Hi Folks,
I need to move up to HD and I can't afford an EX or Z5/7 as my budget is only £K2.6-2.7, so through a process of elimination I've arrived at either the XH-A1 or the new FX1000.
I do some filming in theatres so the Canon's low light capability impresses, but I'm a little concerned about the 2.8" screen size as I tend to use this rather than the viewfinder as I wear specs. Also, my eyesight is not what it used to be, so will the small screen be a problem when using manual focus?
The new Sony on the other hand has a 3.2" screen and is similar in spec but not quite so good in low light.
The Canon has been around for a while so there are plenty of reviews but I've not seen many real user reviews of the Sony yet.
Hence the question.
Best Regards.
Maybe you should include the Panasonic 151 in your shortlist FP. If you're quick ( a big price-rise is on the way) you should get one in under your budget.
You get a screen that's a lot bigger than the Canon's and XLRs that the Sony doesn't have. Manual focus can have 'focus assist' and 'peaking' to help you. The 151 has a 13x zoom as against the other cams' 20x, so if you're always at the back of big theatres this may be a problem.
tom.
I actually found the XH-A1s screen BIG when I changed from the Sony PD/VX range. Purely because I was filming in 16:9, which on the Sony 4:3 screen was very small. I also need me glasses on to focus with the screen. It's definitely big enough, but of course another inch or so would be welcome. (Said the actress to the bishop. :D )
Thanks for the suggestion about the Panasonic Tom, but you're right, the short zoom would be a problem at times and although I can't put my finger on it, there's something I just don't like about the Panny. Hence my shortlist of the FX1000 and the XH-A1.
Also thanks to Arthur for the heads up on the screen size of the Canon even with glasses on.
Perhaps the FX1000 is too new to get any serious user feedback yet. But it seems to offer a similar standard to the XH-A1 (apart from low light) but with a bigger screen.
Regards.
The XH-A1 is indeed a super camera, I used one for nearly a year. Beware when using in anything like low light.
1. Make sure you use one of the lo light presets or you will be plagued with noise. A guy named Wolfegang Winne has presets for using with +3, +6 and +12 gain, they really do make an amazing difference
2. Never leave AGC active in anything but good light.
3. Dont ever use over 12 db gain.
I found the LCD and VF very poor, for a camera of this price. The VF and LCD are much better on my £600 Canon HV30, IMO.
Having said all that the capabilities of this camera are excellent, once set up, and it is very customisable..
Hi Colin, I've searched for the lowlight presets you mention, but can't find them. Wolfgang is mentioned over at DVinfo, but again can't find those presets. Where did you get them from? I agree with everything you say regarding the XH-A1 and low light. There are some superb low light examples around of how good it can be, but left to the AGC you'll be in tears!
Hi Folks,
Thanks for the comments.
The general view seems to be that the XH-A1 is a great cam, (and most of the reviews confirm this) but as I said in my original post it's a great pity about the flip-out screen size. Also, the resolution of the viewfinder and the flip-out screen is not that good for a high def cam, hence my reluctance to spend £K2.5 on something which is not completely right for me. Now I may end up with an XH-A1 if I can't find anything better or which is nearer to my requirements.
As I said, the new Sony FX1000 seems to be on a par with the XH-A1 but has a bigger screen and having looked at the spec, the resolution particularly of the viewfinder is much greater.
Hence my search for someone who has used one seriously.
Regards.
Arthur.
I looked for the link right after I posted, but could not track it down. I think I may have them saved on a drive somewhere. If I can find them I will email them to you. They really make a big difference
That'd be great Colin, thanks. Found his stuff on Vimeo, but no sign of links to presets.
Here they are Arthur http://www.fxsupport.de/02_Canon_XH_A1.html#presets
Thanks Colin. I'll give them a try.
Translated the page to English. One query, is the 3db preset at + or minus? Seems to mention both.
+ (shortest reply ever)
Well it was until you spoilt it with "(shortest reply ever)". ;)
Bugger
I'll add another vote for the XH-A1. The latest version (XH-A1s) adds a number of useful improvements, though sadly not to the LCD or VF. I have heard that the FX1000/Z5 image quality is a match for the Canon, but haven't seen the proof. If this is true, then it seems to me that the differences are very personal:
1) ergonomics (personally I prefer Canon controls);
2) CCD (Canon) or CMOS (Sony) chips;
3) Blue-ish Sony image or warmer Canon image (but both cameras can be tweaked to your taste);
4) audio: unbalanced inputs only (Sony FX1000), balanced only (Sony Z5) or choice of both (Canon).
Find somewhere (like Creative Video or Prestons?) that has both in stock and try them side-by-side. Then come back and tell us what you found, please.
Well, I finally got to compare the XH-A1 with the new FX1000!
Well, not exactly as there are no FX1000s in the UK at the moment.
I rang round all the main retailers and even offered them my money, but although they gave me a price, as soon as I said can I come and see/touch it, they said, ...er... well actually we haven't got any!
However I did compare the XH-A1 with the Z5 (I know it's the big brother of the FX1000 but it shares many features).
Now I thought the canon was great (and most of my previous cams and SLRs are Canon) but the size of the LCD panel was a big downer. Contrast it with the very high resolution LCD panel and viewfinder on the new Sony and the difference was clear. It's much easier to see detail and to adjust manual focus and aperture on the Sony, using both the LCD and the viewfinder. In the vast majority of other areas they are pretty much equivalent so I've ordered the FX1000.