HPX 170 vs Sony PMW EX1

[BlindProphet]

Hi guys,

I thought I would get some expert help on this matter. A salesperson was really trying to get me to reconsider buying an EX1 and go rather with the HPX 170. He said that out of the box, there is a greater filmic look with the HPX and that with the cheaper price tag, I can buy a 35 mm adapter and get some great quality with it (much better than with a standalone ex1). I have been hearing great things about the EX1 so I want to know your opinion

As for my shooting, I am a film school student who will be working on HD short films for festivals and HD indie features in the near future.

Thanks for all the help.

 

[David Saraceno]

I would venture that most here will support the 170 because is is dvxuser.com.


The EX provides a full raster 1920x1080 capture. The HPX170's sensor is 960x540 and relies on pixel shift to allow 1080. However, I believe the 170's video is more appealing with more of a film like look. Sharper isn't always better for video. Some prefer the sharper EX1 video while others like the filmic of the 10.

The HPX170 uses 3 CCD sensors, opposed to the CMOS based sensors in the EX. There is an article in the articles section on issues with rolling shutter in CMOS shutters and the skew it can produce under certain circumstances.

A 16 GB P2 E Series memory card runs about $415 and holds about 16 minutes of DVCPRO HD (highest quality) or 42 minutes of DVCProHD 720/24pN.

The EX1/EX3 SxS memory cards cost about the same, but hold more footage, but the footage runs a maximum of 35 mbps. The 170 footage can be captured at a maximum of 100 mbps.

The HPX170 is intraframe with a 4:2:2 color space. The EX1/EX3 has a 4:2:0 chroma subsampling and is interframe long GOP.

Again articles on the differing color space in the articles section.

There is a wealth of information here and elsewhere, but this a brief summary.