Xa20 vs. Nx30

[Ian Dunn]

I need help with choosing a camera. The two choices I have are the Sony NX30 or the Canon XA20. Here are some PROS and CONS I’ve seen about both cameras:

NX30

Pros:
Superb Image Stabilization
Okay bit rate
4:2:2 Color Space
Only $1749
Projector … gimmicky delight
On camera light
Internal Storage

Cons:
Manual buttons
No on handle controls
Crappy viewfinder

XA20

Pros:
I heard the image stabilization is better
Good bit rate
Dual card storage
Handle controls
20x zoom

Cons:
No on camera light
No internal storage
Possible handle rattle
Cost $2199
Lack of manual controls

My usage would be to film documentaries and a few web series. I am coming from a DSLR format and just hate dealing with the setup every time (I’m a one man operation). Therefore, I am looking for a more run and gun type of camera. Looking for other suggestions also … I heard the Panny AC90 is good, but the ¼” chip worries me.

[Wacharapong Chiowanich]

May I add some from my experience with the Sony NX30:

Pro: - Excellent auto mode all around i.e. fast, smooth auto focus, minimal hunting even in poor light

Con: - Very noticeable chromatic aberrations towards the tele end of the zoom. The green and magenta
fringing can hardly be overlooked. If your work is limited to the wide range, or roughly up to about 80%
of the zoom range, you should be OK.

The color sampling is 4:2:0 not 4:2:2 and I think this is also the same for the Canon XA20/25 series.

[Ian Dunn]

Thanks Wacharapong. Would you say that the NX30 is an okay camera for shooting documentaries?

[Wacharapong Chiowanich]

IMHO it's probably the best camera there is at any price for shooting in full auto. The handling is night and day compared to any video DSLR, all Sony SLT DSLRs with excellent continuous focusing system included.

The manual mode, however is limited to the adjustment of one shooting parameter, shutter, iris, exposure and no manual gain control, at a time. Search for "Sony NX30" on YouTube and there's a guy reviewing the camera in two parts. What he says in the two videos more or less sums it up best.