Differences between Canon Legria M52/56/506/41/46/406? at DVinfo.net

Nigel Barker · July 3rd, 2012, 03:52 AM

We shoot weddings & are looking for a couple of small consumer camcorders to pop on lighting stands & use for a locked off wide view. I am confused by the multitude of models that Canon have all using the same CMOS sensor as the XF105 that we already use. Can someone give a rundown on the differences? All I can see from the Canon website is some minor differences in amount of onboard memory & some have an external microphone socket while others don't. What I would be particularly interested to hear is if there is any difference in the image quality &/or low light performance because if they are all identical then I may as well just buy the cheapest.

I hit on the Canon models as they use the same sensor as the XF105 plus all our other gear is Canon so am expecting it to be easier to match up colour etc of the footage. However if anyone has recommendations for a better camcorder in the same price range especially one good in low light then please chip in,

Don Palomaki · July 3rd, 2012, 06:23 AM

I do not know the camcorders in question, these are general comments to consider:
You probably should get the external mic capability, It adds flexibility.
Look at the rated sensitivities, being one maker, they should all be to the same standard of measurement.
You can never have too much memory.
Manual control options can be important in difficult situations, even if inconvenient to adjust. Convenience of conrols is less of an issue with locked-down camcorder.
Some camcorders may add additional internal editing features - you may not need them.
If the camcorder will serve as a backup, be sure it can function adequately in that mode.

July 3rd, 2012, 03:52 AM	#1
Nigel Barker Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Norwich, Norfolk, UK Posts: 3,531	Differences between Canon Legria M52/56/506/41/46/406? We shoot weddings & are looking for a couple of small consumer camcorders to pop on lighting stands & use for a locked off wide view. I am confused by the multitude of models that Canon have all using the same CMOS sensor as the XF105 that we already use. Can someone give a rundown on the differences? All I can see from the Canon website is some minor differences in amount of onboard memory & some have an external microphone socket while others don't. What I would be particularly interested to hear is if there is any difference in the image quality &/or low light performance because if they are all identical then I may as well just buy the cheapest. I hit on the Canon models as they use the same sensor as the XF105 plus all our other gear is Canon so am expecting it to be easier to match up colour etc of the footage. However if anyone has recommendations for a better camcorder in the same price range especially one good in low light then please chip in,

July 3rd, 2012, 06:23 AM	#2
Don Palomaki Wrangler Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Northern VA Posts: 4,489	Re: Differences between Canon Legria M52/56/506/41/46/406? I do not know the camcorders in question, these are general comments to consider: You probably should get the external mic capability, It adds flexibility. Look at the rated sensitivities, being one maker, they should all be to the same standard of measurement. You can never have too much memory. Manual control options can be important in difficult situations, even if inconvenient to adjust. Convenience of conrols is less of an issue with locked-down camcorder. Some camcorders may add additional internal editing features - you may not need them. If the camcorder will serve as a backup, be sure it can function adequately in that mode. __________________ dpalomaki@dspalomaki.com