Lowlight - DVC30 vs GS400
 

hmm.. 1/4 vs 1/4.7

Crystal Engine vs 12BIT RGB PU

hmm..

what do u guys think???

I've just written to Panasonic asking for all the technical details on the DVC30. They've sent me the 10 page glossy brochure on this camera. Now would you believe it - a technical brochure on a camera that runs to 10 pages yet does not once tell me what the maximum aperture of the lens is at full telephoto.

Are these people serious? Does no-one check to see if such an obvious (photographic) statistic is missing? Or is it a matter of discretly coughing and hope the punter won't mind or not notice? Could it be something dreadful like f3.5 and they'd rather not talk about it?

Not good Panasonic, not good.

tom.

Maybe Kaku Ito knows? See his posts in other threads. He owned the DVC30 and said he's trading it in for a gs400. I infer from one of his more recent posts that he is also a dealer, and in Japan that probably helps re getting more info. (Actually, probably helps anywhere, since otherwise the easiest thing to do is pop a brochure into an envelope and send it off.)

I still have DVC30 at my hand, but my distributor guy goofed off so I will receive my GS400 tomorrow. If any particular side by side checking you want me to do, please let me know.

i would LOVE to see a side by side comparison of the same shot, using comparable gain variables, apertures etc etc.. not too fussed on the widescreen more interested in teh lowlight..

her ein oz, the price difference between the 2 is about $600

Kaku,
A side by side shot with the DVC30 in 30P and the GS400 in frame mode would be helpful.

hi all im new here i am a proud owner of the dvc-30 my friend has the dvx-100 in comparison the resolution is the same but my zoomis longer and smoother in all speeds you can disable the 30p frame mode and use cine gamma in 60i

Joe, thank you for the input. I still guess that when you really streach the screen (projector size of 100 inch or 120 inch), I would think DVX100 in progressive mode would have finer image, but have you tried something similar to that?

And Guy, have you looked at these?
http://homepage.mac.com/kakuito/FujimiPanorama.htm

The one on the top is shot exclusively with GS100.
The second one is DVC30 (PC100 with the fixed cam) at the start point, PDX10 after the rider starts, GS100 when the rider fall into the single track (PC50 with the fixed angle), PDX10 at the big fast jump, DVC30 at coming down/up/down/jump and gone (PC100 with the fixed angle), GS100 on the rocky descend and PC50 at the rock jump and finally PDX10 at the goal.

I dont think you could seriously compare gs-400 with dvc-30 the 30 has more proffesional features such as the dvx-100a i had the 953 and it was really bad with the shadows but on a bright gamma dayit was great i sold my 953 and 953 to purchase the 30

hey tommy did you sell your gs-100 yet

Yep, the GS100 has already been sold.

Now if I only knew what to buy.

They are two distinctly different cams each with their strengths and weaknesses. I would choose the DVC30 if I needed low light performance and shot predominantly 4:3. I would choose the GS400 for widescreen and compact size.

Seems we can never have true 16:9 and above average low light performance. At least not in my budget..

Thanks, Kaku. Can't really tell any difference in the cams from this video.

<<<-- Originally posted by Joe Amato : I dont think you could seriously compare gs-400 with dvc-30 the 30 has more proffesional features such as the dvx-100a i had the 953 and it was really bad with the shadows but on a bright gamma dayit was great i sold my 953 and 953 to purchase the 30 -->>>


This is what im thining of doing.. especially with the colour, and matrix configs, as i predominantely want to use teh DVC30 as a secondary cam to my DVX.

the dvc30 is a great back up to the dvx if you cant afford another dvx +the 6 optical extra range is cool

well it really wasnt the cost which is making me thing about this, its actualy the size of it..

I thought about another DVX.. and i am seriously considering it, but i like the idea of the 16x zoom, and compact size (i do alot of strange jobs)

there are many factors, but as i use these cams for professional work, it would save alot of Post Production time by calibrating the cams with colour, gamma and matrix, during filming then it is to do a colour correction and gain boost during edit..

On top of that the itself is wider, plus i dont have to buy new GS type batteries.. i can just keep all my batteries...