Quick side-by-side testing of Sony HXR-NX3D1 and Panasonic HDC -Z10000

[David M. Cole]

I've managed time to try a few comparative tests of the Sony NX3D1 and Panny Z10K. Cameras were both set for default automatic... no manual adjustments. The Panasonic performs better in low-light, without question. Out of the gate, the Panny is softer than the Sony. I found that turning the noise compensation in the Panny off improved sharpness somewhat - without really adding much noise in low-light. Additionally, I was able to sharpen the Panny footage to match the Sony in post. I do not think the Sony actually resolves more detail than the Panny. All things being equal - I certainly prefer any artificial sharpening to happen AFTER the camera encoder, not before.

[Bruce Schultz]

David, I'm assuming the Panny is on the left and the Sony is the right set of pics - correct?

Did you measure the lens interaxial distance with a ruler by chance? If so, what did it measure out to?

[David M. Cole]

The thumbnails are named Panny and Sony - you can mouse over to see which one is which.

The Sony has a published I.A. of 31.75mm. The Panny is 42mm

[Wolfgang Schmid]

The Z10000 has significant other possibilities for adjustment - all the scene file settings allow a significant shift in what you get in the final result. From that side a comparision is hard, since the NDX3D1 does not offer all that professional settings. To increase contrast for example, play with the gamma curves and use B.PRESS or CINELIKE-V.

But I have a similar experience with the Sony TD10 and the Z10000 - the Z10000 delivers a lower contrast and I agree with your finding that I tend to change that in the postpro. The issue is the format only - with AVCHD it would be better got get that in the acquisition right.

[David M. Cole]

Can you share your Z10K setting preferences? I'm not a Panny guy, so, this is my first exposure to these parameters.

Thank you!

[Wolfgang Schmid]

I use following settings (what is a modified film settings):

SCENE NAME :FILM Modified
DETAIL LEVEL: 0
V DETAIL LEVEL: 0
DETAIL CORING : 0
CHROMA LEVEL: -1
CHROMA PHASE: 0
COLOR TEMP: -2
MASTER PED: -3
A.IRIS LEVEL: -2

GAMMA : B.PRESS
KNEE: MID
MATRIX: NORM2
SKIN TONE DTL : OFF

Delivers a better contrast and nice black.

If you need further help about what the settings means, take that file:

http://www.google.at/url?sa=t&rct=j&...S3WLnxbYhPpd9A

but also that file here:

http://www.filmrocks.com/pdf/hvx_scene_files.pdf

[David M. Cole]

Thank you!

[Prech Marton]

Interesting result. I thinked Panny will have a lot better sharpness than Sony.
I have a TD10, and first experiences with it, that the sharpness (full hd!) is
a bit lower than my Canon HV10 (HDV!). A little disappointed about that.

[Wolfgang Schmid]

Have you tried to adjust the sharpness in the scene file? The Z10000 does not increase the sharpness automatically as that is done by many other (consumer) camcorder, but offers in the profile both DETAIL LEVEL and V DETAIL LEVEL to do so.

Beside that, sharpness is not everything. The tests that I know show a nice resolution for the Z10000, and the possibility to adjus the gamma curve offers and other parameters are great - and go far beyond what I have seen for most HDV camcorders.

[Matt Faw]

Wow! The difference in sharpness is striking, but as you say, it also sharpens the noise, so I guess it's a trade-off.

I'm curious, too, about the color shift. The Panavision is a lot greener than the Sony, in all three of the lighting situations.

[Eric Olson]

Originally Posted by David M. Cole

I've managed time to try a few comparative tests of the Sony NX3D1 and Panny Z10K.

Why are the images odd sizes like 1885x1059 rather than 1920x1080? Were they cropped or rescaled?

[Vimal Raj]

Hi I am looking forward to buy a 3d camera and ended in a place whether to decide between Sony Hxr NX 3d or panny Z10K please give me a suggestion.

Thank you

[Wolfgang Schmid]

Z10K, because all together it is the besser solution for 3D - while the Sony is a improved TD10 only. The overall concept of the Z10K is better, it has better technical figures (6 chips!)

One disadvantage that I see: the Z10K is a little bit larger, but I do not know if that is important for you.

[David M. Cole]

Originally Posted by Vimal Raj

Hi I am looking forward to buy a 3d camera and ended in a place whether to decide between Sony Hxr NX 3d or panny Z10K please give me a suggestion.

The Panasonic is markedly better in low-light. Controls are much better (there is virtually no control over Sony in 3D mode). It offers manual white balance.

[Vimal Raj]

Thank you very much ,your replies helped a lot. I have decided to go for Z10000.