Help with new camera to replace dvx-100

[C Walker]

I moved from a DVX to the HMC150 last year and it's been a blast. I love the camera. Actually bought it over the AC130.

[firehawk]

Im in the same position as the original poster. I need new cameras and was hoping the 130/160 or hpx250 would be the solution. Started looking at the dated 150 due to the issues with autofocus but don't want to buy an already old camera.
Does anyone know if the ac130/160a or hpx250a versions have fixed the autofocus problems?

[Cryogenic Filmworks]

I am looking to update my system also. My goal is a feature or two while doing some music vids and other stuff as I have time for. You guys are talking the hmc150 as "dated" and "old technology" but what is better at that price point. Granted I have just recently been looking into upgrading so am not up on the newer stuff, but the HMC150 so far looks like it might be a fit. I like the idea of the HPX170 also but being able to shoot to SDHC cards instead of the more expensive P2 is more to my likeing as long as there is no image problems. The little research I have done on the ac160 etc scares me off a bit with the CMOS and the way it captures rather than the CCD. I was reading that those CMOS cameras have a banding problem (granted they have a software/firmware "fix" for it but it still unsettles me) which would not be good for my intentions which will include live music (lights flashing on and off) narrative with emergency vehicles (lights flashing on and off), and narrative with gunfire etc (quick flashes of light). I would also want to play around with some "run and gun" type of video also. With this in mind, does the HMC150 look like a good fit or is there something better at that price point. Keep in mind, I have no intention of buying anything outside the Panasonic family at this point.

[TimurCivan]

Get a used ex1.

[ChrisHarding]

To be 100% honest guys I was utterly disappointed with the 130!! I have actually on-sold my pair as they just didn't live up to any expectations at all....the "excuses" I got was "don't use any auto functions ..only use manual" ..The cam has full auto so all of them should work (which they don't) If you buy a auto transmission car does the dealer tell you that the shifting is poor so rather shift manually??? The upgrade only makes the push auto faster..the auto focus still has a mind of it's own especially zoomed in...the ATW is also terrible!! I was shooting with perfect conditions outdoors and for no reason it just turned the image a green/blue as if I had walked out of a room with low colour temp....the iris only works within the iris range and there is no shutter change so you are always changing ND filters even if the sun dips behind a cloud so it might as well be an manual cam!! I thought the overall colour rendition was poor too!! On default scene file it's washed out and on F3 (Spark) it's great except grass appears way too bright!!! My HMC80's did a far better job at half the price so i would probably also be biased towards the 150 ...they are still manufactured and still current ..and they are reliable and predictable too!!

Chris

[phd]

Get a HMC150. I moved from DVX100 to HMC150

[firehawk]

The single card recording of the hmc150 concerns me as well. I wish it had redundant dual recording. If you use panasonic cards are they pretty reliable? How about low light performance? I hear it's considerably better with the newer ones.
Anyone here used an hpx150 and ac130a or ac160a?

[ChrisHarding]

Hi Firehawk

I must admit I never used the dual slot on my 130's but it is a safety net..then again I have been using AVCCAM's since 2009 and never ever a card failure... I always shoot with two cameras however so I could switch without losing too much..there are always two running at theatre gigs as you never know what might happen...a card might NOT fail BUT something else might..battery, you could kick over the camera or audio could fail ...I think it's a lot safer (if you worry) to actually use two cams so everything is covered!!
The same goes for audio and I always have two desk feeds plus mics on each camera !! Now regarding low light, I was watching my footage from last year, shot on HMC82's with tiny 1/4" chips and a on-cam light and compared them to the 130's footage this year with the same setup and darn it..the smaller chips have a lot less video noise and a sparkling image ...I really expected a huge difference but it seemed to be reversed???? If you want the same form factor as a DVX then I still think the 150 out performs the new 130/160's overall!!! Using the 1/4" versus the 1/3" chips there is not a huge difference as I was expecting and at wedding receptions I still have to use lighting!! I moved from CCD to CMOS a while back and seriously, the CCD chips still give a better result...I even prefer the 1/4" CMOS to the new 1/3rd chips....when zoomed on the 130..just a tiny bit of wind does cause a jello bounce in the image which the 1/4" chips don't have and the 150 definately never had!!!

Chris

[sewolla]

I just spent the last week shooting concerts and theatrical events with a pair of HMC150's and my new AC160. Every time I shoot with the 150, it just flat out amazes me with what that little "old" cam can do. And its so easy to use, to boot. Good but not great auto functions, plus a wealth of manual controls in a small, compact body. It is really easy to recommend one, and I do at every opportunity. You should probably have one just because it can, if need be, be operated like a point and shoot. Not important to some but critical to others. It is a very reliable cam.

These are two very different beasts though. I do love the 150 and will keep at least one in my arsenal of reliable event filming gear, the 130/160 series does have a couple very clear advantages. In low light they seem roughly equal. The 150 seems to be capable of producing a brighter image, but seems to have a harder time controlling exposure "hot spots". Under bright spots it will wash out before the 160 will. The 160 seems to have more dynamic range. When it comes to recording audio, they are anything but equal. The 160's LPCM audio is so superior to the 150's, it ain't funny. Not even close in my experience.
I am saving my pennies now for a second 160. It's a great cam, AF issues and all.
I will report more fully on my observations early next week, right now I am editing to beat heck.

[Lars Gregersen]

I think as nothing new has come out, then I might go with the hmc-150.
It is nearly half the price of the AC-160, and the size, AF issues etc bothered me a lot with the 160.
A shame not to get the 50p for slowmo, but so be it.