View Full Version : Review says HC7 low-light worse than HC3


Dan Peterson
March 21st, 2007, 09:53 AM
A review of the HC7 elsewhere says the low-light capability of the HC7 is worse than that of the HC3.
Any users who have used both camcorders care to comment?

Dave Blackhurst
March 21st, 2007, 10:13 AM
At least one person who has the 7 and had the 3 has posted here and on that review that this depends on how the cameras are set, and that the 7 is as good or better than the 3. I'd take that review with a grain of salt or two. I'll post if and when my 7 arrives...

DB>)

Art Willig
March 21st, 2007, 09:10 PM
weird...I just read a user review that said his HC7 blew away his HC3 in low light...

Douglas Spotted Eagle
March 21st, 2007, 09:20 PM
I won't go so far as to say it "blows it away" but it is definitely better than the HC3. IMO, it manages low light better than any HDV cam outside of the Z1.

Buddy Frazer
March 27th, 2007, 07:10 AM
How does the low light performance of the HC7 compare to the FX7/V1U?

Douglas Spotted Eagle
March 27th, 2007, 07:32 AM
it's a little better; one thing you'll note is that if you have the color depth enabled, the noise shows up differently. It might bother some, and please others.

Buddy Frazer
March 27th, 2007, 07:39 AM
I'm sorry, Spot. Which is "a little better?"

Douglas Spotted Eagle
March 27th, 2007, 07:49 AM
Apologies, the HC7 is a little better than the V1, and I'd assume better than the FX7. I don't have an FX7.

Yow Siang
March 29th, 2007, 07:45 PM
Hi Douglas,
How about the sharpness/details compared to V1

thanks
ys

Ray Wesley
April 4th, 2007, 09:02 AM
I think it was Dan's samples that prompted me to get the HC7. I had the Hc3 and consider the HC7 to be the same if not better in low light compared to the HC3 as long as you have auto slow shutter set to off. When the HC3 has this feature set to on it is defintely less noisier than the HC7 in the same mode, not sure why this is but the difference is way noticiible. The bottom line I wasn't happy with the exposure and color of the HC3 and the HC7 seems to improve wholeheartedly on this issue and the low light is fantastic in my eyes. Without a doubt the best cam I have ever owned out probably 10-15 camocorders in the past 20 years.

Ray Wesley
April 4th, 2007, 09:04 AM
I think it was Dan's samples that prompted me to get the HC7. I had the Hc3 and consider the HC7 to be the same if not better in low light compared to the HC3 as long as you have auto slow shutter set to off. When the HC3 has this feature set to on it is defintely less noisier than the HC7 in the same mode, not sure why this is but the difference is way noticiible. The bottom line I wasn't happy with the exposure and color of the HC3 and the HC7 seems to improve wholeheartedly on this issue and the low light is fantastic in my eyes. Without a doubt the best cam I have ever owned out of probably 10-15 camcorders in the past 20 years.

Yow Siang
April 4th, 2007, 05:39 PM
Hi Ray,
just wan to hear from you.. there are many discussion and good things said about the HV20 like its better details and so on.. what is the biggest pull factor for you to buy the HC7 and not the Canon HV20?

thanks
ys
I think it was Dan's samples that prompted me to get the HC7. I had the Hc3 and consider the HC7 to be the same if not better in low light compared to the HC3 as long as you have auto slow shutter set to off. When the HC3 has this feature set to on it is defintely less noisier than the HC7 in the same mode, not sure why this is but the difference is way noticiible. The bottom line I wasn't happy with the exposure and color of the HC3 and the HC7 seems to improve wholeheartedly on this issue and the low light is fantastic in my eyes. Without a doubt the best cam I have ever owned out of probably 10-15 camcorders in the past 20 years.