New Sony's and low lux

[Mike Hollingshead]

I think if anyone has been on the fence about getting a new camcorder, SD or HD, I think now might be the time. I was fairly shocked to see the new HC5 was 2 lux(already posted about that one). Last night while looking more at my BH catalog I was even more surprised at all the new camera's lower lux ratings. Evidently the newer clearvid chips can do better in low light. There are now several options under 1k that give you sub-7 lux ratings. I see they even have one for like $900 claiming 1.5 lux. If true this is a very nice trend, though a bit late I fear for the non-HD cams.

 

[James Harris]

Mike or anyone, have you heard if there have been any advancements in regards to lightning footage on the new HC5 and HC7 cams? I own an HC1 and as most storm chasing HC1 owners know, it's not the best capturing lightning thanks to the rolling shutter. I gather that Sony's HD's will still be using the rolling shutter on the CMOS chips, so perhaps it's not possible to fix up for future models? (I have tried reducing shutter speed down to 25, which seems to help capture more strikes)

 

[Mike Hollingshead]

Mike or anyone, have you heard if there have been any advancements in regards to lightning footage on the new HC5 and HC7 cams? I own an HC1 and as most storm chasing HC1 owners know, it's not the best capturing lightning thanks to the rolling shutter. I gather that Sony's HD's will still be using the rolling shutter on the CMOS chips, so perhaps it's not possible to fix up for future models? (I have tried reducing shutter speed down to 25, which seems to help capture more strikes)

Somewhere I was reading did mention there were improvements on the rolling shutter issues with CMOS sensors, but it didn't say a whole lot about what they were, and nothing about lightning.

 

[Mark Sefried]

The review at camcorderinfo.com for the New HDR-HC7 is available now. It does not look like good news for chasers. Use the link below to view it.


http://www.camcorderinfo.com/content/Sony-HDR-HC7-Camcorder-Review/Performance.htm

 

[Mike Hollingshead]

Thanks for posting this. I'd been waiting to see one for either the HC7 or HC5. It's nice to know that evidently the new lux ratings mean nothing. I guess I'm glad I still have the HC1. How on Earth can they rate the thing 2 lux while the FX1 is 3 lux? It almost makes me think they had to mess up the review, but, you'd think not. But then how the hell can Sony give it that rating. Someone posting down below says they have both the HC3 and HC7 and don't get how they come up with such bad low light either and think the HC7 is better.

 

[Doug_Kiesling]

My scuba diving buddy in Florida picked one up this week. He is going to run some tests on it as well in low light and underwater. I guess it will fit the same underwater housing as a PDX10 with only minor mods to the housing.

He is going to test it side by side with the VX2100.

 

[Dustin Wilcox]

He is going to test it side by side with the VX2100.

You ever here anything about his results? In the market for a Camcorder and am torn between the Sony's, Canon HV20 or Even the new JVC coming out this month. But am also wondering how these consumer HD camcorders compare to non HD camcorders such as the VX2100 or the Canon GL2

 

[Bill Hark]

CNET finally posted a review for the HC7. It's basically good with the main complaint being the touch screen. There is not much said about low light ability though one person commented that the low light is fair but could be better.
http://reviews.cnet.com/Sony_Handycam_HDR_HC7/4505-6500_7-32312626.html?tag=cnetfd.mt

Bill Hark