How much of a deal killer if your camcorder has poor IS? at DVinfo.net
DV Info Net

Go Back   DV Info Net > High Definition Video Acquisition > AVCHD Format Discussion

AVCHD Format Discussion
Inexpensive High Definition H.264 encoding to DVD, Hard Disc or SD Card.

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Old April 21st, 2009, 01:32 PM   #1
Major Player
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: OC, CA
Posts: 344
How much of a deal killer if your camcorder has poor IS?

I just finished reading the review of the Sanyo Xacti VPC-HD2000. A glaring weakness stands out: terrible image stabilization. I've been using the Canon HV10, it died a couple months back, and I've been searching for a replacement ever since. I do mostly recording of family outings (camping, skiing, birthdays,....) Do you think with a practically nonexistent image stabilization feature, that all my videos will be unwatchable? I rarely use a tripod. I might just end up getting the HF-S100 for $400 more than the Sanyo's price.

Thanks for any input,
Norris Combs is offline   Reply With Quote
Old April 21st, 2009, 02:25 PM   #2
Major Player
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: ny, ny
Posts: 204
If you don't zoom a lot, I think you should be fine. I have the Sanyo FH1 which is the horizontal version of the HD2000. For zoom shots, a tripod is not the only way to keep things steady. Put the cam on something solid like a table, book, and zoom away. If you are sitting, rest the cam on your knee.
__________________
https://www.ronchauphoto.com/
Ron Chau is offline   Reply With Quote
Old April 21st, 2009, 03:39 PM   #3
Major Player
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: OC, CA
Posts: 344
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ron Chau View Post
If you don't zoom a lot, I think you should be fine. I have the Sanyo FH1 which is the horizontal version of the HD2000. For zoom shots, a tripod is not the only way to keep things steady. Put the cam on something solid like a table, book, and zoom away. If you are sitting, rest the cam on your knee.
Thanks Ron,

So you're saying for normal shooting, I can stand back, hold the camcorder in my hand (or with both hands if need be), record, and the video will be pretty good? Do you notice any headache-inducing jerkiness with your videos?
Norris Combs is offline   Reply With Quote
Old April 22nd, 2009, 07:48 AM   #4
Major Player
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: ny, ny
Posts: 204
I don't have any problems unless I zoom. A soft touch works best for holding the cam still.
__________________
https://www.ronchauphoto.com/
Ron Chau is offline   Reply With Quote
Old April 22nd, 2009, 08:42 AM   #5
Trustee
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Toronto
Posts: 1,414
Quote:
Originally Posted by Norris Combs View Post
...Do you think with a practically nonexistent image stabilization feature, that all my videos will be unwatchable? I rarely use a tripod. I might just end up getting the HF-S100 for $400 more than the Sanyo's price.

Thanks for any input,
If you OK with spending $400 more for the HF S100 go for it, it's better camera no doubt,
plus editing is less hassle than MP4s from Sanyo,
I've tried FH1 and I can't say it's EIS is nonexistent, it does a good job compare to IS off,
but again HF Sx is a way better cam:

Canon HF S10 vs Sanyo VPC FH1 on Vimeo
__________________
I love this place!
Buba Kastorski is offline   Reply With Quote
Old April 22nd, 2009, 09:14 AM   #6
Inner Circle
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Minnesota (USA)
Posts: 2,171
You could get a Canon HF100 (or HV30), with OIS, for close to the same cost as the Sanyo Xacti HD2000.
Robert M Wright is offline   Reply With Quote
Old April 22nd, 2009, 10:14 AM   #7
Major Player
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: ny, ny
Posts: 204
The advantages of the Sanyo are 1920x1080 60p, resolution, low light capabilities, low noise, price and size.

The cam is tiny, which for me means I can take it with me everywhere all the time. It also helps with blending in. Sometimes you want the camera or yourself to be "invisible". Capturing moments where people are acting naturally because they are not aware they are being recorded.

AVCHD is not so easy to edit either. Many experts are recommending converting for editing purposes regardless if it's AVCHD or AVC/MP4. Cineform NeoScene cost $99.

The Canon S100 is a great cam, but the Sanyo has it's advantages too.
__________________
https://www.ronchauphoto.com/
Ron Chau is offline   Reply With Quote
Old April 22nd, 2009, 01:26 PM   #8
Major Player
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: OC, CA
Posts: 344
Looking at that Vimeo comparison, I don't mind the oversaturated appearance of the Sanyo. What I am worried about is that many people have said (not necessarily in this thread) that MPEG4 is very hard to edit, I use Vegas Pro 8. The Canon HF-S100 uses AVCHD, which is easier to work with. I typically keep my camcorders for a long time, no upgrade unless it stops working. I was happily travelling along with HDV. How important is it to have 60p of the Sanyo? When will I notice this advantage?

Thanks,
Norris Combs is offline   Reply With Quote
Old April 23rd, 2009, 11:33 AM   #9
Regular Crew
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Boston, MA
Posts: 45
I hate shakiness in my footage, so I would be hesitant about a bad OIS. However, I almost always use a tripod or monopod or hague mmc stabilizer. Therefore, for me, OIS doesn't matter much. It sounds like it would matter for you.

For anyone who likes to shoot handheld, I would recommend a cheap $10 monopod. It makes a huge reduction in camera shake (more of a reduction than OIS), and the monopod is very portable.
Peter Holzel is offline   Reply With Quote
Old May 2nd, 2009, 03:30 AM   #10
Regular Crew
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Sydney, Australia
Posts: 25
For family outings and alike you want all the bells and whistles, good IS, auto-focus etc because tripods and spending time setting focus, WB, exposure and alike isn't an option. You really need to point and shoot. Sony and Canon seem to be the benchmark for HD home use.

As far as AVCHD goes I think Canon and Sony are looking into the future. As people start upgrading to quad core and i7 computers, these issues will disappear.
Rob Croll is offline   Reply With Quote
Old May 3rd, 2009, 07:33 PM   #11
Major Player
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Rochester, NY
Posts: 422
Os

I am also looking at this camera... YES I hate jaggies... I hate MPg- codec... BUT 60P is very nice and smooth... So if you edit in any decent software the use the plug in to stabilize it... V-Dub has several and man they look good.... So don't overlook software to fix this problem...

Canon or anyone else doesn't have 60P .... plus you can buy 2 of these for the price of a canon and I love canons...
__________________
Craig Bellaire
www.VerticalVideoSolutions.com
Craig Bellaire is offline   Reply With Quote
Old May 4th, 2009, 08:28 AM   #12
Major Player
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: ny, ny
Posts: 204
Looking at the samples on youtube, vimeo and my own clips, I haven't seen many shaky shots. If there are any, it usually was with full zoom.
__________________
https://www.ronchauphoto.com/
Ron Chau is offline   Reply
Reply

DV Info Net refers all where-to-buy and where-to-rent questions exclusively to these trusted full line dealers and rental houses...

B&H Photo Video
(866) 521-7381
New York, NY USA

Scan Computers Int. Ltd.
+44 0871-472-4747
Bolton, Lancashire UK


DV Info Net also encourages you to support local businesses and buy from an authorized dealer in your neighborhood.
  You are here: DV Info Net > High Definition Video Acquisition > AVCHD Format Discussion

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

 



All times are GMT -6. The time now is 08:43 AM.


DV Info Net -- Real Names, Real People, Real Info!
1998-2024 The Digital Video Information Network