Canon XL2 vs Panasonic DVX100A

[shadow]

In May, I edited a movie that was shot with the Panasonic DVX100A, and it wasn't bad. But I absolutely hated the fact that its 16:9 was letterboxed instead of anamorphic.

A week ago, I got the chance to try out the XL2 a little, and its quality was great. But that was just at home with normal room lighting. So it's tough to compare the two. But simply for the fact that the Canon is Native 16:9 versus a letterboxed Panasonic, makes my choice for the Canon an easy one.

I never worked with 24P, only 25P. So I can't give any advise on that. But if it's the filmlook you're after. Just make sure you're shooting progressive and use a mini35 adapter with filmlenses. On one day of our three day shoot with the Panasonic, we used the mini35. And those shots where the most filmlike images I ever saw from video. And it must be the mini35, because the footage from the other two days (although good) didn't have that same quality.

As for software: The Video Collection is great, but so are all the other programs. Just try them yourself and figure out what's your favorite.

[nomadicrain]

Thanks for the reply man. That is exactly the kind of info I was hoping for. Unfortunately the mini35 adapter is a non-starter for me and there is not a rental house any where near me so I am going to have to see what I can do to get the film-look with the camera and no accessories. Just wondering if the footage is good enough straight from the camera (meaning not looking like video) or if there is any additional post work to get rid of the video look.

I am also curious about inexpensive location monitors. Don't know anything about them so any info would be great.

[shadow]

Well, as far as I can tell: the picture you'll get from either the Canon or the Panasonic are abolutely beautiful. But it still looks like video. Beautiful video, but still video.

The filmlook is created by a combination of techniques:
1. Good lighting
2. Camerahandling + Framing
3. Filmlenses because of their quality and depth of field
4. Progressive scan
5. Framerate, but that's just what I hear from all NTSC users. I live in a PAL country and just use the standard 25 fps we have.

I'll see if I have the time to put some videoclips online with the footage difference between with and without the mini35.

As for the location monitor: You could do with just an inexpensive TV, but if you want to go professional, then just make sure it runs on batteries like Anton Bauers and it has all the callibration buttons including a blue-only button. Also 16:9 swichable will possibly be a needed feature.

[nomadicrain]

That would be really great. Comparison clips are something I have been wanting to see. Thanks for the pointers. Those tips are things I have had in mind. Just wondering what else to do to really push the good comp/lighting to look like film. Anyways thanks for the info.

[Shaun_michael]

Is this what you're looking for?

http://www.thexl2.com/viewtopic.php?t=7

If the direct thread link doesn't work, go to:-

http://www.thexl2.com/
go into the XL2 footage cinema, and choose the XL2 Comparison to the DVX (http://www.thexl2.com/viewtopic.php?t=7&start=0&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight=) thread.

Cheers,

Shaun

[scotttygett]

Without poo-poohing either camera, I thought you were referring to the two HD prosumer cameras that are coming out: the Canon XL H1 and the Panny HVX 200. When I saw you were comparing two older cameras I was a bit confused.

Here are two links about them:

http://consumer.usa.canon.com/ir/controller?act=ModelFeaturesAct&fcategoryid=165&modelid=12152&pageno=1

http://www.dvxuser.com/V3/forumdisplay.php?f=45

Not quite TRUE HD, but pretty impressive. I noticed each of the thre 1/3" CCD's don't have 1920x1080 pixels total, so they fudge a little, and I had a little trouble finding out how much compression their "raw" setting sacrificed, but both look pretty substantial. The discussion on otherboards was whether to go to portable chip storage or something else.

Anyway, in case anyone's interested.

[nomadicrain]

I am comparing the older cameras because I can't afford the h1 or the 200. simple as that.

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