been doing some research and I keep finding more and more interest on how the hpx250 compares to the 6 year old ex1 and they seem to be on par, I personally dont understand how a camera that was released last year compares to one from 6 years ago, it should run circles around the ex1 in terms of sharpness, can someone explain?
OTHER: hpx250 vs EX1
- Thread starter aalleexx
- Start date
rzr219
Well-known member
True its a good camera, but its not as sharp and would you buy a 6 year old computer and pay more than a current year model? There are many threads about the ex vrs the 250, you need to test them out side by side, I did for 4 hours. You can read reviews till you cant read anymore and it wont really help, test them both and make your decision based on facts and what you like. After all its your money.
LiamR
Well-known member
I personally think the HPX250 runs rings around the EX1, sharper more vibrant image, more ND filter range, P2 cards, 4:2:2 10-bit w/ 100 m-bit Codec, Longer zoom lens, the Sony has a fairly dull look, I feel Sony have always struggled to compete with Canon and Panasonic when it comes to Colors. The HPX250 has thing's like DRS which is really handy and helps with keeping the Highlights to a reasonable state, apart from just blowing them and rendering horrible outlines around subjects. Ergonomically the 250 is incredible, everything is just in perfect place, you can almost use the camera with 1 hand. It's insanely well balanced and feels as though it weigh's nothing, to put it in perspective, it weigh's over 1kg more than my old Sony FS100 and the FS100 was unbearable to hand hold for longer than 10 minutes.
Depending on what kind of shooter you are, it has it's pitfalls as well, but this is with every Panasonic ENG camera I've come across...
If you are in 1080/24P mode, you CANNOT watch shot's in 720/60P on the camera playback, which brings upon another problem, you have to turn the camera off when changing mode's, just plain annoying.
It need's to have some sort of Slow Motion playback setting, similar to 7d, fs100, etc...
This could just be me, as I haven't researched much into the camera as I could of (I'm currently travelling the world shooting with it, so makes it hard), But...
You can't dial in any WB settings, you either have to go with the Presets or use Auto White Balance?? I'm not sure if this is actually how it is, but it frustrates me, that's for sure.
Depending on what kind of shooter you are, it has it's pitfalls as well, but this is with every Panasonic ENG camera I've come across...
If you are in 1080/24P mode, you CANNOT watch shot's in 720/60P on the camera playback, which brings upon another problem, you have to turn the camera off when changing mode's, just plain annoying.
It need's to have some sort of Slow Motion playback setting, similar to 7d, fs100, etc...
This could just be me, as I haven't researched much into the camera as I could of (I'm currently travelling the world shooting with it, so makes it hard), But...
You can't dial in any WB settings, you either have to go with the Presets or use Auto White Balance?? I'm not sure if this is actually how it is, but it frustrates me, that's for sure.
For me coming from HVX 201 the major hiccup is CMOS. I still prefer CCD. I got the 250 and its great, a real iris ring, great codec, better low light, real HD, 22X zoom, all great but I dont like CMOS for the shutter problems. I look forward to global shutter and some improvements. The next one has a big sensor, ND filter, manual Kelvin and is ergonomic with a VF on the right place (where professional film cameras had it) has a 10 or 12 bit codec etc...
Barry_Green
Moderator
Well, first of all, the EX1 isn't six years old, it's 4 years old. Second, there's a limit to how sharp something can be, given the 1920x1080 format. The EX1 and HPX250 both kind of max out what you can expect as far as resolved detail goes. Third, the HPX250 is much less expensive and has a vastly superior codec, while maintaining comparable sensitivity and sharpness, and giving a wider and longer lens.
If it was more expensive than the EX1, I'd see your point, but considering the HPX250 is $4895 at B&H, and has a 10-bit 4:2:2 codec on it, and a 22x zoom lens, I mean, surely it establishes itself as a viable product in its own right.
Bassman2003
Veteran
I agree, you need to test them side by side. You could probably get a used EX-1R for close to the new HPX-250 price. On a side note, I went from a EX-1 with Nanoflash to a Canon XF300 because the XF300 just has a nicer overall image. The specs show this should not be, but looking at finished Blu-rays and DVDs tells me otherwise. Now an HPX-250 vs XF300 would be a grudge match!
rzr219
Well-known member
Yes, I added up my total cost and what I need for the future and it just made more sense. I do really like the 2/3 on the ex, but I have a hard time knowing that it would last me 5-7 years. I also am getting into more green screen so I really need the 4:2:2 at 10 bit to assist. I just what I like most the just the pure sharpness of the image. I do mostly event shooing and it works well as long as you understand what the camera will want to do under certain conditions. Plus it have SDI out and gen lock with 4 channels of audio uncompressed. I was so tired of only have 2 channels, I know 2 are only for onboard but now I can have 2 dedicated wireless mics and not worry about room sound missing. What pushed me over was my local dealer and letting me use 4 different models, 130/160/250 and ex1 side by side in their showroom. Once I could hold and play with each camera my choice was clear.
Barry_Green
Moderator
? EX cameras are 1/2", not 2/3".,
At the proper aperture, an HPX250 should be equally sharp. You have a little more leeway with aperture on the larger chip camera, but within the sweet zone, they perform extremely similarly in terms of sharpness.
That's far and away the best way to do it. Internet opinions are fine and all, but whenever you have the opportunity there's no substitute for getting actual hands-on time. Congrats on your new camera!