Comparison Test XHA1, HVX-200, PD170

Richard Zlamany · November 8th, 2006, 11:00 AM

Fascinating. Thank you for the examples. It makes my next purchase of a cam even harder. :-)

Michael Padilla · November 8th, 2006, 11:04 AM

I was very supprised to see that the HVX had so much RED in its coloring when compared to the H1; Did you boost the red on the HVX or are the color adjustments at 0 on both cameras?

Joe Simon · November 8th, 2006, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michael Padilla

I was very supprised to see that the HVX had so much RED in its coloring when compared to the H1; Did you boost the red on the HVX or are the color adjustments at 0 on both cameras?

With the HVX I seem to notice it likes the reds a lot. I had the color temp at -1. I tried to make it look as it appeared to my eyes.

I could have made the A1 look a better (color wise) if I had done the test after more experience with the camera. Now in the second day of ownership I have a much better grasp of the CP settings.

Benji Wade · November 8th, 2006, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe Simon

With the HVX I seem to notice it likes the reds a lot. I had the color temp at -1. I tried to make it look as it appeared to my eyes.

I could have made the A1 look a better (color wise) if I had done the test after more experience with the camera. Now in the second day of ownership I have a much better grasp of the CP settings.

Yeah it seemed to me that the A1 wasn't picking up color nearly as well, but I could only imagine that was settings/experience with the camera.

Chris Barcellos · November 8th, 2006, 12:54 PM

Glad to see something positive about the low light situation, and in comparison to the PD 170 no less !!

Shaun Fields · November 8th, 2006, 02:58 PM

Blows the recent posts that were bad-mouthing the Lowlight capabilities out of the Sony water!

Dave Lammey · November 8th, 2006, 03:38 PM

Thanks for this test, appreciate it ... one question, if the A1 was shooting at 60i, instead of 24f, would that have any effect on its lowlight?

From what you posted, it appeared to me that the A1 and PD170 were very similar in terms of lowlight ability, with the slight edge going to the PD170 ... though I'm wondering if that if both cameras were shooting at 60i and a shutter speed of 60, would the difference be greater?

Monday Isa · November 8th, 2006, 09:17 PM

Joe, thanks for these tests! I'm really getting excited about this cam. I can't wait to purchase one the end of this month. Thanks for taking the time to do this.

Monday

Holly Rognan · November 8th, 2006, 09:30 PM

Yes, if the A1 was in 60i at a 60 shutter it would be more than twice as less sensitive. The shorter the shutter, the more time the light has to hit the CCD, thus being brighter.

Joe Simon · November 8th, 2006, 10:15 PM

I think that the colors can be improved from what I had. You just need to go into the CP setttings and get the look you want. I'm going to shoot some more stuff tomorrow, it will be fun.

Michael Y Wong · November 8th, 2006, 10:20 PM

Wow!!! The XHA1 footage in low light is extremely impressive, surprisingly more impressive then the HVX! Thank u for posting!

Antoine Fabi · November 8th, 2006, 10:49 PM

yep, and based on what i see here, the A1 has a much cleaner image and better highlight handling.

I would balance color level for both cameras though, color generates noise, and the HVX has a ton of color.

Shaun Fields · November 9th, 2006, 01:17 AM

The A1 has a far cleaner, brighter and sharper image than the HVX200 in the tests. This really is the only choice for me as I will shoot everything at 25fps and the lowlight capabilities being on a par with the PD170 at 25fps really make this the camera I have been waiting for for a very long time!

Dave Lammey · November 9th, 2006, 08:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Holly Rognan

Yes, if the A1 was in 60i at a 60 shutter it would be more than twice as less sensitive. The shorter the shutter, the more time the light has to hit the CCD, thus being brighter.

Thanks, yes I understand the different lowlight performance due to shutter speeds, but I was wondering about different frame rates ... would the picture look darker at 60i as opposed to 24f?

Dave Lammey · November 9th, 2006, 08:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe Simon

I think that the colors can be improved from what I had. You just need to go into the CP setttings and get the look you want. I'm going to shoot some more stuff tomorrow, it will be fun.

Thanks Joe ... I thought the A1 shot of the leaves in the sky was particularly stunning and filmic ...

if you do more comparison tests, could you do some at 60i?

November 8th, 2006, 12:54 PM	#20
Chris Barcellos Inner Circle Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Elk Grove CA Posts: 6,838	Glad to see something positive about the low light situation, and in comparison to the PD 170 no less !! __________________ Chris J. Barcellos

November 8th, 2006, 10:20 PM	#26
Michael Y Wong Major Player Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Toronto Ontario Canada! Posts: 353	Wow!!! The XHA1 footage in low light is extremely impressive, surprisingly more impressive then the HVX! Thank u for posting! __________________ dreaming hobbyist + storyteller www.michaelywong.com Last edited by Michael Y Wong; November 8th, 2006 at 11:21 PM.

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November 8th, 2006, 11:00 AM	#16
Richard Zlamany Major Player Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Hamden CT Posts: 470	Fascinating. Thank you for the examples. It makes my next purchase of a cam even harder. :-)

November 8th, 2006, 11:04 AM	#17
Michael Padilla Major Player Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: O.C., CA United States Posts: 337	I was very supprised to see that the HVX had so much RED in its coloring when compared to the H1; Did you boost the red on the HVX or are the color adjustments at 0 on both cameras?

November 8th, 2006, 02:58 PM	#21
Shaun Fields New Boot Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: UK Posts: 7	Blows the recent posts that were bad-mouthing the Lowlight capabilities out of the Sony water!

November 8th, 2006, 03:38 PM	#22
Dave Lammey Major Player Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Simsbury, CT Posts: 247	Thanks for this test, appreciate it ... one question, if the A1 was shooting at 60i, instead of 24f, would that have any effect on its lowlight? From what you posted, it appeared to me that the A1 and PD170 were very similar in terms of lowlight ability, with the slight edge going to the PD170 ... though I'm wondering if that if both cameras were shooting at 60i and a shutter speed of 60, would the difference be greater?

November 8th, 2006, 09:17 PM	#23
Monday Isa Major Player Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: College Park, Maryland Posts: 913	Joe, thanks for these tests! I'm really getting excited about this cam. I can't wait to purchase one the end of this month. Thanks for taking the time to do this. Monday

November 8th, 2006, 09:30 PM	#24
Holly Rognan Major Player Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Coalville America Posts: 244	Yes, if the A1 was in 60i at a 60 shutter it would be more than twice as less sensitive. The shorter the shutter, the more time the light has to hit the CCD, thus being brighter.

November 8th, 2006, 10:15 PM	#25
Joe Simon Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 86	I think that the colors can be improved from what I had. You just need to go into the CP setttings and get the look you want. I'm going to shoot some more stuff tomorrow, it will be fun.

November 8th, 2006, 10:49 PM	#27
Antoine Fabi Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: sherbrooke (Quebec) Canada Posts: 108	yep, and based on what i see here, the A1 has a much cleaner image and better highlight handling. I would balance color level for both cameras though, color generates noise, and the HVX has a ton of color.

November 9th, 2006, 01:17 AM	#28
Shaun Fields New Boot Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: UK Posts: 7	The A1 has a far cleaner, brighter and sharper image than the HVX200 in the tests. This really is the only choice for me as I will shoot everything at 25fps and the lowlight capabilities being on a par with the PD170 at 25fps really make this the camera I have been waiting for for a very long time!