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Tuesday, July 17, 2012

What to look for when purchasing a new camera


What to look for when purchasing a new video camera

Here are a few things to consider when purchasing your next video camera. 1st would be the light gathering capabilities. This is measured by a LUX rating system. The lower the number, the better the camera is in filming low light situations. There is not a standard rating system and companies tend to rate them differently. Check the specifications to see the camera settings at that given LUX.

Lux Rating
Camera
Sony HDR-CX560V 11 (1/60 shutter speed)
3 (1/30 shutter speed)
Panasonic HDC-TM900 1.6 (1/30 Low Light scene mode)
1 (Color Night Rec)
Canon VIXIA HF R300 5.0 (Regular Mode)
0.4 (Low Light Mode)
Canon VIXIA HF M500 1.2 (Regular Mode)
0.1 (Low Light Mode)
Canon VIXIA HF M50 1.2 (Regular Mode)
0.1 (Low Light Mode)
Canon VIXIA HF G10 1.5 (With Auto Slow Shutter selected, shutter speed 1/30 second)
.1 (Low Light mode, shutter speed 1/2 second)
Canon XA10 1.5 (With Auto Slow Shutter selected, shutter speed 1/30 second)
.1 (Low Light mode, shutter speed 1/2 second)
Infrared Filming for Complete Darkness
JVC GY-HM100U 5 lux (1920 x 1080 mode, F1.8, +18dB, with 16-frame accumulation)
Sony HXR-NX30U 3 LUX (low LUX mode, 1/30(60p or 60i))
Sony HDR-FX7 4 LUX
Sony HXR-NX70U 3 LUX (LOW LUX mode, 1/25 shutter)
Sony HDR-AX2000 1.5 LUX
Sony HXR-NX5U 1.5 LUX
Panasonic AG-HMC40 1 lux (Gain +34 dB, Slow Shutter: 1/2 sec.)
Panasonic AG-HMC150 3 LUX
Panasonic AG-AC130PJ 0.4 lux (f/1.6, gain +30 dB, shutter speed 1/30 second)
Panasonic AG-HPX250 0.2 LUX (f/1.6, gain +30 dB, shutter speed 1/30 second, P.A.P. Filter: TYPE1)
Canon XF100 4.5 lux (full AUTO mode, 1/60 shutter speed, +24dB gain)
1.6 lux (Manual mode, 1/4 shutter speed, +33dB gain)
Canon XF105 4.5 lux (full AUTO mode, 1/60 shutter speed, +24dB gain)
1.6 lux (Manual mode, 1/4 shutter speed, +33dB gain)
Canon XF300 4.5 lux (full AUTO mode, +21dB gain)
0.8 lux (Manual mode, +33dB gain)
Canon XF305 4.5 lux (full AUTO mode, +21dB gain)
0.8 lux (Manual mode, +33dB gain)
Sony NEX-FS100UK 0.28 LC (1/30 shutter, IRIS F1.4, Auto GAIN)
Sony PMW-320K 0.05 lux (Typical)
1920 x 1080/59.94i mode, f/1.6, +24 dB gain, with 64-frame accumulation
Sony PMW-350K 0.006 lux (Typical)
1920 x 1080/59.94i mode, f/1.9, +42 dB gain, with 64-frame accumulation
Sony PMW-EX1R 0.14 lux (Typical)
1920 x 1080/59.94i mode, f/1.9, +18 dB gain, with 64-Frame Accumulation
Sony PMW-EX3 0.14 lux (Typical)
1920 x 1080/59.94i mode, f/1.9, +18 dB gain, with 64-Frame Accumulation

The next thing to keep in mind would be tape vs solid state. The benefits to solid state are far greater than a tape style camera. Media is reusable, more reliable, and workflow from camera to computer is much faster and simpler. Your battery life is also extended on solid state cameras.


Battery capacity is also something to consider when choosing a camera. Smaller cameras typically have smaller batteries and the run time is shorter than that of a bigger camera.

Manual controls vary from camera to camera but the most important manual control to consider is the focus ring. This is very important when filming in the woods, so you can focus on the animal instead of the tree branch in front of it. Some cameras have a manual ring some have a small wheel to focus with and others rely completely on auto focus. I prefer to use a camera with a manual focus ring around the lens as it is easier to manipulate.

Cameras with Small Wheel to Focus:
Sony HXR-NX30U
Features: AVCHD up to 1080/60p at 24Mbps, 96GB Internal Memory, (2) XLR Inputs, Pro Audio Control & Level Adjustment, Built-in Projector & 3.5" LCD Monitor, Built-in Stereo Shotgun Microphone, 10x zoom, Image stabilization, supports FMU storage




Sony HDR-CX560V
Main Features: 1920 x 1080/60p HD Recording, 64GB Internal Flash Memory, Memory Stick Duo / SD Memory Card Slot, 1/2.88" Exmor R CMOS Sensor, Sony Lens G with 37mm Filter Diameter, 3.0" WIDE Xtra Fine Touch Panel LCD, Optical SteadyShot with Active Mode



Sony HXR-MC50U
Main Features: 1920 x 1080 Full HD, 1/2.88" Exmor R CMOS Sensor, 64GB Internal Memory, 10x Wide Angle G Lens, Assignable Manual Dial Controls, 3.5" Wide Xtra Fine LCD, Memory Stick / SD Card Compatible, Dynamic Range Optimizer, Active Optical SteadyShot





Cameras with Manual Focus Rings Around the lens:


Canon VIXIA HFG10
Main Features: 1920 x 1080 HD Recording, 32GB Internal Flash Drive, (2) SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory Card Slots, Canon HD CMOS Pro Image Sensor, 3.5" Touch Panel LCD, 10x HD Video Lens, Dynamic SuperRange Optical Stabilization, Customization Cinema-Look Filters
Panasonic HDC-TM900
Main Features: 1920 x 1080/24p Cinema Mode, 3D Recording with Optional VW-CLT1 Lens, 32GB Built-In Memory, (3)3.05MP 1/4.1" 3MOS Sensor, 3.5" Touch Screen LCD Display, 35mm Wide-Angle Lens, 20x Zoom, Optical Image Stabilization, 14.2MP Digital Still



Canon AX10
Main Features: 1/3" CMOS Sensor, AVCHD Recording, 64GB Internal Flash Drive, 10x HD Zoom Lens, Dual SD Memory Card Slots, 3.5" Touch LCD Screen, Dual XLR Inputs w/Detachable Handle, Waveform Monitor, Peaking, Zebra 70/100%

Main Features: 3CMOS ClearVID Sensors, miniDV Cassette, 1080i, 16:9, 20x Carl Zeiss Zoom, 3.5" LCD Display, Focus Assist, HDMI Output





Main Features: Rain & Dust Proof, 1920 x 1080 60/24p Full HD, 96GB Built-in Flash Memory, Uses Memory Stick or SD Cards, 3.5" XtraFine Touchscreen LCD, Assignable Lens Ring, Detachable Handle w/Dual XLR Input, Infrared NightShot




Main Features: 3 1/3" CMOS Sensors, AVCHD Capture (@24Mbps), Wide Angle 20x G-Lens, (Manual Zoom, Focus & Iris Rings), Dual XLR Inputs, 3.2" Xtra Fine LCD, 1.5 lux Sensitivity, 3 Built-in ND Filters, Uses Memory Stick PRO Duo / SDHC Cards




Main Features: 3 1/3" CMOS Sensors, 1080i/1080p/720p, AVCHD (@24Mbps), Native 1080/24p, 720/60p, Wide Angle 20x G-Lens, HD-SDI & HDMI Output, SMPTE Time Code In/Out, Dual XLR Inputs, Simultaneous HD/MPEG-2 SD Capture, Built-in GPS




Main Features: 3 CMOS Sensor, AVCHD, 10.6MP Stills, 1080p, 24p, 12x Leica Lens, Optical Image Stabilization, and we are Including the Panasonic AG-MYA30G XLR Adapter!!





Main Features: 1/3" Progressive CCD, (1080 60i, 30p, 24p / 720 60p, 30p, 24p), AVCHD Recording, Wide Angle 13x Zoom Lens, Full Manual Controls, Dual XLR Inputs, Cine-like Gamma, Dynamic Range Stretch, Records to SD/SDHC Cards







The last thing to keep in mind is the audio capabilities, if you want multiple audio sources like wireless microphones and/or a shotgun microphone you will need a camera with XLR inputs. If the camera has a single mini plug import, you can get a Beachtek Audio Adapter that mounts to the bottom of your video camera and turns your mini plug port into (2) XLR ports. We also offer a Mini Plug Wireless Package that will include everything you need to set your mini plug camera up with a wireless microphone.

What to look for when purchasing a new camera
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