View Full Version : DVC80 vs GL2


Jarred Land
May 23rd, 2003, 05:55 PM
New to this forum, hello everyone!

I need a B roll camera, in active scenes where it may get damaged at any time so I want to keep it in the $2500 mark because I am not a millionaire.

I was set on the GL2, until Pansonic threw the DVC80 into the ring. I like the Gl2 lens alot, but I like the metal body of the Panasonic... mmmm


Any suggestions? With this camera I am going to be shooting Active Video and interviews/docs for broadcast.

Frank Granovski
May 23rd, 2003, 07:31 PM
1) Is the DVC80 out yet in Vancouver?
2) The DVC80 is a puffed plastic cam like the GL2. (No metal body.)
3) There is a big price difference between the 2.
4) $2500 Canadian will get you neither of these cams.
5) The DVC80 doesn't have frame mode like the GL2

Jarred Land
May 23rd, 2003, 07:54 PM
first of all, the DVC80 has been out since last week. Regardless, We get all our stuff from California, so I dont care if it is in Canada or not.

Next, The DVC80 Chassis is diecast Magnesium, I dont know what camera you are talking about. Maybe you think Magnesium is a puffy plastic, but it's not, it's an alloy.

3) that is my question, which you havn't answered, thanks for pointing it out again though.

as for the 2500 Canadian, I dont come to a US forum and talk Canadian dollars, I talk US dollars.

As for the frame mode, I dont really care, The Gl2 doesn't have progressive mode so It doesnt really matter.

Stephen van Vuuren
May 23rd, 2003, 08:33 PM
The biggest difference between these cams is the lens. I would think that a major part of your choice. The frame mode is a non-issue unless your post setup is limited -- I stopped using it on my old XL-1 as it can be done better in post with less resolution loss.

The larger LCD on DVC80 is a big difference plus I love the focus mechanism.

The menu and adjustments are a big difference as well. The Panasonic has far more than the GL2.

So, lens, menu, focus, LCD - that's what I would look at to make a choice.

Jarred Land
May 23rd, 2003, 08:55 PM
Stephen, great post thanks!

Which has the better lens in your opinion?

I agree with the settings/LCD part, the lcd looks fantastic on the pany.

Stephen van Vuuren
May 23rd, 2003, 09:00 PM
It's not so much better as focal lenght. The GL2 is 20X but needs a wide angle adaptor, Pany is 10X wide, but needs tele adaptor.

Jarred Land
May 23rd, 2003, 09:04 PM
great. thanks my mind is made up.

Frank Granovski
May 23rd, 2003, 11:06 PM
I saw that you put down Vancouver as your location. Last week I checked to see if the DVC80 was out and it wasn't. I think the DVC80 would be a better broadcast camera---though I haven't seen one yet, just read the specs. Sorry I mislead you with my not so normal humour.

Nick Kerpchar
May 24th, 2003, 05:07 AM
Jarred,
If you go with the DVC80 would you post your impressions and experience with it? Thanks, Nick

Chris Hurd
May 27th, 2003, 06:56 AM
<< As for the frame mode, I dont really care, The Gl2 doesn't have progressive mode so It doesnt really matter. >>

Incorrect -- GL2 does have a progressive, called Frame Movie mode. Not progressive scan CCD's, but same results as progressive scan. It is a 30p mode, one of the main selling points of the GL2 in fact.

Stephen van Vuuren
May 27th, 2003, 08:00 AM
<<<-- Originally posted by Chris Hurd : Incorrect -- GL2 does have a progressive, called Frame Movie mode. Not progressive scan CCD's, but same results as progressive scan. It is a 30p mode, one of the main selling points of the GL2 in fact. -->>>

I'll nitpick. Frame mode offers a pretty substantial resolution loss in frame mode. The same results can be achieved in post with less resolution. Frame mode is only 30 fps, whereas post (magic bullet) offers 24 fps.

Frame mode's only advantage is it is cheap and fast. But you can only have two corners of the three corner production triangle.

FAST



CHEAP GOOD

So, frame mode you give up good. Moving wide shots in 16:9 frame mode look so soft at time as to lose all reasons for shooting DV. So chose your poison carefully.

Jeff Donald
May 27th, 2003, 08:09 AM
Steve's production triangle is very good except all three criteria are very subjective. The good part is something each user should try to evaluate for themselves. Many GL2 users are very satisfied with the Frame Mode and do not notice the loss of resolution. Some users, Steve for example, find the loss of resolution objectionable. Everyone has different expectations of their cameras and different needs. Evaluate the cameras as they will fit your individual production requirements. One size doesn't fit all.

Stephen van Vuuren
May 27th, 2003, 08:27 AM
Of course everything is subjective, but the loss is frame mode is real. Since this thread is comparing the DVC80 to the GL2, I think it's a very small group of buyers that would not be able to tell the difference between true full resolution progressive and not.

My logic is if you like the DVC80 and but like frame mode, you would be much happier with DVX100. If you like the GL2 but need progressive mode, consider magic bullet or similar for post unless you're satisfied with in camera frame.

Jarred Land
May 27th, 2003, 03:54 PM
wow thanks guys.. the dvx100 I am using as the main A camera, buying another one for b of course would be the ideal thing, but is way over the budget.


The reason I was looking at the GL2 is because it is cheap (read disposable) , and I plan on doing some whacko jacko shoots that at anytime could kill the camera. I was looking at the dvc-80 since it is a metal body, looks like it could stand a little more abuse, although it is really pushing the budget.

But the Gl2 has a good zoom, which may benifit me more than I think.

And dont get me started on the GL2 frame mode, it's just like the XL1 frame mode, once anything in your frame gets moving it looks like crap. I wouldnt use it if i got the Gl2.

It would benifit me since i know the way around the dvx100 i wouldnt need to look at the dvc80 manual... but another issue is that this camera is brand new, prices are probally a little high because there is demand for it's pre-release, and it seems like only sketchy dealers have it in stock at this moment.

This is almost a flip a coin decision.. Is there any GL2 users out there that can tell me reliablity of the camera?

Brian M. Dickman
May 27th, 2003, 04:52 PM
A saw a few news reports and posts here that indicated the US Army was giving GL2s out like candy to field soldier/journalists in Iraq. Maybe somebody who is a little more familiar with that move can comment on why they chose them, and maybe even get a field report on how they've held up out there? Seems like it would help Jarred out.

Jarred Land
May 27th, 2003, 05:04 PM
Sony and CNN made a deal together to outfit all thier reporters with Sony min dv... havnt heard anything about the Canons. If that is true thaks Brian, that info would do me well.

Ken Tanaka
May 27th, 2003, 05:26 PM
Jarred,
I've never seen anyone refer to the GL-2 as "disposable". It must be interesting to work with such a luxurious budget.

What type of work do you shoot?

Jarred Land
May 27th, 2003, 07:03 PM
lol... disposable was the wrong word.... if we had a lush budget I would have dvx100's all over the place, we cant even afford 2 dvx100's... hence the need for the gl2.


Sorry about that. :)

Glen Elliott
May 28th, 2003, 10:04 AM
<<<-- Originally posted by Jarred Land :

The DVC80 Chassis is diecast Magnesium, I dont know what camera you are talking about. Maybe you think Magnesium is a puffy plastic, but it's not, it's an alloy.

-->>>

LOL, since when was the DVC80 a diecast Magnesium metalic body? I'd think if it was Panasonic would at least mention it. The DVC80 is nothing more than a DVX100 with the 24p modes stripped. Still a good cam- just not metal. :)

Jarred Land
May 28th, 2003, 10:21 AM
http://www.pagegods.com/web/dvc80body.jpg

Glen Elliott
May 28th, 2003, 01:08 PM
First off I was going by the info given on Panasonic's website, and it isn't listed under their trusty specs list. Plus the weight was very similar, even knowing alloys are lightweight but still not in the class of plain plastic. It wasn't until I read the pdf brochure I got confirmation on this feature.

Now I'm wondering why Panasonic waited to do this with the chasis of the dvc80 and not the dvx100. The "all" plastic contruction is really the main thing I dislike about the camera.

Jarred Land
May 28th, 2003, 01:21 PM
The dvc80 is designed for broadcast field use, where durability is a must. The DVX100 mainly is being used to make 24p films in a controled enviroment.

Stephen van Vuuren
May 28th, 2003, 02:42 PM
I don't think there is a difference in chassis between the two cams. I seem to recall early statements from Panasonic about the DVX100's magnesium alloy body.

I think the DVC80 is just being marketed to a different audience.

Glen Elliott
May 28th, 2003, 02:51 PM
Ya know what I was thinking that too. Maybe it's just the exterior that makes it feel exceedingly plastic. Then again other magnesium-alloy cameras (still cam in this case) like the Canon EOS10D has a distinct cold metal feel to it.

Can anyone confirm if the DVC80 and DVX100 share the same chassis?