Low Light: HG20 or HV30? at DVinfo.net

Trent Scott · January 30th, 2009, 01:03 AM

I know these camera's aren't great in low light. But I'm looking for someone who has experience with both the HG20 and HV30 who can tell me which is BETTER in low light situations and under what mode, 60i, 30p or 24p? Thanks!

Terry Lee · February 8th, 2009, 02:35 PM

I would also know a bit more about the low light capability of the Hv30 if anyone has any insight.

Terry

Tripp Woelfel · February 8th, 2009, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Terry Lee

I would also know a bit more about the low light capability of the Hv30 if anyone has any insight.

Terry

Do a search on this list for low light references. There's a lot of info in there including a bunch of my observations comparing the HV30 to the XH A1.

I cannot comment on the HG since I've never had my hands on one.

Terry Lee · February 10th, 2009, 09:09 AM

Hey Tripp,

I didn't really find anything to informative when I searched this subject...

Brian Boyko · February 10th, 2009, 10:22 AM

I can tell you that the progressive modes give you better low-light on either camera. I've used both the HV20 and the HG20, and I can't tell you which is better in low light - if I had to guess, I'd say that the HG20 probably is, though both will give you grain and, quite frankly, it's mostly anecdotal.

Dennis Wood · February 10th, 2009, 10:01 PM

Cine mode on both cams appears to turn off gain completely, which in turn can improve recorded footage at the expense of lower shutter speed. The HG21 we're testing right now (no achromat required on our adapter!!) has a smaller chip than the HV20/30 and is slightly less sensitive. It does gain up cleaner though so the overall effect is slightly cleaner video at he same light levels. Resolution on both is very similar when observed via an HDMI connected 42" panel.

This is based on waveform tests/direct observation with a set of DSC labs charts etc....your mileage may vary :-)

Brian Boyko · February 11th, 2009, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dennis Wood

Cine mode on both cams appears to turn off gain completely, which in turn can improve recorded footage at the expense of lower shutter speed. The HG21 we're testing right now (no achromat required on our adapter!!) has a smaller chip than the HV20/30 and is slightly less sensitive. It does gain up cleaner though so the overall effect is slightly cleaner video at he same light levels. Resolution on both is very similar when observed via an HDMI connected 42" panel.

This is based on waveform tests/direct observation with a set of DSC labs charts etc....your mileage may vary :-)

That is the thing though - I like cinemode but I'd rather have grainy low-light footage than shutter speeds of less than the film speed. (I.E., TV30's acceptable for 30p, but TV15 isn't.)

Juan Parmenides · February 17th, 2009, 02:56 AM

Hi,
I have a Canon HV30 as a second / back up camera. This is an example of a video taken in "P" mode and -3 manual exposure compensation. Vimeo has recompressed it, I say this because I can see some artifacts not present in the original file.
Hope this help.

HV30 low light in Tenerife on Vimeo

January 30th, 2009, 01:03 AM	#1
Trent Scott New Boot Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Vacaville, CA Posts: 5	Low Light: HG20 or HV30? I know these camera's aren't great in low light. But I'm looking for someone who has experience with both the HG20 and HV30 who can tell me which is BETTER in low light situations and under what mode, 60i, 30p or 24p? Thanks!

February 8th, 2009, 02:35 PM	#2
Terry Lee Major Player Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 691	I would also know a bit more about the low light capability of the Hv30 if anyone has any insight. Terry __________________ https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=38313004

February 10th, 2009, 09:09 AM	#4
Terry Lee Major Player Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 691	Hey Tripp, I didn't really find anything to informative when I searched this subject... __________________ https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=38313004

February 10th, 2009, 10:22 AM	#5
Brian Boyko Major Player Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 773	I can tell you that the progressive modes give you better low-light on either camera. I've used both the HV20 and the HG20, and I can't tell you which is better in low light - if I had to guess, I'd say that the HG20 probably is, though both will give you grain and, quite frankly, it's mostly anecdotal. __________________ Equip: Panny GH1, Canon HG20, Juicedlink, AT897, Sennh. EW/GW100, Zoom H2, Vegas 8.1

February 17th, 2009, 02:56 AM	#8
Juan Parmenides Regular Crew Join Date: May 2008 Location: Canary Islands Posts: 54	Hi, I have a Canon HV30 as a second / back up camera. This is an example of a video taken in "P" mode and -3 manual exposure compensation. Vimeo has recompressed it, I say this because I can see some artifacts not present in the original file. Hope this help. HV30 low light in Tenerife on Vimeo __________________ Canon XH A1; Canon HV30; Nikon D300; Nikon D200; Sony Vegas Pro http://www.juanparmenides.com

February 10th, 2009, 10:01 PM	#6
Dennis Wood Major Player Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 916	Cine mode on both cams appears to turn off gain completely, which in turn can improve recorded footage at the expense of lower shutter speed. The HG21 we're testing right now (no achromat required on our adapter!!) has a smaller chip than the HV20/30 and is slightly less sensitive. It does gain up cleaner though so the overall effect is slightly cleaner video at he same light levels. Resolution on both is very similar when observed via an HDMI connected 42" panel. This is based on waveform tests/direct observation with a set of DSC labs charts etc....your mileage may vary :-)