Need help choosing - XF100, AC90 or other?

D

Dark

Member
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]Hello guys

I'm on the hunt for the next camcorder - it needs to be semi-pro and have handle/mic controls. I've been looking at the Canon XF100 and Panasonic AC90. Both cameras look superb but the XF100 appears to have better build quality and comes with a few other perks - the AC90 from what I have read has the better video quality and capabilities.

Which camcorder would you go for between this two and why?

If there are any other suggestions for around the same price-range then please mention.

Thanks for your help :)[/FONT]
 
You haven't given any details of what you will actually be doing with said camera.

Do you want a 1/3" sensor camera, or do you need something with great low light ability?

Does it need a fixed zoom lens, or is a removable lens system OK?
 
David W. Jones said:
You haven't given any details of what you will actually be doing with said camera.

Do you want a 1/3" sensor camera, or do you need something with great low light ability?

Does it need a fixed zoom lens, or is a removable lens system OK?
Click to expand...
Sorry for leaving those details out.

It's going to be used for interviews at trade shows, journalism type usage and some outdoors. Low light isn't a necessity really.

Either fixed or removable are fine!
 
Not sure I'd agree that the AC90 has "better video quality and capabilities." You can customize the XF100 picture files to get whatever look you want. It has 4:2:2 color and a better codec. The AC90 is maybe marginally better in low light due to smoother gain, and may have slightly better image stabilization.

If you use 60fps, the Panasonic will do that at 1080p, the XF100 only at 720p. That's not a factor for me as all my work is delivered via DVD or Vimeo.

I think your need for various features should make your decision - both of these will get excellent image quality for the price.
 
I have three XF100s that we use for live events and they are a cracking good cameras, subject to 'reasonable' light. By that I mean they aren't as good as DSLRs or the C100 in low light but realistically the XF100 can cope with most situations. It starts to get noisy around 6db and much more than that you'd have to be in a 'content more important than quality' situation. As I recall 6db was the equivalent of about ISO1600 on a DSLR and at that point I'm starting to think of using other cameras.

At the current price of about £1750 it's hard to beat and I'd choose it over the AC90 every time for several reasons. Firstly, it's smaller, uses compact flash at 50mb/s and I can directly set the white balance to match other cameras. The thing I really hate about the Panasonic cameras is the custom white balance has always proved to be problematic for me when matching multiple cameras or trying to repeat it within the same lighting situation but maybe on a different day. YMMV.

One thing I don't care for is the single (switchable) focus/zoom ring, and the facts it's a zoom by wire, so you don't get a direct physical relationship between the zoom ring and the actual zoom, it's an electronic control.

I've got hundreds of hours on all cameras now and not one problem.

I'd certainly look at the XA20 as well, though the smaller size and 1080/50p would be the only reason to go for it in my mind. The files coming from the XA cameras aren't as nice as the XF in normal light, but the XA do apply heavier noise reduction if you increase the db much.
 
I have both an XA20 and an XF100. They work well enough together. They are approximately the same size until you take the handle off the XA20, which you can't do with the XF100. The XA20 lens is wider, has a 20X zoom. The XA20 has better stabilization, better EVF, is better in low light. and of course does 1080 60p. "Nicer" is subjective, but you can get any look you want out of the XF100. The XA20 also has a touch screen, which I used to regard as a nuisance, but (a) using it is optional and (b) it works really well - I've found the touch focus especially useful. Don't know which I'd pick if I could only have one, but the XA20 is my grab camera. The 1/4.7" sensor is the deal breaker for me on the Pany.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top