DSR-PDX10 vs DSR-PD150
 

I've been in the market looking for a new camera for a while now and I've been torn between the above 2 cameras. It's been hard to get peoples' opinions about it cos the X10 is so new, but I was really glad to have found this forum.

Any opinions? What I would like to know are the differences betwen the 2 cameras, such as functions, manual controls menus, etc. I understand the difference in price and size and would like to know if the X10 is worth buying over the PD150.

Thanks in advance.
E-Gene Soh

It really depends on what features you need. There is a PDX10 review coming in 2 months - DV Magazine. The PDX has better 16:9 and is smaller; the PD150 has better controls and is bigger. The audio is better with the PDX, the LUX is better with the PD150....

But like I said, what I really want to know are the differences between the 2.

Basically what I wanted to buy was the PD150 till I saw the X10 and realise that I may be able to save over $500 by buying the X10 instead of the PD150. So what I really want is the PD150 but at a lesser cost. Besides, the PD150 is way older than the X10.

Well, only you will make the final call. But if it were me, I would pick the VX2000 over both of them. Why? Because with the BBC audio fix and a good mic, I'd end up with a better PD150---except for the more robust DVCAM format.

What you should do, is compare the specs of the PDX10 and PD150. Then go look at these cams, and even shot some footage. (Use the same tape.) Then go look at a Sony monitor, and play back the tape.

In all honesty, I think the PD150 is the overall better cam. However, both cams have their pros and cons---it is you who has to decide which pros and cons you can live with.

What are you going to use the cam for? John Beale has a wonderful web site which includes info, thoughts, user reviews etc, on the VX2000/PD150 and TRV950/PDX10. From what I gather, he likes the TRV900/PD100A better than the TRV950/PDX10.

Not knowing what you want to do with a cam, I cannot suggest anything else. If it were up to me about which cam I should buy, this is for me, I'd look at the VX2000, GL2 and perhaps even the PV-DV953 (the 953 should be out in less than 2 months in the USA).

John Beale's site can be found here:

http://www.dvfreak.com/links.htm

I'll probably be using the camera for corporate videos, wedding videos and hopefully a short film that I've been wanting to do for ages. So I'll definitely want the XLR inputs.

I'm unable to do a comparision of the 2 cameras mainly cos I don't have the means to, so I was really hoping to find someone here who's used both the cameras before.

Anyone? Or if there's anyone who's used the X10 before and can give me some opinions on it, that'll be great. Btw is it true that the X10 can't record on LP on miniDV?

I would pick the PD-150. It is a solid proven workhorse. The PDX-10 is a new fangled thing. There are a few of the features they stripped off the PD-100a to replace it with the PDX-10 and it really pissed me off because the PD-100a was a VERY nice camera.
The actual lens is much smaller on the PDX (smaller lens= less light, less quality)
The chips are smaller. (yes they are "megapixel" but they aren't even a quarter of an inch, it's closer to 1/5th! That's like saying APS film is the same quality as 35mm, NO it's not.)

I think that Sony completely missed the mark with that new camera and if they update their PD-150 with garbage like that I'll switch camera makers. I wouldn't buy the PDX-10 just to prove a point. Yes the 16:9 is better than the OLD PD-100 but I don't think it's THAT great, it isn't REAL 16:9, it's just a little closer. They still mask the chip to get it. If it's just $500 for the PD-150 get it, it's so much more camera!

What I really want is a DSR-570, but at a lower cost. Maybe if I want real hard.....nope, gotta spend they money to play pro ball.

I agree. Get the PD150. Bigger chips=better picture.

Re: "'ll probably be using the camera for corporate videos, wedding videos and hopefully a short film that I've been wanting to do for ages. So I'll definitely want the XLR inputs."

You can add an adaptor on the VX2000 for XLR input. The BBC fix entails changing some wires around and using a Glenbox.

Re: "is it true that the X10 can't record on LP on miniDV?"

I would never use LP.

The PDX10 uses the DVCAM format, as far as I know, unless Sony changed this; the PD150 can use both the miniDV and DVCAM formats.

I own a TRV950, which I think comes very close to PDX-10 in terms of video quality.

A friend of mine just bought a PD-150 2-days ago, and we tried shooting the same scenes on the same tape just for comparison.

PD-150 performs exceptionally well in low-light condition and it's way better than PDX-10/950.

So, if you are going to shoot events (esp.indoors), I would strongly suggest that you go for the PD-150. Seeing is believing, the PD-150/VX2000 is indeed a formidable camcorder.

Some fact/figure for your info:

The same scene, with manual adjustment both of the cams were adjusted with the following settings to achieve the same level of brightness/clarity :

950 PD-150

F1.6 F3.8

Gain +6 Gain 0

Shutter 50 Shutter 50

Hmmm, ok points taken, but I would still really like to hear from people who have used the X10 and their comments on it. After all most of the replies have been from people who have used the PD150 and not the X10.

Btw, what would be the combined price of a VX2K with the Beachtek XLR adapter be? Would it be cheaper than a PD150?

And one more thing, if the AGDVX100 is gonna be the same price as the PD150, would you get it?

I can more or less tell you something on X10 becoz I own a 950. Apart from the XLR, and the 16x9 mode, basically the video quality are about the same.

X10/950 are pretty dark considering both of them have only 1/4.7" CCD.

The only advantage of getting X10 over PD-150 is it's size. X10 has two audio inputs : built-in stereo mic and the dismountable XLR adapter+mic whereas PD-150 is deaf without the XLR mic.

VX2000 + XLR adapter comes very close to PD-150 in terms of price. Why not getting PD-150 instead?

In addition, PD-150 has more professional manual control than VX2000. For instance, the PD-150 has independant iris and gain control, but the latter has both combined as exposure. This is somehow restrictive.

Yes, you are right that the X10 is of newer technology than PD-150. X10 is able to capture high-res stills but not the PD-150.
But I would advise that the video quality is more important in this case since we are emphasizing on video quality not stills quality.

The bigger chips will most always give you better low light performance too. If money is an issue, follow Frank's advice and look at the VX2000. Unless you want the smaller size of the 950/PDX10. But keep in mind that you get what you pay for. The PD150 has better controls, as stated above, and a higher res B&W viewfinder and also allows you to shoot DVCAM.

Frank, I think I read someplace that the PDX10 will do both DV and DVCAM now, unlike the older PD100. But I could be wrong about that.

I can confirm that the PDX10 does both DV (SP only) and DVCAM.

I'm very happy with my PDX. I bought it for its 16:9 capabilities(which are good enough for me although it might not satisfy the pros). The 16:9 is, in my opinion, better than the 16:9 that I got from a rented VX2000. Haven't done any low light shooting but I can appreciate that the low light of VX2000 is better.

I just got a quote from a local dealer and the difference between the X10 and the PD150 is $750.

I really like the PD150, but there are also some features that I like on the X10 like the touch screen focus, the onboard mic, 16:9, hi res stills and PRICE.

As for the PD150, I like the size, manual controls and low light shooting.

But from the quote that I received, the AGDVX100 is only $30 more...looks like I've got another camera to think about.

Thanks, Bill, for the info.

Re: "Btw, what would be the combined price of a VX2K with the Beachtek XLR adapter be? Would it be cheaper than a PD150?"

Yes, the VX2000 + Beachtek would be cheaper than the PD150. The VX2000 sells for just under $2300 in the USA.

If you are thinking of cost verses value, I suggest going with a MX3000. Allan is selling one for under $1300 US. Allan's contact info can be found on the MX forum. Tim also may be able to get you one.

The MX3000 has very good built in sound, similar picture quality with the VX2000/PD150, but lower lux. However, it's lux would be higher than that of the TRV950 and PDX10.

But if the cam is for weddings, I WOULD go for a VX2000, because of the lux/bigger CCDs (1/4" verses 1/3"). Nevertheless, the MX3000 would also do---you just have to get used to some Japanese.