Low Light Capabilities of other video cameras vs Sony FS100

[Budgieboots]

Hello everyone,

I was wondering if there are any other proper video cameras out there that have a comparable or slightly lesser ability in low light to the Sony FS100.
It would also have to take SD cards.

I have a Sony FS100, but I am also looking to get a second, more proper ENG type video camera for events, and I was wondering what my options are.
Ideally something in a similar price range, so between $4-$6k.

From what I can tell, the Panasonic AC160 does okay in low-light, but the auto-focus on it seems to have issues.

I am not too familiar with the other ENG type options out there, such as the Canon or Sony models.

Any tips or advice on where to look? Ideally I'd like to get a usable image from the camera at a wedding reception when they totally kill the lights. The Sony FS100 has been able to do this brilliantly, I just need a 2nd ENG type camera that can also be upto the task.

 

[Dustin Moore]

Physics says it is not going to happen.

Physics says it is not going to happen.

The low light capability of the FS100 comes from its large surface area pixels. Large
surface area pixels mean large image planes. Large image planes mean expensive glass
like cinema lenses which don't have ENG zoom because that would make them staggeringly
expensive.

In the $5k range you are not going to find anything ENG like a PMW-320 or PDW-700
which have smaller pixels but either 1/2" 3CCD or 2/3" 3MOS sensors to try to make up the loss
in sensitivity.

The PMW-EX1 takes an additional hit because it is 1/2" 3MOS (even smaller still) and
it is in the $5k range used. I have a set of these and at high-gain settings and with Neatvideo
noise reduction in Post, I can get a reasonably sensitive result. Not on the order of
FS100 or F3 though.

If they totally kill the lights, turn on your own. Otherwise, pony up the $30k that it is going
to take to get a high sensitivity, small(er) sensor camera.