Canon HFS10 vs the new Sony CX550VE

Ron Evans · March 16th, 2010, 03:05 PM

The frame rate for 60i is 60 frames a second. So in one respect 60 interlaced frames a second is not far off reallity. The odd and even fields do not come from the same frame so cannot be added together to make 30 frames a second. The fields are from 60 consecutive frames. The odd field is not from the same frame as the next even field etc, etc. they are scanned 1/60 sec apart. We just have a crazy convention that calls this 29.97i !!!!!!
To display 60i the display must either be an interlaced CRT or for an LCD or plasma the display must interpolate 60 frames a second( since in NA this is the refresh rate of most displays). Only very low cost ( and poor performing) displays add fields together and display twice. The newer TV's interpolate extra full frames from whatever the input. Its this scaling and interpolating that in my mind really defines the performance of new sets and likely accounts for the price differences too!!!!

Ron Evans

C.S. Michael · March 16th, 2010, 08:49 PM

CNET UK has reviewed the HDC-TM700, deeming the camera "only really suitable for enthusiasts and semi-professionals." Of course, this critique could be taken as a compliment.

Robert Young · March 17th, 2010, 01:38 AM

One disappointment- looking at the HDC-TM700 specs- is the 250K rez of the LCD.
For me personally, the Sony HD LCD (SR-12, XR 520, CX550), with 4 times the resolution, is priceless.

Dave Blackhurst · March 17th, 2010, 12:12 PM

I'd wait to see some low light shots from the Panasonic, if that's important (bad light conditions are pretty common!). I was disappointed when I saw footage from the TM300 series - it fell apart pretty badly when the light conditions were tough... something the Sonys with the "R" sensor handle far more gracefully, the image and colors hold up pretty well, even in light that my eyes can barely resolve.

And yep, looking forward to that 3.5" LCD... 3" is tough on my eyes anymore, though it prolly wouldn't have bothered me one bit 20 years ago!

C.S. Michael · March 18th, 2010, 08:10 PM

Panasonic is touting low-light gains due to the new f1.5 lens and enhanced 3MOS tech. But if faced with an extreme low light situation I'll use my EX1.

There are several low-light samples from the Japanese TM700 on YouTube. I'm waiting to read more reviews, but so far so good. Example: YouTube - HDC-TM700????

It's certainly a competitive horse race between these three "flagship" camcorders.

The Canon offers several progressive frame rates (including native 24p) & manual control, but the narrowest lens. One 1/2.6" sensor.

The Sony offers the widest lens (29.8mm) & nicest LCD screen, some manual control, but only one interlaced frame rate. One 1/2.88"sensor.

The Panasonic offers 1080p 60p (recording twice as much image data as the interlace method) plus 60i and 24p with pulldown, an f1.5 35mm wide angle lens, three 1/4" sensors, manual control with a manual focus/iris/shutter ring.

I don't think you go wrong amongst these three. It all depends on what features you most value.

I'm leaning toward the manual control and progressive frame rates of the Panny, but the Canon & Sony are compelling choices as well. Each offers features that a few years ago would've been unthinkable in a consumer cam. And each has at least one weakness that makes the choice maddening! ;-)

March 16th, 2010, 08:49 PM	#17
C.S. Michael Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Birmingham, AL Posts: 197	CNET UK has reviewed the HDC-TM700, deeming the camera "only really suitable for enthusiasts and semi-professionals." Of course, this critique could be taken as a compliment. __________________ Bored? Check out my blog (shot with Sony EX1, Panasonic TM700, Nikon D7100, Sony NEX-5N, GoPro2): LongLongHoneymoon.com

March 17th, 2010, 01:38 AM	#18
Robert Young Trustee Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Coronado Island Posts: 1,472	One disappointment- looking at the HDC-TM700 specs- is the 250K rez of the LCD. For me personally, the Sony HD LCD (SR-12, XR 520, CX550), with 4 times the resolution, is priceless. __________________ Bob

March 18th, 2010, 08:10 PM	#20
C.S. Michael Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Birmingham, AL Posts: 197	Panasonic is touting low-light gains due to the new f1.5 lens and enhanced 3MOS tech. But if faced with an extreme low light situation I'll use my EX1. There are several low-light samples from the Japanese TM700 on YouTube. I'm waiting to read more reviews, but so far so good. Example: YouTube - HDC-TM700???? It's certainly a competitive horse race between these three "flagship" camcorders. The Canon offers several progressive frame rates (including native 24p) & manual control, but the narrowest lens. One 1/2.6" sensor. The Sony offers the widest lens (29.8mm) & nicest LCD screen, some manual control, but only one interlaced frame rate. One 1/2.88"sensor. The Panasonic offers 1080p 60p (recording twice as much image data as the interlace method) plus 60i and 24p with pulldown, an f1.5 35mm wide angle lens, three 1/4" sensors, manual control with a manual focus/iris/shutter ring. I don't think you go wrong amongst these three. It all depends on what features you most value. I'm leaning toward the manual control and progressive frame rates of the Panny, but the Canon & Sony are compelling choices as well. Each offers features that a few years ago would've been unthinkable in a consumer cam. And each has at least one weakness that makes the choice maddening! ;-) __________________ Bored? Check out my blog (shot with Sony EX1, Panasonic TM700, Nikon D7100, Sony NEX-5N, GoPro2): LongLongHoneymoon.com

March 16th, 2010, 03:05 PM	#16
Ron Evans Inner Circle Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Posts: 4,222	The frame rate for 60i is 60 frames a second. So in one respect 60 interlaced frames a second is not far off reallity. The odd and even fields do not come from the same frame so cannot be added together to make 30 frames a second. The fields are from 60 consecutive frames. The odd field is not from the same frame as the next even field etc, etc. they are scanned 1/60 sec apart. We just have a crazy convention that calls this 29.97i !!!!!! To display 60i the display must either be an interlaced CRT or for an LCD or plasma the display must interpolate 60 frames a second( since in NA this is the refresh rate of most displays). Only very low cost ( and poor performing) displays add fields together and display twice. The newer TV's interpolate extra full frames from whatever the input. Its this scaling and interpolating that in my mind really defines the performance of new sets and likely accounts for the price differences too!!!! Ron Evans

March 17th, 2010, 12:12 PM	#19
Dave Blackhurst Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Apple Valley CA Posts: 4,874	I'd wait to see some low light shots from the Panasonic, if that's important (bad light conditions are pretty common!). I was disappointed when I saw footage from the TM300 series - it fell apart pretty badly when the light conditions were tough... something the Sonys with the "R" sensor handle far more gracefully, the image and colors hold up pretty well, even in light that my eyes can barely resolve. And yep, looking forward to that 3.5" LCD... 3" is tough on my eyes anymore, though it prolly wouldn't have bothered me one bit 20 years ago!