My NX70U arrived yesterday and I am on the fence if I will keep it. I mostly shoot with broadcast cameras PMW-500, EX3, etc. For fast hard to reach shots I had a Canon HF10 that I sold and and needed to replace that camera, so I went with the NX70U.

So far I am not impressed with the image quality of the NX70U, the HF10 produced a sharper and better color picture. Some testing this morning then I will decide.

I have read the threads and understand the Vari ND filter is needed.

Hi Paul,

I've had a NX70 for a couple months now and it does take some time to figure it out. It can produce a very nice image. It has nearly the same size sensor as a Ex3 albeit only one chip, (1/2.88) which is bigger than a 1/3" just shy of 1/2". Yes, you'll need a variable ND for it. It has no on-board ND. I did a google search and bought the first one I could find with a 37mm thread. You'd be better using a larger ND filter using a step up ring, otherwise you'll have some vignetting when using the "steady shot" function image stabilizer.

Beside the fact that it is rain and dust proof. The 3 main feature I found were (1) the image stabilizer is great. (2) the low light sensitivity is incredible. You can crank up the gain to 15 db and you still no noise. (3) once you figure it out, it can produce a very good image. All in all, it's still a sub 3K camera and there's a reason for that, so don't expect it to perform beyond that price range.

I found it very handy right off the bat even though I really didn't expect much from it. First use was as a dash-board cam. Much better than a GoPro or anything similar. Also needed a fly under the radar cam. It was perfect. Next, a locked it down as a c-cam to give me something to cut to while I was hand held with my 350. Granted it was for a demo reel, but it all cut together very nice.

Here's some footage I shot with it over the past few month. HXR-NX70U Sample Footage on Vimeo At the end, it'll show how well it handles low light. Keep in mind I didn't know at the time how well it performed in low light, but cranked it up to 15-db anyway. When I looked at it later I was stunned!

Summery: If you're shooting Wedding vids and web-esodes this is a great little camera that will give you a lot for the money and size. For the rest of us, it's a handy little tool to have in your tool box as a c-cam, pov-cam, etc.

HI Dan,

Thanks for taking the time to post your thoughts. But I have to disagree with you on most points.

There is no way you can compare the NX70U to the EX3 even with one chip vs three chips they are multi classes apart and the EX3 came out right.

Sure rain proof and dust proof, but it has to take a decent picture and it my opinion it does not. There are a dozen cameras or more below $3K that out perform the NX70U.

I might not have all the tricks down with the camera but I have basic test that have worked for me for over 25 years and it failed all of them. Very soft picture, poor control over picture quality, poor color matrix, poor control over exposure. All for $3K, sorry but not for me.

Again Dan thanks for taking the time to post and I am glad the camera works for you and I hope you can agree to disagree.

Have Fun

Paul, have you looked at the Panasonic tm900? It's a 3-mos AVCHD camcorder. No XLR but it does have automatic ND filters. In manual mode, the lens ring can control zoom, focus, or iris. It shoots 1080p60 and it has a 24p mode. I can Dropbox you comparative footage of the same scene between it's predecessor tm700 and an EX1R.

I have the CX700 which is basically the same camera which certainly has very sharp picture. I expect you are running in full manual. These little cameras run a lot better in auto or semi auto mode as the auto system does its best to keep the camera in the sweet spot. Spot focus will get a sharper image than I have been able to achieve in manual as an example. I agree that for 3 times the price of the CX700 that's a lot to pay for water proofing and a few extra controls. The XA10 in AVCHD or the XF100 to come close to your EX3 may be better choices.

Ron Evans

It has nearly the same size sensor as a Ex3 albeit only one chip, (1/2.88) which is bigger than a 1/3" just shy of 1/2". Yes, you'll need a variable ND for it. It has no on-board ND.

A couple of points Dan. 2.88 is 2.9 in anyone's book, so a 1/2.9" chip is just a tiny bit bigger than a 1/3" chip and far smaller than The EX's ½" chip. To be 'just shy' of ½" the NX70 would have to have a 1/2.1" chip.

Next point - the NX70 does have internal ND as the testers on this forum have shown. Unfortunately it's only available to you if you're shooting in automatic exposure mode. So a variable ND is probably a good idea if you want to lock the iris, gain and s/speed. And if you've bought this camera, you surely will.

tom.

Thanks Les,

Sure happy to check it out.

Looks like I will not go for AVCHD and prefer a codec that matches my XDCAM cameras.

Agree Ron I have used a CX700 and thought it was a nice camera for its price.

Well Dan, I think your video looks very impressive. Good job!

After reading Glen's comments I hope people especially Dan do not misunderstand me. I think Dan does very nice work. I am not talking about Dan's work I am talking about my experience with the NX70U and what I have seen from its picture quality. Also I am talking about input I have had from other people I know in the industry who I respect that I tested the NX70U and exchanged emails with over the last week. Maybe we asked too much from our gear but I doubt it.

Dan, your perspective on this camera is right on target. It's been working great for me too. Took me a couple of weeks, but it's working perfect for me (run and gun and "B" cam work).....

I've been thinking about buying the NX70U for sometime now, but after reading some of the negative comments, I'm not so sure I'm willing to pay $2550 for it.

Every camera has tradeoffs. You have to decide what's important to you.

Andy I agree with Les, you need to know what works for you and buy that gear. There are people on this thread who are happy with the NX70U and that is great. For me it did not work but that does not mean it won't work for you.

As with any camera you should try before you buy and I broke my own rule this time and purchased before I tried. Luckily I work with one of the best retailers in the business (Abel Cine Tech) and they helped me out and took it back.

Paul,

Out of curiosity, were you shooting with the NX70U wide open? Image quality is best at the largest apertures, and declines rapidly past f4.0. In my own IQ tests versus the XF100, I thought the NX70U was clearly sharper, provided you're always shooting f4.0 or wider...

Every camera has tradeoffs. You have to decide what's important to you. Here's a review you may not have come across:
HD Warrior Blog Archiv Review of the Sony HXR-NX70 (http://www.hdwarrior.co.uk/2011/06/23/review-of-the-sony-hxr-nx70/)

Thanks for the link. I haven't seen it yet.

Andy I agree with Les, you need to know what works for you and buy that gear. There are people on this thread who are happy with the NX70U and that is great. For me it did not work but that does not mean it won't work for you.

As with any camera you should try before you buy and I broke my own rule this time and purchased before I tried. Luckily I work with one of the best retailers in the business (Abel Cine Tech) and they helped me out and took it back.

Les/Paul: Despite some problems with the camera, there's a lot to like about the NX70U. I guess I'll have to test it out myself to really know if the camera is right for me. Hopefully, whoever I buy the camera from has a good return policy.

Andy Lewicky,

Thanks for the constructive input. Yes I was testing at all the stops inside and out. Makes sense such a small sensor needs all the light it can get.

I think the problem is I am so use to nice broadcast quality from 2/3" CCD chips and use 1/2" CMOS as B cam that I can't go down to a very small single chip camera. I am going to look at a three chip camera for my safety camera.

Was also looking to use this while shooting a doc on my single/double handed offshore racing sailboat. But for that I am going to buy a different camera.

We're all looking for a little cam with broadcast quality, overlooking the fact that the newest consumer format, AVCHD 2.0 is a higher spec than broadcast. And what about 3D? And in the pursuit of broadcast spec and BBC acceptance, 10 bit, 4:4:4 and what not, are we ignoring mobile devices and online viewers? The little cameras are the ultimate run and gun shooters. Remember the adage, the best camera to use for any situation is the one you have with you. I'd love to have the low light of the F3, the sharpness of the XF300, the interchangeable lens of the ex3, the image stabilization of the TM900, the dof of the C300, the Red raw codec, and I want it all in a compact 3 chip water proof package that's affordable. C'mon...there is no single camera that does everything at ANY price point, broadcast or otherwise. The one that does more things better is probably the ubiquitous ex1, but we're looking for that kind of performance in a lightweight 1/3 chip package, with only limited success are we finding it. For my $0.02, the AC160 would tick a lot of boxes, but neither is it small or lightweight, and I see no point in getting it now until the announced 1080/60p upgrade is available.

Duplicate post

The top of the line consumer cameras from Sony( CX700 ) , Canon ( HFG10 ) and Panasonic ( TM900 ) take some beating when they are in auto or semi auto mode. The on board intelligent control is very fast and able to produce video to maximum capability of the camera. Going to full manual on these cameras, I think , removes a lot of their smart responses. Semi auto ( fix shutter speed, limit gain etc but leave the rest in auto ) is the best way to use them as this is much like a drive by wire system. Tell the camera what you want and let it do it. Things like getting the best focus and exposure for a group of people is easy for them. Not so easy or fast in full manual !! Automatically adjusting focus and exposure while tracking an object or person is another clever feat they do really well.

Ron Evans

Tom, do not twist the accuracy of my post for your rants it is not appreciated!

Ron,
I had a Canon HF10 for use on a boat we race and it was a great little camera.

Paul, as something different you may want to look at the NEX5N. I think it has limited record times but if you start and stop it may well be something that has a real different characteristic.

I am a sailor too though sold my Laser 28 and moved to a cruiser, 2008 Hunter 31, recently as this is easier on everyone with the grandkids !!! Still race in JAM but its a bit like moving from a Ferrari to an RV !!! To be expected half the sail area and almost 3 times the displacement.

Ron

Thanks Ron holding off for a couple of weeks on a third camera.

Laser 28 can be fun. 35 years as a pro in all kinds of classes and a few AC programs besides being a NA. This is what got me into shooting way back in the 16mm days. Got to love a life time passion such as sailing.

I recently squired a NEX 5n and as yet I’m a little underwhelmed. I also have a Noelex 22 for sale as after bareboating in the Caribbean for many years out of Oyster Pond mainly sailing 41 ft Centurions the little Noelex 22 is a bit like the little NEX 5n; fun but hardly the real thing.

Cheers...

"Remember the adage, the best camera to use for any situation is the one you have with you."

...and that's exactly why Paul and other professionals take the time to test the cameras that they will be carrying with them on assignments and why they share their findings here.

I agree that there is no, one perfect camera for every situation, but, Paul is a seasoned professional going back to the days of film, I have to assume that he knows what will or won't work for he and his clients.

I can relay way, too many stories about great images that were caught with less then stellar cameras or by using second rate wide angle adapters.. "Great shot of that skyline...to bad it's slightly soft."