XH-A1 vs DVX100B

M

mcbrad

Member
Hey everyone.

I'm working on a project and having real trouble deciding what camera to purchase. I'm torn between the XH-A1 and the DVX100b.

The project is an online documentary. The episodes will be posted online, so putting up videos in high-def is out. So I will be working with Standard Def video. I would like to shoot in 24p/24f for a cinematic look.

I understand I could just downconvert the HD footage from the XHA1 to SD, but what I read is that XHA1 SD footage does not look as good as DVX footage. I would plan on filming in HDV, editing HDV, then exporting to SD. I'm not sure how this footage will compare to Panasonic's SD footage. I'd like some insight on this.

The other differences are not all that important. I would like the native 16:9 ratio of the Canon, but I don't mind the 4:3 of the DVX.

Really just looking for some insight on what you all think. I would like to save the money if possible, but I am currently leaning toward the XH-A1 to help "future-proof" myself a bit incase I ever want to film in HD.
 
mcbrad said:
what I read is that XHA1 SD footage does not look as good as DVX footage...
Click to expand...

You need to do some more reading, A1 is capable of producing sharper footage in 16:9 mode.

And to be honest, this question has been asked and discussed ad nauseum every since the A1 came out. Just browsing through this subforum you'll be able to find several threads dedicated to this topic and if you do a search you'll find plenty more. I've participated in a few of them and said my piece many times already, it's just repetitive to have to mention it here.

Here's one to get you started
http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=116512
 
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Both camera will shoot outstanding SD footage. The A1 is heavier and not quite as balanced as the DVX. The DVX is a joy to use handheld, and my favorite non shoulder mounted SD camera. The images are similiar in SD, with the A1 being cleaner, and the DVX having better color. But the A1 can be set up to match the DVX. The DVX is going to be much better in low light than the A1. The DVX has a larger LCD. The manual focus and zoom is much better on the DVX. The A1 has a longer zoom and a better auto focus. The DVX has better audio controls. Since you're going straight to internet, I would choose a used DVX. If you are buying new, then I would get the A1. If you want future proof, well HD is the future, so A1 wins there. I should say that I sold my DVX after getting the A1, and haven't regretted it for a second. Just my 2 cents.
-Kevin
 
I have the A1, but would not let go of my DVX either. Both are fantastic cameras. Sacksnack gave you all the info you need on differences. Plus the DVX viewfinder larger and more comfortable than XhA1 Now that I think about it, yes DVX is very well balanced and much lighter.
 
ME? I would most definetley get an A1 and edit everything in HD, then on the final output for WEB I would use compressor (Im a fcs user) to create a web version. The image will NOT look like a DVX, it will be sharper and cleaner.
 
Excellent. Thanks for all the great advice folks.

Don't know where I read that DVX picture was cleaner, but guess that's not quite true.

Looks like XH-A1 is probably the winner here. While the DVX may be good for what we are doing, I plan to use the camera for other applications, which I believe the XH-A1 is probably more suited for after seeing some comments here.

Thanks everyone! All the advice I needed!
 
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