Sony or Panasonic ? at DVinfo.net

Scott Elkins · February 5th, 2011, 07:40 PM

I was about to pull the trigger for an Sony EX-3 with Nanoflash or KiPro mini,
( for croma key) then I saw some reviews for the Panasonic AG-HPX370 now
I don’t know. Yes I know the Panasonic has 1/3rd sensors but it looks like ,
from the reviews, that it equals the EX-3 in low light, noise and especially skew.
The Panasonic has 4:2:2 and AVC-Intra 100 so you eliminate the Nanoflash
or KiPro, also right now they have a $2000 rebate. I have always had Sony but am willing to change, I don’t have any experience with Panasonic equipment. I film weddings, sports and corporate work. Edit with FCP.
Any thoughts?
Thanks Scott

Ken Hull · February 5th, 2011, 09:13 PM

Scott,
The consensus is that 4:2:2 encoding and high bit-rate results in better quality Chroma-Keying. And a shoulder-mount design like the HPX370 would probably work better for weddings. With the Panasonic, you won't need the awkwardness of attaching a recorder, external monitor, and maybe additional batteries. Another camcorder to consider would be the Canon XF300 (or XF305). It has 4:2:2 encoding, and records at 50 Mb/s. Not quite as high bandwidth as Panasonic's 100 Mb/s, but still darn good. Of course, it does not have interchangable lenses, but do you really need that?

Just my 2 cents,
Ken

Scott Elkins · February 5th, 2011, 09:39 PM

Thanks Ken, I thought I had this all figured out, I have always bought Sony so I guess
I have some brand loyalty. I would like to stay with Sony but if I can find a system that
works as well and has less peripherals to deal with then it would be silly to stay with
something just because..... I guess I need to rethink, Canon, JVC, maybe wait until
NAB but then the rebates expire.Hmmm.... maybe they are trying to tell me something.

Ken Hull · February 5th, 2011, 10:56 PM

Something I forgot to mention.....
The Sony EX1R and EX3 have 1/2 inch sensors, which should allow slightly better low-light performance than the other models I mentioned, which have 1/3 inch sensors. I've never done weddings, but those who have tell me that wedding receptions often have very low light levels.
Ken

Scott Elkins · February 5th, 2011, 11:42 PM

Ken, the only thing you can count one at weddings is low light. Most
people ( brides ) don’t mind a on camera light. The low light was one
of the main reasons for going with the EX3 but the tests I read said
the Panasonic had the same or very close low light capabilities as
the Sony with lower noise. Sound to good to be true. I need someone
with real world experience with both cameras, I know that’s a lot to ask
but if anyplace would have it it’s Dvinfo.

February 5th, 2011, 07:40 PM	#1
Scott Elkins New Boot Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Azle, Texas Posts: 15	Sony or Panasonic ? I was about to pull the trigger for an Sony EX-3 with Nanoflash or KiPro mini, ( for croma key) then I saw some reviews for the Panasonic AG-HPX370 now I don’t know. Yes I know the Panasonic has 1/3rd sensors but it looks like , from the reviews, that it equals the EX-3 in low light, noise and especially skew. The Panasonic has 4:2:2 and AVC-Intra 100 so you eliminate the Nanoflash or KiPro, also right now they have a $2000 rebate. I have always had Sony but am willing to change, I don’t have any experience with Panasonic equipment. I film weddings, sports and corporate work. Edit with FCP. Any thoughts? Thanks Scott

February 5th, 2011, 09:13 PM	#2
Ken Hull Major Player Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 240	EX3, EX1r, HPX370, XF300? Scott, The consensus is that 4:2:2 encoding and high bit-rate results in better quality Chroma-Keying. And a shoulder-mount design like the HPX370 would probably work better for weddings. With the Panasonic, you won't need the awkwardness of attaching a recorder, external monitor, and maybe additional batteries. Another camcorder to consider would be the Canon XF300 (or XF305). It has 4:2:2 encoding, and records at 50 Mb/s. Not quite as high bandwidth as Panasonic's 100 Mb/s, but still darn good. Of course, it does not have interchangable lenses, but do you really need that? Just my 2 cents, Ken

February 5th, 2011, 10:56 PM	#4
Ken Hull Major Player Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 240	Light sensitivity Something I forgot to mention..... The Sony EX1R and EX3 have 1/2 inch sensors, which should allow slightly better low-light performance than the other models I mentioned, which have 1/3 inch sensors. I've never done weddings, but those who have tell me that wedding receptions often have very low light levels. Ken

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February 5th, 2011, 09:39 PM	#3
Scott Elkins New Boot Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Azle, Texas Posts: 15	Thanks Ken, I thought I had this all figured out, I have always bought Sony so I guess I have some brand loyalty. I would like to stay with Sony but if I can find a system that works as well and has less peripherals to deal with then it would be silly to stay with something just because..... I guess I need to rethink, Canon, JVC, maybe wait until NAB but then the rebates expire.Hmmm.... maybe they are trying to tell me something.

February 5th, 2011, 11:42 PM	#5
Scott Elkins New Boot Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Azle, Texas Posts: 15	Ken, the only thing you can count one at weddings is low light. Most people ( brides ) don’t mind a on camera light. The low light was one of the main reasons for going with the EX3 but the tests I read said the Panasonic had the same or very close low light capabilities as the Sony with lower noise. Sound to good to be true. I need someone with real world experience with both cameras, I know that’s a lot to ask but if anyplace would have it it’s Dvinfo.