Canon SX1 v. GH1

R

rubberbandito

Active member
I looked at HV30 v GH1 thread and really started asking myself why should I wait and delay my work for 2 months waiting for a camera that pans mud but is otherwise great. When the typical viewer will not even notice the difference btw the hv30 anf gh1 but will definitely notice the mud.

So I need a good still image camera and wanted this gh1 as a hybrid but starting researching a 2 month quick fix. I figure when I get back from my shoot in the fall the gh1 price will be down and maybe there will be more options.

So buy the hv30 and a simple inexpensive dslr I thought. Then I ran across the Canon SX1 IS that is a 10 mp still cam with a 20X ultrawide zoom that also shoots a very nice 1080p 30fps with a 50mbps codec just like the 5D! But it has a smaller sensor so not quite the pop u get with the 5D. Also has some jello and rolling shutter issues and no interchangeable lenses or manual controls. But its less then $600. Takes filters and all the audio equipment I bought for my backordered GH1 will work nicely with this cam.

Either work around mud or work around jello. At least I get to work (my hv30 was destroyed) and not wait till august. Later in the year the gh1 will be on sale for $1000 or buy something better.

Anyone feel free to tell me where this is hasty. I do use a PC and Sony Vegas so not looking forward to rendering h.264 files but I understand it can be worked out.

One other drawback is lowlight. Anything above 400 ISO is not good with this little cam but for outdoor shooting (which is 90pc of my work) it should be fine.
Below is video comparison of gh1 vs 5D vs SX1

His test is 720 for gh1 so unfortunately does not compare properly, but I had resigned to use 720 on the gh1 anyway as everyone suggests for most scenarios.

http://www.cameralabs.com/features/...ison/GH1_vs_5D_Mark_II_vs_SX1_IS_vs_HX1.shtml

Most folks here want interchangable lenses, multiple frame rates, etc, so the SX1 would not even be an option. But with the 20x zoom u get a pretty good all purpose lense.
 
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That's a shame you see it that way Marti. Not my intention at all. I've offered $1750 for a gh1 numerous times on these forums and still don't have a cam. I'm hoping to find seriuos responses.
 
If your intention is to get great video with a "film" look with shallow DOF there is no compare between the HV30 and the GH1, the GH1 dominates hands down. I don't know much about the SX1, but I'll remind you that the GH1 comes with some great glass on it, and has all of the manual shooting controls you need for video that nobody else has.

As for panning mud, this is a non-issue when shooting 720p, and is often times an issue that is aggravated by people improperly removing the 1080 pulldown, which I am quite sure is the case in the HV20 compare thread (I swear I saw some interlaced frames in the screen grabs, maybe I'm crazy.)
 
where is a pro review of this Canon SX1?

where is this camera for sale?

ON amazon I see a similar cam, but it apparent does NOT have HD video.

I'm confused.


ps { yeah pretty bad comparison test }
 
I don't know rubber. I've been putting mine through it's paces lately and am more impressed than ever. I've yet to experience the 'mud' thing but I haven't gone bungy jumping with it yet. I did experience some 'jello' with a quick pan a couple of times. The stock lens, though slow, has given me a DOF I would have thought impossible just a few months ago. Prime lenses will make this the bomb. The only thing still bugging me is the low light streaks but I'm waiting for that 'sensor burn' that's been talked about to take effect. It's too bad the timing sucks for you but I 'get it' that you gotta get your project rolling.
 
Hey Nighthawk. I'm getting ready to get back to you on that other matter:) Am hoping to get some feedback here before making the big leap temporarily from the GH1. This whole thing is about the project and finding a suitable solution for about 2 months. You've been a big help.

Btw, regarding DOF, u can it achieve this nicely by zooming in, nothing like gh1 but its a work around. Ill post some other clips later.
 
take a look at this sx1 video, reminds me of the 5D, especially from 3 minute mark on: http://www.vimeo.com/2422404
this one is a little more professional, wedding video, shows of the camera very well http://www.vimeo.com/groups/sx1/videos/5297334

its the same codec as the 5d but smaller cmos (not ccd) sensor

here are a couple reviews:
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canonsx1is/
http://www.digitalcamerareview.com/default.asp?newsID=3974&review=canon+powershot+sx1
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2347824,00.asp
http://reviews.cnet.com/digital-cam...1_7-33529061.html?tag=contentMain;contentBody
http://www.steves-digicams.com/2009_reviews/canon_sx1_conclusion.html

looks like it was released a few weeks ago in the U.S. They upgraded the US version and gave it RAW support.

I'm not marketing for this cam, but comparing it to the GH1. I want a GH1 but due to lack of availability am thinking of trying this out until the gh1 comes, then sell it. Its only $600, and all the videos I have seen are pretty amazing. Its a little slow on focusing while using the zoom but otherwise is really smooth. see the vimeo channel http://www.vimeo.com/groups/sx1
 
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Correct me if I'm wrong but the SX1 has no removable lens support, so you're stuck with the stock lens which is less than stellar and does not get you the kind of DOF you can get with a camera like the GH1 or 5D, or even with a prosumer video camera. The footage I've seen looks...well..ok, like somewhere around consumer HDV camera level. I don't know what you're thinking but this thing isn't even in the same league as the GH1, or the 5DII...both in terms of quality and what it is. The whole point of getting a video DSLR in my mind is to get similar image quality to a prosumer video camera with a DOF adapter at a cheaper price point...this can't do that.
 
Ok looked over that video..if you think the 5DmkII looks like that I want to know what footage you've been watching. Most of that footage is...eh. There's a few decent shots but nothing special...I don't think this camera is worth your time, I'd recommend an HV20/30/40 or a GH1...
 
thanks ben. i'm looking for a two month tide over solution, since i doubt i can get a gh1 before mid july. i've been waiting several weeks for my gh1 but i can see it might come july 15, or if not, sometime in august, i'm told. otherwise have to get someone to sell theirs to me.

so i am ready to just go and get another hv30 to replace my hv30 that was destroyed in a accident. but i really need a dslr like camera to take stills, the hv30 not good enough. gh1 is perfect. but i cant get one and need to film in central america for the next two months, so looking for a temporary solution: hv30 for mainstream filming, and sx1 for stills and some secondary video.

but i don't agree. i think the video is as good as hdv (which is a pretty big deal for cheapo camera). and in some cases, the video is better. i've looked at about 30 videos and personally i am pretty amazed given the $600 price tag.

I am thinking to buy the gh1 in september, probably be $1000 then, sell the gh1 for $400 and at least get to work for the next two months with something that in my eyes, is really not that bad, and i would say rivals hv30, and sometimes sharper, better.

did you see the close up/macro shots and lamposts, etc after 3 min mark. you did not see that has superior to hv30?

i must be delirious
 
That "mud" problem created basically by people whipping the camera around is so passe. I have been checking a lot of tv series done on film or digital film and a few movies and to my delight there are no whipping pans in 99.9% of them. Most of this films are basically done with cameras set on tripods first of all and with very elegant and professional movements that will not bring any "mud" into play. The way professionals do it in Hollywood and everywhere else in the industry is very different than the maddening "pans" we have seen here time and again. There are many ways to move a story along without moving the camera around or by moving it very slowly and rythmically for a few seconds at at time in no way resembling a tasteless side to side whip pan. Take the time, sit down and analyze work done by pros and you will realize how well the GH1 will work in a professionally controlled environment.

As for the comparisons between the GH1 and the HV20/30s it is a big waste of time and energy to even go thru it. The real test is with cameras like the HVX 200a, HPX 170, HPX 300, EX1 and company or any other higher end prosumer cameras. The HVs where very nice little cameras to get your feet wet but not much more.
 
Ok so it probably used an adapter even though not mentioned in description, waiting on comment back, but here is some HV30 stuff.

http://vimeo.com/groups/hv30/videos/5364062

Even if that's shot with an adapter, which I am guessing it must have been, it should give you some idea of the overall potential of the HV30...I'd say it's a better investment.
 
John Caballero said:
As for the comparisons between the GH1 and the HV20/30s it is a big waste of time and energy to even go thru it. The real test is with cameras like the HVX 200a, HPX 170, HPX 300, EX1 and company or any other higher end prosumer cameras. The HVs where very nice little cameras to get your feet wet but not much more.
Click to expand...

Totally agree. On the same note, I think it is an even bigger waste of time to compare something as primitive or banal as the SX1 with the GH1 or even with the HV30.
 
I don't think its banal:

The Canon PowerShot SX1 IS, shoots in full 1080p 30fps with a bit rate is as high as the 5D Mark II - between 40 and 50Mbit/s.

But has a smaller sensor.

Yea it has no interchangeable lenses but has a non interchangeable fixed 20x optical zoom range, equivalent to 28-560mm.

Of course its not worth $1500 but for $600 you are getting something pretty amazing. 17mbit/s 24p anyone?
 
Maybe. Maybe the people who's footage I've seen just had problems? But if you showed me this footage w/o telling me anything I would say: looks like an HD point and shoot. But if you've got your heart set on it, get it, go out there, and shoot some awesome stuff, better than some of that crud on vimeo! Anyway here are some things that I can promise you will frustrate you with this camera: lack of manual controls, especially for video. Poor DOF and low-light performance thanks to the small sensor. Lack of attention to detail in its design and features (it is a consumer camera after all) for example: from what I hear it has no battery indicator. Possible codec issues (yes the 5DmkII has them so does GH1.) And, most importantly: hacks like me making fun of you on DVXUser and Vimeo for using an SX1.....that is unless you post some amazing footage to shut me up.
 
LOL super funny ben! i will show you guys up with my little temp sx1 cam! hey, there are movies made on iphones and oscar nominated movies made on cheapo consumer cams (forget the names). i want the gh1 but can't get one in time for my project! anyway take a look at this guys site. he has a bunch of really incredible stills by this little cam and a video he shot in yosemite: http://blog.evosia.com/

if i was not an a extreme budget i would go with mkii while waiting for the gh1 but am!

thanks for your input ben! time to crash
 
I've both :) SX1 & GH1.

BOTH are excellent cameras, making fine movies - 1920x1080 .. SX1 with 43 Mbps, GH1 with 17 Mbps.
 
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