Simple comparison question: HVX200 / HPX170

Look in the "Articles" section for HPX170 First Look and HPX170 Second Look; I think they should pretty well represent all the new features/upgrades from the HVX200.
 
I don't have either, but am planning to get the HPX and have been doing my research. So I'll just tell you.

HVX200a
-tape deck
-bigger and heavier (5.8 lbs)
-11 variable frame rates available in 720p
-1 focus assist (2x zoom)
-82mm filter size lens
-slightly less wide but slightly more telephoto than the HPX170
-LCD does not flip image for 35mm adapters
-4 pin FireWire
-No SDI
-1 year warranty

HPX170
-No tape deck
-smaller/lighter (4.2 lbs, almost as small as the DVX100)
-20 variable frame rates
-3 focus assists (2x zoom, bar, histogram)
-72mm filter size lens
-slightly wider but slightly less telephoto (3.9-51mm I think)
-LCD flips image for 35mm adapter
-sharper LCD (I think barry said it was noticeably sharper)
-6 pin locking FireWire
-SDI
-5 year warranty

They have the same CCDs so the image quality/light sensitivity/noise is the same. Both are around $5,200 with a 16gb P2 card. I'm sure there are a few differences I forgot to mention but those are pretty much the main differences.
 
also focus assist doesn,t time out on the hpx170 .but that is it in a nut shell. playback any clip without the hassle of putting back in the mode shots were takin in. heaven.
 
When you're in playback mode on the 200, if a clip shows up with a red number and won't play back, you have to toggle back to camera mode, change the recording format to match the clip's format, and then go back to playback mode.

On the 170, if a clip shows up with a red number and won't play back, you can just hold the joystick "down" for 1.5 seconds and the camera will automatically switch to the proper mode to play that clip.
 
I've successfully exchanged lens hoods between an HMC150 and DVX100, so it appears that the bayonet is the same. But I didn't have any Century bayonet-mount lenses to try, so I only tried the lens hood. So it seems compatible, but I can't guarantee it.
 
Anyone know if I used the DVX's LA-7200 16:9 adapter lens on the HPX-170, would I get a true 2:35 aspect ratio?
Yes, but I sincerely doubt that you'd get a picture you wanted from using a standard-def low-cost anamorphic adapter on a high-def camcorder. Plus you'd have to figure out what you were going to do with that image anyway -- for release on DVD you'd have to unsqueeze it and letterbox it within 16:9 anyway, since DVD players only support 16:9 or 4:3.
 
I'm thinking of replacing my HVX with the HPX for our RC helicam work. It's lighter weight would be very helpful in improving the performance and safety of the helicopter. My one and only disappointment with the HVX was how slow the autofocus responds. Sometimes we fly close to objects and then need to go wider so autofocus is a necessity. Has this been inproved any with the HPX? I realize most don't need autofocus and don't really care but we do.
 
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