Why I picked the XF400 over a NX80 at DVinfo.net

Andy Urtusuastegui · July 9th, 2018, 09:35 PM

I spent a week using a Sony in NX80 camcorder. It has great features, great size, great specs.
The one thing they don’t tell you in all the reviews is aliasing and moire’. I did test shooting around my home both outside and inside and I was surprised that aliasing showed up on my blinds, on my roof, on my toolbox in the garage, chairs, just about anything with fine horizontal lines.

I shoot almot 100% HD 60p, and the XF400 footage just looked better right out of the camera. Smooth, natural, that the good Canon look. Virtually no moire’ and no aliasing.

More info to follow

Doug Jensen · July 12th, 2018, 06:52 AM

That seems very strange. I wonder if the NX80 you were using had a problem or the aliasing is really only an artifact you were seeing in post due to monitoring or processing -- and the moire’ and aliasing don't really exist at all if the footage was monitored differently. There are a lot of things that can wrong in post. You don't say where you saw the problem -- in the viewfinder? On a monitor being fed directly from the camera? In post? What software was being used? What kind of monitor? etc. Lots of unknowns. And just because the Canon looked okay with the same setup does not mean the Sony camera is at fault, there are too many variables, such as the codec being used and other things to point blame at the camera itself. Did you do a full reset on the camera before shooting? Are you sure Clear Image Zoom or Digial Extender or other functions were turned off?

I've owned a Z90 (basically the exact same camera as the NX80) since last December and I have seen zero aliasing problems. None at all. NONE. And I have not heard anyone else complaining about aliasing problems either, so it is hard to explain what is going on in your situation. I have to assume it was a problem with that particular camera or something else in your monitoring or workflow.

Andy Urtusuastegui · July 17th, 2018, 12:21 PM

Thanks for Responding. I ordered and used your Video Series on the Z90, great series! I bought an used the Z90 for a full week. It is a Awesome camera. I even tried a HX80 just to double check. Same issues.
I saw the problems viewing on my computer (VLC, Premiere pro, my 55" Plasma TV) No grading, no effects applied, just straight out of the camera. I understand your thoughts. I viewed all the clips a 1:1 zoom ratio's to make sure there was no scaling. I shot with and without Clear Image Zoom, Digital Extender etc. Look at the Black Drawers on the tool box. They "shimmer" when the clip is played.

I have posted short clip (few seconds) so you could see it for yourself. Look at the Black Drawers on the tool box. They "shimmer" when the clip is played.
Here is the link: https://drive.google.com/drive/folde...c7?usp=sharing Download the clip. It is an unedited clip trimmed with Avidemux so no processing was done to the clip.

I also have a Sony A7Sii. I shoot 1080p only in Super35 mode since if I shoot 1080p from the full sensor, I get the same issue I am seeing with the Z90/NX80

Attached is a 1:1 Frame Grab

July 9th, 2018, 09:35 PM	#1
Andy Urtusuastegui Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Foothill Ranch, CA Posts: 166	Why I picked the XF400 over a NX80 I spent a week using a Sony in NX80 camcorder. It has great features, great size, great specs. The one thing they don’t tell you in all the reviews is aliasing and moire’. I did test shooting around my home both outside and inside and I was surprised that aliasing showed up on my blinds, on my roof, on my toolbox in the garage, chairs, just about anything with fine horizontal lines. I shoot almot 100% HD 60p, and the XF400 footage just looked better right out of the camera. Smooth, natural, that the good Canon look. Virtually no moire’ and no aliasing. More info to follow

July 12th, 2018, 06:52 AM	#2
Doug Jensen Vortex Media Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 3,443	Re: Why I picked the XF400 over a NX80 That seems very strange. I wonder if the NX80 you were using had a problem or the aliasing is really only an artifact you were seeing in post due to monitoring or processing -- and the moire’ and aliasing don't really exist at all if the footage was monitored differently. There are a lot of things that can wrong in post. You don't say where you saw the problem -- in the viewfinder? On a monitor being fed directly from the camera? In post? What software was being used? What kind of monitor? etc. Lots of unknowns. And just because the Canon looked okay with the same setup does not mean the Sony camera is at fault, there are too many variables, such as the codec being used and other things to point blame at the camera itself. Did you do a full reset on the camera before shooting? Are you sure Clear Image Zoom or Digial Extender or other functions were turned off? I've owned a Z90 (basically the exact same camera as the NX80) since last December and I have seen zero aliasing problems. None at all. NONE. And I have not heard anyone else complaining about aliasing problems either, so it is hard to explain what is going on in your situation. I have to assume it was a problem with that particular camera or something else in your monitoring or workflow. __________________ Vortex Media http://www.vortexmedia.com/ Sony FS7, F55, and XDCAM training videos, field guides, and other production tools

July 17th, 2018, 12:21 PM	#3
Andy Urtusuastegui Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Foothill Ranch, CA Posts: 166	Re: Why I picked the XF400 over a NX80 Thanks for Responding. I ordered and used your Video Series on the Z90, great series! I bought an used the Z90 for a full week. It is a Awesome camera. I even tried a HX80 just to double check. Same issues. I saw the problems viewing on my computer (VLC, Premiere pro, my 55" Plasma TV) No grading, no effects applied, just straight out of the camera. I understand your thoughts. I viewed all the clips a 1:1 zoom ratio's to make sure there was no scaling. I shot with and without Clear Image Zoom, Digital Extender etc. Look at the Black Drawers on the tool box. They "shimmer" when the clip is played. I have posted short clip (few seconds) so you could see it for yourself. Look at the Black Drawers on the tool box. They "shimmer" when the clip is played. Here is the link: https://drive.google.com/drive/folde...c7?usp=sharing Download the clip. It is an unedited clip trimmed with Avidemux so no processing was done to the clip. I also have a Sony A7Sii. I shoot 1080p only in Super35 mode since if I shoot 1080p from the full sensor, I get the same issue I am seeing with the Z90/NX80 Attached is a 1:1 Frame Grab Attached Thumbnails