Canon G30 vs Panasonic HMC150 - AVCHD vs MP4 - Low Light

B

Benjobe

Well-known member
I recently purchased the new Canon G30 as a possible replacement for my old (2009) Panasonic HMC-150. The HMC-150 was a great camera in its day, but lately I've been wondering if it's ready for retirement. I've been using the HMC-150 along with my GH3 and GH2 cameras to shoot dark, indoor concerts and I have been disappointed its sharpness, noise, and low light sensitivity when compared with these DSLRs. I thought the new G30, when coupled with my Sound Devices MixPre for XLR inputs, would be a good replacement.

Well, I did a few tests, and I was surprised by the results. First I compared the Canon's AVCHD option with its MP4 option. Then I did some side-by-side comparisons with my HMC-150. Then I lowered the light level to near-darkness and started testing gain settings. These tests are not scientific, but I think that they're still interesting. Check it out:

 
Can't see a difference between mp4 and avchd. I use Vegas and I am used to editing in avchd, and it works very well with my hmc150 footage.
The HMC150 does handle low light better, but the canon in auto mode works great at normal light for interviews. For me, I still love my HMC150 and have not found anything to replace it. With my new G30, this camera works well together.
I have been shooting a lot of interviews the last week and I am shooting with both cameras. I had to shoot 40 students. It was half and half from each camera.
I really did not think I would use this camera as much as I am now. I only wish I bought the upgrade model with the XLR input jacks.
So for now I use the audio from the HMC150 and edit it all together in Vegas.
 
My HF-G30 gives great sound with my Rode mics,as for low light i have not done a full comparison with the XA10 I have at present but they look around equal to me and most seemed to think te XA10 was reasonable for low light work.
 
What surprised me was how dark and noisy the G30 seemed to be when compared to an old (2009) camcorder like the HMC150... and used HMC150s are going for $1500 on Ebay.
 
If the camcorder is working correctly HF G30 footage is far from dark and noisy in low light,when i get a chance i will put some footage up.
 
I use the G30 and HMC150 together on many jobs. G30 is great camera as a B camera. I can match the footage pretty good. I still prefer the footage and handle of the camera of the HMC150.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top