AC90: Horns of a Dillema

M

MikeG624

Member
I can't decide what to do. I have an ag-hmc40 (w/o the xlr attatchment). I have really enjoyed it for purely amateur, non-commercial purposes. I want to upgrade to a true professional camera primarily so that I can operate the camera in full manual control. The HMC-150 has everything I want, and is at the extreme limit of my budget. I have seen some of the comparisons of the 150's video with the new ac130 and for my purposes I can't see a great deal of difference.

Now the dilemma. The ag-hmc90 is out and the reviews are great, and the cost is substantially less. I know the two big changes are 1080/60p and the improved o.i.s. but it doesn't have many of the features my hmc40 has, and a number of the features I would get with hmc150. If the goal is a truly professional camera, should I go with the hmc150 (even if the technology is dated), or go with the ac90?
 
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I've used the HMC40 myself, and a friend has the HMC150, and I've heavily researched the AC90 as my possible next camera. I think that the biggest difference between the HMC150 and the AC90 is that the HMC150 has 1/3" CCD image sensors. That means no jello-wobble and superior low light performance compared to the smaller 1/4.7" CMOS chips of the AC90.

That said, reviews of the AC90 say it has incredible sharpness, and the best image stabilization around. Also has 3 lens rings for iris, focus, zoom. And dual memory card slots to record backup or span longer recordings. And of course costs much less.

As a wedding videographer that is often faced with poor lighting conditions, low-light performance is a critical factor for me. Not sure what kind of jobs you intend to do, and maybe that is not a factor at all.

Another thing, the AC90 lacks built-in ND filters and it is pretty much mandatory to install an ND filter on the lens outdoor for shooting in bright sun.

Hope this helps with your decision

Thanks

Jeff Pulera
Safe Harbor
 
Thank you Jeff.

I've seen the great reviews of the ac90, and I'm strongly leaning in that direction. I just like all of the pro features available on the hmc150. I've seen a couple of the comparisons between these two cameras and the 150 still puts out a strong result.
 
My first camcorder when starting out was a HMC150. Then I switched to DSLRs because the overall image quality was improved and the low light noise looked more pleasing. But after a couple years of using DSLRs, I have moved back to 3 chip camcorders. I just purchased a AC90 and I personally think its miles better than the 150 because to me the AC90 has the image performance of DSLRs (without the shallow depth of field which I am so over now) in addition to many of the benefits of a pro camcorder.

You gota realize the HMC150, while a fine camera for its time, is 5 years old and 5 years in technology terms is a VERY LONG TIME. To put it in perspective, thats the same year that the second version of the iPhone came out. I suspect the only reason Panasonic still manufactures it is because some people still prefer CCD over MOS. The LCD screen on the HMC150 is horrible compared to modern camcorders (it only has 210K pixels while the AC90 LCD has over 1 million). Its much easier to tell what is in focus with the AC90 just by looking at the LCD. While the HMC150 allows you to punch in to check focus, I prefer the focus in red feature of the AC90. Also, the AC90 images are MUCH cleaner in situations where the HMC150 would be producing ugly noise. I can barely notice noise even at the highest gain on the AC90 and the noise I do notice is much more DSLR like (a fine, film like grain) rather than an ugly splotchy noise like the HMC150 produces - at least that's how it looks my my AC90.

These of course are my opinions, others may vary. I would say, if you don't need the convenience of built in ND filters go with the AC90. But if you are doing alot of outdoor filming you might consider the HMC150 instead because under adequate lighting, it does produce some nice images. If I were to use the HMC150 today, I would definitely want a SmallHD monitor or some other monitor to view the images on.

There are a couple minor issues that bug me about the AC90, but the image quality it produces are so sharp and clean, i can look past its shortcomings. I plan to get a 2nd one next month and then start saving for the PX270 which is coming out in 2014!
 
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