Could use some advice on buying DVX100 or XH-A1

J

jerryrain

Well-known member
hello guys,
Time for me to upgrade my camera.
I will be using camera only for shooting music videos, already have SgPro rev.3, mattebox, format nd filters and bunch of other accessories .
What is best option for me, Panasonic DVX100 or Canon hx-a1? (difference in price it's not an object, but hvx200 is not an option)
shoud I go with dvx1000 sd and filmic looking or hd with a1..
 
Well I have had my dvx for over three weeks now and i'm more than impressed, it is an amazing camera, but it's all about your taste.
 
Do you want HDV or native 24p?
The a1 uses 24f & they did a test & found out that there is no difference between 24f & 24p. & the a1 has a great lense on it for getting close up shots , so the a1 could have some advantages
 
go with the dvx. It does have native 24p, where as the A1 messes with the vertival resolution and somehow comes out with their version of progressive. I owned the A1 before selling it for my DVX. I loved the A1 produced amazing images and had a freakish amount of control over the image. With that said, it also shot either 1080i or SD, no 720p. It also shoots to tape. So when it comes to future proofing your gear, it's not going to do you much good.

But the A1 is an amazing camera especially for the price. Panasonic just seems to have the film look down.
 
you also have to take into account the fact that editing the HDV is gonna be alot harder on you computer so you gotta make sure its up to par and can handle a heavier work flow...probably the reason im going with the dvx at the end of the summer but some of the new cam's coming out are REALLY tempting me...haha

edit: oh yeah if you look around, i think its on here, but theres a couple threads already comparing these two with alot of usefull information.
 
I have Blackmagic Design Decklink HD Extreme card so editing HD should not be a problem...
So main question is HD or 24p? and I don't know answer to that one, that's way I posted this topic... Music videos looks cool in 16:9 hd (canon) but with film effect and 24p (dvx100)...
 
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Specialized Communications is having an HVX clearance sale. Pick one up, true HD and 24p all in one :-D! AND NO TAPE WOOHOO!
 
Im form Croatia, shipping, import fee and tax would be very high price for hvx200.

our prices in Croatia:

Canon xh a1 is 5,191.86 USD a
DVX100 is 3,225.25 USD

you guys are really lucky with your equipment prices...
 
"Fake 24p" on the XH A1 has more vertical resolution than "true 24p" on the dvx.
"fake 24p" at HD resolution becomes true 24p by the time you downsample.

So this is a no-contest. Do you understand? Thanks.
 
I own both and like the XH more than the DVX. Even when the DVX was working. They picture is much superior with the Canon. I don't use 24p/f so I can't say which is better there. The one issue that should put the Canon above the DVX is the availability of parts. The DVX is becoming difficult to find parts for so I would not go anywhere near it. My DVX has been sitting on a shelf for almost 1 year because of a $60 part that Panny discontinued. You might save a little bit now on the DVX but the Canon will be of use longer.
 
Hey Jerryrain,

My advice would be to wait, if you can, for the Scarlet camera from Red. However, if you can't wait, cause you have projects, then my suggestion would be to get a real cheap used DVX, then sell it and upgrade to the Scarlet Camera. If you don't plan on getting a Scarlet, cause of import taxes, then its best to get the Canon.

sretno i sve najbolje,

Manymoosh
 
Ya know, if somebody could manage to get a license from Panasonic to supply replacement parts for the DVX100 series of cameras...
 
I'm really sad I didn't see this thread sooner. Anybody still facing a similar decision should consider:

A. The Canon is HD vs. the DVX being SD
B. The Canon shoots 24f which is INDISTINGUISHABLE from 24p. Ask Barry Green. Read his analysis.
C. This "loss of verticle resolution" stuff is really b.s. There is no DETECTABLE loss of resolution. Even in the HVX vs. XH A1 shootout, Barry noted how similar the sharpness was in both those cameras as shown on an HD monitor. There is a SLIGHT loss of resolution on paper, but to your eye, you will not be able to tell.
D. Even with the resolution issue (if it were an issue) the XH A1 is still going to have resolution to spare over the DVX.

There are plenty of reasons to choose the panasonic DVX100 over the Canon XH-A1: manual and responsive lens and zoom, lower price, ease of editing, weight, availability, support base, no need for HD, etc.

BUT the 24f/"verticle resolution" stuff is nonsense. Anyway. I'm sure you will love your new DVX, jerryrain. It is a great camera.
 
Jared said:
I'm really sad I didn't see this thread sooner. Anybody still facing a similar decision should consider:

A. The Canon is HD vs. the DVX being SD
B. The Canon shoots 24f which is INDISTINGUISHABLE from 24p. Ask Barry Green. Read his analysis.
C. This "loss of verticle resolution" stuff is really b.s. There is no DETECTABLE loss of resolution. Even in the HVX vs. XH A1 shootout, Barry noted how similar the sharpness was in both those cameras as shown on an HD monitor. There is a SLIGHT loss of resolution on paper, but to your eye, you will not be able to tell.
D. Even with the resolution issue (if it were an issue) the XH A1 is still going to have resolution to spare over the DVX.

There are plenty of reasons to choose the panasonic DVX100 over the Canon XH-A1: manual and responsive lens and zoom, lower price, ease of editing, weight, availability, support base, no need for HD, etc.

BUT the 24f/"verticle resolution" stuff is nonsense. Anyway. I'm sure you will love your new DVX, jerryrain. It is a great camera.
Click to expand...


... and don't forget, the money that you save on buying a DVX will go some way to getting you things that are indespensible (over and above the camera)- things like:
- A decent tripod/fluid head
- Good microphone(s)
- Lighting equipment
... and other stuff like that which will easily outlive your camera choice :)
 
i just finished assembling my rig, only left to figure where to put my delvcam 5.6" lcd monitor...

@manymoosh
jebiga, nisam vise mogao da izdrzim da cekam :)

picture taken by mobile phone, so it's bad quality

photo0015uh0.jpg
 
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Seriously man, I dont even trust those tripods with my dvx alone. Invest in a decent tripod. Go to ebay and search fluid head tripod, I got mine in yesterday it was 150 bucks, super sturdy and 15 pound capacity. You are asking for trouble with that thing. Other then the tripod, I am envious. What size rods do you have on there?
 
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