HM700 vs EX3

Lou Caputo · November 28th, 2009, 09:01 AM

To see the images, I defer to Phil Bloom's outstanding review...

Review of JVC GY-HM 700 By Philip Bloom On ExposureRoom

After watching it I was intrigued enough to demo a JVC 700 for a day and I was very impressed by the performance. It has the best form factor out there of any comparably priced camera, including the HPX 300. Why? Well, unlike the 300, the GY-HM700 is a mid-sized shoulder mount camera, not a full-sized like the 300. It's well balanced, lighter and doesn't leave you with a sore shoulder at the end of the day.

To me the awkward ergonomics of the ex3 and the format knocked it out of contention early on. I loved the image, but do I have to suffer to get it?

Also, remember that with the GY-HM700 you can also shoot mp4 to either SXS OR the SDHC cards, for those jobs that require a format other than .mov.

I'm taking delivery on a 700 this week, then a second the following week AND we already have a GY-HM100 (whcih we love) for those tight spots. I'll post some video when things calm down a bit.

Eric Deyerler · November 28th, 2009, 09:37 AM

I like the formfactor of the HM700, but the
EX3 got rollingshutter and isn't a shoulder cam.

One thing for the HM700, is the recording
on SDHC-cards, I can carry them in a Kata BP502
backbag with all my equipment.
The LCD-Display is really great and sharper
then on HPX300/301.
I can record in .mov and edit it native without
transcoding, the resolution is much bettet then
the HPX301, the colourresolution is better then
HDV and quite good as the AVC-Intra from the Hpx301.

There are a lot more things that speaks for
the HM700.

Svein Rune Skilnand · November 28th, 2009, 11:02 AM

I had a look at the review from Pil Bloom. Thanks for the link. The images looked really good and crisp.

What about the ND- filters. Do you find them limiting? Tim Dashwood writes in his review that they may be insufficient if you are to film in the desert or snow. Would I need a mattebox as well?

Lou Caputo · November 28th, 2009, 12:43 PM

Well, I live and work in Florida, so if there's a need for more ND, I'll find out pretty quickly. Worst case scenario is you buy a screw mount ND filter and drop it in when needed. That, or buy a matte box...

I'll check it out next week when our first camera gets delivered and post my findings here.

Eric Deyerler · November 28th, 2009, 05:58 PM

In some cases you need more ND, but when I got not enough ND I used to shorten the shutter for one scene.

Michael Galvan · November 28th, 2009, 09:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Svein Rune Skilnand

It has been a while since this thread was active, but here I go.

I bought an EX3 because of the 1/2 inch chip size and picture quality. After doing so, I since had the opportunity to test an HM700, but with the stock 16x lens.

The images were not quite up there with the EX3, but overall feel and build and actually it`s lowlight capability, not a bad camera at all. Guess what, I really liked the camera.

The EX3 produces beautiful images. But I feel somewhat restricted to using it just on a tripod beacuse of it`s heavy front. When I have to use it handheld I am struggling more over a long period of time. I do a lot of documentary stuff, where there is no time to set up the camera. So this has made me think. I want a shouldermounted camera, having made me looking at various options for doing so. I have been in touch with DM- accessories and looked into the Protech shouldermount as well. But I am torned between spending money on such kind of accessories or sell my camera and just buy a shouldermounted cam.

So I tested the HPX301. Wonderful camera, excellent on the shoulder, broadcast quality and professional features. Good in lowlight as well, but then I`d have to buy into the P2 workflow, consuming more harddrive space as well. And I still liked the images from the EX3 better.

So I am back to the camera that has impressed me the most, between the 3. And that is looking at the total package and workflow and accessories available witout buying adapters, converters, batteryplates, D. taps for lights and so on.

The HM700. It has the complete package at a reasonable price and offers so much. It is shouldermounted, does not have to spend my money there. It has a D- tap for lights, does not have to buy a light with separate battery and it mounts on professional tripodplates as well. The EX3 does not. I find that my EX3 is somewhat unstable on my tripod.

Still, what would you do? Would you keep the EX3 and upgrade it with a shouldermount, batteryplate and so on, or sell it, to buy the HM700 and spend the money on better tripods, microphones etc.

I honestly don`t know what to do. I have been thinking about it for a while and can`t decide. I also have to say, that I am going to Africa in 45 days and will do a lot of handheld shots, travelling fast, with no time to setup properly. I will be filming a desert rally.

Thansk for any input on this matter.

Svein Rune

Sounds to me like you should just get the JVC. Your posts subtly tell me that you are probably going to be most happy with that camera.

It seems to fulfill your criteria best. Just as some people will choose other cameras for whatever reasons (I currently have the Canon XL H1s and love it... I returned the EX1 because of form factor), you should go with whatver fulfills your needs the most.

Svein Rune Skilnand · December 2nd, 2009, 01:04 PM

Thanks for your inputs once again.

Mike, I actually think you are right. Problem is, I really like the picture quality of the EX3, but not the formfactor and the aforementioned.

Lou, I`d appreciate it if you would post your findings. I spoke to JVC yesterday, and he said the exact same thing. If you find teh NDs insufficient, there is always the possibilty of adding an ND- filter.

I also asked him which lens he would recommend, and he said that the optics in the 14X Canon were the best, for this price range.

Interestingly enough, JVC had never gotten a clear answer from Fujinon, whether their 16x and 17x lenses, were infact "true" HD- lenses. He said someone once mentioned that they were HDV- resolution only. But no deffinate answer. The 13X however is supposed to be a real good performer.

Eric Deyerler · December 2nd, 2009, 01:12 PM

the 13x Fujinon is really good for HD.

Steve Rosen · December 3rd, 2009, 11:56 AM

Here's a question - I currently have an HPX500, which I really like (I love the P2 cards BTW)... I shoot documentaries almost exclusively handheld, and I'm 65...

My right eye has been getting worse and last week my eye doc recommended using my left eye at the finder instead of my right until I can get surgery (6 months to a year for reasons I won't go into) - a difficult proposition w/ the 500, but not impossible...

How would the 700 be with left eye use? (I don't use LCDs much).. How adjustable is the finder?

Eric Deyerler · December 3rd, 2009, 02:54 PM

Hi Steve, do you use the standard viewfinder on the HPX500.

The new viewfinder on the HM700 is really sharp, but the sharpest is the lcd-screen,
in some situations is it helpful to use the lcd-screen with the focus-assist.

Steven Auerbach · December 3rd, 2009, 03:45 PM

Steve,

Unlike the EX3, the HM700's viewfinder has a very large lateral adjustment range and is well suited for left eyed use. I wear glasses and am a "left eyed shooter" myself. I've found the HM700 to be very comfortable and well balanced when used in the shoulder mounted mode.

Steve Rosen · December 5th, 2009, 10:01 AM

Thanks for the responses... I have the "aftermarket" 16x9 finder on the 500 (I forget the #) which I have modified to sit forward 1 1/2" for better balance.. I've designed a plate to also move it to the left, but it's starting to get to be awkward and won't fit in the case...

I had a chance to look at a 700 a few weeks ago, but I didn't take my eye situation into account at the time - I used my right.. I'm going to try to check one out again soon...

It was Betty Davis who said "Getting old isn't for sissies!".

November 28th, 2009, 09:01 AM	#31
Lou Caputo Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Largo, Florida Posts: 46	I'm getting two... To see the images, I defer to Phil Bloom's outstanding review... Review of JVC GY-HM 700 By Philip Bloom On ExposureRoom After watching it I was intrigued enough to demo a JVC 700 for a day and I was very impressed by the performance. It has the best form factor out there of any comparably priced camera, including the HPX 300. Why? Well, unlike the 300, the GY-HM700 is a mid-sized shoulder mount camera, not a full-sized like the 300. It's well balanced, lighter and doesn't leave you with a sore shoulder at the end of the day. To me the awkward ergonomics of the ex3 and the format knocked it out of contention early on. I loved the image, but do I have to suffer to get it? Also, remember that with the GY-HM700 you can also shoot mp4 to either SXS OR the SDHC cards, for those jobs that require a format other than .mov. I'm taking delivery on a 700 this week, then a second the following week AND we already have a GY-HM100 (whcih we love) for those tight spots. I'll post some video when things calm down a bit.

November 28th, 2009, 12:43 PM	#34
Lou Caputo Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Largo, Florida Posts: 46	Nd? Well, I live and work in Florida, so if there's a need for more ND, I'll find out pretty quickly. Worst case scenario is you buy a screw mount ND filter and drop it in when needed. That, or buy a matte box... I'll check it out next week when our first camera gets delivered and post my findings here.

December 3rd, 2009, 03:45 PM	#41
Steven Auerbach Tourist Join Date: May 2009 Location: Franklin, MA Posts: 4	HM700 vs EX3 Steve, Unlike the EX3, the HM700's viewfinder has a very large lateral adjustment range and is well suited for left eyed use. I wear glasses and am a "left eyed shooter" myself. I've found the HM700 to be very comfortable and well balanced when used in the shoulder mounted mode.

November 28th, 2009, 09:37 AM	#32
Eric Deyerler Regular Crew Join Date: May 2009 Location: Schwabach (Germany - Bavaria) Posts: 199	I like the formfactor of the HM700, but the EX3 got rollingshutter and isn't a shoulder cam. One thing for the HM700, is the recording on SDHC-cards, I can carry them in a Kata BP502 backbag with all my equipment. The LCD-Display is really great and sharper then on HPX300/301. I can record in .mov and edit it native without transcoding, the resolution is much bettet then the HPX301, the colourresolution is better then HDV and quite good as the AVC-Intra from the Hpx301. There are a lot more things that speaks for the HM700.

November 28th, 2009, 11:02 AM	#33
Svein Rune Skilnand Major Player Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Fidjeland, Norway Posts: 289	I had a look at the review from Pil Bloom. Thanks for the link. The images looked really good and crisp. What about the ND- filters. Do you find them limiting? Tim Dashwood writes in his review that they may be insufficient if you are to film in the desert or snow. Would I need a mattebox as well?

November 28th, 2009, 05:58 PM	#35
Eric Deyerler Regular Crew Join Date: May 2009 Location: Schwabach (Germany - Bavaria) Posts: 199	In some cases you need more ND, but when I got not enough ND I used to shorten the shutter for one scene.

December 2nd, 2009, 01:04 PM	#37
Svein Rune Skilnand Major Player Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Fidjeland, Norway Posts: 289	Thanks for your inputs once again. Mike, I actually think you are right. Problem is, I really like the picture quality of the EX3, but not the formfactor and the aforementioned. Lou, I`d appreciate it if you would post your findings. I spoke to JVC yesterday, and he said the exact same thing. If you find teh NDs insufficient, there is always the possibilty of adding an ND- filter. I also asked him which lens he would recommend, and he said that the optics in the 14X Canon were the best, for this price range. Interestingly enough, JVC had never gotten a clear answer from Fujinon, whether their 16x and 17x lenses, were infact "true" HD- lenses. He said someone once mentioned that they were HDV- resolution only. But no deffinate answer. The 13X however is supposed to be a real good performer.

December 2nd, 2009, 01:12 PM	#38
Eric Deyerler Regular Crew Join Date: May 2009 Location: Schwabach (Germany - Bavaria) Posts: 199	the 13x Fujinon is really good for HD.

December 3rd, 2009, 11:56 AM	#39
Steve Rosen Major Player Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Monterey, California Posts: 895	Here's a question - I currently have an HPX500, which I really like (I love the P2 cards BTW)... I shoot documentaries almost exclusively handheld, and I'm 65... My right eye has been getting worse and last week my eye doc recommended using my left eye at the finder instead of my right until I can get surgery (6 months to a year for reasons I won't go into) - a difficult proposition w/ the 500, but not impossible... How would the 700 be with left eye use? (I don't use LCDs much).. How adjustable is the finder?

December 3rd, 2009, 02:54 PM	#40
Eric Deyerler Regular Crew Join Date: May 2009 Location: Schwabach (Germany - Bavaria) Posts: 199	Hi Steve, do you use the standard viewfinder on the HPX500. The new viewfinder on the HM700 is really sharp, but the sharpest is the lcd-screen, in some situations is it helpful to use the lcd-screen with the focus-assist.

December 5th, 2009, 10:01 AM	#42
Steve Rosen Major Player Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Monterey, California Posts: 895	Thanks for the responses... I have the "aftermarket" 16x9 finder on the 500 (I forget the #) which I have modified to sit forward 1 1/2" for better balance.. I've designed a plate to also move it to the left, but it's starting to get to be awkward and won't fit in the case... I had a chance to look at a 700 a few weeks ago, but I didn't take my eye situation into account at the time - I used my right.. I'm going to try to check one out again soon... It was Betty Davis who said "Getting old isn't for sissies!".