low light: dvx100b vs dvx100a

F

Future Seasons

Member
I would like to get some opinions from people who have shot with both the dvx100a and dvx100b; I am planning on buying one or the other used- I read that the dvx100b model has better low-light capability, and that the dvx100a is a bit grainier in low light. I was just wondering if the 100b is really that much better in low light, and if the quality of the "grain" of the 100a is pleasing or not (I know this is subjective, just looking for opinions). I can afford either, it isn't about the price, it is more about the time lapse function of the 100a. If the difference in low light ability isn't drastic, I'll go with the 100a because of the time lapse ability. If the difference in low light ability is really significant, I'll go with the 100b, because that will ultimately be more important to me than the ability to shoot time lapse. Thank you for reading and considering my rambling post.
 
I shoot in quite low light situation (little town streets at night, poorly lighted house) and it usually turns out great if you know how to use your file setting.

Using the DVX100a. Never used the B.

The regular grains is good, I used too have a 1chipper (optura 20) where the grain was massive, but it turn out quite good on the DVX.

Just don,t use over like 3db gain, imo.
 
You'll have a better low light performance with the HMC150.

I don't think you'll notice a big difference between the 100a and b. The image quality is slightly better on the b.
 
In any lighting condition, lowlight or broad daylight, this holds true: the A model is the noisiest image of the line; the B model is the cleanest.

If you know for sure that you will be shooting in minimal light, and you care about noise, then definitely get the B model.

Also, tolerance for noise is a matter of personal taste. Some people that have never used other models think the B model is terribly noisy, and the DVX is somewhat noisy compared to other manufacturers. Some people get in front of their poorly calibrated editing display and stare at their footage for weeks during the edit and get carried away about noise on a frame-by-frame basis that your viewers won't really notice when they watch the completed product.

There is a lot you can do on either model using DETAIL and CORING controls to control noise.
 
SPrimeau said:
You'll have a better low light performance with the HMC150.

I don't think you'll notice a big difference between the 100a and b. The image quality is slightly better on the b.
Click to expand...


I don't mean to be rude but that is incorrect. The photosites are even smaller on the HMC and thus there is less signal at the same exposure. I've held a DVX100 and an HPX170 right next to eachother, and the DVX certainly 'sees' into the shadows better.

One of the benefits of SD.
 
I compared a DVX100B (the newest, "reduced noise" version, against the HMC150 in low light conditions. The HMC150 was easily better. A little brighter, and way cleaner; I can't imagine anyone looking at the pictures side by side and saying that the DVX is delivering better imagery than the HMC150.

In the second comparison I put DVX/60i up against the 150, and I used 12dB of gain on the 100 and 18dB on the 150, just to push it as far as I could. I still think the 150 picture looks better.

Can't find the thread where I posted the results, but I did find the pictures of the comparisons:
1219807410.jpg



1219807291.jpg
 
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