "cine-look".

So the options are:

SONY Z1
CANON XL H1

What I'm looking for is a critical evaluation on those two cameras concerning:

-Ease of use with FCP-
Capturing, codec, work-flow, etc.

-Image caracter-
Lense abilities, back-defocus, film-look, manual intervention, etc.

-Picture quality-
Resolution, image behaviour in hard as well as low light conditions, etc.

I'd really put aside all those technical bla, blas, and go for the final user, cameraman and spectator's point of view if you know what I mean.

Thanks a lot.

LM

G5, Mac OS X (10.3.9)

Posted on Mar 26, 2006 5:24 AM

18 replies

Zebulun

Level 5

6,749 points

Mar 28, 2006 6:20 AM in response to luis Matos

throw up a subjective query and you're gonna get a bunch of subjective answers, plain and simple.

you're the only one that can answer this as your needs are special to you and it sounds like you're sold on the sony or jvc hdv line anyway. rent some cams and see what workflow you like best, the problematic hdv (the even more problematic short gop jvc hdv) or the seamless integration of dvcpro hd.

if you need something that looks like a real camera then look here http://catalog2.panasonic.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ModelDetail?displayTab=O &storeId=11201&catalogId=13051&itemId=87887&catGroupId=14616&modelNo=AJ-HDX400&s urfModel=AJ-HDX400

one thing that mathew didn't point out about basketball is ever cam op i know who's been in the biz at least 10 years doing handheld for these events is taking back pain medication due to swiveling around with 20 pounds of camera and glass on their shoulders. ergonomically speaking, the jvc camera is cramped and i'd much rather plop the hvx200 on a shoulder mount and use it that way and this is just my opinion. also, as i stated in my review of the hvx200, slo motion from the hvx200 was very, very similar from a 90fps 3 channel super slo mo studio cam ("Super Mo").

as far as what the images look like, beauty and artifacting are in the eyes of the beholder. some folks don't see the artifacts vhs, dvcam from a good camera like a dsr500 will make my eyes ache. up to you.

luis Matos Author

Level 2

215 points

Mar 28, 2006 7:27 AM in response to Zebulun

Well, I got your point and I have to admit you are right...
After some thinking the HVX200 seems to be the best compromise. I just hate those electronically motorized lenses!!!!
I've bee working for 5 years on Handy-cams and, though I do control the positioning of the camera and even recognize a lot of advantages some times, I also hate it a lot of them...

But that's life! In fact when comparing an investment in another pair of PD's 170 or this HVX200 it gets very clear Sony is off. Also the working in DVCPRO25-50 advantage is huge and it looks to me as working much better with FCP and FW.

Well, it looks like we arrived to the max of the possible information.
Thank you all.

Regards.

LM

Zebulun

Level 5

6,749 points

Mar 28, 2006 7:33 AM in response to luis Matos

well, luis, i was completely skeptical about the hvx200 until i saw video taken with it on a basketball court. i'd love to get into the menus and chart the darn thing but even under auto white it was darn good looking video for a sub-10k dollar camera. i would have no problems cutting that video into a high def broadcast at all.

if i were a business owner and i needed a camera or two, at least one of them would be an hvx.

good luck.

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Finally Image comp. Canon Vs Sony HDV!