Sony Beats HVX in Low Light?

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dmchord

Active member
I'm a little flustered. I've got an HVX200A. I borrowed a Sony HDR FX1 from school for the weekend because I want to mess around with two cameras. In my tungsten lit bedroom, not really too dim, I tried white balancing both cameras and comparing images. Here's the thing: The Sony had a way brighter picture than the HVX. Same Iris, and the HVX shutter was at 1/30. Granted, I'm not at all familiar with the Sony, but there was not gain added or anything like that. I thought I had a super camera, now I'm not so sure.

And it wasn't just LCD brightness. I imported both tapes into FCP. Do I need to have my camera serviced or something? I'll try attaching the comparison with the Sony first.
 

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Were both in progressive mode or both in interlaced mode? That can make a HUGE difference. The HVX has always been light hungry.
 
A few final checks was the ND filter on what frame rate were you shooting at.

That being said a lower light image is hardly enough to think you got a bum camera. There are plenty of cameras that are better in low light then the HVX.

That is why you must buy a camera based on YOUR needs and not internet buzz and sex appeal. The HVX is a supercam. however, If lowlight sensitivity was the qualifying factor for "supercam" perhaps you should have done some more research.
 
I would check the frame rate, and shooting mode your in. Also the scene file setting can make a HUGE difference as well.

Try Black Press scene file number 4. Its pretty good in low light. I rate my HVX200a around ISO 640 with a redrock on the front on scene file 4.

ND is something to check too. That example seems a bit much...there's got to be some kind of user error going on here.
 
1. Don't compare your camera to others....nobody gets it all
2. Learn YOUR camera in and out, and find what gets you the best image(this is a very personal thing)
3. Ignore 1

lol...

I compare, but only in a way of trying to match footage, improve my understanding of the flaws in my cameras design, and how to work around these...art is art, and no tool is perfect...only our ascetic values are perfect, and that's only a figment of your imagination.

I add a Tripod/Steadicam/Jib because image stabilization isn't perfect.
I add a matte box because the hood isn't perfect
I add a rail/shoulder mount because the form isn't perfect
I add a 35mm adapter because the lens/imager isn't perfect
(ok let's skip to the good bit)
And finally I add light, because the world isn't perfect ;)
 
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