PDX-10 vs $20,000 ENG Camera
 

I just shot a wedding video this weekend with my PDX-10 and a rented high end sony ENG camera that is around the $20,000 price range. I have sense been logging the footage, and I have been amazed at how well the footage from the PDX-10 stacks up against the other camera. The color reproduction from both cameras is nearly identical. No camera clearly captures more detail then the other. The dynamic range of the larger camera is of course better, but this is only noticable in the most extreme circumstances- such as when shooting inside and the camera pans over a window where sunlight is coming in, and the darkest of the dark shadows. Now i'm sure shooting in extremely low light, the more expensive camera would win hands down, but with even marginaly decent lighting it is nearly impossible to tell which footage came from which camera.

You've found what a lot of folk have known for years - that the PDX10 produces quite outstanding results when used in good light and left to its own devices.

Of course the limitations are the tiny 1"/5 chips making selective dof difficult, and the poor low light performance. CCD smear is something that keeps you well away from high shutter speeds, but as I say, left to its own devices those internal NDs keep the fine lens at its sweet spot, and the picture quality glows.

tom.

Hi Adam,

I use an Ikegami dv7 in 16:9 and a pdx10 for a palmcam. And, on occation have used the larger camera for wide shots, and the pdx10 for closeups and they've intercut fairly well. But the bigger chips and lens on the Ikegami make for a superior camera. For the price, the pdx10 is an excellent camera for certain applications. It does fall apart in low light and on wide shots due to the small chips.

I've had my pdx10 for several years without any problems, and it gets good use!

I've used a PD100 and P17o along side a Ikegami 75W with a $30 Canon lens, and often time the footage from the Sonys looks better.