Comparign VG20 with 5n
 

There have been posts in this forum that seem to indicate the NEX-5n is a better choice than the VG20. I finally ordered one
1. Well my initial testing show the 5n to be a lot noisier in low light than the VG20. Grain seems more like comes out of the Canon T2i. Strange if these are indeed the same chips.

2. While auto focus is great and would lend itself well to a steady cam situation, the general feel of the camera is no where near as hefty and tough as the VG20 On a should mount rig or a Blackbird type steady cam, the camera will be extremely light and easy to hold for long periods.

3. The very small package also is neat in terms of what looks. This simply looks like a small still camera, making guerrilla style filming pretty simple and unobtrusive.

4. No way to get sound into 5n. :( Memories of the days left behind with the VG20 and other new large sensor rigs..

5. The 5n does have ability to choose styles, a certain plus over the VG20, and adjust the saturation, sharpness and contrast down in those styles. However, if you have to shut camera down, you have to go back in menu each time to reset saturation. In the end, as I have noted before, it seems the VG20 is set at lower saturation, sharpness and contrast settings by Sony, and that that allows a lot of play in post, and the lack of adjustment does not seem as bad as we first considered it.

My thought is that the VG20 is still better for most video purposes than the NEX-5n

Re: Comparign VG20 with 5n
 

I run both a VG20 and a 5N. Yes I prefer the 20 over the 5N all day long but video is close enough that it makes a great B camera. Did my first wedding using these 2 cams and an FX1000 and the VG20 out shined them all and had incredible footage (especially when I slapped on the Sony 50mm 1,8) but it did seem the 5N struggled with the low lighting more than the VG20.

Re: Comparign VG20 with 5n
 

Thanks Dan, I was thinking that if I do keep it, it would be for certain situations or a B Camera, as you indicated.

Re: Comparign VG20 with 5n
 

One interesting thing about the 5n is the kit lens. To buy it separately, you are talking about $300. It actually should work good on the VG20 as lighter and more balanced camera to use with my Blackbird steadycam. So if I keep the camera, it will be because I want the lens anyway, and it really becomes a $300 B camera as a result.

Re: Comparign VG20 with 5n
 

duplicate reply please remove

Re: Comparign VG20 with 5n
 

Can somebody test the Saturation and sharpness level of the VG20 to the 5n in terms of the 5n settings? Example: do they look the same at the 5n's higher, middle or lower settings?

Re: Comparign VG20 with 5n
 

Now that's a good question! I second it (don't have a 5N, so I can't compare)....

Re: Comparing VG20 with 5n
 

Hi Tod:

I have sent my 5n back to Sony, feeling it wouldn't meet my overall needs that well. I just couldn't shake the feeling of going backwards in terms "video" compatibility (sound, form factor, an having to make specialized devices for the camera, etc.)

As far as how the camera would match up with the VG 20, I played only with "standard" style settling, believing that would be closest match. That proved to be true, in my brief comparison. I thought that the preset with contrast at 0, saturation at 0, and sharpness at 0, was pretty close to the VG20.

It was hard to compare grain and noise "apples to apples" as the 5n set the gain using ISO, and the VG20 uses gain. The maximum gain of 30 on the VG20 seemed faster and less noisy than the maximum for video of 3200 ISO on the 5n.

Re: Comparign VG20 with 5n
 

From one Chris to another... I have a 5n as a B cam to my FS100, and I've been kicking around the idea of a VG20 instead. How flat is the image coming straight out of the VG? I don't shoot uber-flat with the FS like I did with the 5d2 because highlights clip so easily on the FS, instead I use a few of the color profiles floating around the inter-web that require less work in post. I'd also like better on-board audio to make it easier for cutting between the two cameras. Thanks in advance.

Re: Comparign VG20 with 5n
 

Since I don't have the FS 100, not sure how to respond. Attached are screen grabs from my unscientific comparison of the 5n shot in standard, standard with reduced saturation, sharpness and contrast, and the VG20. Exposure are probably not equal, so that is a problem, but maybe it will give you some idea.

Re: Comparign VG20 with 5n
 

Thanks Chris, that's exactly what I was looking for. Interesting how much more shadow detail you get with everything turned down in the 5n. It'd be a no brainer if you had the same picture settings of the 5n, but now I'm not so sure. Hmmm...

Re: Comparign VG20 with 5n
 

Chris:

I don't have any doubt that if the Vg20 had the same contrast, saturation, and sharpness controls as the 5n that the VG20 would have been a very popular camera for film makers.

I have played with VG20 footage converting it to the Cineform codec for serious editing, as I have always done since HDV days. In adjusting output/input values in First Light, I have been able to get footage from the VG20 to look a lot like flattened Cinestyle footage. It seems to me, there may be more shadow detail in the recorded material than shows in the initial output shown by the codec.

If you would like me to upload some footage to play with, PM me, and maybe we can work out a way through Drop Box, or something like that.

Re: Comparign VG20 with 5n
 

Does any of you guys have a comparison between the vg10 and the vg20/ 5n?

I have a vg10 that I use as a safe shot for weddings with my two fs100's. It's ok but is awful in low light.

Just curious is there a big jump if I was to swap my vg10 for a vg20?

Thanks, M.

Re: Comparign VG20 with 5n
 

Maybe this will help you decide:

Re: Comparign VG20 with 5n
 

Thanks Chris, Will have a look now. Appreciate it. M.