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Panasonic HDC-SD90 vs HC-V700

post #1 of 34
2/25/12 at 3:07am
Thread Starter 
Simple question, is it worth to wait for the new V700 (that should sell at around 550 euro in europe) or just take its predecessor SD90 (can buy for 400 euro)?
From the specs I can see extended zoom (21x vs 26x), better image stabilization (4-axis vs 5-axis), frontside illuminated sensor vs backside illuminated sensor and some 3D stuff I do not care about.
I plan to use it mostly for shooting my family, so I do not think I need the extended zoom range. The better image stabilization would be handy but is it that much better? Also from what I red the backside illuminated sensors are constructed better than frontside ones in terms of capturing light (the wiring is behind the photocathode layer). But maybe a newer frontside illuminated sensor is better than an older backside one? I am going to shoot a lot inside (bulb lightning) so low light performance is probably the most important factor. But again, is it going to be that much better to justify 150euro difference? What do you guys think?
I do not mind waiting for the new one. I currently shoot with Nikon D7000 in FullHD but it is kinda hard to keep the focus (manually) on rapidly moving targets (like my son).
So to sum it up, is the price difference worth the better image stabilization and (hopefully) better low light performance?
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post #2 of 34
2/25/12 at 6:38am
The HC-V700 has a 1/2.33" sensor. which is bigger than the SD90's 1/4.1" sensor.
That will facilitate better low light ability.

The HC-V700 appears to have a filter thread of 46mm, which is more of a standard size. So it seems you may be able to add filters and lenses. The thread on the SD90 was basically just for the 3-D conversion lens.

Might be worth the upgrade for the bigger sensor alone. Should be a review sooner than later to help you decide.
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post #3 of 34
2/25/12 at 7:47am
Hi

I'd certainly wait for the new one and see what the reviews say.

We've missed this one, as unlike the new 3MOS models which are essentially unchanged, this camera actually does have something different to warrant the marketing spin.

Although it's not all plain sailing to how much improvement there will be in low light, the reason being:

The SD90 has a 1/4.1" sensor containing 3.3 million pixels, which is plenty for HD video.

The V700 while it has a larger 1/2.3" sensor, on that sensor is crammed 15 million pixels! Why the manufacturers insist on so many pixels for HD video I don't know. So that means the pixels are smaller to pack them in. Of course there may be other improvements to help compensate.

Now what would have been nice Panasonic is if you put larger sensors in your 3MOS cameras this year, then your PR and marketing would have had something tangible to boast about on those models, rather than just adding "Pro" at the end of everything

Regards

Phil
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post #4 of 34
2/25/12 at 9:32am
Thread Starter 
The spec for V700 says:

Total Pixels :
15.3 megapixels

Effective Pixels :

3.55 - 2.58 megapixels [16:9]

So I suppose it is the latter one that should be compared with SD90's 3.3 million (so more or less the same).
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post #5 of 34
2/25/12 at 10:54am
Panasonic lists total number of sensor pixels in the Bayer-patterned sensor. Divide it by 4 and you get more sensible 3.8 image megapixels.

Nevertheless, the camera seems to be a decent one, with 28mm lens, mic input, accessory shoe, 60p. And thanks for coming to senses with 46mm filter thread.

Larger sensor and 46mm thread are worth waiting, IMO.
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post #6 of 34
2/26/12 at 2:12am
Thread Starter 
Thank you for your input guys.
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post #7 of 34
2/26/12 at 1:11pm
Forget about the idea that you are using a bigger sensor when shooting video with the V700. The SD90 has a 2.82mm focal length which is equivalent to 28mm according to Panasonic. The V700 has a 2.82mm focal length which is equivalent to 28mm according to Panasonic. So ... the size of the sensor being used for video has to be the same.
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post #8 of 34
2/29/12 at 3:09am
I have the SD90, and I'm definitely going for the v700. Went to check it out at a local store (priced around 550€) and had the chance to grab a few seconds of test footage. What I noticed is the stabilizer which is even more incredible than the SD90, and also the 46x zoom works great with no image quality loss (it totally seems optical, even though it's only optical up to 21x). Camera seems to focus really well even in low light. Compared it to a new similar priced Sony CX-250/260 and I tell ya Panasonic wins hands down.

And the link: http://youtu.be/61UWaKYyFOA
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post #9 of 34
2/29/12 at 3:09am
Damn this forum won't let me post the link until I have 3 posts...
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post #10 of 34
2/29/12 at 3:10am
Well lets make it three then.
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post #11 of 34
2/29/12 at 7:05am
Thanks for posting the zoom test! I think the V700 would be perfect for my needs, only it lacks a viewfinder. I don't understand this thinking, V10, V100, V500, V700 all without EVF. And I am not going to go for the top X900 model to get one either. Oh well.
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post #12 of 34
3/2/12 at 6:56am
Thread Starter 
@HienoKaveri : And you think those improvements are worth 150€ extra?
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post #13 of 34
3/5/12 at 12:38am
Quote:
Originally Posted by coroner26 View Post

@HienoKaveri : And you think those improvements are worth 150 extra?

Yea definitely for me. I need the longest zooms available. Gonna go pick the cam up today and post more testing later.
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post #14 of 34
3/5/12 at 4:06am
Thread Starter 
Great!
If you could compare the noise in low light that would be very helpful to me. And if you could upload it to youtube...that would be even better
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post #15 of 34
3/8/12 at 3:24am
About 8 minutes of more test video here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=au5v09cwC78

I couldn't compare side by side to the SD90 'cause I already sold it :P anyway as far as I can see low light perf. is definitely better.
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post #16 of 34
3/8/12 at 9:06am
Quote:
Originally Posted by HienoKaveri View Post

About 8 minutes of more test video here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=au5v09cwC78

I couldn't compare side by side to the SD90 'cause I already sold it :P anyway as far as I can see low light perf. is definitely better.

Agonizing wait till March 25th here in the US, I want this camera now

Thanks for posting the YouTube video.
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post #17 of 34
3/8/12 at 1:58pm
So glad I found this site today. I've been on an endless search for info on the upcoming camcorders from all manufacturers. Too bad someone hasn't done a camcorder comparison website like snapsort did for regular cameras. Anyway, I was coming to the site to see what everyone thought of the v700, but I think I'm sold now. The frustrating thing it seems these days is finding a camera with the specs you want. I want the smallest camera, HD 60p, SD Card, widest angle possible, and a big sensor for low light capabilities. I narrowed it to the panny v700, the jvc gz gx1 and the sony cx760. The sony is almost 3x as expensive at the v700 and is bigger.
Anyway, came to say thanks. I'll let you know how the camera works out when I get it.
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post #18 of 34
3/9/12 at 12:56am
Thread Starter 
Thanks for the vid HienoKaveri!
I guess I am gonna go with V700 (because the low light perf seems to be better) although I still do not think the improvements are worth 150€.
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post #19 of 34
3/9/12 at 8:42am
Quote:
Originally Posted by HienoKaveri View Post

About 8 minutes of more test video here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=au5v09cwC78

I couldn't compare side by side to the SD90 'cause I already sold it :P anyway as far as I can see low light perf. is definitely better.

um... @ 8:32...what the hell, man?

(warning: NSFL)
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post #20 of 34
3/9/12 at 1:35pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by xfws View Post

um... @ 8:32...what the hell, man?

(warning: NSFL)

-----------

Um, did you miss the nasty toilet deposit at 4:06? I missed it the first time and really was only bothered by the language at 4:56 and in the comments.
shame, because this video really could have been useful and professional. Now it's just disgusting. Sorry I commented about it being a great video earlier.
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post #21 of 34
3/9/12 at 2:01pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by thenotoriousrob View Post

-----------

Um, did you miss the nasty toilet deposit at 4:06? I missed it the first time and really was only bothered by the language at 4:56 and in the comments.
shame, because this video really could have been useful and professional. Now it's just disgusting. Sorry I commented about it being a great video earlier.

I was just skipping around the video and saw that @ 8:32 and closed it. I didn't see there was also an earlier one.

I've never seen that kind of thing in a test video - not funny at all.
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post #22 of 34
3/16/12 at 5:57pm
First review from Trusted Reviews, got a 9 out of 10.
http://www.trustedreviews.com/panaso...mcorder_review
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post #23 of 34
3/16/12 at 8:22pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kayook View Post

First review from Trusted Reviews, got a 9 out of 10.
http://www.trustedreviews.com/panaso...mcorder_review

HDC-SD9 got 9 of 10 too, despite having miniscule 1/6-inch sensors, appalling low-light performance, no mic in / headphone out, etc. Bottom line: do not trust Trusted Reviews.
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post #24 of 34
3/21/12 at 12:28pm
2nd review (short).
http://www.thenational.ae/thenationa...hc-v700-review

Great first test shoot.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dysBR4Z1uwU
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post #25 of 34
3/29/12 at 3:06pm
To post URLs
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post #26 of 34
3/29/12 at 3:11pm
at least 3 posts
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post #27 of 34
3/29/12 at 3:12pm
necessary.
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post #28 of 34
3/29/12 at 3:13pm
What about chromatic aberration? Somebody can check it? It is not a big problem with SD90.
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post #29 of 34
4/1/12 at 5:25pm
So does anyone know when the V700 will hit the market? I noticed Amazon has a HC-V700K and HC-V700MK listed. Does anyone know what the difference is with these units? Neither one has any reviews on their website.
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post #30 of 34
4/2/12 at 6:42am
Quote:
Originally Posted by smokey982 View Post

So does anyone know when the V700 will hit the market? I noticed Amazon has a HC-V700K and HC-V700MK listed. Does anyone know what the difference is with these units? Neither one has any reviews on their website.

The v700M has the 16GB of internal flash.
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