I'm debating switching to the EX format from P2. There's nothing wrong with P2, this has nothing to do with a preference for either format. Rather, it has to do with the camera's weight: I own an HPX500 now, and after using an EX3 for a few days, I fell in love with the reduced weight (I'm almost 50!). Plus, the picture quality and the viewfinder is outstanding. I do not want to go to 1/3" chips, CMOS or not.

If I do decide to switch, I will probably go with used equipment, so I'd go for an EX1 instead of the upgraded model. As such, I couldn't find info on the Sony website for the original EX1
So, without reading through years' worth of postings here, I'd just like to know:
What are the differences between the EX1 and EX3? Don't they have the same CMOS chips? How about output connections?
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Has anyone else switched from P2 to EX? 2/3" chip to 1/2" chip cams?

Review of the EX-1:
ProVideo Coalition.com: Camera Log by Adam Wilt | Founder | Pro Cameras, HDV Camera, HD Camera, Sony, Panasonic, JVC, RED, Video Camera Reviews (http://provideocoalition.com/index.php/awilt/story/review_sony_pmw_ex1_1_2_3_cmos_hd_camcorder/)

Comparison between EX-1 and EX-1R
XDCAM-USER.com The Sony EX1R. An EX1 only quite a bit better. (http://www.xdcam-user.com/?page_id=265)

Off the top of my head the improvements are:
Fixed the power button that was notorious for leaving camera ON
Redesign of handgrip
Cache recording
S&Q
ATW
HDMI out
SD recording
Soft start/stop
Upgraded Viewfinder
Redesigned camera mount

You might find these videos helpful in your decision making.

Vortex Media: VIDEO & PHOTO Tools and Training (http://www.vortexmedia.com/EX1R/index.html)

What's So Great about XDCAM EX? (http://www.vortexmedia.com/DVD_WHATS_SO_GREAT_ABOUT_XDCAMEX.html)

If you fell in love with the EX3, you might be disappointed by the ergonomics and viewfinder of the EX1R or, even worse, the original EX1. Better test drive them before buying.

Biggest difference in my limited experience is the viewfinder. On the EX3, as you've seen, it's very very good, but on the EX1 it's appalling (maybe that's a bit strong, but certainly nowhere near as good as the EX3).
Steve

I remembered this two part briefing on the whole line up from Sony. I am pretty sure the EX1 vs EX1R was in part 1 here:
Updated & New: Sony XDCAM & NXCAM, Part 1 - 3.17.10 on Vimeo (http://www.vimeo.com/album/257944/video/10775329)

I think the EX1R also brought in a change where you can "copy all clips" from one card to the other in camera, rather than just one clip at a time with the EX1. So maybe useful if you shot on SxS, and want to make an SDHC copy, or just want to make a copy to give to producer, say, whilst keeping the original elsewhere.

Before I switched over from P2 to XDCAM EX, I'd look at my workflow. Good paths for both but they are different and have gotchas in terms of third part software, your acquisition methods, your intermediate codecs, etc. Need to evaluate the entire work environment not just the camera.

Further to Marc's comments, evaluating the impact on your market and your potential clientele.

Your present camera offers a lot of stuff the EX3 does not. Frankly I am having a lot of trouble figuring out why you would be willing to ditch your camera for an EX3. Weight, in my books, wouldn't be enough to ditch what you presently operate with.

I agree, this isn't a decision I'll just jump into. That's why I'm asking the question on this forum. Maybe others have tried it.
I like the EX3 because it shoots great video, the viewfinder is the best I've ever used - far beyond the 500's SD finder. The weight is a pleasure to work with.
I worked with the EX3 on a shoot at a railcar train depot, all day in 90+ heat. I tell you, the weight did make a big difference to me. After hours of working and sweating, I still was eager to try new camera angles, seeing what I could do with the camera.

Anyway, I came away mightily impressed with the EX3. It was so easy to use. One of the best cameras I've worked with in my 25 years as a videographer. The person who owns the camera sold his HDX900 to buy 2 EX3s and has no regrets.

But like I said, I'm thinking about it.

The way I have my EX3 rigged (DM shoulder brace and V-lock battery), it weighs 14.5 pounds. It seems heavier to me than my DSR 500 did, but I think that's because even with the shoulder brace and full-sized battery, the camera is still front heavy. I feel like I've got Popeye arms after a short period of handheld shooting. But it makes such pictures, and I love not having to mess with tape.

I have both the EX3 and EX1....and I must say I like the EX3 quite a bit better.

The EX3 viewfinder is second to none in its class....the EX1's doesn't compare. There are a bunch of other minor differences between the two cameras and in my opinion the EX3 wins everytime.

One of the biggest differences is the ability to swap lenses on the EX3...you can't do that with the EX1.

If it is in the budget go for the EX3!

Also, considering it only costs about £2k, the wide angle lens for the EX3 is a really good bit of kit. Makes the camera quite front heavy though.
Steve

Have you considered the PDW320, Glen? I know it's bringing the weight back up again, but it does give real shoulder mount ergonomics, and apparently is very frugal with battery power - you can get away with a much smaller, lighter battery than something like the HPX500.

Actually, I know very little about the PDW320. If my local video products dealer has one, I'll have to check it out.

Glen,

Do you shoot tripod or handheld most of the time?

If tripod, then maybe the EX-1 with a tripod mounted monitor like the Small HD?

I have only held the EX-3 once but its semi-shoulder design does not seem like the best long term hand holding type of camera without mods.

I use the HPX-500 and an EX-1 and they both are excellent cameras. Overall, I find I am drawn to the HPX-500's image over the EX-1 (in 720p). The EX-1 has a really nice (adjustable) image and at 1080p it delivers more than the HPX-500 imho. It is small and I have used it for jobs where I scooted around easily which would have been more difficult with the HPX-500. It is a brick to handhold though.

No doubt, the EX-1 is the best value in HD imaging.

I thought about switching to an all Sony lineup but I am staying put. The PMW-350 is a little too much for this age of IPhone video for me to invest. Quite honestly I am waiting to see if the Scarlet camera ever surfaces as a small 2/3" alternative. If it is the real deal then I might sell it all for those.

If you can get two cameras (EX-1 &3) with the sale of the HPX-500 and the lens then it would be a good trade. If you need the light weight then let that be your main reason. Workflow is tapeless. Neither need a cray computer to edit with.

Good luck with your decision.

Tim,
I mostly do tripod. There's that old saying: "a great cameraman earns his reputation by how well he can handhold a camera; he keeps his reputation by using a tripod."
But even then, my shoots usually require moving about a lot, with the camera firmly affixed to the tripod, making an even more heavier load. I mostly do one-man band shoots. The HPX, with tripod, can be a lot to throw around all day.
I came from the 3/4" video days, when a fully loaded equipment package was 45 lbs. Ain't no way I'm slugging that much around at 50 yrs old.

I would expect the image quality between the HPX500 and the EX cams to be very close. Both are cleared for Discovery HD's Silver acquisition. I wouldn't be disappointed with either's image quality, but I am a little wary of the rolling shutter.

The idea of keeping the HPX and adding an EX1 is intriguing. I'm just not sure I can do that in this economy. Unless, of course, the EX1 could bring in enough income to justify the added expense. The idea of marketing myself with two proven video formats is enticing. Do you get plenty of work with both? Which has proven to be the more popular format?

I have been shooting w/ the HVX200 for about 3 years and am very pleased with the quality of the picture and the work flow. I recently picked up the EX1R and am delighted with the picture quality, but the work flow is a bit more render intensive.

The P2 @ 720pn gives me about 80 min of recording on a 32GB P2 card,(finally) with in introduction of Panny's PCD2 USB card reader, getting the footage in and out of FCP is a breeze. The P2 footage is all I frame, so editing/encode/transcoding is very quick. However, the camera is a bit slow (f stop) and a bit noisy. the 1/3 inch chips have a large DOF.

The EX1R makes a brilliant picture, is nearly 2 stops faster than the HVX, and with the Picture Profile settings you can create some amazing and versatile looks. Also, with the 1/2 inch chips the DOF seems to be about half of the HVX. You can use the Express Slot on a laptop to quickly bring the footage into a NLE. Since the XDCam footage is based on mpeg2, any color correcting or filters requires a marked increase in rendering time (even when rendering to ProRez).

Typically, I use the P2 for more sit-down interview type programs. DVCPro HD is a very good format for other GFX and animation components, and in these cases I am always shooting in 720pn to get the most out of my cards.

I've been using the EX1R more for sports, where 1080 is required. With the EX1R I have the ability to adjust gamma to crush the extreme highlights so often encountered in the field. The SxS 32GB cards give me about 115min of recording each, so with 3 cards I am more than good for the whole day. The EX1R has greatly improved the quality of the monitor/eyepiece, and I am comfortable working without an additional monitor/waveform. Also, with the HDSDI out I can go directly from the camera to a satellite feed.

I have found both cameras to be great tools, and each has a place in my work. Because I do a good deal of flying, both the HVX & the EX1R fit into cases that will go in the overheads of most airplanes. I can get camera, batteries, cards, an LCD light and a wireless mic system on as a carry-on. Neither the 500, 320 nor the EX3 will get down to that size.

Good luck with your decision.

Cheers,

Jim Cunningham
cunninghamprod@sbcglobal.net

Glen, if you are mostly on tripod then the EX-1 with the Small HD monitor or similar model (battery powered) would be a very versitile setup and would cost less than the EX-3. External monitors are always a better shooting experience than even the best camera LCDs imho.

Throw in some LED lights and you are totally mobile. No wires.

I shoot and edit in my own stuff and use Nano Flashes on both cameras so the native formats are not in use.