AC130: Let's try another comparison, how about the Canon XF100 versus the Panny AC130

O

Oaken

Active member
Biggest 3 issues for me right now are the single chip versus 3 chip, the Dolby Digital audio versus the Linear PCM and of course the 4.2.2 50mbps versus the 4.2.0 24mpbs.

What's a game killer, or is it all just personal preference. I have an AC130 ordered but now I'm really looking at the XF100 for it's awesome reviews, better audio and broadcast quality as I do a few reality and travel shows. Bu the size is almost TOO small, as my clients might be kinda wary when I pull that out, lol.

It's making my head hurt trying to decide. I'm starting to hate equipment upgrade time. It's always a headache and I'm never happy. There's seriously too many options out there and it's annoying, lol.
 
What about the lens? The XF100 is only 10x, and only goes wide to 4.5mm (30.4 equiv) whereas the 130 goes to 3.9mm (28 equiv). The audio thing puzzles me too. Unless you need to do significant level changes in post, the audible difference between PCM and DD at 384k is almost non-existent. The video codec is the only thing that I see as better on the XF105.
 
Mike Warren said:
What about the lens? The XF100 is only 10x, and only goes wide to 4.5mm (30.4 equiv) whereas the 130 goes to 3.9mm (28 equiv). The audio thing puzzles me too. Unless you need to do significant level changes in post, the audible difference between PCM and DD at 384k is almost non-existent. The video codec is the only thing that I see as better on the XF105.
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Lowlight. 130 wins in lowlight. Now broadcast codec xf100 wins
 
What if I throw in a Sony NX5u and REALLY make it complicated.

The lens doesn't matter as much, the 2mm difference at wide isn't a big deal and I'll never use the huge zoom. Audio isn't a big deal to most but I would prefer uncompressed audio if I can help it.
 
You should not be worrying about how the camcorder looks to clients. They should be judging you on the quality of your work. After all, look at how many people are working with DSLR cameras these days.

The smaller size of the Canon would be handy doing reality TV. As would the broadcast quality codec. Those are the only two real advantages that I see it having.
 
LanceOregon said:
You should not be worrying about how the camcorder looks to clients. They should be judging you on the quality of your work. After all, look at how many people are working with DSLR cameras these days.

The smaller size of the Canon would be handy doing reality TV. As would the broadcast quality codec. Those are the only two real advantages that I see it having.
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Also an amazing ability for user customization of Internal image processing in the XF100, superior audio to the 130
 
Hi! I'm also trying to choose between Canon XF100 and Panasonic AG130, can you help me?

Canon advantages: codec, smaller , cheaper
disadvantages: lens, one ring, only one sensor

Panasonic advantages: 3 sensors, lens 22x, 3 rings
disadvantages: codec, bigger, more expensive.

The difference is 900euros.... so what do you think about this? Is panasonic better? Is reasonable to pay this 900e for Pana?

Thanks a lot!
 
I guess it really depends on your priorities. For me, the 22x lens is the deciding factor and I would not even be looking at these new Panasonics if the lens was much smaller.
 
dropeao said:
Mike.... so I understand that except for the advantatge of lens you are not very convinced for AG130?
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No, not at all. I'm saying that because of the lens on the Canon, I am not even considering it.

Of the advantages you listed for the XF100, only the codec is of any interest to me. But really, when you look at AVCHD files straight out of the 130/160, they do look good. I've found some very good green screen work done with the AF100 which uses the same codec as the 130. I've also seen some bad green screen work from the AF100 as well, but I guess that would have to be put down to the skills of the person using it. If the codec was the problem then all green screen would be bad.

I have the advantage that I don't need to get a camera at all, so I can afford to be fussy. I'm achieving reasonable results with a slightly modified $500 consumer camera. It just has to be used within it's limitations, the same as any camera.

http://youtu.be/1ZzLJ4wBdQQ
 
you're right Mike!

Sometimes we are worry about techincal details and forget the skills of operating. You're lucky if you don't need the camera now.... in my case I need it now and this necessity and the budget limitation is causing me a lot of doubts as you can see.

Good result for your little camera!


Good hearing about the image customization about AC130!
 
LanceOregon said:
The AC130 also has the ability to do an extensive amount of image customization with its scene files too.
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philiplipetz said:
Also an amazing ability for user customization of Internal image processing in the XF100, superior audio to the 130
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+1 for Lance. The Canon XL1 was one of the first cameras to give a moderate amount of meaningful control over the look inside the camcorder (at least on a relatively affordable camera, of course). But the original DVX set the bar, and the Panasonic cameras still have some of the best image control you can get on-board a camcorder. The XF series is very good, and most manufacturers now have decent controls, but none of them gets it quite as right as the Panasonics, in many opinions.
 
dropeao said:
Hi! I'm also trying to choose between Canon XF100 and Panasonic AG130, can you help me?

Canon advantages: codec, smaller , cheaper
disadvantages: lens, one ring, only one sensor

Panasonic advantages: 3 sensors, lens 22x, 3 rings
disadvantages: codec, bigger, more expensive.

The difference is 900euros.... so what do you think about this? Is panasonic better? Is reasonable to pay this 900e for Pana?

Thanks a lot!
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Am I right to say the XF100 is 1/4 sensor only as compared to AC130?
 
zijital said:
Anyone know anything about this site? Looks like it could not be legit. Too many stories of online stores "selling" cameras on the cheap but once they've got your money the scam gores into full force.
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If it looks like sh*t, smells like sh*t and tastes like....uh, well, anyway, you get the point.

Some guidance - if they are an advertiser here at DVXUser, then they are legit. If they are listed by Panasonic as an authorized reseller, they are legit. Anything else and you are rolling the dice, including eBay and the marketplace here at DVXUser, although 99% of the transactions here at DVXUser are without problems as well. Most of the Joe Dono type folks get found out quickly.
 
Mike Warren said:
No, the XF100 also has a 1/3" chip.
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I believe the major chip differences is that the XF100 has a single 1/3" CMOS chip, whereas the AC130 is 3MOS (3 x 1/3" CMOS chips). AC130 is listed at 2.2 megapixels, XF100 is a little lower, but of course there are again 3 sensors on the AC130 so that's something like 6.6 megapixels (sort of...but don't think of it quite like that).

Anyway, in terms of the sensor numbers, there are always reasons why that DOES matter, and reasons why it DOESN'T matter. Note of course that film cameras really only have one sensor. The Canon 5D also has only one sensor. But now I'm really muddying the logic for you.
 
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