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Camcorder testers wanted

1167 Views 15 Replies 5 Participants Last post by Paulo Teixeira, Aug 8, 2011

Paulo Teixeira

Discussion Starter · Aug 3, 2011

I've been wanting to do a real world comparison of different camcorders for a while now and I figure nows the time that I should try to organize one. Basically you have to own either a Panasonic TM90/SD90, TM900/HS900/SD800, Canon G10/XA10, Sony CX560/CX700 or a JVC HM860/HM960 and are not only willing to participate, but are able to do this around the Boston area. It would be best if I were to meet with a few of you at the same time so we'll have to think about the best day for everybody. I'll provide the memory cards and if you want a copy everybody's footage, just bring a laptop. I'll even compare my SD600 just for the heck of it.

I think we'll shoot some scenes during the day and some scenes during the night. After all is said and done, I'll post the results on this forum. The testing will be simple real world examples and all that's required is owning the proper camcorder and knowing how to adjust some of the manual controls such as Exposure, Shutter and white balance for example. Just give me a private message if any of you might be willing to do this.

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gso125

· #2 · Aug 3, 2011

I have the g10 (hf) if you ever come to the Worcester area.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Paulo Teixeira /forum/post/20774939

I've been wanting to do a real world comparison of different camcorders for a while now and I figure nows the time that I should try to organize one. Basically you have to own either a Panasonic TM90/SD90, TM900/HS900/SD800, Canon G10/XA10, Sony CX560/CX700 or a JVC HM860/HM960 and are not only willing to participate, but are able to do this around the Boston area. It would be best if I were to meet with a few of you at the same time so we'll have to think about the best day for everybody. I'll provide the memory cards and if you want a copy everybody's footage, just bring a laptop. I'll even compare my SD600 just for the heck of it.

I think we'll shoot some scenes during the day and some scenes during the night. After all is said and done, I'll post the results on this forum. The testing will be simple real world examples and all that's required is owning the proper camcorder and knowing how to adjust some of the manual controls such as Exposure, Shutter and white balance for example. Just give me a private message if any of you might be willing to do this.

bsprague

· #3 · Aug 3, 2011

Quote:
Originally Posted by Paulo Teixeira /forum/post/20774939

..... Basically you have to own either a Panasonic TM90/SD90, TM900/HS900/SD800, Canon G10/XA10, Sony CX560/CX700 or a JVC HM860/HM960 and are not only willing to participate, but are able to do this around the Boston area.

What? No HDC-STD750? I'm terribly insulted, but with a grin on my face!

Great idea! Wish I could help, but live near Seattle and that's too far to commute.

Paulo Teixeira

Discussion Starter · #4 · Aug 3, 2011

Yes I'm capable of going to Worcester although some people might not be like bsprague for example. I couldn't resist.

I wish I had all of the camcorders so that I can do it myself and that it wont be much time to get it over with and put it on-line but it's not easy getting a hold of all of them and doing it this way, will make people more comfortable with the results since other people in the forum was also involved.

Maybe someone has a good double or triple head stabilizer that they can bring? In that case, you wont have to bring a camcorder and still be involved. Testing low light and good lighting situations is one thing, but testing the auto focusing and stabilizer would be even better.

Steve Cebu

· #5 · Aug 3, 2011

I'd be interested in meeting up as well and comparing my G10 as gso calls it.

I'm up in NH but maybe we could find a common meeting ground where it's convenient for everyone? I don't mind driving down to Mass.

Have to be a lot of good stuff to shoot as well.

I'd prefer to use my own memory cards tho.

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Paulo Teixeira

Discussion Starter · #6 · Aug 3, 2011

If I can come up with a way to copy the footage right away so that I can have it than it wont be a problem using your own cards. That was basically so I can have the footage right away.

gso125

· #7 · Aug 3, 2011

Quote:
Originally Posted by Paulo Teixeira /forum/post/20775613

If I can come up with a way to copy the footage right away so that I can have it than it wont be a problem using your own cards. That was basically so I can have the footage right away.

Paulo if you have a laptop with free space and a card reader you should be ok copy/pasting the sd cards so the different companys import software shouldn't be an issue. And anyone else could probably do the same.

Paulo Teixeira

Discussion Starter · #8 · Aug 3, 2011

I actually do have a laptop and I'll most likely bring it. It just takes several minutes to get it on and sometimes it doesn't work. I never bothered to really get it fixed since I mostly use my desktop.

Perhaps we can even test out the HX9 or HX100 if anyone has one and willing to be involved.

gso125

· #9 · Aug 3, 2011

I have the hx100v and maybe a hx9 soon.

havasuvideo

· #10 · Aug 3, 2011

I have the SD800, still waiting for you to send me the airline ticket. I'm just over in Arizona.

Next week is good for me

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Paulo Teixeira

Discussion Starter · #11 · Aug 4, 2011

I actually thought about how we'd be able to take these testings to the extreme by flying some of the most active camcorder posters from different forums. Realistically, I might post this on other forums and possibly even advertise on YouTube just to get all the camcorders that I'm looking for. Another camcorder I think I'll want to include is the Canon M41.

havasuvideo

· #12 · Aug 4, 2011

You could just stipulate the test conditions you want the test to be conducted under.

A green tree is a green tree-anywhere in the world.

Same for a brown building or a blue sky. You just need to set-up the test conditions-like all camera's in manual mode, manual WB taken from a white sheet of paper-camera locked down on tripod, etc.

I think you'll find that the TM900/800 will be the clear winner, in every category.

Also, you might wanna make sure the video's are uploaded to Vimeo, as they come out of the camera(vimeo will convert them), and have the user enable the ability to download the original file.

In the meantime, I'll wait for my ticket

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Paulo Teixeira

Discussion Starter · #13 · Aug 4, 2011

I think it's safer recording at the same time and at the same place. For example shooting at 8am will look a little different than if you shot something at 6pm at the same place. I'm still deciding exactly how it'll all be done and it wont happen until I get more camcorders.

For sure Vimeo will be used so that people can download the native files.

Steve Cebu

· #14 · Aug 4, 2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paulo Teixeira

I think it's safer recording at the same time and at the same place. For example shooting at 8am will look a little different than if you shot something at 6pm at the same place. I'm still deciding exactly how it'll all be done and it wont happen until I get more camcorders.

For sure Vimeo will be used so that people can download the native files.

I also think it's better if the videos are taken at the same time in the same place.

If Vimeo is going to be used then you have to either keep the files under 500MB or have an unlimited account.

I think this is a good idea, hopefully enough people will participate.

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havasuvideo

· #15 · Aug 4, 2011

Why don't you run an Ad on the Boston Craigslist, just to broaden your exposure?

It's not really that small of a city, and you're bound to find that someone in that town owns one of each of those camera's and is willing to come out and test them-then maybe just make copies of their video files, and handle it from there.

Yep-500MB max would be enough.

However, I'm not sure what you want to prove??? at 8am, daylight, all things being equal, it's doubtful that you will see significant differences in the video's.

Nightime, or sunset-all bets are off. I'm thinking the 3mos camera's will kick the others to the curb. But, I could be wrong.....a single CMOS camera may come out ahead.

I know my hacked GH1 would kick all of them to the curb in low light. But, that's a Micro 4/3rd's size chip, which is gigantic when compared to the camera's listed.

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Paulo Teixeira

Discussion Starter · #16 · Aug 8, 2011

It looks like I'm going to be busy with video projects this month so I'll have to put this on hold for a bit.

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