XH-A1 Vs. FX1000

Update on the FX1000.
It's not a true progressive scan camera. As Don pointed out. It does something with the interlacing and pulldown to get a sort of progressive. Then you do the rest in your editing software to get it to true progressive. They say you can't tell the difference.

Not sure if thats what I want but it's the only way to do it if you have a camera that does both interlaced and progressive like the Canon XH-A1
The Z5U does true progressive (only), along with the xlr inputs for another $1000.

Jake

Looks like XH-A1 and FX1000 are pretty much twins.

So then do I go with a newer camera technology... or go with what people have used for a few years and seems to work :-). Back to the xh-a1.

Scott, you're making me dizzy, slow down and take a breath.....

This is the main differences I see in the two cameras.
FX1000 seems to operate better in low light. 1.5 lux
Also the newer technology of the Exmor sensors for more detail in the shadow areas and less noise.

Other then that you would have to do a side by side comprasion of the fuctions of each.

Jake

I just finished reading this 7 pages long thread. I went onto B&H site five times each reply. I am saving money and I plan to buy "my dreams camera" my money can buy next summer when my uncle from America is coming over here. So far, I saved 1000 USD... Of course, I wish an Epic, with a full range of accessories and so... Being realistic, an EX3 would satisfy me.

I guess I have never really invested this much money into anything, that is why I keep second guessing myself. I enjoy shooting in 60i, so for me the progressive makes no difference. I also don't use external mic, so the xlr input isn't as critical, but maybe in the future would be handy (fx1000 you can buy the addon piece). Slo-mo is cool, but the quality wouldn't be good enough to get on stock. ccd vs cmos... no difference. $200 price difference between the two. extra ND filter on fx1000. The low lux is also a plus, but that might be with unbearable noise addition. It comes down to flipping a coin on this one.

Dapo,

Low lux means better quality for standard light conditions too. As the camera is more capable in low light, the better the quality in standard light.

I recently purchased both the Sony EX1 and the Sony Z7 to replace my aging Sony PD150's. I use the camera's mostly for weddings and conferences and make use of the XL inputs(sound pretty important at weddings :-) which of course is not a great consideration for stock video. I love the EX1! Great pictures and plenty of controls and now with the ability to use SD cards, cheap media. As a wedding camera the low light abilities are outstanding but its certainly not the best for handheld run and gun work. I tend to favor the Z7 for that purely because it is alot easier to hold. I cant hand hold the EX1 for more than a few minutes and it is difficult to keep it steady even then. . . . but the pictures are great(I may have mentioned that before).

I finally got around to doing a quick comparison of the camera's today which may be of interest to any of you considering either of these camera's or the Sony Z5 and FX1000 as those 2 camera's are very similar to the Z7. It is a bit of a rough comparison and the web page is graphic heavy as I through it together in a hurry. . . .better than nothing I suppose. Both camera's output really nice images that look great on a TV but the EX1 is noticeably better.

http://www.hawkesbayweddings.com/sonycamcorders.html

Mark

Mark,
Thanks for sharing the comparison between the two cameras.
The EX1 is much sharper then the Z7, the colors look more saturated in the Z7 though. Is that your findings as well?

Also I see on the specs for the Z7 is has the same instructions for 24P as the FX1000

"In 24p mode, images from the CMOS can be 2:3 pulldown-converted and recorded onto tape in the standard 60i HDV format. The tape can then be played back or edited using an ordinary HDV system. True 24p editing can be achieved by uploading 2:3 pulldown-converted images via an i.LINK FireWire interface to a compatible non-linear editing system. The resultant images resemble the visual motion of film! "

What does it mean that is is captured in 60i and to use your editing system to get true 24P?
Do you do something different to render 24P with this camera?

Thanks,
Jake

Low lux doesn't mean better bright light quality. In fact ya might have to be careful and not over expose of white out bright areas. It is a definite advantage in evening or inside shooting. Will also help pull dark or shadow areas out a little better.