Canon XH A1 vs Sony HVR-V1 on SD at DVinfo.net

Erik Palm · December 14th, 2006, 05:01 PM

I did a quick subjective and unscientific comparison of the Canon XH A1 vs Sony HVR-V1 at a camera store that I thought I share for you in this great community.

I am looking for a professional camera for newsgathering and documentaries. I have prior briefly used Sony PD250, PD150, PD100 and Panasonic DVX200 for professional newsgathering. Then I use the camcorders mainy on manual.
The “extras” included on these cameras for me right now HDV and 24F or 24P is good to have in the future I believe. But not right now for broadcast.

The test; Handheld full auto recording inside and outside of the camera store. 1min each enivironment, on both cameras. Same tape, 16:9 SD 50i PAL. Viewed the footage on a professional monitor.

Result
Picture quality. Canon has more snapp to the footage both lowligth indoor and brighter outdoor. Canon has more vivid colours. Both cameras have problems with autofocus indoor when filming a person. Again, full auto so I don´t now how much gain the cameras used.

Userfriendliness.
The Sony LCD and viewfinder is much better. Canons viewfinder is harder to see and the LCD is smaller. The advantage of canon, is that you can see the LCD from both sides of the camera. Great when shooting interviews alone and want to have the person on both left and right side of the picture.

Sony has better placement of soundcontrol, on top of the lens. Easy to adjust with your left hand while shooting. Canon has it in the back – tricky to adjust while shooting, Didn´t record any sound so I cant say anything about the quality.

Canon has a better aperture controle. A big ring on the lens, easy to control while shooting. Wheras Sony has only a small dial trickier to find.

Both cameras are quite heavy for handheld use. Canon is heavier. You need at least a monopod.

My conclusion. Overall Canon wins this minitest in terms of picture quality, But Sony is easier to use. Sony is more expensive though.

So any other newsgatherers out there with a view?

December 14th, 2006, 05:01 PM	#1
Erik Palm Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Stockholm, Sweden Posts: 64	Canon XH A1 vs Sony HVR-V1 on SD I did a quick subjective and unscientific comparison of the Canon XH A1 vs Sony HVR-V1 at a camera store that I thought I share for you in this great community. I am looking for a professional camera for newsgathering and documentaries. I have prior briefly used Sony PD250, PD150, PD100 and Panasonic DVX200 for professional newsgathering. Then I use the camcorders mainy on manual. The “extras” included on these cameras for me right now HDV and 24F or 24P is good to have in the future I believe. But not right now for broadcast. The test; Handheld full auto recording inside and outside of the camera store. 1min each enivironment, on both cameras. Same tape, 16:9 SD 50i PAL. Viewed the footage on a professional monitor. Result Picture quality. Canon has more snapp to the footage both lowligth indoor and brighter outdoor. Canon has more vivid colours. Both cameras have problems with autofocus indoor when filming a person. Again, full auto so I don´t now how much gain the cameras used. Userfriendliness. The Sony LCD and viewfinder is much better. Canons viewfinder is harder to see and the LCD is smaller. The advantage of canon, is that you can see the LCD from both sides of the camera. Great when shooting interviews alone and want to have the person on both left and right side of the picture. Sony has better placement of soundcontrol, on top of the lens. Easy to adjust with your left hand while shooting. Canon has it in the back – tricky to adjust while shooting, Didn´t record any sound so I cant say anything about the quality. Canon has a better aperture controle. A big ring on the lens, easy to control while shooting. Wheras Sony has only a small dial trickier to find. Both cameras are quite heavy for handheld use. Canon is heavier. You need at least a monopod. My conclusion. Overall Canon wins this minitest in terms of picture quality, But Sony is easier to use. Sony is more expensive though. So any other newsgatherers out there with a view?