What will get the better image: HMC150 or XA10?

[Noam Osband]

So, I'm likely selling my Panasonic HMC150. I've been using my Canon XA10 more and more lately. I gotta admit: when i watch it on my computer (admittedly, not a professional monitor) I find the XA10 image better. That said, I spoke to B&H recently and the guy there told me that, unequivocally, the 3 chip HMC-150 will capture the better image.

Am i crazy? Is it possible the XA-10, solely in terms of image quality, is the better camera?

[Nate Haustein]

Trust your eyes. The "better" image is simply the one you like the most.

[Noam Osband]

I guess. I wondered if maybe I had the wrong setting but i think i had the right ones for the HMC150 and the XA10 just gets a better image...

[Nate Haustein]

Sorry for the smart-ass answer. Trying hard to not pixel-peep as much and to just enjoy the shot.

I've had both cameras as well, and while the 3-chip HMC150 may have a great image, the sensor technology is 3 years behind the one in the Canon cam. The CMOS captures a more colorful image, and sees more in lower light. The Canon chip is also a full 1920x1080 versus the pixel shift of the HMC150 which is more like 1440 x 810.

Take them both out on a bright day during normal shooting conditions and the images are comparable, but once you start adding gain or looking at resolution alone, the HMC gets a little iffy. I liked my HMC150s, but it's hard not to like a cheaper, smaller, and sharper camcorder just a bit more.

[Sherman Bahr]

I am a very BIG fan of the XA10 too. It's unbelievable how good the image quality is on that camera. It has the same sensor and almost the same lens as the XF100 which costs around a $1000 more.

[Noam Osband]

The only thing I dont like is I find myself relying much more than I'd like on the autofocus by pointing to people's faces with the touchscreen. Otherwise, it's been great.