Comparison of FX1 and HC1? at DVinfo.net

David Delaney · July 24th, 2006, 02:42 PM

What is the biggest difference with the HC1 and the FX1?

Alex Thames · July 24th, 2006, 02:53 PM

3CCD vs. 1CMOS, size, and price.

Mikko Lopponen · July 24th, 2006, 03:24 PM

FX1 =

No rolling shutter
better lowlight
wide-angle is actually wide
sharper images and more accurate colors
bigger
more expensive

David Delaney · July 24th, 2006, 03:54 PM

I had just heard that people were jumping all over the HC1 now that it has been discontinued because it was a really really good camera...

Chris Barcellos · July 24th, 2006, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David Delaney

I had just heard that people were jumping all over the HC1 now that it has been discontinued because it was a really really good camera...

Primarily because it would make a great B roll type camera, and would cut well with the FX1 or Z1 as the primary... It is, afterall, HDV....

Frank Howard · July 25th, 2006, 01:54 AM

Maybe it's because it's a HDV camera, but the picture is still better than a DVX100 and that's saying a lot, no?

Dave Ferdinand · July 27th, 2006, 06:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frank Howard

Maybe it's because it's a HDV camera, but the picture is still better than a DVX100 and that's saying a lot, no?

The resolution may be better, dunno about the image quality as a whole.

Peter Ferling · July 27th, 2006, 07:01 AM

The biggest issue: Useability.

If you want to point and shoot between the hours of 8am to 5pm, and don't mind wandering iris, slow focus, and marginal skin tones, the HC1 will do.

The FX1 has quickset buttons, push button focus, iris wheel, focus ring, etc. Stuff to help you get the shot in live situations instead of fumbling with the HC1.

The HC1 does poorly in even dim lit rooms. Even at maximum gain, it's not enough for situations where you don't care about grain or image degradation (i.e. news and reality stuff). It's a daylight camera. Even in a studio the additional frustration of trying to light for an HC1 is not worth it.

So, again the biggest difference is: Useability.

Peter Ferling · July 27th, 2006, 07:22 AM

Let me add to this. I've said a lot about the HC1. When setup right, or in situations when I managed to follow the action with sufficient focus, the image is very useable. In some case I've had to warm the image a bit, whether in balance or post. In all cases, there was ample available light, in which case, any camera would see clearly.

Locked off and setup correctly, the HC1 will suffice as a B-cam for that important or difficult angle, providing there is sufficent lighting to do so.

The HC1 would make for a good scout or location camera. Small enough to carry comforably, you could scout and frame shots for location work, etc.

The HC1/HC3 is the best tourist cam, where auto settings are ok, and/or an Fx1 would be too imposing, and you still want HDV resolution.

In cases where folks want to add their own homemade adaptor for film looks, losing extra steps of light in the process, a well known issue, would impose further limitations on the HC1.

If you want to experiment with HDV, or are considering a switch and rental is not an option. Then the HC1 or similiar would be a good first purchase.

However, if you want to capture more useable HDV and in manner that's easier, with less frustration and less limitations, the FX1 or Z1U is the ticket.

Technically speaking, the HC1 will give you HDV material, but it will not allow you to see "everything" in HDV. For that you need a better camera.

Sean Seah · July 27th, 2006, 08:41 AM

The FX1 is definately a nicer cam to use. I have both the FX1e and HC1e. You could really see the difference in the shots in dlow light situations. For daylight, its no prob. But HC1e is really nice for travelling...

Tommy Haupfear · July 27th, 2006, 10:09 AM

Last year I had the FX1 and now the A1U but again its hard to deny the higher quality optics and low light performance of the FX1. Unfortunately I do just as much taping with family as I do side work and I've already made the mistake of taking a large cam on vacation...

I just wish I had the budget for both because having one always makes for instances where you wish you had the "other one".

Peter Ferling · July 27th, 2006, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tommy Haupfear

...I just wish I had the budget for both because having one always makes for instances where you wish you had the "other one".

I know the frustration. If this camera had a push button focus and a real iris control wheel, it would open the door for many projects. You can't help but wonder what this camera's original intent was to be. That adding a few more menu options and an add-on XLR, call it an A1U and presto, professional product.

I may offend, but it's just my opinion, it missed the mark by a few more options.

Stu Holmes · July 28th, 2006, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peter Ferling

I know the frustration. If this camera had a push button focus and a real iris control wheel, it would open the door for many projects. You can't help but wonder what this camera's original intent was to be. That adding a few more menu options and an add-on XLR, call it an A1U and presto, professional product.

I may offend, but it's just my opinion, it missed the mark by a few more options.

Manfrotto 521Pro or Bebob Engineering Zoe DVL LANC controllers will fix the Push-Autofocus problem, but can't help much with the iris wheel!

Peter Ferling · July 28th, 2006, 09:56 AM

My VZPGL is missing that push button focus feature. It's really distracting to use a larger LCD to check focus when trying to follow through the action. You more or less have to trust that you've got it via the viewfinder. Trust me, it's not 100%.

I'm already setting sights on better camera's, however, the engineer/tinkerer in me wants to pursue the issue. Why? Because it's there.

Wolfgang Winne · August 1st, 2006, 11:18 PM

Here the FX1/HC1/HC3 camera comparison: http://www.fxsupport.de/02.html

July 24th, 2006, 02:42 PM	#1
David Delaney Trustee Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Niagara Ontario Canada Posts: 1,121	Comparison of FX1 and HC1? What is the biggest difference with the HC1 and the FX1?

July 27th, 2006, 07:01 AM	#8
Peter Ferling Trustee Join Date: May 2005 Location: Wyomissing, PA Posts: 1,141 Images: 57	The biggest issue: Useability. If you want to point and shoot between the hours of 8am to 5pm, and don't mind wandering iris, slow focus, and marginal skin tones, the HC1 will do. The FX1 has quickset buttons, push button focus, iris wheel, focus ring, etc. Stuff to help you get the shot in live situations instead of fumbling with the HC1. The HC1 does poorly in even dim lit rooms. Even at maximum gain, it's not enough for situations where you don't care about grain or image degradation (i.e. news and reality stuff). It's a daylight camera. Even in a studio the additional frustration of trying to light for an HC1 is not worth it. So, again the biggest difference is: Useability. __________________ Pete Ferling http://ferling.net It's never a mistake if you learn something new from it. -------------------------------------------

July 27th, 2006, 07:22 AM	#9
Peter Ferling Trustee Join Date: May 2005 Location: Wyomissing, PA Posts: 1,141 Images: 57	Let me add to this. I've said a lot about the HC1. When setup right, or in situations when I managed to follow the action with sufficient focus, the image is very useable. In some case I've had to warm the image a bit, whether in balance or post. In all cases, there was ample available light, in which case, any camera would see clearly. Locked off and setup correctly, the HC1 will suffice as a B-cam for that important or difficult angle, providing there is sufficent lighting to do so. The HC1 would make for a good scout or location camera. Small enough to carry comforably, you could scout and frame shots for location work, etc. The HC1/HC3 is the best tourist cam, where auto settings are ok, and/or an Fx1 would be too imposing, and you still want HDV resolution. In cases where folks want to add their own homemade adaptor for film looks, losing extra steps of light in the process, a well known issue, would impose further limitations on the HC1. If you want to experiment with HDV, or are considering a switch and rental is not an option. Then the HC1 or similiar would be a good first purchase. However, if you want to capture more useable HDV and in manner that's easier, with less frustration and less limitations, the FX1 or Z1U is the ticket. Technically speaking, the HC1 will give you HDV material, but it will not allow you to see "everything" in HDV. For that you need a better camera. __________________ Pete Ferling http://ferling.net It's never a mistake if you learn something new from it. -------------------------------------------

July 28th, 2006, 09:56 AM	#14
Peter Ferling Trustee Join Date: May 2005 Location: Wyomissing, PA Posts: 1,141 Images: 57	My VZPGL is missing that push button focus feature. It's really distracting to use a larger LCD to check focus when trying to follow through the action. You more or less have to trust that you've got it via the viewfinder. Trust me, it's not 100%. I'm already setting sights on better camera's, however, the engineer/tinkerer in me wants to pursue the issue. Why? Because it's there. __________________ Pete Ferling http://ferling.net It's never a mistake if you learn something new from it. -------------------------------------------

August 1st, 2006, 11:18 PM	#15
Wolfgang Winne Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Bremen, Germany Posts: 176	Here the FX1/HC1/HC3 camera comparison: http://www.fxsupport.de/02.html __________________ Wolfgang Winne www.ohrwurmaudio.de www.fxsupport.de

July 24th, 2006, 02:53 PM	#2
Alex Thames Major Player Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: New York Posts: 508	3CCD vs. 1CMOS, size, and price.

July 24th, 2006, 03:24 PM	#3
Mikko Lopponen Major Player Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Helsinki, Finland Posts: 393	FX1 = No rolling shutter better lowlight wide-angle is actually wide sharper images and more accurate colors bigger more expensive

July 24th, 2006, 03:54 PM	#4
David Delaney Trustee Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Niagara Ontario Canada Posts: 1,121	I had just heard that people were jumping all over the HC1 now that it has been discontinued because it was a really really good camera...

July 25th, 2006, 01:54 AM	#6
Frank Howard Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 157	Maybe it's because it's a HDV camera, but the picture is still better than a DVX100 and that's saying a lot, no?

July 27th, 2006, 08:41 AM	#10
Sean Seah Trustee Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Singapore Posts: 1,498	The FX1 is definately a nicer cam to use. I have both the FX1e and HC1e. You could really see the difference in the shots in dlow light situations. For daylight, its no prob. But HC1e is really nice for travelling...

July 27th, 2006, 10:09 AM	#11
Tommy Haupfear Wrangler Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 1,415	Last year I had the FX1 and now the A1U but again its hard to deny the higher quality optics and low light performance of the FX1. Unfortunately I do just as much taping with family as I do side work and I've already made the mistake of taking a large cam on vacation... I just wish I had the budget for both because having one always makes for instances where you wish you had the "other one".