Difference btw DVX and GL2

[BUCK]

Hey guys,
I'm new here, but have been lurking for a while. I'm going to be shooting a ton of footage this coming spring and summer. All or most of it will be action sports, mostly Downhill/Freeride Mountain Biking. I will also be doing lots of side jobs that have so far varied from promo peices to exercise DVDs. But with school, busted hand(can't work), and only being 21 money is slim!

I've fiddled with both the DVX and GL2 at other shoots but not for long periods of time...all my shooting now is done on a Canon zr65(I know, not a whole lot but it works) I'm looking to step up into the professional realm and these 2 cameras seem to be the best. But the cost difference between the two is pretty big...for what I will be doing what are the big differences between the two? Any advice or help would be greatly appreciated, I am starting to hate borrowing better cams!!!

Thanks in advance
L8R
Buck

PS: I'll try to get some links up to my little vids that seem weak compared to some of the stuff I have seen on here!!!

[HorseFilms]

A couple of the main differences between the two cameras are:

-The GL2 just shoots 60i. No progressive scan. No variable frame rate. No CineGamma features.
-The GL2 has 1/4" chips, the DVX has 1/3" chips. You'll get a sharper picture with the DVX (especially if you shoot in progressive mode)
-The DVX has a 3.5" LCD screen, the GL2 has a 2.5" LCD

They are both really good cameras. What you have to ask yourself is whether or not the extra features of the DVX are important enough to justify the extra money.

[BUCK]

Hey thanks for the response!!!

I thought that the GL2 could shoot in a progressive mode at 30fps??? is that not true???

Yeah I've been looking at packages, if I go the GL2 route I can get the best package w/ all the extras or the cheapest package of the DVX w/ the basics...

Thanks
L8R
Buck

[HorseFilms]

The GL2 uses a "frame mode" that simulates progressive scan, but at a significant loss of resolution. You won't get anywhere near the quality of a DVX. The DVX shoots true progressive.

[Barry_Green]

The GL2 doesn't shoot any type of progressive scan, but it does have "frame mode", which simulates the look of 30p. An XL2 or DVX in true 30p will have roughly twice the resolution, compared to "frame mode"; however, the temporal look of 30p and "frame mode" are the same.

Another difference between the DVX and the GL2 is that the GL2 has a massively longer telephoto lens, it's 20x vs. the DVX's 10x.

[BUCK]

Hey Barry_Green,
yeah I noticed the zoom...that shouldn't be an issue, most Mountain biking is shot in tight areas like the woods, buildings, sk8 parks, and the like, so I will probably be getting a wide angle for which ever cam I get anyway. That would be a plus of the DVX I guess since it comes with a wider lense then the GL2.(I thought that is what I read anyway) Thanks for the advice, Keep it coming!!! It seems like the DVX is probably the cam to get!!! Are there any action sports videographers out there that would like to give some advice???

L8R
Buck

[Jaime Valles]

Just a suggestion: Try looking into buying a used DVX100... It should go for close to the price of a new GL2.

I'll add to the above posts that the DVX does deliver a sharper, more detailed, and certainly more "film-like" image than the GL2. If you can afford it, go for it.

[puredrifting]

Hi:

I shot a documentary in 2003, largely with the GL-2. It's is a great camera for the money. I would be concerned about reliability though, I have two friends who have bought GL-2s since then and both have had problems with them breaking down repeatedly. I also rented one from Samys last year and it broke down in the middle of the shoot.

I bought a DVX-100A after shooting an episode of A&E Biography with a friend's DVX-100. It is a great camera. I am now shooting DVD featurettes for lots of movies with my DVX-100A as well as my employer's DVX-100s. I am in love with this camera, it is truly a groundbreaking piece of equipment. Both the 24P and 30P are the only modes I shoot in. The frame mode of the Canon is okay but the Panasonic is far better.

The bottom line is, if you can only afford the GL-2, it is a great camera for the money, a good lens, but I would be paranoid about the reliability of a new GL-2 in general. If you can afford a DVX-100 or 100A, you will be very happy with it.

All the best,

Dan

[PDX_DVX]

Hey Buck, I recently shot a mountain bike video with the DVX. It was a great camera to shoot with. The way it handled, and alot of the features were really great, and indespensible in capturing much of the scenery and settings that I was shooting in. I shot anywhere from dirt jumps, to skateparks, to urban, to trail, and this camera proved far superior to anything I had used before. Where are you shooting? Whats your roster of riders? I bought the camera when I was 17, so I am sure with a little savings you too could get the camera. Picking up sponsors for your video helps out alot too, that way you can concentrate your funds on the production aspect of the video.....

[Geno]

I have been using a GL2 w/ an anamorphic adapter for the past year. I just bought a DVX100A two weeks ago and I cant tell you how much of an improvement it is. The first thing I noticed was the better image on the lcd. We are shooting a home remodeling show and can't always use a production monitor and I had to rely on the lcd w/ the GL2. Lots of surprises when looked at afterwards on a monitor. The GL2 does have one advantage if you are a begginer like me in that you can use it with the Anamorphic lens in automatic mode. Just point and shoot. I'm kinda glad that I have to use the DVX manually (Now that I got the Anamorphic adapter) Just like a real cameraman. It's just worth the extra money if you can spring for it, but for that matter theres always something better on the horizon for a little more money.

[BUCK]

Hey Buck, I recently shot a mountain bike video with the DVX. It was a great camera to shoot with. The way it handled, and alot of the features were really great, and indespensible in capturing much of the scenery and settings that I was shooting in. I shot anywhere from dirt jumps, to skateparks, to urban, to trail, and this camera proved far superior to anything I had used before. Where are you shooting? *Whats your roster of riders? I bought the camera when I was 17, so I am sure with a little savings you too could get the camera. Picking up sponsors for your video helps out alot too, that way you can concentrate your funds on the production aspect of the video.....


Awesome what vid were you shooting??? I know most of them! Yeah I am super strapped for cash: 23k worth of surgery in December, plus tuition, plus no work cuz of injury, I just started pickin' up little jobs to get my hand going again. *I'll be shooting in the Upper Midwest, no sponsors(yet I need to get a teaser and all that) *Riders will all be locals, there is a hugely untapped amount of talent in the midwest, right now I am going to school at UMD in Duluth, MN...Just got Spirit MTN to ok the first FR/DH trail in N. MN. * I'll post up a link for ya to the short vid I did that was pretty cool.

TO everyone else thanks for the advice, I have decided to wait and save the cash for the DVX, I don't want a cam that could break down half way into a shoot in the middle of no where. And I like all the options and such the DVX has!!!\

Where is the best place to pick one of these bad boys up, I'll be needing a back pack bag and new tripods as well? EVS?

Thanks for all the advice!!!!
L8R
Buck

[J_Barnes]

surprised that no one mentioned this, but the biggest difference for me has nothing to do with frame rates, LCD's or CCD size. The GL2 has a much worse audio component then the DVX.

External microphones can only be used with a $250 adapter and the onboard stereo mic leave a good bit to be desired.

I've used the GL2 a TON, and it's a great camera, but it doesn't quite compete with the DVX. Then again, they're not supposed to compete...there's a huge price difference between them.

[jkc123]

Hi, Buck
You might want to try Roscor. I got a good price on a used 100a with only 10hrs on the heads.
1-800-323-8148 ask for Scott.

[tkoind]

I;ve onwed a GL1, XL1 and DVX100 and the DVX is far and away the best. Side by side the footage from the DVX is the best in any mode. The camera is rugged and reliable and yet subtle enough to do field shooting without drawing too much attention.

The XL was too big and bulky and difficult to focus. Both Canons had audio limitations that the DVX overcomes. We did keep the GL1 (XM1 J-version) as a second camera. It is a little smaller and works well when we need a second camera or want something for multiple camera shoots.

Although the GL2 has a lot of upgrades, the footage of the GL1/GL2 compared is not that different. And the GL1 is far and away more robust and reliable than the newer version. But both are outdistanced in function and quality by the DVX.

We bought ours used with only 1hr head time and a yr guarantee. It has been great!. If you can find a reliable dealer a lightly used unit may be a great alternative.

[BUCK]

Awesome guys, thanks for all the feed back, I was thinkin' this was bad thing to post but I couldn't find it anywhere else on the forums!!!

Yeah, If I'm droppin' this much money I don't know if I should go used...kinda like buyin' a used bike, you don't know what exactly the previous owner did to it! :o But I will definitly look into it. Hopefully the tax return will put me over the top!!!! Keep the advice comin' this is great!!!
L8R
Buck

[Rush]

Hi Buck, email me at rush@evsonline.com and I will be happy to bid for your business! ;D

[BUCK]

Hi Buck, email me at rush@evsonline.com and I will be happy to bid for your business! ;D
hahaha, hey Rush, I just sent you an e-mail! lol ;D

L8R
Buck

[dolby]

Buck, I bought the DVX last Jan to do the same thing. I could not have been happier with camera. I am getting another one in April to continue what I am with my mountain biking project. I would suggest getting a stabilizer, wide angle lens and a good tripod and head.

If you are wondering how it looks in the woods, here is a short that I am working on now.

http://www.southerndiscomfort.net/videos/SnowShoe.wmv and http://www.southerndiscomfort.net/

and here is the wide angle that I made for shooting.

http://www.neilslade.com/Papers/DVXlens.html

dolby

[BUCK]

Buck, I bought the DVX last Jan to do the same thing. *I could not have been happier with camera. * *I am getting another one in April to continue what I am with my mountain biking project. * I would suggest getting a stabilizer, wide angle lens and a good tripod and head.

If you are wondering how it looks in the woods, here is a short that I am working on now.

http://www.southerndiscomfort.net/videos/SnowShoe.wmv *and http://www.southerndiscomfort.net/

and here is the wide angle that I made for shooting.

http://www.neilslade.com/Papers/DVXlens.html

dolby



Hey you have a cool site!!! I like the vids...

Here is a link to where mine is hosted, it one the MORC 1st annual film festival, and is currently being run in a Campus film contest. All shot w/ a Canon ZR65. I'm happy with how it all turned out! But tell me what ya think! *ooo, and if doesn't you may have to become a member but it only takes a few seconds, and there is alot of cool stuff on that website! THe one you are looking for is Conspicuous Corruption

http://www.fooriders.com/webmain/Downloads-index-req-viewdownload-cid-1.html

Yeah, I've decided to go with the DVX...now I just need alittle more money... :)

L8R
Buck

PS: I'm the rider on the silver bike, with silver helmet or black helmet!

[Mark_Easton]

Have you had a look at the Panasonic GS400 as an alternative to the GL2?

If I understand correctly, to achieve it's frame mode it captures the 2 fields at the same time then stores as per normal. Am I right in thinking this would mean there was no resolution loss?

It also has 16:9 and a pretty good onboard mike although the zoom is 12x

Cheers
Mark

[Barry_Green]

Both the GL2 and the GS400 use "frame mode"; frame mode uses pixel shift to capture what looks like 30p, but there is a resolution loss. A normal interlaced frame maxxes out at about 360 lines of resolution, a frame mode picture is about 10-15% less, so maybe 310 lines. A real progressive frame will be around 480 lines.

But the temporal feel is the same between 30p and "frame mode" as implemented on a 60i camera.