HMC40 VS Canon AX10

J

jimith

Active member
I have been using the Panasonic DVC30 and DVX100. Although the DVX100 is a better camera, I like the DVC30 better. I am looking to upgrade to HD. How does the Panasonic AG-HMC40 compare to the Canon XA10? I mostly use a 7" monitor with a lanc zoom controller. I also use my own shoulder mount. Does the zoom on the Canon AX10 cause a problem of use because it is not a rocker? The HMC40 can connect to a monitor with the LCD screen closed, but it looks like the Canon LCD screen needs to be open, is this true? Is there a difference editing the files? I am using a PC with Cyberlink Powerdirector, I shoot mostly promotional, instructional, web, and documentary videos. I really like the HMC40, is it the HD version of the DVC30? Does the HMC40 operate closely to how the DVC30 operates? I have been searching on YouTube for over a week on information about both cameras. There should be a detailed video compairing the two cameras.
Thanks
 
jimith, I had the pleasure to use the DVC30, and bought the HMC40, It has just the right size is a strong camera with ergonomics and metal buttons but 2 big plus is HD and is not tape is card.
The canon is more like a consumer camera with handle with XLR. You have to go into menus and menus for most adjustments, Footage I have seen from shows lack of dynamic range, while the HMC40
in cinemode type D or V plus DRS gives you a great dynamic range. Is bigger than the Canon but still very portable.
 
I actually use both of the these cameras in combination, Each has their own pros and cons, but together they make a great pair. I shoot dance recitals and marching band competitions so the XA-10 is perfect for the wide angle view and HMC40 works great for the close up shots.

HMC40
Pro
Very similar to DVC 30 (where I came from)
Uses same Zoom rocker controller
Takes great footage in good light
Although only 12x zoom, since it is not a wide angle, you can get pretty close. Similar to DVC 30
Large battery gives 7 hours of shooting

Cons
Low light is dramatically worse than DVC30 - F5.6 on DVC30 is probably open 6db on HMC40 you have to get used to shooting with gain cranked up.
LCD is awful
Need wide angle adapter if you need a wide angle
only one memory card slot
Need to purchase XLR kit to add XLR capability

XA-10
Pro
Full manual controls are available
Easy to use for inexperienced shooters
Beautiful images
Dual memory card recording PLUS 64gb hard drive. Over 12 hours of recording with 2 32gb cards
Built in XLR
Wide angle similar to my XH-A1 - great for wide shots
Beautiful LCD screen
Good in Low light
Zoom controller is just a smooth as the HMC40's

Con
only 10x zoom, not good to get close up shots
Largest battery only gives 4 hours of shooting
Have to get used to touch screen controls
Some controls (white balance) are not adjustable while recording
Combo headphone/AV port. Not able to monitor audio while sending monitor feed.

Hope this helps. Feel free to ask any questions you might have.
 
If you are looking to upgrade then consider the new AC-90 which has all the features of the HMC40 (Except WFM) but it is wide angle (around equiv 28-29mm instead of 40!) The image quality is outstanding and you have a reportedly clean image even at 24db gain from the backlit chips..it has XLR's, dual card slots and lens rings and a very hi res LCD the same as it's big brothers. Tests so far show in good light it's actually sharper than the AC-160!!! The sensors actually resolve a 4K image and then downrez it to 1080! Another nice feature is it shoots 1080 double frame rate (50/60P) .. Zoom is still 12X and it uses the same batteries as the DVX so you can drop in the big CGA-D54 packs and shoot for ages!!! All controls are manual but the touch screen is still there for setup.

As Felipe says the XA10 is really tiny!! It just makes 8" in length so it is really a consumer sized camera with an XLR handle...it would to tough to shoot handheld due to the size and the extreme light weight (around 700g!!!)

Chris
 
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CAVIDEO, Could you show us some footage from the Canon, Dynamic range is one thing , construction is not jeep type like the HMC40.
In my opinion the fact that the HMC40 has not wide angle is a plus because if you need it you put it on,( keeping the small size ) as well the XLR , that by the way the Juicedlink RM 202 gives you a better result than the
original Canon or Panasonic ( which is modular ) and can be used with other cameras like DSLR etc. and Menus and menus, very few external buttons are sort of boring.

Chris : Hands down if the HMC40 wouldn't exist, I'll go with the ac90, but the size and image quality from the HMC40 makes me stay with this camera size , is my perfect fit.
My limit for the HMC40 as far as gain is 18db, but lighting is something I keep using most of the time to make pop or improve every take, either portable Led or Powerful Halogen
Is my opinion that Panasonic not now but in the future will replace the HMC40 with a similar size camera. As you can tell In this ending planet everything is shrinking
Cars are smaller, habitat as well, There is too many people in the planet and things have to be smaller.
Security is another importan point , more in this side of the world than up there, so you better don't look too shiny.
Felipe
 
Hey Felipe

Absolutely..if size is an issue then the 40 is still large enough and has enough weight to be considered a real camera ..the XA10 would be way too tiny for my liking and it's only a single chip camera. Because I do weddings the extra wide angle would be very useful for me..(My HMC82's have the same lens as the 40 so they are also around 40mm equiv) However what really interests me is the backlit sensors..Barry Green has tested the camera in low light and although the sensitivity is the same as the 40 the gain is VERY clean. he says that 30db gain is still useable !! At 24db gain mi images are full of grain yet Barry says at 24db the AC-90 image is still clean!!
Yep I use an on camera light at wedding receptions but people tend to complain about the light so you end up using a combination of higher gain and less light...for me that would mean that with the same light level and gain currently used (often 18db or more) I would get a much cleaner image.
If of course you are always working in good light or have the option to switch in lighting then the 40 is the answer as it's a proven and tough little critter!!! I can live without the dual card slots but the spot focus/iris is nice when you have backlighting and again all my audio gear is XLR so I'd need the XLR adapter for a 40.
Yeah, things are getting smaller and smaller!! Don't these SmartPhone manufacturers realise that us guys have fat fingers and cannot type on a dinky keyboard??

Chris
 
Thanks for letting me know about the AC-90. I am looking at what information is out there and it does look like the better choice than the HMC-40. B&H has it for pre-order at $2000. I still want to get more information. In the last three weeks I have been positive about purchasing the AX-10, HMC-40 and now AC90. Any more information would be helpful. I think I heard the AC90 takes the HPX 170 batteries. Is this correct?
 
jimith said:
Thanks for letting me know about the AC-90. I am looking at what information is out there and it does look like the better choice than the HMC-40. B&H has it for pre-order at $2000. I still want to get more information. In the last three weeks I have been positive about purchasing the AX-10, HMC-40 and now AC90. Any more information would be helpful. I think I heard the AC90 takes the HPX 170 batteries. Is this correct?
Click to expand...


There are a few good threads about the AC-90 on this forum. Here's one: Link
I believe that it does use the same batteries as the HPX170 and DVX100. Overall, it looks like it has a superior image to the HMC-40, but is larger (utterly dwarfs the XA10) and lacks a waveform. The OIS is supposed to be really impressive as well. Barry Green is currently testing one, so we should have all of the gory details before too long.
 
jimith said:
Thanks for letting me know about the AC-90. I am looking at what information is out there and it does look like the better choice than the HMC-40. B&H has it for pre-order at $2000. I still want to get more information. In the last three weeks I have been positive about purchasing the AX-10, HMC-40 and now AC90. Any more information would be helpful. I think I heard the AC90 takes the HPX 170 batteries. Is this correct?
Click to expand...
If size is not an issue go for the AC90 No WAVE FORM MONITOR BUT ZEBRAS.
 
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