The whole "I don't have a 2/3 inch chip camera anymore" syndrome

ggrantly said:
Garion, you hit it on the head. For most of my work, thus far, the extra resolution isn't needed. I suspect the 500 would perform better in low light. The weight and size of the 500 is larger. One big advantage for the 500 is the much greater variety of lenses and 4 channels of audio. I know choosing the 500 over the 370 is going backwards in a lot of ways, but the 500 does have some distinct advantages. Ah decisions.

Grant
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There is no substitute for the physics of sensor size, however, the 370 has pretty effective noise reduction to claw back lost sensitivity. The HPX500 highlight handling and noise levels are sub-par compared to the 370 and of course AVC-Intra 100 offers 4x color depth, full raster resolution, and Native frame rates in 1080. HPX500 is really just an HVX200 with 2/3" CCD's, so it's DSP is just as limited in processing power. Any of these cameras can look quite good in controlled contrast conditions, but the chroma clipping belies their DSP limitations. The 370 at 20-bits, while no HPX2700/3700 P2 Varicam with their 32-bit processor and Film-Rec, does seem to handle highlights better, ditto the HPX250, which is a 370 in a palmcorder wrapper.
 
I've owned a HPX500 for 3 years, and just spent a full day shooting the 250. They both have their + and-. I like the sharpnest of the 250 and the long lens and codec. But for run and gun, the 500 is way ahead. It's shoulder mounted. You have better eye level for interviews if you're standing,etc.. The 250 is a pain for that type of shooting. The 500 has more DOP. I had to be 15 feet and opened all the way with the 250, and stiil couldn't get what I wanted. As for color,etc. I've always had beautiful color on the 500. No cutoffs,etc. And I use scopes. You can adjust the knee for controlling the contrast. No problem with noise levels. I like them both for different reasons.
 
I own a HPX370 and it brought in many times more than what I had to pay for it. I am grateful for that. I love my camera. I loved every camera i have worked with. From U-matic to Beta SP to MII to DVCPRO 25... in HD HMC150 to HPX3700... heck I even like RED. But, they all have short comings. They all suffer from lack of something. HPX370 has small chip. HPX3700 is expensive, RED heats up and shuts down. HMC150 has only 24Mbs and the list goes on and on. The key is knowing the weaknesses of your camera and working around it. HDSLRs can provide a good second camera option for that shallow DOP look. In the end of the day.. nothing matters other than how you frame your shot and how you visually tell your story...
Cheers
BlueVoyageTV
 
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