HVX200a or Canon 7d?

F

fabianc

Member
Hey guys I am sure this question gets asked a lot but I figured i'd ask since my case could be different. I owned a Canon 7d and liked it a lot but had to sell it to pay off some other unexpected bills. I've always wanted the HVX200 since I LOVE the Dvx100a. I noticed some issues with the 7d. The audio issue, the compression, needed to use a tripod to keep it from making the footage too shaky, didn't handle the blacks all too well. The HVX200a seems more like its for short films and things like that. The Canon 7d seems more for the experimental video shooter who wants to shoot random things. I want to make short films and want a solid camera with both audio and video and uncompressed HD footage. I know it seems like I just answered my own question BUT I want to hear some input from both sides. The price issue is well about the same since I am about to sell my DVX for $1100 and the HVX I found is used at $2700 so really its roughly the same price. Anyone who has used both I'd love to hear any cons about HVX and the 7D.

Fabian
 
the 7D isnt a video camera.

the way i see it now is DSLRs with video features are like a Ferrari F50 - its a show car that will also get you to the office every day. but if your primary activity is driving to the office, there are far better (smarter) ways to get to the office.
 
fabianc said:
Hey guys I am sure this question gets asked a lot but I figured i'd ask since my case could be different. I owned a Canon 7d and liked it a lot but had to sell it to pay off some other unexpected bills. I've always wanted the HVX200 since I LOVE the Dvx100a. I noticed some issues with the 7d. The audio issue, the compression, needed to use a tripod to keep it from making the footage too shaky, didn't handle the blacks all too well. The HVX200a seems more like its for short films and things like that. The Canon 7d seems more for the experimental video shooter who wants to shoot random things. I want to make short films and want a solid camera with both audio and video and uncompressed HD footage. I know it seems like I just answered my own question BUT I want to hear some input from both sides. The price issue is well about the same since I am about to sell my DVX for $1100 and the HVX I found is used at $2700 so really its roughly the same price. Anyone who has used both I'd love to hear any cons about HVX and the 7D.

Fabian
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I think you should get that Canon 7D back and capture audio separate. If you are shooting short movies you are shooting free movies. I think that for most low budget videos the 7D gives a much more cinematic look. Are you trying to get a cinematic look in your short movies? If so use a tripod/dolly/stabilization everytime! Also HVX200 does not shoot uncompressed HD video.

So I recommend you buy the Rebel T2i, a tripod, separate audio recorder, and lights!
 
The HVX200a does not output uncompressed HD... True... But the 7D doesn't either.
The HPX170 outputs a full raster HD signal via SDI, no?

The 7D is 8-bit heavily compressed h.264, which makes post not only a nightmare for fast turn around, but also for color correction. And there is no optical image stabilization and rolling shutter on that bad boy. Its a great still camera, but makes me cringe when compared to anything pro. Video it is not... And the lenses? Have you priced that out?

IMHO, its a trendy, cool looking fad, but its not ready for the big time unless you have a ton of time and money, or canon endorsing you (thats for you vince...). It has practical applications, but they are few and far between to outweigh the pertinent negatives.

My advice, find a used HPX170. Why? Because you can shoot with it. Viacom uses it (or the HVX) on a bunch of their reality programming because its proven and battle tested. I owned by DVX100a for 3 years, I shot something like 300 hours on it. I've owned my HPX170 for a year, I am already at that point. Focus assist, audio inputs, optical image stabilization, waveform and vector scope, and HD pass through.... If you want to shoot and not have an excuse not to, the HPX170 is it. Short of that, the HVX is solid. Hell, the EX1 or EX3 are video cameras at least. And second hand gear (tripods, lights, mics) are everywhere.

TO BE CLEAR - I await the day Canon makes a DVSLR that is designed to shoot video without compromise, but they aren't there yet... its a long ways to go.

My $0.02
 
The HVX200A *does* output uncompressed HD, via its analog component port.
The HPX170 can output uncompressed HD through either its HD-SDI or its analog component port.
 
Barry_Green said:
The HVX200A *does* output uncompressed HD, via its analog component port.
The HPX170 can output uncompressed HD through either its HD-SDI or its analog component port.
Click to expand...


Yeah but I read on the internet that the 7D puts out uncompressed unicorns, free beer, and an insatiable degree of insecurity unmatched by any other device ownership.
 
Fabian honestly I am trying to help. And if you are on a budget and you are trying to shoot cinematic short movies I would suggest Rebel T2i. How many short movies have you shot? Using a Dslr will allow you to use less light which should not be overlooked when shooting low budget projects.
 
You can achieve great results with either one. Fad, not hardly, if you know what you are doing both are easy to work with, and the codec is simple to work with on both cameras, SIMPLE, just one extra step on the 7D. It really doesn't matter what you use IMO.

The moire and aliasing are what you need to watch for with the 7D as I'm sure you know having owned one. If you need a video camera grab an HVX, if you want a still camera with video grafted on it, grab another 7D. You can create good product on either one.
 
wgzn said:
the 7D isnt a video camera.

the way i see it now is DSLRs with video features are like a Ferrari F50 - its a show car that will also get you to the office every day. but if your primary activity is driving to the office, there are far better (smarter) ways to get to the office.
Click to expand...

Hahaha!! No offense. The 7D is a great camera. But a FERRARI F50?!?!
Bwaaahahaha!!!!

The Red One, Phantom Gold, Arriflex D21, or Sony F35 might warrant such a comparison, but the 7D? Really?

I think a far more apt metaphor would be to describe the 7D as an electric motorcycle that outperforms your car in ONE way, (its faster or more maneuverable = 35mm lenses, DOF) but lacks pretty much ALL the other features that make driving a car intuitive and enjoyable.

I have long appreciated your posts WQZN, and am not one for "flaming," but this was just too much for me. A FERRARI. Ho boy.

*wipes tears of laughter from eye*
 
poor choice of simile on my part perhaps?

i was shooting for something that would do what you need but probably not the best suited for the job... clearly, yours is better.

thanks for keeping me on my toes ; )
 
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