Can't Decide!

M

mrbrycel

Well-known member
I apologize for another "HPX-170 vs. HVX200a" thread, but i really need some advice.

Until yesterday, I was 100% sure i wanted the HVX200a over the HPX-170. Mainly because:

1. I like how the HVX looks better. I don't know why. I think partially because i've always dreamed of one day buying a DVX100, and it looks more to me like the DVX than the HPX170 does. That and I guess the HVX has more black on it. the HPX seems mostly grayish.
2. I like the bulkiness. Most people hate this. I shoot with a VX1000, which feels kind of small to me, and i was kind of looking forward to getting a slightly bigger camera. My ideal camera size would be significantly bigger than a vx1000, but significantly smaller than a shoulder mount camera like a DSR-250. I would say the HVX is that perfect size.
3. The weight. Most people see this as a disadvantage, but i think weight is helpful for steady handheld. The same reason I always keep a heavy motor drive on my Nikon.

But yesterday, i was reading about all the advantages and new features the HPX-170 has over the HVX200a (more focus assists, sharper lcd, flipping lcd, 6 pin firewire, more frame rates, FIVE year warranty, etc). And now i'm beginning to think i might be better off with the 170. Product Quality/better features is a lot more important than it's physical appearance. The only thing that still really leans me toward the HVX, is that i like the bulkiness/weight.

I read that the HPX is slightly bigger than the DVX. How much smaller is it than the HVX? Are there any pictures available?
 
you like how it LOOKS better? thats ABSURD! agreed that the HPX looks a little bland - and that is dissapointing, but thats no reason to choose a camera over another. wanna pick up chicks with your camera, just get an old Xl2 ; )

and the pics weve all seen of the HPX are pre-release. it may be a good degree different when it hits the streets.

ive not seen any side by side pics but from what ive read the HPX is definitely closer to the footprint of the DVX than the HVX. ive only shot with a DVX once recently, but i was SHOCKED at how small it was compared to my HVX! i wouldnt say as much as half the size but easily 2/3

as far as im concerned, the ONLY reason to choose the 200a over the HPX is if you expect to need SD to tape on an ongoing basis...
 
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wgzn said:
you like how it LOOKS better? thats ABSURD! agreed that the HPX looks a little bland - and that is dissapointing, but thats no reason to choose a camera over another. wanna pick up chicks with your camera, just get an old Xl2 ; )

and the pics weve all seen of the HPX are pre-release. it may be a good degree different when it hits the streets.

ive not seen any side by side pics but from what ive read the HPX is definitely closer to the footprint of the DVX than the HVX. ive only shot with a DVX once recently, but i was SHOCKED at how small it was compared to my HVX! i wouldnt say as much as half the size but easily 2/3

as far as im concerned, the ONLY reason to choose the 200a over the HPX is if you expect to need SD to tape on an ongoing basis...
Click to expand...

Do you think the final release will be much different from the pre-release we've seen?
 
I'm kinda in the same boat....... 200a or 170.........????

After viewing tons of footage...... I'm thinking Sony EX3

Bigger, Bolder Sharper imagery.......

Cards download to my MacBook Pro

frisco
 
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I had the Disco Channel tell me they like the Sony's better. I couldn't believe they'd prefer HDV 4:2:0 footage over 4:2:2 but they do...

Yes I know there was a sled dog race that was shot on the HVX's... They still are tellin' me they like the sony's better.

I like the HVX better but what do ya' do?
 
ehh.. rolling shutter is enough to turn me off from the EX3.

I kinda see the EX1/EX3 as a super sharp, out of this world HD Video Camera

I see HVX200 (and most likely the HPX170 as well) as film-like digital cameras. More film-like look, more variable frame rates, etc.

Personally I like the slightly less sharp but more filmic look than the super sharp "video" look. I just cant decide between the HVX and the HPX!
 
frisco said:
I'm kinda in the same boat....... 200a or 170.........????

After viewing tons of footage...... I'm thinking Sony EX3

Bigger, Bolder Sharper imagery.......

Cards download to my MacBook Pro

frisco
Click to expand...

Have you also examined workflow?

And many use the duel adapter to download p2 cards to MacBook Pros.
 
ChipG said:
I had the Disco Channel tell me they like the Sony's better. I couldn't believe they'd prefer HDV 4:2:0 footage over 4:2:2 but they do...
Click to expand...

Just curious, was that an official DC statement or comments from one DC person? I've heard they like the DVCPro 4:2:2 better. In fact that's what they wanted on a recent shoot that I had to turn down due to an injury.

I'm wondering if that wasn't just an employee makeing a "statement" because the Sony is a newer option or other predjudiced opinion?
 
i say that you'll be happier with the 170 - as long as youre pretty sure you will never need to shoot SD to tape.

i have a client i shoot furniture store tv spots for. we shoot the english stuff HD to P2 card, but the spanish editing company can not injest P2 so we just switch over to SD and shoot to tape.

this is pretty much the biggest decision factor between the 200a and the 170

Don't buy either one!

Panasonic's upgrades aren't that great... I'm a hvx-200 owner.
Click to expand...
i dont get what he's trying to say. the 200a BLOWS AWAY the 200 in low light use...
 
wgzn said:
i say that you'll be happier with the 170 - as long as youre pretty sure you will never need to shoot SD to tape.

i have a client i shoot furniture store tv spots for. we shoot the english stuff HD to P2 card, but the spanish editing company can not injest P2 so we just switch over to SD and shoot to tape.

this is pretty much the biggest decision factor between the 200a and the 170
Click to expand...

Yeah.. I dont think it'll be a problem. I still have my VX1000 for MiniDV recording, plus i have DSR-250s and PD170s available to rent for free at my school. Also, if it absolutely had to be SD and i wanted to use my HPX/HVX, dont they both shoot SD to P2 cards in pretty large amounts anyway?
 
As far as the look that we've seen so far, how come its mostly shown as this Grayish bland model:

http://www.submiter.org/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/PANASONIC_HPX_170_003.jpg

But every once and a while i see a nice photo of a not too bad looking blacker model:

http://images.camcorderinfo.com/ima...Live/Panasonic_AG-HPX170_NAB_vanity_350_1.jpg

http://provideocoalition.com/images/uploads/DSC_0659.jpg

And do you think the non-locking LCD will be a problem? Seems like it could easily get caught on something and get pulled.
 
"blacker model" come on man, give me a break! is the darkness of your camera really a decision factor? i agree that the color and overall design style of the 170 is kind of a yawn. but if the RIGHT camera i needed were pink and had pony's on it it wouldnt stop me from buying it

all these pics are pre-pro models. in fact that second one you sent looks like the front end of an hvx.

and no, if youre moving close enough and aggressively enough to your camera that a non locking lcd would be a problem. youve got bigger issues to deal with.
 
wgzn said:
"blacker model" come on man, give me a break! is the darkness of your camera really a decision factor? i agree that the color and overall design style of the 170 is kind of a yawn. but if the RIGHT camera i needed were pink and had pony's on it it wouldnt stop me from buying it
Click to expand...

I know man your right.. I don't know why i'm getting so hung up on the physical appearance of it.. I just can't get as excited over it as i've been for the HVX. Maybe not until i actually get to use it.
 
i do understand your pain. i used to use an XL2 which definitely has a more "pro camera" look than the HVX did. it took me a few weeks to get used to its "handycam" look and feel...

regardless of the hard time im giving you. perception does have an effect on things. in my experience, the more "pro" you look. the less hassle you get from security folks. but it works inversely as well. the more "pro" you look gets you more intrusion by looky-loo, passers-by.

so maybe the 170 isnt so bad after all?
 
ChipG said:
I had the Disco Channel tell me they like the Sony's better. I couldn't believe they'd prefer HDV 4:2:0 footage over 4:2:2 but they do...
Yes I know there was a sled dog race that was shot on the HVX's... They still are tellin' me they like the sony's better.
I like the HVX better but what do ya' do?
Click to expand...

I find this very hard to believe, especially since they have approved P2 on HDD for a deliverable, and have awarded the AJ-HPX3000 thier Gold Standard, adn yest the 6 part mini-series on the Iditarod was commissioned by them. I think the folks in charge are mostly in favor of high quality pictures that tell a story.

Best,

Jan
 
mrbrycel said:
As far as the look that we've seen so far, how come its mostly shown as this Grayish bland model:
Click to expand...

Both cameras are the same color.


And do you think the non-locking LCD will be a problem? Seems like it could easily get caught on something and get pulled.
Click to expand...

The reason that we went with the design of not being a hard stationary position with the LCD extended is when it was that way on the DVX100A and its predecessor, that is what got caught as became damaged.

Best,

Jan
 
Jan_Crittenden said:
Both cameras are the same color.




The reason that we went with the design of not being a hard stationary position with the LCD extended is when it was that way on the DVX100A and its predecessor, that is what got caught as became damaged.

Best,

Jan
Click to expand...

Jan, thanks for the info. So the HPX170 will be the same dark color as the HVX200? I saw a few photos where it was, but then the most recent photo I've seen on B&H looked a lot lighter.

Does the smaller diameter lens mean that the widest aperture is smaller than the HVXs? Or are the two irises the same size? Also, will one or the other look better/different with a 35mm adapter, or will they look pretty much the same?
 
Their differences I think will be insignificant, unless you want to get the widest angle.

They are the exact same color. Perhaps what is confusing is that maybe some are using the wrong picture. The HMC150 is the color of the DVX so it is that beautiful Black Saffire.

Best,

Jan
 
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