HVX200a vs. HPX170 - image quality only

wgzn

wgzn

Veteran
ok, ive read a number of discussions about the hvx200a and the hpx170 and it seems that from an image perspective only, that they arent a world (if at all) apart.

am i missing anything?
 
They should be nigh unto identical. Same chipset, same DSP, etc.

If there's any difference at all, it would be attributed to them using a different lens (72mm vs. 82mm on the 200A). However, the Panasonic engineering folks I talked to at NAB seemed very pleased and proud of the new 72mm lens, so... it would seem a reasonable statement to say that the images from the two should definitely be very comparable. My guess is that nobody will be able to tell a 200A from a 170.
 
thanks barry : ) just wanted to make sure there wasnt something i was missing in the various reports. of course panasonic might be intentionally holding out on mention of some groovy aspects of the 170 as not to negatively effect sales of the currently available crop of cameras...

seems for folks like me who shoot mostly in the field (where being tethered to a computer isnt realistic) or arent concerned with port direction or weight/size. there isnt really any overtly compelling reason to wait for the 170, as opposed to a 200a.

but that built in waveform/vectorscope sure sounds handy!
 
If you're in business and making money with the product, there's never a reason to wait for anything -- get the best of today's offerings, and go put it to work.

There are lots of things about the 170 that are interesting and highly anticipated, and that's only what we know about. There may be other goodies under the hood that we don't know about yet. But whether the "if" aspect is worth waiting four months for, only you and your clients can answer that.
 
yep! and im probably the loudest person here championing that logic!

im just what-iff-ing here... seems kinda odd to me to release a reasonably significant performance upgrade to a popular existing product then release another very significant yet largely esoteric (aside from footprint) upgrade 6 months later. just wondering if there is a significant demographic that will be served by the 170 that the 200a doesnt already satisfy...
 
The 170 does tons of things the 200A doesn't. In my mind, the 170 is the "true" successor to the 200. The 200A is more of a niche product for those who need DV tape. If you don't need tape, I think the 170 is going to be the far more desirable product.
 
I like the look of the hvx myself, but if it doesen't reslve more reolution then the 200a then an upgrade would be pointless for me and a wait on a higher res camera with the same pana mojo would be a better option for me.

At this point, as I compare the image quality of both my a1 and hvx200a i'm stoked that the a1 delivers such a sharper image without sacrifising the filmic look as do the sony ex1, and at $2000 savings. the hvx200a will be heading back to b&h photo in return for another canon a1.
 
reem12 said:
I like the look of the hvx myself, but if it doesen't reslve more reolution then the 200a then an upgrade would be pointless for me and a wait on a higher res camera with the same pana mojo would be a better option for me.

At this point, as I compare the image quality of both my a1 and hvx200a i'm stoked that the a1 delivers such a sharper image without sacrifising the filmic look as do the sony ex1, and at $2000 savings. the hvx200a will be heading back to b&h photo in return for another canon a1.
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I hope you aren't saying this by a) looking at the on board LCD's, and b) on the computer monitor. Put the HVX200 on the Cine D setting and compare it to the A1, on a QUality PLASMA HD screen, or on a PROJECTOR. Yes, you can tweak the A1 as you like, but I chalenge you to show me a more out of the box filmic look in the price range than the Panasonic HVX200/a CIne D/V (scene dial 5 and 6).
 
On of the unanswered questions about the HPX170 (as far as I know) is whether or not it will include a P2 card. If it doesn't, then its presumed price parity with the 200a will effectively be much less so.
 
Angelcyk said:
What are some of the features that the 170 will have that the 200a will NOT have, if any?
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Dozens of features, lots of really cool features. Things like a built-in waveform monitor and vectorscope, the LCD flip for 35mm adapters, delete-last-clip function, frame rate buttons on the body rather than having to go into the menus, 20 frame rates instead of 11, HD-SDI port, a locking 6-pin firewire port, the ability to input HD through the firewire and display it through the SDI or component output ports, a software keyboard for entering metadata or user clip names right in-camera, finer levels of image control in the master pedestal, two more focus assist functions, a much better/more visible peaking circuit on the LCD panel, a wider lens... all sorts of stuff. Look in the "articles" section for my HPX170 "First Look" and "Second Look" articles.
 
Ted Spencer said:
On of the unanswered questions about the HPX170 (as far as I know) is whether or not it will include a P2 card.
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As far as I know, that is still unanswered. But I can't imagine how they could include a card with the 200A and not include one with the 170, that just wouldn't make any sense, so I definitely expect that it'll have one.

But that's not any sort of confirmation, just my guess.
 
Given that the tradeoff is otherwise a tape drive for the other HPX enhancements, which would seem roughly comparable in value, I'd imagine your guess is correct.

Plus, I've uh...noticed...that you're usually pretty smart about this stuff. :evil:
 
Barry_Green said:
Dozens of features, lots of really cool features. Things like a built-in waveform monitor and vectorscope, the LCD flip for 35mm adapters, delete-last-clip function, frame rate buttons on the body rather than having to go into the menus, 20 frame rates instead of 11, HD-SDI port, a locking 6-pin firewire port, the ability to input HD through the firewire and display it through the SDI or component output ports, a software keyboard for entering metadata or user clip names right in-camera, finer levels of image control in the master pedestal, two more focus assist functions, a much better/more visible peaking circuit on the LCD panel, a wider lens... all sorts of stuff. Look in the "articles" section for my HPX170 "First Look" and "Second Look" articles.
Click to expand...


Thanks Barry, but doesn't the 200A also have these features? Other than the lens and tape deck isn't there other camera features that are different between the two?
 
Did I read Barry's post correctly?

Did he indicate the 170 will act as a pass through from a NLE to display video from a FW feed out to either SDI or component?

the ability to input HD through the firewire and display it through the SDI or component output ports
Click to expand...
 
Angelcyk said:
Thanks Barry, but doesn't the 200A also have these features? Other than the lens and tape deck isn't there other camera features that are different between the two?
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No. The 200A is the same as the original 200, the only changes are the new chipset and better clarity on the LCD.

The 170 takes all that and adds dozens of new features to it.

Simply summing it up: unless you NEED to have a DV tape drive, the 170 is far more desirable than the 200A.
 
David S. said:
Did I read Barry's post correctly?

Did he indicate the 170 will act as a pass through from a NLE to display video from a FW feed out to either SDI or component?
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You did indeed read that correctly. At least for HD-SDI (and yes, in HD). Don't remember if it could do it in component or not, but I can't imagine why not.

Not just from an NLE either; it'll also pass thru FireStore HD footage.
 
does anyone know with the hpx170 having a 72mm lens .would the century lens made for the 72mm dvx100 work on the hpx170? will have to sell all my lens when i upgrade from my hvx200 . if they don,t fit i will have to wait for the new lens to come out to upgrade.
 
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