HV20 vs Panasonic GS400

R

richblend

Active member
Hi, this is my first post here, been looking over the place for a few days though and the information is amazing...

I know the subject is a bit weird, and you'd think "why the hell would you compare these 2 cameras?" but hear me out...

I already own a GS400, which I just use for fun. I'm looking to shoot a low budget music video, and I'm going to invest in a DOF adapter first.

The reason I ask for comparison is that I've seen some amazing music videos done with the HV20 with DOF adapter. I know the GS400 isnt HD, and isnt made any more, but both cameras seem to be the high end consumer products (in fact, 2nd hand GS400's seem to be sold on ebay for the same kinda price as brand new HV20's), so I wonder if I could get the same really nice results from the panasonic (obviously SD, which I dont really care about).

Any help would be great!

Thanks,
Rich
 
I've seen some nice 35mm adapter clips from the GS400 in the past, and it's widescreen too, right? So it is capable of producing a nice image. The great thing is you're dealing with CCDs on the GS400, as opposed to a rolling shutter CMOS like that of the HV20, and other cameras including the Red for that matter. It's more a case of whether or not you desire the extra resolution.
 
yeah it has widescreen, and 24fps progressive scan as well, so I kinda think it should be quite good as I'm really going for the film look (isnt everybody?).

Ive never heard of a rolling shutter CMOS though.. whats the difference between CCDs and them? By the your tone it sounds like CCDs are better...

Resolution aside, does anyone think the GS400 would look worse than HV20?

Rich
 
Okay, in short CMOS is digital, and CCD is analog. Rolling shutter I believe is caused because the CMOS is scanning differently than a CCD. I'm not sure exactly though.

The GS400 is so much better in low light than the HV20.

The GS400 has individual control of shutter speed, apperture and gain. Which the HV20 doesn't, unless you count the "workaround". And the GS400 It's pretty close to being like an ENG camera.

Resolution wise, if you record in HDV, you can de-interlace using the line doubling method (60i) or remove the pulldown (24p) and then downsample to 480p. Giving you twice the resolution of the GS400 (480i).

I think Les Stroud (Survivorman) used to use it. But I heard he switched to HDV cameras now.
 
I don't think the GS400 is better in low light than the HV20. I had the GS500 (which is basically the GS400 less several manual controls) and the HV20's low light is better. Also..you can control the Shutter and Aperature on the HV20...but not gain (well...not directly). And I don't believe the GS400 has true widescreen...though the GS500 does.
 
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