Going back to FULL HD after 4K? (AC160 vs HC-X1000)

G

ghoste

New member
Hey guys,

I'm filming mostly Skate/BMX videos. I'm currently using a Panasonic HC-X1000 (and a Lumix G70 as a second angle cam). I do like it a lot, but there are some drawbacks, that's why I'm thinking about selling it and switching to a AG-AC160 (had the AC90 and it was too "consumer" for me):

The sensor is very small, so it doesn't catch much detail and isn't too good in low light. The 4K helps, but I sometimes feel like a 1" sensor or 3MOS or 3CCD 1/3" sensors would look better.
Then the OIS only supports optical stabilization in 4K. I feel like my old HPX170 was way steadier. Additionally when I try to stabilize it in post the video sometimes looks a bit weird, not too noticeable, but mostly the background seems to "wobble". Could be because of all the optical stabilization going on that it may result in a bit "faulty" footage? I saw the same "wobbling" on some 50p clips that I slow-mo'ed to 50%, but on most clips it works fine.

So my question is: does it make sense to go back to Full HD 1080p with an AC160? Any other suggestions for camcorders? I know the future is 4K and I may want to do some videojournalism and music video projects in the future, too, so that would influence your answers, too, I guess. Or would it be best to keep on filming with the HC-X1000 until I can afford a AG-CX350 or something similar in a couple of years?

I'm going for this look:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZYAzo5OdqHM&t=698s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xuRYGcGF_Oo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZJWcSc9gFw&t=119s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FxDVObzf5y0&t=1s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yk1cLKpzHck&t=29s

Thanks for your help!
 
soarprod said:
CX350 supports everything in 4K. OIS, hybrid. Price is reasonable. And it has Vlog color.
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... and it's not in my budget at all.

NorBro said:
Before answering your question in more depth, have you used the AC160 before?
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It would be great if you could answer in more depth. I've had an AC120 in hand for an evening and used the HVX200, HPX170, AC90 and HC-X1000 for longer periods.
 
Forgive me - but none of those videos scream 4K! Pixel count is pretty unimportant when the glass on the front is pretty poor. I'm still of the opinion that larger sensors and good glass make all the difference. These two things and 1080 can often look like really solid, high quality images and some 4K images really look like old fashioned SD. Where you go in between these two very subjective ends of the scale really needs you to shoot something and make your choice on that.
 
ghoste said:
It would be great if you could answer in more depth. I've had an AC120 in hand for an evening and used the HVX200, HPX170, AC90 and HC-X1000 for longer periods.
Click to expand...

So I always thought that the older prosumer camcorders that companies made were more solid in their handling of the images they produced. I'm not sure if it's due to the CCDs in some of them (the HVX200 was an icon for skateboarding when I was younger), and/or better processing at a lower resolution, and/or more control of the rolling shutter - but at some point some of these newer budget options started to produce thinner images that just didn't feel as "heavy" (if that makes any sense). Like you didn't feel the OIS really working well.

Your predicament is you would like a great camera for SBing but also for future projects...and you're also on a budget.

IMO, keep in mind that any of the cameras you mentioned above (besides the CX350) would work for only specific clients (video journalism and music videos and what not) because their IQ isn't as acceptable anymore. And I don't know if it makes sense to go back to an older camera unless you grab one on eBay for $200 or so and only use it for SBing.

What's your budget?

If doable, one system I think you should take a look at is the Canon G60. It's a modern 4K fixed-lens camcorder with a 1" sensor that has really nice colors and DPAF if you ever need it. (You can use a $20 handle with it.)

[Side note: It would be great if more global shutter options were available.]
 
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