Best settings for indoor shooting Very pleased with the camera. Even in IA mode, indoor footage shot in low light is quite good. Any recommendations on manual settings to improve video quality in low light? Best settings for indoor shooting Very pleased with the camera. Even in IA mode, indoor footage shot in low light is quite good. Any recommendations on manual settings to improve video quality in... » Read More Best settings for indoor shooting Very pleased with the camera. Even in IA mode, indoor footage shot in low light is quite good. Any recommendations on manual settings to improve video quality in low light? « Show Less
294463
Read Ray's review, AND his replies. One of the most helpful and acknowledged guys out there.... Well done Ray - you ARE the best !!
860031
Aww, shucks Tim you're going to embarrass me, but thanks for your kind words.
493674
Well so far, I have had terrible luck recording indoors. I have seen test on youtube and elsewhere, that display otherwise though. Many of the other reviewers seem to be getting better image quality than me.
288759
I've been very satisfied with the few low light photos I've taken so far by giving a little thought to setting up the shot and paying attention to the focus box in auto mode. I'm sure there are some override settings that would enhance low light shots but I haven't felt the need to use them yet.
1466714
I agree with j-rob. Does anyone know how the newer model (HDR-XR500V) performs in low-light situations? They claim the Exmor-R sensor helps with these situations. It's too bad there's no easy or cost-effective way to upgrade. I'm not in the position to spend another $1k+ for a new camcorder that handles low-light.
94005
The Sony DCR-SR42 handycam shoots very well in low light conditions. I use it in ghost investigations exclusivly in zero light . I do use external Infrared for brighter video but the nightshot it comes with is very good too. Great camera and I will buy another with out hesitation. Awesome camera.
1918120
I've had very good results using the optical zoom on both stills and videos. I was impressed with the video sharpness at high zoom settings. I've only used the digital zoom on stills. It got in really close with OK results but wasn't as sharp as I would have liked. I was using 1600 ISO settings which may have contributed to some loss of sharpness.
86102
Hi. I have been playing with this camera a good deal the last couple of weeks but mostly on how well it does bracketing and comparing the exposure control settings vs a true representation of the scene at low light. I will keep a hold of the question and test out the GPS this weekend and let you know. Hope that helps. (Great little camera by the way).
777353
It's a portable video camera with no built-in light nor adjustable aperture or ISO, in short it does not work well on low light condition. Low light photography requires flashes if you need a bright image and the same is true with low light videography. Don't expect a crisp image/video if you're shooting in low light condition without using a separate light setup. Search YouTube for shooting rigs for this video camera and you will notice that everyone that uses this camera semi professionally have external lighting setup. This is not a camera for you if you will use this for low light videography unless you use an external light source or upgrade to a professional video camera with changeable lens and built in light.
1646984
The video and camera do not work well in low light. You think you have good lighting but, it has to have lot's of light. In the day time you get great video and pictures. I use a flash light at night ( Mag. Light LED ) to light up what I need at night. Works well. The audio is very good. The wide angle is very nice. I would say a 45 degree angle to each side. The Muvi is a very nice tool for me. The cost is very low. I work Security and I would not want to work with out it.
2248609
I have had amazing results in low light, back light, and practically no light conditions. The auto and advanced auto flash settings are great, and with flash turned off in low light conditions, the picture still shows up in focus with plenty of detail.
56151
I have done low-light shooting of youths dancing to Soca/Calypso and Dancehall music while using a Canon hot shoe flash unit on my Rebel T4i with great results. There is almost no blur once you set the camera to function at night setting hand-held...no tripod. I also get good results in low light using the night settings 'with tripod'. The camera's lenses have built-in anti shake systems and I have no complaints with it's operation in any condition so far. Skill to handle such situations guarantee an even better result. This camera is good as any and better than many...I have no regrets.
737100
The video quality outside and indoors is superb- I have 2 of these cameras in fact ( because I shoot videos and want to get 2 different angles at the same time) The resolution and quality is pretty sharp.. To be honest though, I only shot once in "low light" and it came out somewhat grainy BUT I cant blame the camera for that because I did not make any adjustments to the camera settings beforehand... For instance there is a tiny button called "light" which will emit a bright light onto the subject etc.. (which I had not done).I can tell you for the money this camera is well worth it and lasts a long time.. The one I purchased first ( 7 yrs. ago) is still working great! The video quality outside and indoors is superb- I have 2 of these cameras in fact ( because I shoot videos and want to get 2 different angles at the same time) The resolution and quality is pretty sharp.. To be honest though, I only shot once in "low light" and it came out somewhat grainy BUT I cant blame the camera for that because I did not make any adjustments to the camera settings beforehand... For instance there is a tiny button called "light" which will emit a bright light onto the subject etc.. (which I had not done).I can tell you for the money this... » Read More The video quality outside and indoors is superb- I have 2 of these cameras in fact ( because I shoot videos and want to get 2 different angles at the same time) The resolution and quality is pretty sharp.. To be honest though, I only shot once in "low light" and it came out somewhat grainy BUT I cant blame the camera for that because I did not make any adjustments to the camera settings beforehand... For instance there is a tiny button called "light" which will emit a bright light onto the subject etc.. (which I had not done).I can tell you for the money this camera is well worth it and lasts a long time.. The one I purchased first ( 7 yrs. ago) is still working great! « Show Less
646123
Hello, On EXR and Auto mode I've found my images in low light to be sub par without using the flash - which then can unfortunately cause it's own set of problems. However, as I learn the camera I find adjusting the settings and really depending on the manual as a reference guide, along with youtube tutorial videos that my low and dim light photos are improving. I'm an Amateur at this stage of course but more advanced photographers would have an effortless time taking great shots in low light conditions. If you're shopping around check out the Panasonic FZ200 and the Sony DDSC-HX300 both have won tremendous accolades for low light performance. Hope this helps!
1857606
Mr.V, if you can't get good pictures indoors with the A630, please have the camera checked. I can get perfectly good shots by the light of a single candle. Something's not right if your camera is blurring everything indoors.
1132962
Along with all the other advantages answered already. #1, Best affordable low light camera. 1.4 lens means indoor shots without flash in many cases. ...more megapixels doesn't equal better low light pics....higher and higher ISO doesn't either. But a good compromise of megapixels, better than average CMOS sensor and a good "fast" lens does equal good indoor shots with and without flash. Wait for the price to drop to around 299, which does happen throughout the year.
777354
Some reviewers say it is not good indoors in artificial light. I find the quality picture indoors superior to videos taken outdoors. Very pleased with how it operates in indoor lighting.
2234737
I tested it indoors and quality was fine. I imagine quality in daylight is better than artificial light...just like most cameras.