Should I upgrade AC90 to X1000?

D

Dark

Member
Hi there,

I'm currently using the AC90 for work - studio video productions etc. The camera has been excellent in the 12 months I've had it.

Having just seen the new X1000 I'm wondering whether to upgrade. For the most part, both cameras look identical -- irrespective of the cost, would I see a benefit/advantage to getting this X1000 and replacing the AC90 or... would I be investing in an inferior product?

I'd be interested to hear your thoughts on this. Please let me know what you guys think (I like to keep my kit up-to-date). :)
 
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The X1000 is basically the next generation of the AC90. It's about as sensitive, about the same size (actually a little smaller), with about the same features, except the X1000 is 4K. If you're happy with the AC90, you should be happier still with the X1000. The major upgrade is that it's 4K, but there are other things (such as the ability to record directly in a Quicktime movie wrapper instead of AVCHD) that may make it fit some workflows better, and it has a longer zoom (especially if shooting in 1080p mode, since the extended digiital zoom can be basically integrated seamlessly so you get, effectively, a functional 40x seamless zoom).

I do think the AC90 has cleaner noise reduction; you can gain up an AC90 to 12dB and see very little in the way of image noise. The X1000 seems a little noisier, likely due to cramming 4x as many pixels in basically the same size image sensor, but IMO it's plenty clean at 0dB of gain, it only starts to get grainy when you start gaining up the camera. Especially when recording in 1080p, in daylight, it makes gorgeous images.
 
Barry_Green said:
The X1000 is basically the next generation of the AC90. It's about as sensitive, about the same size (actually a little smaller), with about the same features, except the X1000 is 4K. If you're happy with the AC90, you should be happier still with the X1000. The major upgrade is that it's 4K, but there are other things (such as the ability to record directly in a Quicktime movie wrapper instead of AVCHD) that may make it fit some workflows better, and it has a longer zoom (especially if shooting in 1080p mode, since the extended digiital zoom can be basically integrated seamlessly so you get, effectively, a functional 40x seamless zoom).

I do think the AC90 has cleaner noise reduction; you can gain up an AC90 to 12dB and see very little in the way of image noise. The X1000 seems a little noisier, likely due to cramming 4x as many pixels in basically the same size image sensor, but IMO it's plenty clean at 0dB of gain, it only starts to get grainy when you start gaining up the camera. Especially when recording in 1080p, in daylight, it makes gorgeous images.
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Thanks very much for your comments Barry - really appreciate the feedback.

It looks like it has plenty going for it then. Low light generally isn't something I shoot in anyway as I always use studio lighting.

Is there any other 4K camcorder you'd recommend? Will give it some more thought then I'm gonna take the plunge!!
 
Well, I wouldn't have this as my only cam, but dang, You can get a GH4 with the YAAAAGH accessory module for $2200. Add a $1000-1200 in a basic lens kit and that would be my choice for a cheap 4k cam. Might require a bit more user skill, but it's worth a look.
 
Something to also keep in mind regarding noise on a 4K sensor is that if you edit 1080p, your noise patterns are going to be much smaller when you scale down the image down to the 1080 timeline... it's just one of the many pluses I've noticed shooting the HC-X1000 or the GH4 in 4K and editing 1080p.

Taking time to set up a good picture profile in the hc-x1000 has yielded much better results over the out of the box set-up. I think this is where a lot of folks are complaining about the noise in it's low light performance. For the chip size, I think it holds up rather well for 4K. Just like any camera, you need to spend time experimenting with it to set it up to your liking.
 
jfulton said:
Something to also keep in mind regarding noise on a 4K sensor is that if you edit 1080p, your noise patterns are going to be much smaller when you scale down the image down to the 1080 timeline... it's just one of the many pluses I've noticed shooting the HC-X1000 or the GH4 in 4K and editing 1080p.

Taking time to set up a good picture profile in the hc-x1000 has yielded much better results over the out of the box set-up. I think this is where a lot of folks are complaining about the noise in it's low light performance. For the chip size, I think it holds up rather well for 4K. Just like any camera, you need to spend time experimenting with it to set it up to your liking.
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Doesn't that downscaling mean the output video file is going to be 1080p though?
 
Dark said:
Doesn't that downscaling mean the output video file is going to be 1080p though?
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Yes it does. I felt it was worth mentioning another benefit of shooting in 4K rather than HD... even if your end product needs are 1080p.

Another tip for keeping the noise level down on the HC-X1000 is disabling the DRS setting. It's nice in theory, but can add unnecessary noise in the shadows. I keep mine set to "OFF" and switch profile settings if I need a flatter image/boost in the shadows.
 
Hi Barry. I am currently looking to purchase a new camera for shooting motorsport and am particularly interested in the Panasonic HC-X1000. Would your book covering the AC90 be of much use to me to get the best out of this camera? I am currently only using a Sony HD1000p with all it's shortcomings.

Examples of my efforts can be seen at https://vimeo.com/sandpit/videos
 
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Pachycephalic said:
I am currently looking to purchase a new camera for shooting motorsport and am particularly interested in the Panasonic HC-X1000
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I don't think you will get much help when it comes to fast panning David. I didn't get any (from anywhere). Most people just do still camera shooting. I just had to dive in the deep end.

This is the best I can offer:


(Sorry, no sound, I forgot to reset it after using the Wireless Mic.)

I'm not an expert and don't have a lot of time to video.

This was shot on the HC-X1000 at 4K 50p. I also had the shutter speed on 1/250 (or 350, can't remember), I use that so I can get stills out of the video with no motion blur.
I haven't got around to making the color settings on the camera better though, and naturally I could/ I could even edit it to look better, but I just got the video off for this post.

With the conversion down to 1080p, I zoomed in a little and then relocated the center of the picture so the horse was better positioned rather than being off to the left. That's an option you get with 4k down-scaling.

I hope that helps a little, but like I said, "I'm not a Pro"! Anyone on this forum could do better with the camera I know.

Ps, sorry the background isn't pretty, but if someone wants to give me around $500K, I'll buy a place and make it so. :)
 
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Phil vG said:
I hope that helps a little, but like I said, "I'm not a Pro"! Anyone on this forum could do better with the camera I know.
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Thanks for the reply Phil. Your settings are similar to what I currently use on my Sony 1080i50 camera. I have decided to go ahead and have ordered Barry's AC90 book and trust it will help with the setup of the HC-X1000 when I am able to purchase it.
 
Glad I could help.

Pachycephalic said:
Your settings are similar to what I currently use on my Sony 1080i50 camera
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Just remember, the camera isn't super in low light. I'm not going to guarantee a good result if you also video the drag racing at night. Barry's book might help you out with light though.

This video doesn't look to bad though, I think there just needs to be enough light's.

 
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