Sony x70 vs DVX200

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David_

Active member
I use a DVX200 and I am contemplating buying 3 of them for a college at which I teach. However, I am wondering if the Sony x70 might be an alternative I should consider. It is cheaper, lighter I think and it seems more easily adapted for shoulder "held" use.

But I have never used one and would like input from anyone who knows both cameras.

My only requirements are XLR input and SDI output. Both cameras have that. I don't need the highest resolutions but both cameras can do 4K. I also don't need 10 bit color depth but I think both can do that under certain circumstances. Most of the time I will encourage students to shoot 1080, even 720, so as to keep files sizes manageable. I will probably use the cameras with a PIX-e5 recorder so as to have easily editable footage immediately without needing to convert to ProRes or other similar codec.

I found the DVX200 hard to get up on the shoulder. I eventually settled for a rig that works OK but it is too heavy and awkward for small female shooters and I want to keep the playing field as even as possible.

I don't need interchangeable lenses although we do have a good number of Canon zooms and primes. For intro students I prefer a camera with a non-interchangeable zoom lens.

Any thoughts? Any other camera with XLR in and SDI out to consider?

Thanks.
 
The 4K feature is actually an option on the X70, does not come standard on $2000 version, is a software upgrade. The Active SteadyShot is fantastic on X70 for hand-held work, spent the weekend shooting snowmobile races on a frozen lake. The 3 ND filter settings were very helpful in that overly-bright snowy environment, X70 handled that beautifully.

Strapping an external recorder onto such a small camera maybe defeats the purpose of having a small, lightweight camera. Can record "regular old" AVCHD if you want, which should be easily editable with most any software. The XAVC (10-bit 4:2:2) footage might take a little more processing power, but I've had no issue editing that on a 6-yr-old PC with Premiere. ProRes would increase the file sizes exponentially for storage.

Thanks

Jeff
 
To Jeff:

What do you mean by "'regular old' AVCHD?" I assume you are making a distinction between AVCHD and XAVC, not between a new and an old version of AVCHD.

Does Premiere cut it as is, or do you transcode it during import?

Thanks for the info.

David
 
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Look at the UX90 and UX180. The UX180 is very similar to the DVX200, has nearly all the same features except VLOG-L and 10-bit output, but for what you're looking for it doesn't sound like you'd miss those. The DVX200's sensor is twice as big as the UX180's, but the UX180's lens is quite a bit wider and longer (24mm equivalent and 20x zoom). The main difference, for your use, is that it's a full two pounds lighter than the DVX200. I'd think that for a school use, the UX180 would be about perfect.
 
I use both cameras. I own a DVX200 for my freelance video work and I use a X70 at the regular job. On my blog I have talked about the three cameras, plus a serious contender, the Sony Z150.

In this article I talk about the X70 and how I decide the Z150 is more for me. This article sees me seriously considering (and outright purchasing) the DVX200. Later, I offer a field review of using the DVX200 on a short film set having used it extensively for several months in this article.

I like X70 quite a bit, but it's potential is hidden within menus. It is only a 1" chip, it is not pleasing to handle (I am old school and like cameras with more real estate) and I don't care for it not having dedicated FIZ control. Also, UHD is a $500 upgrade and there is no logarithmic profile. However, it's also much less expensive, smaller and lighter than DVX200. So, if that's what you want, get the X70. Or, hear my case for the camera I almost bought, the Sony Z150. X70, btw, records 10bit internally...so you can leave the external recorder back at home. FCPX and Premiere both ingest XAVC Long GOP just fine so you shouldn't need the ProRes recording capabilities, anyway. My experience with Premiere and Windows is limited, but the guy sitting across from me at work uses that and has no problem with his issued X70.

As far as putting any of these cameras on your shoulder, they weren't designed for that. You'd need to rig them out which, to me, contradicts having a small unibody camcorder system designed for hand-holding. I'd rather use a monopod.

Lastly, image quality. I have always preferred Panasonic's favoring skintones (warmer sensors) to Sony's neutral, crisper sensors. So, take a look at the UX180 or 90 as Barry suggested.
 
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Interesting article, that of your field review of the DVX200. I must add that firmware 1.81 brought a terrific control over the focus ring, which is now a joy to use. Every focus by wire lens should be programmed like this.
Thanks for sharing.
 
"I assume you are making a distinction between AVCHD and XAVC"

Correct, you choose whether to record AVCHD or XAVC in camera. I edit directly in Premiere Pro CC, never transcode. Assumes you have a decent machine, if underpowered then one could have issues I suppose.

To clarify the 4K option: yes, it is $499 if purchased later as an upgrade license, however the 4K option is just $200 when ordered with the camera as a bundle (you still need to install it yourself either way).

The X70 only has one manual lens ring, which the user can assign to either Zoom or Focus. I use a VariZoom controller when on the tripod. Not a lot of manual buttons on camera body, however there are several user-assignable buttons, so I've determined which features I need quick access to and have assigned them to suit my own needs. So honestly, the camera is not ideal for run-n-gun work, might take a little more effort than a camera "with all the buttons", but such a camera will be somewhat larger then.

Also, the auto focus is not really fast, I think due to the 1" sensor.

Thanks

Jeff
 
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Hi, interesting comment about the Digital Juice Shoulder rig...I have been on the look out for a reasonably priced shoulder mount for my DVX200, are you happy with this?? Some "mixed" reviews on build quality on B&H...Thanks!!
 
UWNick said:
Hi, interesting comment about the Digital Juice Shoulder rig...I have been on the look out for a reasonably priced shoulder mount for my DVX200, are you happy with this?? Some "mixed" reviews on build quality on B&H...Thanks!!
Click to expand...

I use it. You certainly shouldn't be "throwing it into a gear box", but I think the build is plenty robust enough.
 
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