GH1 vs TM700

R

RandyQ

Well-known member
I was all set to buy a GH1 when the TM700 came out, and all of a sudden I need some advice as to which to get!

1. Currently shoot industrial stuff (factories, fishing boats, etc) and occasional documentary using a PD170. I like it a lot because of the ruggedness, ease of use and amazing low light ability.

2. Downside to my use of PD170 is that my shots have a very video-like feel which my clients are starting to notice. Not only that, its 4:3 aspect ratio is starting to look old.

3. I like the GH1 because I wanted the 16x9 aspect ratio, nice contrast range, and shallow depth of field. Not only that, its a cheap way to get 720P.

4. I am apprehensive about the GH1 because I'm afraid the handling will add another level of complexity to my shoots, as well as doubts whether it will do well shooting on tuna boats in the middle of the ocean (my main concern actually because this is my big client).

5. I am attracted to the TM700 because it solves many of the issues of the GH1 that have to do with its DSLR roots. Skew is less, I believe, as well as less alliasing, moire, and manual audio control.

6. However, because its a video cam, I am afraid it might bring me back to a video-like look that the GH1 doesn't have. I'm also concerned about the low-light capability, because the PD170 enabled me to do many things without having to bother with adding light.

7. Finally, although this may not count in the final analysis, the TM700 looks like a toy. My clients may not care, but it bugs me no end.

Anyone care to share their thoughts on this?

Thanks!

rgds/ RandyQ
 
Best thing is to have both :-)
TM700 is video amera for long shots, good lens and good encoder.
GH1 is more for planned shots, sharpness will be much lower, mud, etc.
You can use color grading and 60i->24p conversion to get professional look from TM700.
And buy some big looking hood (I suggest one with Cokin P holder for ND filters) to make it look bigger. Also big shotgun mic can help to improve looks :-)
 
Barry_Green said:
Use both, until the AF100 comes out. Then you'll have the best of all possible worlds.
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depends what he is looking for.
if fast panning and camera-motion/movement will be a major factor then the tm700 might look smoother since it is a 3 chip design.. (although only test comparisons will be the final judge)
if it is a film-like look then the af100 is the obvious choice.
 
Three chips don't have anything to do with camera motion or movement. Perhaps you meant to say the 1080/60p was better for motion/movement?

I recommended the AF100 because he seemed to be torn between the filmlike look of the GH1, and the videocamera functionality of the TM700. The AF100 should be the best of both.
 
Unfortunately, I dont think I can wait for the AF100 - might be the perfect cam but I've got to shoot soon, and it can't be with both.

The first thing I am concerned with is the low light capability. The Gh1 has a chip thats much bigger than the 1/4" CMOS in the TM700 which tells me that with the right lens it will do much better than the TM700. I was all set to get a GH1 with the 20mm f1.7 lens.

But with the GH1, you have to be aware of the mud issue and adjust your shooting accordingly. Considering that I will be shooting over water, where things are very hard to control, this swings me slightly in favor of the TM700.

I wonder if anyone here has shot both and can give some insight on what the shooting experience is like? Will certainly be helpful in my decision making.

rgds/ RandyQ
 
The detailed outdoor footage that I've seen from the TM700 is fantastic, significantly better than the GH1. It's down to 28Mbps AVCHD on the TM700 vs. 17Mbps AVCHD on the GH1. The TM700 has a smaller sensor but a very fast zoom lens so I wouldn't be surprised if it was better in low light unless you are right up on your subject and can use the 20mm f1.7. Even then, the 20mm has a very shallow DOF wide open at f1.7, meaning, you'll have trouble getting one face in focus and no way if the face is moving or if you're trying to get two side-by-side faces in focus. The 20mm f1.7 auto-focus is continually hunting in video mode so any professional production with that lens would have to be manual focus. If you need the shallow DOF, then the GH1 is the way to go but otherwise, I would go with the TM700.
 
I have both cameras and find the picture quality from the TM700 better at good light. Hardly any moire at 1080p60p. Also the image stabilization allows much easier handheld shooting.
 
ustein said:
I have both cameras and find the picture quality from the TM700 better at good light. Hardly any moire at 1080p60p. Also the image stabilization allows much easier handheld shooting.
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How about in low light? Under what circumstances if any would you prefer the GH1 to the TM700?
 
The biggest difference would be in the DOF. The GH1 will have significantly shallower DOF. i.e. more filmic.

JohnG
 
I think this is the main thing that made me eventually decide to go with the GH1 versus TM700. Ultimately I'm looking for something that will make my images stand out, and I'm not going to get that with a small-sensor cam like the TM700.

Its a subjective thing - I guess I just like the images the Gh1 makes.

rgds/ RandyQ
 
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