A pocket camcorder that shoots footage that looks like a DSLR?

F

Foster Kane

Well-known member
Over the 4th of july weekend I was at a barbecue where this one guy claimed that he saw footage from a pocket camcorder that looked like a DSLR took it.

I called him out, saying that is impossible since the technology has gotten to that point. But he claimed it looked just like it came from a DSLR, then again this guy was really drunk.

I do not own a DSLR, but as in terms of quality, there is nothing in a pocket camcorder that comes close to a DSLR.

Any objections?
 
He surely was drunk.

OR he was talking about the Olympus PEN or something like that. Then again, i don't really know if you can call that 'pocket', and it's definately no camcorder.
 
May be this Sony hx9 16.2mp,? It looks impressive. There was a post that the video looks great. 60fps progressive. Slo mo looks good.
 
Ha! NewtoDVX beat me to it! Have not tried that camera but even if it's sharp, the manual control is likely lacking (since it's a Sony) ...
 
No shallow DOF
No manual control

Wide angles are sharper (more detail)
NOT a professional tool.

Here are some examples I shot recently (not great...but examples none the less)


 
Well, as you can see from that page listed above, there are a wide range of 'pocket' sized cameras with excellent lens, and the Lumix's might be able to get close to HDSLR, but my best guess is he was just drunk. Drunk isn't a definition of 'knowledgeable' in anything. But some knowledgeable people get drunk... that reminds me...
 
Despite the fact that the "tone" of thread isn't a positive one.....I will not hesitate to say that the HX9 is my favorite camera EVER. It is NOT a professional tool. That said many would argue that a DSLR isn't either.

The sensor size (and associated DOF)...the low-light short comings (also connected to the sensor size), lack of manual control. CERTAINLY give a DSLR (and other large sensor cameras a DEFINITIVE edge in quality).

Here are some reasons why the HX9V is my favorite cam. (I own GH13, GF13, T2i, S95, LX5, DSR200A, FZ35, 50+anamorphic lenses to name a few) FYI

1. This cam fits in my pocket, travels with me EVERYWHERE I go, and costs 350 dollars.
2. This cam shoots STUPID SHARP footage. You have to see it to believe it and anything posted on the internet doesn't do it justice. (No DSLR shoots sharper footy...especially wide)
3. 1080 60P. Native slow-mo is WICKED COOL at 1080. (No DSLR shoots 1080 60P)
4. 24-384mm Optical Zoom. This makes it VERY efficient to shoot any subject in any situation (as long as there is enough light).
5. Auto features. (Normally I HATE auto features....that said, the focus works great, the focus lock is very helpful, the exposure ends up better than I could do manually (due to the smaller sensor)....but I am definitely liking these features in the context of it's usage. (AKA...my DSLR doesn't fit in my pocket)
6. Post work is acceptable. I'm no expert....but I've been thrilled with the fact that tweaking the footy doesn't DESTROY it. It actually looks better.
7. CRAZY Image Stabilization. Shooting handheld is totally fine. Zoomed all the way in, it's not PERFECT (not even advisable)...but it's usable....and anything not excessively zoomed in is just fine.
8. Photo features are PURE FUN. This cam is NOT a good photo cam, but the photo features are WAY TOO much fun to ignore. The 42 megapixel sweep panarama mode is RIDICULOUS. The 10 fps (high quality) is unbelievable in a pocket cam. The Auto HDR mode is very good for a pocket cam...(and makes me NUTTY to think it will be a video option in less than 5 years). The low-light photo feature is fun too. I NEVER would have imagined how much fun this stuff would be too...
9. Low-light is better than I expected. Bear in mind that I thought that it would be PURE GARBAGE in low light. The auto noise reduction can be a pain....but in low light I actually REALLY LIKE what it's doing to the footage. More testing is needed to demonstrate this...but so far, I'm surprised by it's performance considering the lens is only F3.3 and the sensor is so small.
10. I own the LX5 and S95, the compact "kings" of video....and this cam DESTROYS them BOTH in EVERY category except low-light. LX5 is best in low light, S95 second best, HX9 trails behind. But NOT as far as you might think. In every other category...it's NOT close.

At the end of the day....this cam is in my pocket and I'm surprised every day at the quality of footage that this cam produces. Other users have loved it, hated it, had neutral opinions on it. I'm not sure which you are....but I DO THINK you really should find out. Take one for a test drive and see what you think. What do you have to lose?? Cheers! ...and mad love to DVXUsers everywhere!

PS: As soon as another pocket cam beats this one, I'll buy that one and move on. I don't care who manufactures it, who sells it, or who shoots with it. I'm so shallow when it comes to cameras...who ever has the superior cam that I can afford, that fits my needs: sign me up and let me at it. (FYI)
 
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From what I have seen this camera has some application and would fill a small need in my work flow, for what you pay and what you get out it is a bargain, if you use a GoProHD for work then this is a few steps above it,I can see why HHL loves his little baby;)
 
vision_filmz said:
I guess technology will soon leave us all without a job...... Back to breaking blocks of concrete I go :(
Click to expand...
I know you're joking...but...a perspective:

I consider myself to be a well-below average DVXUser. With that in mind...my HX9V videos look like they are shot on a totally different camera compared to the average YouTube video. So...just because your auntie has a camera that shoots 1080-60P...doesn't mean she knows what looks good. What I mostly see are high resolution garbage that looks like VHS-1980s type footy. Forget the concrete...we still need'ya!!! Cheers!! :)
 
I agree with HHL that there's no need to worry: sometimes, the better the tool, the bigger the difference in results between skilled and unskilled users; DSLRs were an example of just that
 
Some times I do feel it is a loosing battle as joepublic think they bought something that seems to them as good or even better, many corprates do there own stuff and try to do our work then they come to you and ask to edit or help them improvethe trash they shot and when you submitt your account they have heart attack and cannot understand why they had to pay for you to fix the dogs breakfast. I many ways it is the fall of the Manufactures and resellers that miss lead the public end of the day we as produce suffer. Sorry I just had to get it off my chest.
 
The Panasonic TM700/900 3MOS 1080p60 camcorder has shallow DOF when using full zoom up close and has a Leica F1.5 zoom.

 
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