Trade up to 200A or 170?

[mainstreetprod]

I have been using an HVX200 to shoot documentaries, commercials and stock video for two years and really like the camera. Recently the microstock site I submit to has been getting pickier about what they will accept and some beautiful dusk timelapse shots were turned down for "noise". They were shot in the "Spark" preset, which I have found to be the least noisy.

A few weeks ago I was contacted by a big time stock video outlet (which handles
footage for Sony Pictures, National Geographic, NBC, etc.) and asked to shoot for them. Great news but they are only seeing a compressed web reel. Will upgrading to the HPX or 200A take care of the noise problem in lighting conditions like a timelapse sunset?

 

[Justin Kuhn]

It should, they upgraded the chipset on both those models, but the 170 improved all the annoying things about the HVX. Various buttons and such. More features. No tape deck. I want one, obviously...

 

[Ted Spencer]

The 200A is dramatically better in the lowest of light conditions. I can't speak from experience about the 170, but I can say that you'll find an upgrade to the 200A to make a huge difference in very low light. It's a lot less noisy at 6db gain then the 200 is at 0. It's the single best reason to do it!

BTW I've also found the "Spark" preset to be the best starting point for very low light.