hpx250 vs EX1

[aalleexx]

been doing some research and I keep finding more and more interest on how the hpx250 compares to the 6 year old ex1 and they seem to be on par, I personally dont understand how a camera that was released last year compares to one from 6 years ago, it should run circles around the ex1 in terms of sharpness, can someone explain?

[aalleexx]

im thinking on picking up an extra cam and I am having a tough time making a choice

[Bruce196]

5 year warranty, 100 mbits record codec, 22-1 zoom lens, usb download without computer, just a few reasons to think about.

[aalleexx]

I understand the difference in codec but non-cientific tests they both look very sharp, I am just amazed that an old camera like the ex1 is still very relevant with today's cameras

[rzr219]

True its a good camera, but its not as sharp and would you buy a 6 year old computer and pay more than a current year model? There are many threads about the ex vrs the 250, you need to test them out side by side, I did for 4 hours. You can read reviews till you cant read anymore and it wont really help, test them both and make your decision based on facts and what you like. After all its your money.

[aalleexx]

did you end up buying the 250?

True its a good camera, but its not as sharp and would you buy a 6 year old computer and pay more than a current year model? There are many threads about the ex vrs the 250, you need to test them out side by side, I did for 4 hours. You can read reviews till you cant read anymore and it wont really help, test them both and make your decision based on facts and what you like. After all its your money.

[LiamR]

I personally think the HPX250 runs rings around the EX1, sharper more vibrant image, more ND filter range, P2 cards, 4:2:2 10-bit w/ 100 m-bit Codec, Longer zoom lens, the Sony has a fairly dull look, I feel Sony have always struggled to compete with Canon and Panasonic when it comes to Colors. The HPX250 has thing's like DRS which is really handy and helps with keeping the Highlights to a reasonable state, apart from just blowing them and rendering horrible outlines around subjects. Ergonomically the 250 is incredible, everything is just in perfect place, you can almost use the camera with 1 hand. It's insanely well balanced and feels as though it weigh's nothing, to put it in perspective, it weigh's over 1kg more than my old Sony FS100 and the FS100 was unbearable to hand hold for longer than 10 minutes.

Depending on what kind of shooter you are, it has it's pitfalls as well, but this is with every Panasonic ENG camera I've come across...

If you are in 1080/24P mode, you CANNOT watch shot's in 720/60P on the camera playback, which brings upon another problem, you have to turn the camera off when changing mode's, just plain annoying.

It need's to have some sort of Slow Motion playback setting, similar to 7d, fs100, etc...

This could just be me, as I haven't researched much into the camera as I could of (I'm currently travelling the world shooting with it, so makes it hard), But...
You can't dial in any WB settings, you either have to go with the Presets or use Auto White Balance?? I'm not sure if this is actually how it is, but it frustrates me, that's for sure.

[aalleexx]

i shoot a lot of greenscreen and everyone talks about that the clear winner would be the 10 bit codec of the hpx250
but I always pull almost perfect keys on the hmc 150, maybe the real benefit would be on the grading i dont know

[timbook2]

For me coming from HVX 201 the major hiccup is CMOS. I still prefer CCD. I got the 250 and its great, a real iris ring, great codec, better low light, real HD, 22X zoom, all great but I dont like CMOS for the shutter problems. I look forward to global shutter and some improvements. The next one has a big sensor, ND filter, manual Kelvin and is ergonomic with a VF on the right place (where professional film cameras had it) has a 10 or 12 bit codec etc...

[Barry_Green]

been doing some research and I keep finding more and more interest on how the hpx250 compares to the 6 year old ex1 and they seem to be on par, I personally dont understand how a camera that was released last year compares to one from 6 years ago, it should run circles around the ex1 in terms of sharpness, can someone explain?

Well, first of all, the EX1 isn't six years old, it's 4 years old. Second, there's a limit to how sharp something can be, given the 1920x1080 format. The EX1 and HPX250 both kind of max out what you can expect as far as resolved detail goes. Third, the HPX250 is much less expensive and has a vastly superior codec, while maintaining comparable sensitivity and sharpness, and giving a wider and longer lens.

If it was more expensive than the EX1, I'd see your point, but considering the HPX250 is $4895 at B&H, and has a 10-bit 4:2:2 codec on it, and a 22x zoom lens, I mean, surely it establishes itself as a viable product in its own right.