100HD vs. XL2

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daviddelaurier

Active member
Could anyone tell me how the 100HD compares to the XL2 in SD. I have $5,000 to spend on new equipment, but it must be a camera that is heavy enough for my Steadicam. I want the HD technology, but if the image quality of the JVC does not compare to the Canon in SD mode, then I don't want it. Any info would be great.

Also, does the JVC record 24p SD? That is an important factor.
 
I hadn't the opportunity to test them side-by-side yet, however even if the xl2 has a bit better image quality I would chose the JVC for lots of reasons:

The pros
- You can shoot HD
- It has real professional lens without a servo assisted focus and no ending ring
- The image is very very adjustable on camera settings
- It is very well balanced
- It's not red and white!

The cons
- It may have a split screen in low light situations
- The image is not so clean in low light as the xl2
- The lens have chromatic aberrations
- It doesn't have a image stabilizer that is usefull when shooting with a Steadicam
 
I own an XL1s so I know that Canon puts out a good product. The manual lens is a plus, but for Steadicam work is can be troublesome at times. I have a few more question though...

- What exactly is a SSE?
- Is it (SSE) a major problem?
- Can it (SSE) be fixed?
- What are chromatic aberrations?
- Is the picture better/worse than the XL2 in SD?
- Is HD content dificult to use in an NLE such as FCP?

and the big one...

- How close is HD to becoming burnable and viewable on an HD television?
 
sse is the slight difference in the tint of the left and right side of the image produced.

<-°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°
<-°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°
<-°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°
<-°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°
so the dots are pixels and each on feeds the info to the one on the left of it and out the last one to be displayed or put to tape. most cameras only use one of these image sensors but in order to get the full hd quality and get all the information at a faster rate the hd100 uses two of these

<-°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°<-°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°
<-°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°<-°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°
<-°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°<-°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°
<-°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°<-°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°
the information is not divided into two separate sensors that processes the image independently and the dividing line is right down the middle. since the pixels on the right take a longer time to get their information out the last pixel it picks up extra light from the other pixels. the the first sensor on the left side will have a lighter image closer to the center of the screen due to the extra light picked up. the right sensor with have a darker image on the seem because the first pixels on the right sensor get their information out the fastest and dont have that extra light picked up.
 
You can find examples of SSE and CA on this forum, but keep this in mind, the SSE examples are from first released units, late units are a lot better and there are lots of reports of no SSE at all. My camera has a very soft split, but it is only visible in so low light situations that you can barely shoot.

If you'll chose the HD100 be sure to test your unit first. The SSE doesn't bother me but my dealer is going to send me a firmware update as soon as JVC releases it, maybe the split will completely disappear.

The camera has an excelente image quality both in HD and SD modes, you don't have to be concerned about that.
 
What should a consumer be worried about, from your experience with the camera?

What are it's major flaws in your mind?

EDIT: I know you posted your list of 'cons' but obviously the split screen doesn't bother you. What I'm trying to ask, is 'What about this camera bugs you, that WOULDN'T bug you about an XL2 or HVX200?'

Hopefully that's a little clearer.
 
In that very same situation I picked the xl2 but it was kinna easier for me 'cos at the end I need sd and the xl2 image is the best to with in post.
 
John_Moore said:
What should a consumer be worried about, from your experience with the camera?

What are it's major flaws in your mind?

EDIT: I know you posted your list of 'cons' but obviously the split screen doesn't bother you. What I'm trying to ask, is 'What about this camera bugs you, that WOULDN'T bug you about an XL2 or HVX200?'

Hopefully that's a little clearer.
Click to expand...

There's a few things that bug me about this camera, it has no TC in and out, no B/W CRT viewfinder, short battery life and chromatic aberrations. XL2 doesn't have so much CAs and can run for a longer period with the supplied battery, I can't talk about the HVX200 because there's no information yet.

So, the only thing that bugs me and wouldn't on a XL2 are the chromatic aberrations, but that's a price to pay for a cheap HD lens. Of course this camera has its limitations, it is not a Cinealta or a Varicam but I'm sure it's the best you can buy at its price range. I personally don't like the XL2, I know it has a very good image quality but I can't consider it as a professional camera. The HD100 also has an excellent image quality and much more to offer, but as I said before it is very important to test it and find if SSE and CA can be a problem. You can find good information on this forum about the way to recreate optimal situations for SSE and CA.
 
Where'd you find it for $4700? Lowest I've seen is at B&H for $4999. Man, these things are dropping quick. Just a month ago it was $5500!
 
Barry_Green said:
Beach is not an authorized dealer for the HD100.
Click to expand...

You should buy on an authorized one, they will give you the necessary assistance if you get a camera with a serious split screen.
 
No, click on the "email me a price" button on the regular one, and you'll see they're offering new HD100's for $4999.95. They have a demo unit listed too, yes, but I'm talking about the regular listing.
 
Thanks for the advice guys. I think I'll go with B&H. I know they are good and paying $300 more to purchase from a solid source makes me feel better. Thanks for the info!
 
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