Brief 641 | A Tale of Three Cameras
Posted on: October 8, 2009
Posted in: Video
Posted by: Cali Lewis
Shownotes:
I get asked a LOT about the best cameras to buy for this type of shooting or that type of video. On today’s Brief, we’re taking a look at three different cameras to show the strengths and weaknesses of each.
Panasonic HVX200A
Great quality camera
Shoots to P2 Cards
Expensive
JVC GY-HM100
Great size
Creates Final Cut ready files
Removable XLR inputs
Didn’t have great results in low light
Kodak Zi8
Smallest HD camera with mic input and image stabilization
Very inexpensive
No zoom or focus
Canon Vixia HFS10
Great for $700-$1200 range
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October 8th, 2009 at 8:34 pm
This is the second time I’ve seen Trey Ratcliff’s link to you – super show – need to subscribe!
October 8th, 2009 at 8:42 pm
Thanks, Susan! :)
October 8th, 2009 at 11:47 pm
Very nicely done. Just wondering, though, does the HM100 not allow hard white-balancing? I’d be interested in seeing how the room lighting looked after the camera was white balanced itself, rather than in post. I think it’s safe to assume the Zi8 doesn’t have that capability (or at least a more limited one with preset color temperatures) but I’d also be interested in seeing the room light video from the Zi8 after being white balanced in post.
October 9th, 2009 at 12:03 am
Wow this episode could not come at a better time for me :)
Hi Cali, I am leaning in the direction of the Zi8, however, the noise showing on the image background did bother me :( how come i didn’t see much of it in the shot of your dog?
plus… have you had a chance to check out the Sanyo VPC-FH1 HD (the specs look good the it’s in between the Canon and Kodak you mentioned… i would love to hear your thoughts on it (or it’s bigger sister Sanyo Xacti VPC-HD2000)
LOVE your show!
Amir.
October 9th, 2009 at 4:47 am
Hey Cali!! Not to be an annoying fan, but you got your lefts and rights mixed up for the inverted video!! LOVE your PODCASTS! Please never stop making them.. They are invaluable!!
October 9th, 2009 at 5:38 am
@amir You didn’t see the noise in the video of my dog because there was a lot of light. It does better the better the lighting.
October 9th, 2009 at 8:46 am
Thanks for the great comparison! I didn’t understand something. You said the Kodak Zi8 doesn’t have zoom or focus, but then you showed it focusing on your face. Can you elaborate a little more?
October 9th, 2009 at 9:23 am
Great Show Cali!
October 9th, 2009 at 9:52 am
I’m sorry, the Ramen Noodle – I should have said “manual focus”.
October 9th, 2009 at 12:34 pm
Great comparisons, Cali. Are you attending the pdn PhotoPlus Expo in NYC later this month?
October 9th, 2009 at 12:49 pm
@Paddy – No, won’t be able to unfortunately due to Blogworld.
October 9th, 2009 at 3:49 pm
Love that tshirt – where can I buy one?
October 9th, 2009 at 4:09 pm
Oh, gosh! I don’t have a clue where I got that shirt, I’m sorry!
October 10th, 2009 at 12:00 am
I like that you compared the Kodak with the Flip HD briefly. The coolest thing was the comparisons with difference light sources. Too bad that cameras don’t have a few Final Cut features built-in; could save some post-processing.
I’m waiting for the digital camera manufacturers to release products that record HD video.
Thanks Cali.
October 10th, 2009 at 7:03 am
great!! from San Juan, Argentina!
October 10th, 2009 at 11:37 am
Normally when I watch GBTV on my TivoHD the picture is postage stamped. This time it was widescreen and took up the entire screen. Nice work! I still think it was not HD quality, but it was definitely a step in the right direction. Thanks guys!
October 10th, 2009 at 12:49 pm
This was a fantastic episode, thank you. I’ve become so accustomed to the high standard of excellence you and Neal regularly achieve that I don’t feel compelled to post a comment and state the obvious, generally. But this, this went above and beyond. If you were to inject more such episodes in between your regular tech news/gadget coverage, I’d be most thrilled. Again, thanks!
October 11th, 2009 at 7:09 pm
Great show, as always. I especially liked that you took the time to show the differences in low light conditions. The Zi8 had a lot of artifacts in lower light, most notably when you had the green screen background on. Thanks also for the clarification on the manual focus. I wondered about that, too.
October 12th, 2009 at 5:16 pm
Love the show, just wanted to put my vote into the box if there is any voting going on that the JVC camera you used looked much better then the other two. The color was clear and flesh tones are hard for some cameras and monitors but that JVC did the a much better job then the other two. Also it may be the zoom setting but that JVC also seemed a bit sharper too. You can see some blur around Cali’s eyes, mouth and palm in both the Panasonic and Kodak but the JVC was noticeably better IMHO.
October 12th, 2009 at 10:04 pm
I’m going to be honest about this: in terms of audio and video quality, GBTV surpasses many broadcast television programs. The future is right in front of me and GBTV is right in the middle of it. You are working just over the horizon in this media and when the networking infrastructure catches up, this will likely be THE media.
October 22nd, 2009 at 9:25 am
I bought the Z8i for Vacation. Not bad video quality once you get use to it. However, the controls are very hard to use and sometime don’t work at all for jumping through the menus. I’m going to RMA the item and see if a new one will correct any issues I’m currently experiencing.
December 3rd, 2009 at 6:47 am
Hi!
How come http://www.pixmania.com, have the Kodak Zi8 with no image stabilization?
mvh
Kjetil