HF G10 vs XA10 The HF G10 is top of the line consumer camcorder and I was wondering how it compares to the XA10. Does XA10 have $500 worth of extra feature? How does the image quality compare? I am most concerned about how the camcorder will handle in low light situations. ie indoors, early evenings...Will be using the camera to produce short web commercials and recording events that my company conducts. HF G10 vs XA10 The HF G10 is top of the line consumer camcorder and I was wondering how it compares to the XA10. Does XA10 have $500 worth of extra feature? How does the image quality compare? I am... » Read More HF G10 vs XA10 The HF G10 is top of the line consumer camcorder and I was wondering how it compares to the XA10. Does XA10 have $500 worth of extra feature? How does the image quality compare? I am most concerned about how the camcorder will handle in low light situations. ie indoors, early evenings...Will be using the camera to produce short web commercials and recording events that my company conducts. « Show Less
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Great! Looks like the demand is high and supply is small looking at some of the prices going around. Going to wait until amazon has them in stock :)
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i just sold my dslr to get the xa10 for the same reason. being able to shoot about 6h of video is fantastic. quality of this little beast is stunning
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I just contacted Canon Tech Support. The Canon XA10 has shipped to Dealers!!!!! I just noticed Norman Camera's in Michigan has posted it as "in stock". However, I plan to purchase from One Call or Amazon.
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Hey Josh,The image sensor in the two cameras is the same so low light performance will be the same as well. The major difference here is going to be the added xlr compatiblity and the handle/shotgun microphone atachment. As Michael stated, and these were differences that I didn't realize, There is an IR capability and different encoding format on the XA10. The IR capabilitys wouldn't apply to you because they wouldn't match the other shots, think of the green light video you see on tv. I don't know as though you would notice the different encoding format either, and likely whatever you use to edit/burn your video will encode the video upon output. So a bit more versatile but also a bit bulkier camera.Bryan Hey Josh,The image sensor in the two cameras is the same so low light performance will be the same as well. The major difference here is going to be the added xlr compatiblity and the handle/shotgun microphone atachment. As Michael stated, and these were differences that I didn't realize, There is an IR capability and different encoding format on the XA10. The IR capabilitys wouldn't apply to you because they wouldn't match the other shots, think of the green light video you see on tv. I don't know as though you would notice the different encoding format either, and likely... » Read More Hey Josh,The image sensor in the two cameras is the same so low light performance will be the same as well. The major difference here is going to be the added xlr compatiblity and the handle/shotgun microphone atachment. As Michael stated, and these were differences that I didn't realize, There is an IR capability and different encoding format on the XA10. The IR capabilitys wouldn't apply to you because they wouldn't match the other shots, think of the green light video you see on tv. I don't know as though you would notice the different encoding format either, and likely whatever you use to edit/burn your video will encode the video upon output. So a bit more versatile but also a bit bulkier camera.Bryan « Show Less
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The canon web site lists both recording formats as MPEG4-AVC / H.264I think they are the same camera (except for the audio and IR features of the handle and the internal memory). Any other differences?
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Thanks Michael and BryanYou guy's feedback has been extremely helpful. I will probably never use IR for my work even though that is a cool feature to have, but the added XLR option, the handle and the blu-ray encoding makes the XA10 really tempting. But since both the cameras will perform equally in low light and I usually use a separate mic (Zoom H1) to capture audio don't know if my boss will think $500 extra justifies the extra features. We will see :).
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P.S. Michael, will you keep us updated on how you like the XA10 when you do purchase one?
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If you go to cnet, they have a more detailed comparison between the two. I'll try a link here...http://www.cnet.com.au/camcorders/0,239035877,339272971,00.htm
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Hello. The Canon XH-A1 uses mini dv tapes. SD card recording for Canon cameras only exists in their smaller cam corders. I still use my Xh-A1 but recently purchased an external digital recorder because I like the instant download of files and as the camera gets older there can be an issue with the heads wearing out. The A1 is a great camera. The 1440x1080 video is very nice and for DVD it is perfect.
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Both are superb still cameras. There are only 2 advantages that the E-M5 has over the E-M10. It is weather resistant (note I did NOT say Weather PROOF), and it has the first generation 5 axis image stabilization. However, if those things aren't important to you, I would say the E-M10 is the wiser purchase. My reasons are that the 10 has a slightly better image processor. It isn't a huge improvement in image quality but it IS ever so slightly better. And while the 5 axis image stabilization is better than 3, many people feel the 5 axis IS is most useful for video rather than stills. And frankly if you are interested in video, neither is the camera for serious videography. Both, however are adequate for the sort of video snapshots I do. So for me, I think the only REAL advantage of the E-M5 is the weather resistance, and THAT will only function if you have weather resistant lenses as well. Otherwise, you are as unprotected as the E-M10 user. Only you can decide if the 5's slightly reduced image quality is worth $100. Personally, I would (and did) spend an extra $100 and buy the E-M10
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As far as image quality is concerned, the HF-10 is leaps and bounds ahead of the HDC-SD5. Panasonic has recently been sacrificing image quality for smaller size.
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They both record 1080 high def but the xa-1 is at 30 fps and the xa-2 is the newer version that records at 60 fps. The xa-2 also has a few more features. Both are very good camcorders. I don't think anyone makes a B&W camcorder any more.
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Consider the new FZ1000, especially if you have used or own Sony RX10 (sensor size superzoom). I cannot comment on that because I don't own that model, but the GH4 is in a different league because it is interchangeable lens M4/3 lens system. The thing these two have in common is 4K video, although I have read mixed reviews on this technology that you probably admire in the movie theater. Value wise, the FZ1000 looks brilliant. Other than the 4K advantage for video-recording, its closest competitor at the time of this post is the RX10, and I read about this on another site.
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The camera has the exact same image sensor as the D80 and A100, so the 'native' image quality is the same, as you will find if you shoot RAW and process in the same converter (e.g. Adobe Camera Raw). Thus, any differences are simply in the built-in JPEG processor and its settings. What Phil Askey at DPReview.com found is that the K10D's image processor chooses to not apply that much sharpening to the image in its default 'Natural' setting. Even turning the sharpening parameter to its maximum in this mode does not produce a very sharpened image. However, the K10D also has another mode, 'Bright'. This mode boosts the saturation and sharpening to provide pleasing consumer-quality JPEGs 'out of the box'. On Pentax' cheaper cameras, 'Bright' is the default. I think Pentax expects that more serious photographers prefer a less enhanced image that's more suitable for post-processing, so that's the default mode. If you'd rather have a consumer-type bright, sharpened image, 'Bright' mode is available. As far as I can tell, 'Bright' images are comparable to out-of-the-camera JPEGs from Sony Alpha and Nikon. As to image noise, the K10D JPEG processor controls noise better than the A100 but not as much as the D80. However, it also retains more detail. From what I've seen, the K10D exceeds the A100 in JPEG quality; whether you prefer the D80 or K10D depends on your noise-handling preference. The XTi has a sensor that's a little better at ISO 1600 than the Sony sensor used by the others. However, I personally prefer the color and overall image look of the other cameras, and the build quality of all three Sony-sensor cameras is better than the XTi.
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No, The product like this gets improved every second. With $450 on your hand, you might find the better one. I am the one who wrote the review saying that this camcorder is the best (as of Oct, 2007). :) Now the AVCHD format gets the higher transfer rate (24Mbps) than before (15Mbps or so) and it really affects to the picture quality.
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I chose the Sony HDR CX500V over the HF S100 based on low light performance and stabilization during side by side testing. The low light performance of the S100 showed notable noise artifacts while the CX500V was totally clean and smooth. The stabilization of the CX500V was also head and shoulder above the Cannon. I will miss manual controls and inputs of the Cannon, but in grab and go, day to day shooting of the family, the Sony fits my intended use better in long run.
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For me, the zoom feature alone makes the camera worth the extra bucks. Wide angle shots warp the size and vertical lines of a shot, and make the speed of objects coming toward you suddenly get faster as the two of you get very close. Withoug the zoom, subjects more than a dozen feet away appear VERY small in the playback. Add in the capability of the XA-2 to shoot slow motion and higher resolution stills and it really is very clear that the XA-2 is worth the extra money. I don't have first hand experience with the XA-1, but the exposures from my XA-2 are very good, much better than a couple of other cameras I have owned.
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If you intend to shoot video primarily and stills, as well, I feel the GH3 is clearly the better choice. If you primarily want to shoot stills and some video, too, maybe the Canikon choices would be a bit better. They shoot stills a little better than the GH3, but the GH3 is so geared to video, it is just a natural choice for that. I shoot nature and wildlife video, so having the 2x crop factor of the Panasonic is better, and with the addition of the ETC mode the amount of magnification you can get from a lens is staggering. For instance, a 300mm lens on the Canon (1.6x crop factor) or Nikon (1.5x crop factor) is equivalent to 480mm and 450mm, respectively. With the Panasonic GH3, with the 2x crop, the 300mm lens becomes a 600mm equivalent (to full-frame cameras, like the Canon 5D MK III) and with the ETC mode dialed in (2.4x addl. crop factor w/ NO LOSS OF LIGHT) your 300mm lens has become a 1440mm equivalent telephoto monster lens...insane! Another factor about the GH3 is having no mirror. This means the camera's sensor is closer to the front of the camera and allows just about any lens ever made to be adapted to the camera, usually with an adaptor (Fotodiox brand adaptors are a huge favorite of micro 4/3 camera users...well made and very inexpensive) costing around $20.00. I also like putting my eye up to the live electornic viewfinder, but the swing-out LCD can be used to focus and compose video shots, too. The video recording codecs used by the GH3 are many, stable and of high quality. The body of the GH3 is weather-sealed magnesium, a high-end, professional feature. So, yes, I really REALLY like the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH3. Put high-end new or used glass on it and get gorgeous images. I use it professionally on ALL my nature-based shoots and always get great shots...when I've done all the right things first! Read bunches of reviews before you buy, but if video is your main need/desire, this is the choice right now.
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Hello Mary: To begin with, the camera you have is a Point & Shoot model (P&S), or all-in-one type. These kind of cameras are convenient because you can take them anywhere - in a pocket, purse, or whatever. But they have tremendous image quality tradeoffs and they employ a very, very small sensor. They often wind up displaying more levels of image noise and other artifacts than more advanced models. The GX1 is a Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Model of camera. It employs a much larger sensor and this translates into much larger per pixel sizes. As a result, the GX1 displays much less noise and does very, very well at much higher ISO scenarios. Yet it is still a very light camera, and depending on the type of lens you put on it, it can also be very compact. Now, most people who have a small P&S camera and want to "move up" tend to initially be leery about getting a larger, more advanced model. But you shouldn't be. This GX1 (I have two of them because it is such a nice model) will net you pictures that can knock your socks off - it's that good. When you get one, you can just put your camera into Program or Automatic mode, which means the camera makes all the decisions for you. But as you gain more knowledge, the camera grows with you, and once you really know what you're doing (assuming you're an amateur), the GX1 will really open up your eyes to what it can do. I can't speak highly enough of it and I do lots of photo work in various scenarios. I currently use around 20 different advanced cameras, yet the GX1 is one of my favorite models. And lately, with the almost "give-away" prices, you'd be a fool not to get one. If you want to see some photo samples taken with the GX 1, you can just email me at: benherrmann@centurylink.net and I'll gladly send you some so you can see the rich color tonality and nice definition of photos that this camera can generate. Ben Herrmann Fuquay Varina, NC 27526
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I am not sure if the Canon XH-A1S is still available but i really like mine and it does have two XLR inputs and can record audio via the XLR inputs and the attached mic if you would like, it is really a dandy camera!!!! There are other Canon video cameras with XLR inputs but i am just familiar with this one, good luck and go with Canon!!!
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I've ordered the HF100. 549$.I couldn't see any difference between the HG20's 24Mbps recording and the HF100's 17Mbps recording on 40" fullHD Toshiba lcd.It's cheaper about 90$, about 2 16GB SDHC Cards and a 8GB SDHC card...I will use my PS3 to watch videos, no need 60Gb capacity on camcorder.
1134714
Have you made a decision? I'm in the same boat. Got a bunch of Sony DVs but the camera is huge. Time to move to HD. I like the Canon HF M40 because its got alot of the same optics as the G10 at half the price. The Pan has a much better range on the wide end, so I'm torn. Not sure if the Pan features are as good as the Canon otherwise.
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One reviewer says Vixia HF G10 owners won't find much reason to upgrade to the G20. The biggest differences are price (the G20 lists for $1099, while the G10 was about $1500), and much-improved low-light capability. Otherwise they're reportedly almost identical. I can't compare based on my own experience, but I *love* my G20!