HPX250: Comparing HPX250 to XF305

G

ggrantly

Veteran
Hello Listers,

Anyone have any comparison issues between the two? In particular, with all the grousing about the lens on the 250, how does the lens on the 305 compare? How do the image adjustment parameters compare between the two?

It seems that several years after the introduction of both, there is more love for the Canon. Not trolling here, I really want to upgrade from my HPX170 with a general purpose video cam and have been reluctant on the 250. Love the p2 system and the codec, but for me the negativity surrounding the lens has made me pause. The idea of that long 22x lens is awesome, but it seems pretty unloved.

Grant
 
I have used both cameras quite a bit, and much prefer the p2, it has richer detail which is not there in the 300, the canon glass while high quality has a really awkward focus ring which is much less ergonomic in my opinion. It is also less friendly to hand hold in my experienc.
 
I find my HPX250 has a beautiful picture. It is much more balanced hand holding than the 305. Very difficult to hand hold the 305 with the front heavy lens. That being said, the times I rented the 305 I was very satisfied with the picture quality, but it is not as light sensitive as the HPX250. The long 22X lens is nice for event work but you will be at a 3.2 Fstop at full telephoto. But PAP2 helps out with that plus you get shoot clean up to about 9db worth of gain. There's pluses and minuses to every camera, it all comes down to what's important to you. Autofocus, I don't use, so it's not important to me, but other people rely on it.
 
Just to share, I use the XF300 and it has been a great camera. I find it to be fine for handheld if you are an eyepiece shooter. As far as image controls, the Canon has a lot more adjustments than the Panasonic's. This is a weak area for Panasonic imho. I wish they had more color controls to match other cameras. I use the XF300 along side Varicams and find I can make the XF look pretty close to a Varicam with in-camera and a little post work.

The autofocus is very useable and the zoom servo motors are much better for soft landings, creeps and slow starts. I think the XF300 is about 75% 85% of a 2/3" broadcast camera/lens setup in terms of image and useability.

This really is a preference thing so it would be wise to do a side by side at a rental shop or video place.
 
I used to own the XF305, and I use the HPX250 on occasion. Both are very good cameras. The 305 feels more substantial, if that makes sense. it is heavier.
Both make great pictures. Both have strong codecs. I'd be happy with either one. The 305 is getting along in age, I wonder if Canon will have a replacement soon.

Have you considered waiting on the Panasonic PX270? The AVC/Ultra codec looks really nice.
 
This is much more even than I thought it would be, thanks for the info. For sure I am wondering what the new PX270 will bring.

Grant
 
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