How Much Better EX3 (or EX1) than Canon XL-1S?

M

MitchLewis

Well-known member
In years past I've upgraded our Apple computers expecting big increases in speed/performance. Sometimes it's a big difference, sometimes I'm disappointed.

We're planning to upgrade from our aging Canon XL-1S (MiniDV) to a Sony EX3. I'm hoping that we'll notice a BIG difference. True?

Anyone upgrade to an EX3/EX1 from a camera similar to the XL-IS? Just curious as to what we should expect.
 
Compared to XL1s... you will need new shorts when you start editing the footage.

But keep in mind that the CMOS issues are not something you have to worry about now with the XL1, so just make sure you read up on those to be aware.
 
It really is night and day. The sharpness of the image is amazing, it has full 1080p resolution, a 1/2" sensor, and the best same LCD of ANY pro camera.
 
Got it... I wasn't too worried if it didn't shoot 1080p anyway cause the chip still has a ton of resolution and the images would have still been as sharp as I saw they were... but thanks for the clarification.
 
:engel017: -- Keep in mind MichLewis, that every pixel (theoretically) is assigned to the 1920x1080 raster. Most other cameras do what they call "pixel shifts" to accomodate for the resolution by this methoid to generate pickup sensor resolution to the image. Not in the EX-x cameras. As a bonus, since the C-MOS chips are less sensative to light than the CCD sensors, Sony has increase the size to 1/2 in. Other cameras under $10,000 have 3/8, 1/3 or less size sensors. The advantage of the C-MOS sensor over the CCD sensor is that it takes less power to run and it is much faster, (great for over-cranking.) This is a true 2k (2k x 3) camera with an outstanding pro Fujinon camera len encluded: as I have stated before, these cameras are best described as a "Chips and Glass" camera -- if you think about it, is't that what great images are made of? - Carl Marxx
 
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Thanks for all the replies! Sounds like this is going to be a BIG improvment over the XL-1S. I can't wait! We've been waiting for the "ultimate" under $10,000 camera for a while now. The rolling shutter made me a bit nervous at first. I toyed with the idea of waiting for a response from Panasonic, but when our XL-1S died last month in front of our biggest client, we decided to purchase sooner than later. When it turned out to be the XL-1S transport mechinism that went bad. It will sure be nice to not have to worry about that with the EX3!!

Thanks again for "painting a picture" of what we are to expect!
 
Carl Marxx said:
:engel017: -- Keep in mind MichLewis, that every pixel (theoretically) is assigned to the 1920x1080 raster. Most other cameras do what they call "pixel shifts" to accomodate for the resolution by this methoid to generate pickup sensor resolution to the image. Not in the EX-x cameras. As a bonus, since the C-MOS chips are less sensative to light than the CCD sensors, Sony has increase the size to 1/2 in. Other cameras under $10,000 have 3/8, 1/3 or less size sensors. The advantage of the C-MOS sensor over the CCD sensor is that it takes less power to run and it is much faster, (great for over-cranking.) This is a true 2k (2k x 3) camera with an outstanding pro Fujinon camera len encluded: as I have stated before, these cameras are best described as a "Chips and Glass" camera -- if you think about it, is't that what great images are made of? - Carl Marxx
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I have been told that's why Panasonic cannot make the 170 and 200A compete with the EX cameras as far as chip size or native resolution. CMOS chips use less current and run cooler than CCDs. I was told that they could not put three 1/2" CCDs into a body as small as the HVX/HPX without heat issues.

It will be interesting to see if Panasonic switches to CMOS imagers in the next generation.

Dan
 
Not likely imo until the cmos trade off/issues are resolved... God knows you could buy any hd camera and notice a huge difference over the XL1s though!

However, be aware that any cam shaped like the EX1, HVX etc will look quite a bit less impressive to most clients (physically) on a shoot than a bigger/shoulder type cam like the XL!

Superficial though it is lol, it does matter to a lot of corporate clients (how big your toy is!) So i'd definately go more towards the EX3 myself!

Btw you must be aware how silly your question is in the first place haha! :huh:
 
lawriejaffa said:
However, be aware that any cam shaped like the EX1, HVX etc will look quite a bit less impressive to most clients (physically) on a shoot than a bigger/shoulder type cam like the XL!

Superficial though it is lol, it does matter to a lot of corporate clients (how big your toy is!) So i'd definately go more towards the EX3 myself!
Click to expand...

Why do you think we're buying a big matte box and rods! hehehehe!

Yeah, I knew the question was a bit stupid, but living in a smaller town, we don't get to look at all the different camera options available. Heck, most of the local news crews are still shooting on S-VHS! No one is shooing HD around here.

Thanks again for the replies! :)
 
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