GL1 vs XH A1 in SD at DVinfo.net

Don Palomaki · March 12th, 2007, 05:17 PM

Has anyone compared the low light performance of a GL1 vs the XH A1 in SD mode?

My impressionis that they are about the same effective speed at 60i but I would like to hear from anyone who has shot both in SD.

John Ray · March 12th, 2007, 06:37 PM

This is not scientific by any means...but the XH A1 fares much better in low light to my eyes (and monitor..lol). When boosting gain..the XH A1 appears to introduce less noise

Jan Luethje · March 14th, 2007, 05:23 AM

I agree with John. Got both cams (PAL-Versions) and compared them side by side on a monitor. Low light performance of the XH A1 is much better.
Nevertheless you have to tweak the settings of the (at least: my) XH to get really good results in SD, especially regarding sharpness and coring.

Don Palomaki · April 3rd, 2007, 04:49 AM

A quick test with my A1 in SD mode vs GL1.
Based of Photoshop analysis of frame grabs from Premiere

Out of the box tests/settings (not adjusted for optimum noise, etc.)
In poor light (~60 watt bare bulb 24 feet from Macbeth color chart), that corresponds to an exposure of 1 second at f2 with ISO 320 film.
Manual mode, 1/60 shutter, adjusting gain and shutter
For same luma, A1 is maybe 1/2 stop faster.
Noise level about the same at 12 dB gain.
A1 image is noticeably sharper.
Color balance is close but you can see a difference.

March 12th, 2007, 05:17 PM	#1
Don Palomaki Wrangler Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Northern VA Posts: 4,488	GL1 vs XH A1 in SD Has anyone compared the low light performance of a GL1 vs the XH A1 in SD mode? My impressionis that they are about the same effective speed at 60i but I would like to hear from anyone who has shot both in SD. __________________ dpalomaki@dspalomaki.com

April 3rd, 2007, 04:49 AM	#4
Don Palomaki Wrangler Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Northern VA Posts: 4,488	A quick test with my A1 in SD mode vs GL1. Based of Photoshop analysis of frame grabs from Premiere Out of the box tests/settings (not adjusted for optimum noise, etc.) In poor light (~60 watt bare bulb 24 feet from Macbeth color chart), that corresponds to an exposure of 1 second at f2 with ISO 320 film. Manual mode, 1/60 shutter, adjusting gain and shutter For same luma, A1 is maybe 1/2 stop faster. Noise level about the same at 12 dB gain. A1 image is noticeably sharper. Color balance is close but you can see a difference. __________________ dpalomaki@dspalomaki.com

March 12th, 2007, 06:37 PM	#2
John Ray Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: columbus, oh Posts: 44	This is not scientific by any means...but the XH A1 fares much better in low light to my eyes (and monitor..lol). When boosting gain..the XH A1 appears to introduce less noise

March 14th, 2007, 05:23 AM	#3
Jan Luethje Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Berlin, Germany Posts: 89	I agree with John. Got both cams (PAL-Versions) and compared them side by side on a monitor. Low light performance of the XH A1 is much better. Nevertheless you have to tweak the settings of the (at least: my) XH to get really good results in SD, especially regarding sharpness and coring.