MX500/0 vs PVDV952 at DVinfo.net

Felix Jones · March 14th, 2003, 10:13 AM

Hi there,

I recently moved to Vancouver and got my MX500 stolen. I was wondering if someone could post some comparisons or thoughts on the PVDV952 vz the MX500. My insurance wants to give me the 952 but i am unsure if it is the right camera for me or now.

Thanks in advance.

Yow Cheong Hoe · March 14th, 2003, 10:39 AM

Considering that I own the MX350 (PAL), which is the richer (larger CCDs) brother of the DV952 (NTSC), I'll say that the MX350 is better in low lights and gain than the MX500. However, pitching features, the MX500 would be much better. On the ergonomics and build, I'll say the MX350 is better for me, except for being bottom loading, while the MX500's top loading is preferred.

I choose the X350 over the MX500 as I weight video quality (graininess and low light performance) heavily, much more than features.

Since the difference between the MX350 and the DV952 lies mostly in the CCD, (MX350 3 x 1/4", DV952 3 x 1/6") and the CCDs are the same size in the 952 and the 500, you'll probably be getting the same low lights performance and graininess.

So, my argument would be that the DV952 is a downgrade from the MX500. If your insurance is a 100% one-to-one replacement, then this is not a good deal! But if they factor in usage, depreciation etc, then the DV952 would be considerable.

I would suggest that you get hold of the DV952 and try out the footage if you can. Before you decide if you'll take the deal.

Hopefully this is helpful to you.

Chris Tuller · March 14th, 2003, 10:48 AM

From what I've read I think the dv953 would be a more suitable replacement. The insurance company may not have all the details of this cam yet as it is very new in the US (as in not released yet, but should be very soon).
Replacing a lost MX500 with a dv952 would be a downgrade IMHO. Demand the 953.

Frank Granovski · March 14th, 2003, 05:37 PM

Sorry to hear that. Vancouver is really bad for theft. Car break-ins happen day and night (around the clock) even on my street. If Vancouver is going to have the Winter Olympics in 2010, the crooks are going to have "a hay day!"

I've got 3 locks and a bar on my apartment door! And it doesn't matter where you live in Greater Vancouver. It's bad in all areas.

Anyways, your MX500 is PAL. Do you want a PAL replacement? If so, get your insurance company to get you another one.

http://www.cameraaction.com.au

Note: the PV-DV952 is the North American version of the MX2500; a lesser cam than the MX500. The PV-DV953 is most likely the North American version of the NTSC, MX5000 (PAL, MX500). Don't let you insurance company short change you!

Felix Jones · March 26th, 2003, 11:33 AM

In the end I think I will stay in Vancouver (which is an awesome city btw) so I settled for getting a Canon GL2 for my MX500. Any opinions on that before I actually get the camera?

Tom Hardwick · March 26th, 2003, 12:46 PM

You'll love the GL2 Felix. It has that lovely 20x Canon lens and is one hell of a lot better than the GL-1 it replaced.

You'll miss your big side screen though, and the little flash gun which is amazingly good. What you will like is the bigger 1/4" chips and the manual ND filter. The Panasonic has that silly "compulsary" ND and a cheap two bladed diaphragm.

But the GL2 is a lot lot bigger than the 500, and you won't go sneaking into "no Video" places pretending you're just an amateur.

tom.

Frank Granovski · March 26th, 2003, 02:16 PM

I agree. You'll love the GL2. And even though it's larger, the GL2 is well balanced and easy to hold. Leo's on Granville Street is a Canon and Panasonic Dealer. If you go see Peter, and mention my name, you might get some extras thrown in. He's a nice guy to deal with.

Felix Jones · March 26th, 2003, 03:37 PM

Yeah I wanted to go to Leo's to purchase the camera so I could start a relationship with a local camera shop, but unfortunately the insurance company is sending it to me. Supposedly tomorrow, but I'm betting on them being late.

Frank Granovski · March 26th, 2003, 03:44 PM

Excuse my curiosity, but how did you get you cam stolen? Out of your car? Car break-ins are all too common around here.

Felix Jones · March 26th, 2003, 04:04 PM

No out of my new apartment... Just had it insured too :)

Frank Granovski · March 26th, 2003, 08:35 PM

You were lucky, sort of.

Felix Jones · March 27th, 2003, 09:46 AM

Yeah could have been alot worse if I had not gotten around to getting insurance. My wife's Nikon F100 was stolen along with an 80-200 AF D , 24mm, and a 50mm lens and F65 blah blah blah. She got it alot worse than I did.

March 14th, 2003, 10:13 AM	#1
Felix Jones Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Auckland, NZ. Posts: 60	MX500/0 vs PVDV952 Hi there, I recently moved to Vancouver and got my MX500 stolen. I was wondering if someone could post some comparisons or thoughts on the PVDV952 vz the MX500. My insurance wants to give me the 952 but i am unsure if it is the right camera for me or now. Thanks in advance.

March 14th, 2003, 10:39 AM	#2
Yow Cheong Hoe Major Player Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Singapore, Passport: Malaysia Posts: 407	Considering that I own the MX350 (PAL), which is the richer (larger CCDs) brother of the DV952 (NTSC), I'll say that the MX350 is better in low lights and gain than the MX500. However, pitching features, the MX500 would be much better. On the ergonomics and build, I'll say the MX350 is better for me, except for being bottom loading, while the MX500's top loading is preferred. I choose the X350 over the MX500 as I weight video quality (graininess and low light performance) heavily, much more than features. Since the difference between the MX350 and the DV952 lies mostly in the CCD, (MX350 3 x 1/4", DV952 3 x 1/6") and the CCDs are the same size in the 952 and the 500, you'll probably be getting the same low lights performance and graininess. So, my argument would be that the DV952 is a downgrade from the MX500. If your insurance is a 100% one-to-one replacement, then this is not a good deal! But if they factor in usage, depreciation etc, then the DV952 would be considerable. I would suggest that you get hold of the DV952 and try out the footage if you can. Before you decide if you'll take the deal. Hopefully this is helpful to you. __________________ Cam: Panasonic MX350EN, SOLD my MX8EN Mac: G3 400MHz PowerBook, 256 MB, OS 9 PC: Pentium 4 2800MHz, 512 MB, WindowsXP SW: iMovie, Final Cut Pro, Adobe Premiere, Ulead Video Studio, various little utilities

March 14th, 2003, 10:48 AM	#3
Chris Tuller New Boot Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 9	From what I've read I think the dv953 would be a more suitable replacement. The insurance company may not have all the details of this cam yet as it is very new in the US (as in not released yet, but should be very soon). Replacing a lost MX500 with a dv952 would be a downgrade IMHO. Demand the 953.

March 14th, 2003, 05:37 PM	#4
Frank Granovski Outer Circle Join Date: May 2002 Location: Hope, BC Posts: 7,524	Sorry to hear that. Vancouver is really bad for theft. Car break-ins happen day and night (around the clock) even on my street. If Vancouver is going to have the Winter Olympics in 2010, the crooks are going to have "a hay day!" I've got 3 locks and a bar on my apartment door! And it doesn't matter where you live in Greater Vancouver. It's bad in all areas. Anyways, your MX500 is PAL. Do you want a PAL replacement? If so, get your insurance company to get you another one. http://www.cameraaction.com.au Note: the PV-DV952 is the North American version of the MX2500; a lesser cam than the MX500. The PV-DV953 is most likely the North American version of the NTSC, MX5000 (PAL, MX500). Don't let you insurance company short change you!

March 26th, 2003, 11:33 AM	#5
Felix Jones Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Auckland, NZ. Posts: 60	In the end I think I will stay in Vancouver (which is an awesome city btw) so I settled for getting a Canon GL2 for my MX500. Any opinions on that before I actually get the camera?

March 26th, 2003, 12:46 PM	#6
Tom Hardwick Inner Circle Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Billericay, England UK Posts: 4,711	You'll love the GL2 Felix. It has that lovely 20x Canon lens and is one hell of a lot better than the GL-1 it replaced. You'll miss your big side screen though, and the little flash gun which is amazingly good. What you will like is the bigger 1/4" chips and the manual ND filter. The Panasonic has that silly "compulsary" ND and a cheap two bladed diaphragm. But the GL2 is a lot lot bigger than the 500, and you won't go sneaking into "no Video" places pretending you're just an amateur. tom.

March 26th, 2003, 02:16 PM	#7
Frank Granovski Outer Circle Join Date: May 2002 Location: Hope, BC Posts: 7,524	I agree. You'll love the GL2. And even though it's larger, the GL2 is well balanced and easy to hold. Leo's on Granville Street is a Canon and Panasonic Dealer. If you go see Peter, and mention my name, you might get some extras thrown in. He's a nice guy to deal with.

March 26th, 2003, 03:37 PM	#8
Felix Jones Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Auckland, NZ. Posts: 60	Yeah I wanted to go to Leo's to purchase the camera so I could start a relationship with a local camera shop, but unfortunately the insurance company is sending it to me. Supposedly tomorrow, but I'm betting on them being late.

March 26th, 2003, 03:44 PM	#9
Frank Granovski Outer Circle Join Date: May 2002 Location: Hope, BC Posts: 7,524	Excuse my curiosity, but how did you get you cam stolen? Out of your car? Car break-ins are all too common around here.

March 26th, 2003, 04:04 PM	#10
Felix Jones Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Auckland, NZ. Posts: 60	No out of my new apartment... Just had it insured too :)

March 26th, 2003, 08:35 PM	#11
Frank Granovski Outer Circle Join Date: May 2002 Location: Hope, BC Posts: 7,524	You were lucky, sort of.

March 27th, 2003, 09:46 AM	#12
Felix Jones Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Auckland, NZ. Posts: 60	Yeah could have been alot worse if I had not gotten around to getting insurance. My wife's Nikon F100 was stolen along with an 80-200 AF D , 24mm, and a 50mm lens and F65 blah blah blah. She got it alot worse than I did.