General quality question

NorBro

NorBro

Major Contributor
Hi,

Can someone please explain (in a few words or a detailed essay) why the video quality looks so amazing from these 5D, 7D, GH1, etc. cameras?

For the past few months, I've watched hundreds of videos on Vimeo mostly of the HV30/40, HVX200, HPX170 and HMC150. The quality of the videos from the still cameras match these, and some are even much better (like film).

I know that many of the cameras above have tons of more settings and controls, better audio capabilities, better overall handling, etc...but for someone who just wants to play around with a small toy that costs so much less and produce the results I've seen on Vimeo is mind blowing.

Is a dual still/video format the future?
 
person behind the camera most of all

but also I believe it could be due in part to having a giant sensor .. Canon says no film camera under $40,000 has a sensor as large as the 7d (roughly the size of a 35 mm camera) and the 5d has a full fram sensor thats bigger than the Red One Camera

it wont be as good as Red One in many ways because its not designed to but Red One at a minimum cost $17,500 thats just the body


Canon kicks ass .. i think the 7d may have killed the Scarlet but we shall see .. cant wait

exciting times for sure
:shocked:


Dual still/video is the way Red is going with Epic & Scarlet with DSMC (Digital Stills Motion Camera) and DSLR

it looks like it to me
 
DOF is a definite factor. But just the sharpness, contrast, colors....obviously alot of it can be tweaked in post, but it's just crazy to me.

Chris, Canon is awesome. What do you think of the Panny GH1? In general and also compared to the Canons?
 
my 7d comes tomorrow ..cant wait!


i cant do a personal comparison sorry but after I get the 7d I will be happy to do any kind of test or answer any questions i know the answers to
 
Warning: Any DSLR is SIGNIFICANTLY less sharp than a normal video camera, not sharpER. Don't buy it because you think they're sharper - they're not.
 
Jester2138 said:
Warning: Any DSLR is SIGNIFICANTLY less sharp than a normal video camera, not sharpER. Don't buy it because you think they're sharper - they're not.
Click to expand...

not from what Ive seen and thats ok with me because my 7d shoots true HD 1080 at 24f and has the ability to switch lenses
also can shoot 60f at 720

so i feel confident in my decision


the only "camera" you can get for 2000 that i know of is the Canon hf s10 camcorder (it's actually really nice just very limited)

plus thats a really vague statement .. you expect me to take a wild comment like that with no proof and contrary to what ive seen and just say OK youre right let me cancel my order now!

??
 
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Sharpness really depends on what two cameras you're comparing and what settings you're using. I know that the 7D is sharper than the HMC150 I own, but I can tweak the 7D back to make it match.

I think the HFS 100 may have an edge on the 7D in sharpness mostly because it doesn't have the aliasing issues, as it is designed from the ground up to be a HD video camcorder.
 
Yea, I'm not too crazy about that sharper comment either...

All I know is that I have seen some absolutely amazing videos out there from the "still" cams that have absolutely blown me away. Obviously there are amazing videos from the bigger cameras too, but I'd expect that when you're paying $3000-$5000.
 
The "sharper" comment is settled science, the DSLRs don't have that much true resolution, but they have a ton of aliased detail that can combine to make them look a lot sharper than they actually are. However, under no circumstances can a DSLR compete with a full-raster video camera such as an EX1, HPX300, or HMC40 for actual resolved picture information.

Considering that the DSLRs cost about 1/3 to 1/4 as much as those cameras (excepting the HMC40, of course) people should be plenty happy with how sharp they actually are without worrying about why they're not sharper than video cameras that cost 3x to 4x as much.
 
These cameras looks so darn amazing thanks to the sensor size. It mimics a 35mm filmcamera and despite shortcomings, compared to any pro videocamera, they can deliver great results.
 
No doubt...

I don't think anyone is worrying about that here. Most are pretty happy with how sharp they are. It would be silly to complain about a camera's features/specs to a much more expensive camera.

I'm actually doing the opposite and comparing how amazing they look compared to a more expensive camera.
 
a sensor size chart from RED


really good info


the sensor size for asp-c 7d is almost identical to 35mm film

the 5d full frame is much larger but you cant shoot 24,25 f yet

only 30f and from what I hear its 30 f not 29.987 or w/e that N american standard is ..so its a pain in your NLE

I dont know about 60 f for the 5d ?
 
Barry_Green said:
However, under no circumstances can a DSLR compete with a full-raster video camera such as an EX1, HPX300, or HMC40 for actual resolved picture information.
Click to expand...

The test that you have done are great. I have a few questions. What does full raster mean and I'm guessing thats different from HD. Do any of these DSLR's resolve as well or better than any over $2000 video camera, like say for instance an HVX200 or something. Or does every single supposedly HD video camera over $2000 trounce these DSLR's in resolution. I'm trying to get some clear perspective. Also by chance, does anyone have any links to res charts for the HVX200.
 
By "full raster" I'm referring to cameras with three 1920x1080 chips, recording to a 1920x1080 recording format.

The DSLRs in 1080 mode do resolve a little more than an HVX/HPX170 in 1080 mode, I'd say about 15% more. In 720 mode, no way, but in 1080 mode, yes.

DSLRs have many advantages and qualities that make them look great. The primary factor is the shallow DOF, no video camera on the market can touch them in that aspect. But in terms of dynamic range and resolved detail they're not as good as the video cameras.
 
I'm really thinking about selling my HMC150 and getting one of these DSLRs. I probably won't just yet because it's about 2 months old, but when it comes down to it...the quality from the DSLRs is just something I can't get over.

editman - nice video!

I love that little field monitor you have propped up from the shoe above the GH1...which one is that? Would you have a link by any chance?
 
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