Sony HDR-CX550V or Panasonic HDC-TM700?

post #31 of 810

2/19/10 at 1:20pm

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Quote:

Originally Posted by seph22

My dream Camcorder would be Sony stabilization+Sony wide Angle+Sony BIS for better low light/Low noise Combined with 1080p60

Sony makes those but you're going to shell out $3000+ for it

post #32 of 810

2/23/10 at 7:30am

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If the TM700 is really going to retail at 999, how could we not get that over the CX550v? I was all set to go with the Sony because of the addition of a viewfinder and better stabilization and low light but it looks like the Panny is going to give them a run for their money with this new cameral. Thoughts?

post #33 of 810

2/23/10 at 7:48am

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Until both of the units are available to compare and/or pro reviews are out, we're all basing our opinions mostly on specs, press releases and marketing documentation.

In particular, stabilization and low-light will need to be put head to head before one unit may be favored over the other.

Personally, I wouldn't be making a decision on either until a read a couple of pro reviews for both units.

That being said, I'm sure they'll both be great units.

post #34 of 810

2/23/10 at 8:54am

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Agreed. I just hope the reviews start flowing before I need a camcorder in May....

post #35 of 810

2/23/10 at 11:56am

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yeah sounds like the panny is the one to go with at 999. I am new to getting the HD camcorders because I have been working with JVC GY HM700u here at college but i am now graduating in the may and need to get myself a decent enough HD camcorder and have about 1grand to spend.

Heres a neat little look at it:

http://www.expertreviews.co.uk/camco...0-hd-camcorder

Anybody know the projected date for the TM700?

post #36 of 810

2/23/10 at 12:10pm

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Quote:

Originally Posted by TheSicilian

If the TM700 is really going to retail at 999, how could we not get that over the CX550v? I was all set to go with the Sony because of the addition of a viewfinder and better stabilization and low light but it looks like the Panny is going to give them a run for their money with this new cameral. Thoughts?

I'd say for 2 reasons.
1. Panasonic is trying a new pricing strategy.
2. You get 32GB instead of 64GB built in.

post #37 of 810

2/23/10 at 12:26pm

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Quote:

Originally Posted by cliffturn9

Heres a neat little look at it:

http://www.expertreviews.co.uk/camco...0-hd-camcorder

Here's a stabilizer test similar to what their talking about although not with the top camcorders.
http://av.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/n...13_340433.html

post #38 of 810

2/23/10 at 12:43pm

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Just to contradict myself, one of the main reasons I like the Sony is its Night View infrared mode. I think it will be great to film nocturnal wildlife. I know it is more of a gimmick but this one seems to have worked on me! Just dont know if it is worth the extra money assuming the Panny comes in comparable on everything else....

post #39 of 810

2/24/10 at 5:36am

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hey guys heres my dilemma I am stuck between both these cameras and am leaning towards the TM700 because it is cheaper but here is what I will be using the cams for:

-shooting fast action sports only involving the human body
-nature and wildlife
-landscapes
-mostly all outdoors

I am leaning towards the TM700 because of the 60p feature as well as the fact that it has more manual controls which I am big into. The fact that CX550V does not have manual shutter speed control is a big let down for me. I like to shoot the sports I video around 1/125 or 1/2something. However, Sony does have the cool slow smooth record, albeit gimmicky it is really cool. But if I am shooting with a manually fast shutter speed and 60p then I would be able to obtain full HD slow-mo, even-though its not 200fps.

The memory space is not an issue for me because I already have two 16gb SDHC cards so those combine with the already 32gb flash memory would work great.

So what do you guys think? Am I missing out on any features of the CX550V that I should pay attention too? Or am I right in leaning towards the TM700? What would be the biggest difference between the 2 that would sway me either way? Thanks experts. Such a great forum

post #40 of 810

2/24/10 at 6:23am

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Quote:

Originally Posted by TheSicilian

Just to contradict myself, one of the main reasons I like the Sony is its Night View infrared mode. I think it will be great to film nocturnal wildlife. I know it is more of a gimmick but this one seems to have worked on me! Just dont know if it is worth the extra money assuming the Panny comes in comparable on everything else....

Just an FYI, the night mode I experienced with the CX500, is not really good beyond 20-25 feet. Only good up close. the IR light on the camera isn't that strong

post #41 of 810

2/24/10 at 6:23am

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Quote:

Originally Posted by cliffturn9

hey guys heres my dilemma I am stuck between both these cameras and am leaning towards the TM700 because it is cheaper but here is what I will be using the cams for:

-shooting fast action sports only involving the human body
-nature and wildlife
-landscapes
-mostly all outdoors

I am leaning towards the TM700 because of the 60p feature as well as the fact that it has more manual controls which I am big into. The fact that CX550V does not have manual shutter speed control is a big let down for me. I like to shoot the sports I video around 1/125 or 1/2something. However, Sony does have the cool slow smooth record, albeit gimmicky it is really cool. But if I am shooting with a manually fast shutter speed and 60p then I would be able to obtain full HD slow-mo, even-though its not 200fps.

...

So what do you guys think? Am I missing out on any features of the CX550V that I should pay attention too? Or am I right in leaning towards the TM700? What would be the biggest difference between the 2 that would sway me either way? Thanks experts. Such a great forum

You should probably go to SonyStyle and read through the specs in detail. For example, I'm pretty sure Shutter Speed was one of the items added to the manual control group in the 550s.

post #42 of 810

3/1/10 at 1:16pm

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Quote:

Originally Posted by dustindu4

Just an FYI, the night mode I experienced with the CX500, is not really good beyond 20-25 feet. Only good up close. the IR light on the camera isn't that strong

Thanks Dustin. Did you buy a supplemental IR light or just forget the whole function? I am going on a safari in June and thought it would be great to get some animal shots using IR. I guess I better research lights....

post #43 of 810

3/1/10 at 1:23pm

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no supplemental IR light, you could try it

post #44 of 810

3/1/10 at 3:27pm

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Quote:

Originally Posted by cliffturn9

hey guys heres my dilemma I am stuck between both these cameras and am leaning towards the TM700 because it is cheaper but here is what I will be using the cams for:

-shooting fast action sports only involving the human body
-nature and wildlife
-landscapes
-mostly all outdoors

I am leaning towards the TM700 because of the 60p feature as well as the fact that it has more manual controls which I am big into. The fact that CX550V does not have manual shutter speed control is a big let down for me. I like to shoot the sports I video around 1/125 or 1/2something. However, Sony does have the cool slow smooth record, albeit gimmicky it is really cool. But if I am shooting with a manually fast shutter speed and 60p then I would be able to obtain full HD slow-mo, even-though its not 200fps.

The memory space is not an issue for me because I already have two 16gb SDHC cards so those combine with the already 32gb flash memory would work great.

So what do you guys think? Am I missing out on any features of the CX550V that I should pay attention too? Or am I right in leaning towards the TM700? What would be the biggest difference between the 2 that would sway me either way? Thanks experts. Such a great forum

The Sony HDR-CX550V has few important features over the Panasonic HDC-TM700:
1.A/V Remote (for wired remote or for Sony tripod with remote and several zooming speeds etc)-very imortant!
2.Built in GPS (great for shooting landscapes/wildlife at various locations)
3.Larger and higher resolution LCD (good for shooting landscapes too)
4.Wider lens (great for expansive landscapes)
5.More internal memory(never too much!)
6."Sports pack" for underwater filming

The Panasonic however supposed to have significantly better picture quality
-at least outdoors.

post #45 of 810

3/1/10 at 3:48pm

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One feature that Sony doesn't mention is Relay Recording. Canon and Panasonic both flaunt it, but my searches on the Sony website haven't turned up one mention of it, so I can only assume they don't offer it.

It would be really nice to not have to worry about keeping an eye on the remaining capacity of the internal memory to make sure I don't end up with too little to shoot a particular scene. This becomes an even bigger factor if the price of SDXC cards comes down significantly within the next year, particularly since the Sony can't even use them.

post #46 of 810

3/2/10 at 8:42am

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This is certainly shaping up to be similar round of TM300 vs. CX500 fight...

.

post #47 of 810

3/2/10 at 8:49am

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Webmonkey

This is certainly shaping up to be similar round of TM300 vs. CX500 fight...

.

Yeah, but isn't having choice great? I don't think we'd have the high quality options we have now if it weren't for the fierce competition. I hope the fight never ends.

post #48 of 810

3/2/10 at 9:00am

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Quote:

Originally Posted by TheBum

Yeah, but isn't having choice great? I don't think we'd have the high quality options we have now if it weren't for the fierce competition. I hope the fight never ends.

Yes, but it can also be a burden, when it comes to making a choice - I spend countless hours deciding between TM300 and CX505 - making the choice of CX550 after it was announced, just to have Panny do comeback with the new 700 series

The cheap SD700 version sure is temping.. but I still think that the CX550 will be my choice....

and YES, competition is the best for bringing better and cheaper products to the consumers....

post #49 of 810

3/2/10 at 9:33am

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My money is still on the TM700, but only because the 60p will be a great benefit for the type of shooting I'll often be doing (blurringly fast action). I just hope the reviews of the two models don't make me flip-flop again. The anticipation is almost unbearable.

post #50 of 810

3/2/10 at 10:37am

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I think I am going with the Sony. I figure we are now at the point where picture quality differences will be pretty minor....my eyes aren't HD anymore!

so to me it comes down to features. Truth be told I am more of a point and shooter and will only make minor adjustments anyway. Plus I do like the infrared Nightshot mode. The other plus is that the Sony will be here sooner so I can just preorde and stop laboring over this decision.

post #51 of 810

3/2/10 at 12:54pm

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Quote:

Originally Posted by TheBum

My money is still on the TM700, but only because the 60p will be a great benefit for the type of shooting I'll often be doing (blurringly fast action). I just hope the reviews of the two models don't make me flip-flop again. The anticipation is almost unbearable.

I also like the idea of 50p - but I worry about editing possibilities (I am on a mac with iMovie and maybe one day FCE).

And export/playback - what web sites support 50/60fps, be that at 720 or 1080p?

post #52 of 810

3/2/10 at 1:15pm

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Webmonkey

I also like the idea of 50p - but I worry about editing possibilities (I am on a mac with iMovie and maybe one day FCE).

And export/playback - what web sites support 50/60fps, be that at 720 or 1080p?

If worse comes to worst, there are always utilities on the Web to convert the video to something the editor can handle. If it's important enough, I'll just archive the raw footage until such a time that I can re-edit it in its full glory. The way I look at is you can always downscale (frame rate-wise or resolution-wise) and throw away superfluous detail, but you can never upscale and add detail.

You also have the option with 60p source material of creating excellent slow-motion effects, either at 30p (half speed) or 24p (1/2.5 speed).

BTW, I'm on a Mac too,

post #53 of 810

3/3/10 at 4:06am

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Quote:

Originally Posted by TheBum

If worse comes to worst, there are always utilities on the Web to convert the video to something the editor can handle. If it's important enough, I'll just archive the raw footage until such a time that I can re-edit it in its full glory. The way I look at is you can always downscale (frame rate-wise or resolution-wise) and throw away superfluous detail, but you can never upscale and add detail.

You also have the option with 60p source material of creating excellent slow-motion effects, either at 30p (half speed) or 24p (1/2.5 speed).

BTW, I'm on a Mac too,

if I remember correctly, a sample from the Sanyo cam loading perfectly into iMovie09 and played well - whatever it was actually 60fps or it was discarding frames, I do not know.....

post #54 of 810

3/3/10 at 9:19am