GL-2 vs. VX2000 at DVinfo.net

Josh Martin · June 19th, 2003, 02:26 PM

Hey guys, I'm going to purchase a new camera, it's going to be either the GL-2 or the VX2000. Please let me know which you all think would be better. Thanks,
Josh M.

Frank Granovski · June 19th, 2003, 02:31 PM

To help you decide, go have a look at both cams. Also, see if you can hook them up to a large screen S-video TV to compare their video. (I think they are both good.)

Joe Sacher · June 19th, 2003, 03:20 PM

Personally, the only advantage I could find was the low light on the Sony. The audio control, cleaner audio, extra zoom, and handling feel, turned the scales to the GL2 for me. The only way to decide is get your hands on both. Both are good cameras.

Josh Martin · June 19th, 2003, 03:34 PM

I know the VX2000 is better in low light but how much better very noticable or not really? What I really want to know is which is going to give me the best picture quality? Thanks,
Josh M.

Ken Tanaka · June 19th, 2003, 05:40 PM

Josh,
These cameras have more commonalities than differences. Both produce excellent "picture quality". The end results with either will depend more on your skills than on the camera. If you plan to shoot mainly unlit candid subjects often in dark locations you may find the VX a slightly better choice. Otherwise the GL2 may be the better choice and is what I personally chose.

Luke Gates · July 9th, 2003, 07:48 AM

Josh what type of filming will you be doing? I shoot skate films which are mostly done at night...and I sure wish I had a VX2000 at times. Even in the day when we are shooting with two cameras, one being my GL and the other being my friends VX2000, any "action" footage is much sharper with his VX. It just has a crisp look. but at the same time we also use the cams at gatherings...for example parties, road trips, and just everyday footage and I prefer the warmer colors that are produced from my GL. Also how the cam feels in your hand is a HUGE factor on which cam you decide to get. The on-handle controls on the GL are AWESOME.....
either way I can't see you being dissapointed with either. they are both great cams.

Will Nuttall · July 10th, 2003, 02:39 AM

I owned two XM2 (PAL version) and both had to be returned due to fualts. On the third attempt I went for the VX2000 and I'm so glad I did. The low light performance is so much better than the XM2 and although the VX is heavier I find it easier to hold and shoot with. In the end it's down to which suits you best, but if you're going to be doing anything in low light really think hard about getting the sony.

Tom Hardwick · July 10th, 2003, 12:28 PM

I've tested the XM2 (the PAL version of the GL2) right alongside the VX2000 and it's consistantly working a stop and a half wider, whatever the lighting. That should tell you a lot about the low light mastery of the Sony.

Go for the GL2 if you really fancy using it as a digital still camera Josh, otherwise keep to the VX2k. Side by side they look like competitors, don't they? Well they're not - the GL is niched between the XL1s and the toy-town cams, and I'd rate it as a TRV950 competitor much more than a VX2000 one.

GL2 has only one ND filter. It's f1.6 to f2.9 as against the Sony's f1.6 to f2.4. The GL2 has separate audio input level controls but I'd find that a right pain out in the field - there's enough to do without fiddling with independent controls. It has no zoom ring, no info lithiums.

It has some very good points though. Canon make great lenses and don't feel the need to buy in the word Zeiss. It's a newer model and that brings with it hidden benefits - maybe it uses less power or the side screen is better in daylight? We've yet to find out. But it has 1/4" chips (DOF's too great) and sees less well in the dark, that's for sure.

tom.

June 19th, 2003, 02:26 PM	#1
Josh Martin Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 29	GL-2 vs. VX2000 Hey guys, I'm going to purchase a new camera, it's going to be either the GL-2 or the VX2000. Please let me know which you all think would be better. Thanks, Josh M.

June 19th, 2003, 05:40 PM	#5
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	Josh, These cameras have more commonalities than differences. Both produce excellent "picture quality". The end results with either will depend more on your skills than on the camera. If you plan to shoot mainly unlit candid subjects often in dark locations you may find the VX a slightly better choice. Otherwise the GL2 may be the better choice and is what I personally chose. __________________ Lady X Films: A lady with a boring wardrobe...and a global mission. Hey, you don't have enough stuff! Buy with confidence from our sponsors. Hand-picked as the best in the business...Really! See some of my work one frame at a time: www.KenTanaka.com

June 19th, 2003, 02:31 PM	#2
Frank Granovski Outer Circle Join Date: May 2002 Location: Hope, BC Posts: 7,524	To help you decide, go have a look at both cams. Also, see if you can hook them up to a large screen S-video TV to compare their video. (I think they are both good.)

June 19th, 2003, 03:20 PM	#3
Joe Sacher Regular Crew Join Date: May 2003 Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 177	Personally, the only advantage I could find was the low light on the Sony. The audio control, cleaner audio, extra zoom, and handling feel, turned the scales to the GL2 for me. The only way to decide is get your hands on both. Both are good cameras.

June 19th, 2003, 03:34 PM	#4
Josh Martin Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 29	I know the VX2000 is better in low light but how much better very noticable or not really? What I really want to know is which is going to give me the best picture quality? Thanks, Josh M.

July 9th, 2003, 07:48 AM	#6
Luke Gates Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: new jersey Posts: 151	Josh what type of filming will you be doing? I shoot skate films which are mostly done at night...and I sure wish I had a VX2000 at times. Even in the day when we are shooting with two cameras, one being my GL and the other being my friends VX2000, any "action" footage is much sharper with his VX. It just has a crisp look. but at the same time we also use the cams at gatherings...for example parties, road trips, and just everyday footage and I prefer the warmer colors that are produced from my GL. Also how the cam feels in your hand is a HUGE factor on which cam you decide to get. The on-handle controls on the GL are AWESOME..... either way I can't see you being dissapointed with either. they are both great cams.

July 10th, 2003, 02:39 AM	#7
Will Nuttall Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 25	I owned two XM2 (PAL version) and both had to be returned due to fualts. On the third attempt I went for the VX2000 and I'm so glad I did. The low light performance is so much better than the XM2 and although the VX is heavier I find it easier to hold and shoot with. In the end it's down to which suits you best, but if you're going to be doing anything in low light really think hard about getting the sony.

July 10th, 2003, 12:28 PM	#8
Tom Hardwick Inner Circle Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Billericay, England UK Posts: 4,711	I've tested the XM2 (the PAL version of the GL2) right alongside the VX2000 and it's consistantly working a stop and a half wider, whatever the lighting. That should tell you a lot about the low light mastery of the Sony. Go for the GL2 if you really fancy using it as a digital still camera Josh, otherwise keep to the VX2k. Side by side they look like competitors, don't they? Well they're not - the GL is niched between the XL1s and the toy-town cams, and I'd rate it as a TRV950 competitor much more than a VX2000 one. GL2 has only one ND filter. It's f1.6 to f2.9 as against the Sony's f1.6 to f2.4. The GL2 has separate audio input level controls but I'd find that a right pain out in the field - there's enough to do without fiddling with independent controls. It has no zoom ring, no info lithiums. It has some very good points though. Canon make great lenses and don't feel the need to buy in the word Zeiss. It's a newer model and that brings with it hidden benefits - maybe it uses less power or the side screen is better in daylight? We've yet to find out. But it has 1/4" chips (DOF's too great) and sees less well in the dark, that's for sure. tom.