xl2 comparison at DVinfo.net

Jerry Stanley · February 12th, 2007, 05:01 PM

Sorry for another comparison guys, i have not seen any footage from the xl2 and i wondered how it compares to the sony hdr xf1, i will be using the camera for snakes and closeups of insects, i have used the xl1s but was never really satisfied with the picture quality, has anyone any experience with these cams? just didnt want to buy one system and wish i had gone with the other. just wanted to know which cam is best suited? all the best guys

Mike Teutsch · February 12th, 2007, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jerry Stanley

Sorry for another comparison guys, i have not seen any footage from the xl2 and i wondered how it compares to the sony hdr xf1, i will be using the camera for snakes and closeups of insects, i have used the xl1s but was never really satisfied with the picture quality, has anyone any experience with these cams? just didnt want to buy one system and wish i had gone with the other. just wanted to know which cam is best suited? all the best guys

Your comparing apples to oranges. One is HD one is not!

Mike

Jerry Stanley · February 13th, 2007, 02:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Teutsch

Your comparing apples to oranges. One is HD one is not!

Mike

well that is not very helpful , would you tell me the difference to apples to oranges in closeup video?? so basically the sony wins hands down period , why would anyone buy a xl2 then??

Tony Davies-Patrick · February 13th, 2007, 04:34 AM

Well, when I had the option to buy both, I chose the XL2 over the Z1. I not only prefer the handling, large list of different lens options etc of the XL2, I also much prefer the 'look' and quality of XL2 6X9 footage over both the FX1 and Z1. This is not to say that the FX1/Z1 models are not good because they offer superb packages, but just what fits my way of shooting and the end results that I prefer.

The FX1/Z1 also is better held by the handle or out in front, and I much prefer the form of the XL2 on my shoulder. Horses for courses...but I'd go for the XL2 "peach" every time.

I'm not convinced by the 'HD' advantage of the FX1 either, as most of the people that I know that own the FX1/Z1 bodies tend to still downconvert all thier footage to SD (an extra working task that I'm glad not to have to do). There is the archive option in that HDV can be captured for future use (if that is the case in 5-years time...). The market that I supply and the companies that I supply to are still 100% SD, or normal DVD, so the XL2 is one of the best options to have to fill that market demand.

I feel that if you must go HDV, then the XL-H1 is a better camera than the FX1 by far...but then tends to cost a lot more.

Brian J. Harris · February 13th, 2007, 07:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jerry Stanley

Sorry for another comparison guys, i have not seen any footage from the xl2 and i wondered how it compares to the sony hdr xf1, i will be using the camera for snakes and closeups of insects, i have used the xl1s but was never really satisfied with the picture quality, has anyone any experience with these cams? just didnt want to buy one system and wish i had gone with the other. just wanted to know which cam is best suited? all the best guys

Hey Jerry,

Check out some of the threads in the "Under Water, Over Land" category. There are some videos with the XL2 there. Some are from last year though. I have a few, and there are some from other people also.

Also, here are some direct links to video clips with some close-ups.
These are listed in threads I started in "Under Water, Over Land", so I'm sorry for the double listing.

Please option-click or right-click to download.

http://www.unumpictures.com/download...lvadecorus.mov
http://www.unumpictures.com/download...lvadecorus.mov
http://unumpictures.com/downloads/li...oaltissima.mov
http://unumpictures.com/downloads/wi...spolylepis.mov
http://unumpictures.com/downloads/di...eapurpurea.mov

Hope that helps.

Jerry Stanley · February 13th, 2007, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian J. Harris

Hey Jerry,

Check out some of the threads in the "Under Water, Over Land" category. There are some videos with the XL2 there. Some are from last year though. I have a few, and there are some from other people also.

Also, here are some direct links to video clips with some close-ups.
These are listed in threads I started in "Under Water, Over Land", so I'm sorry for the double listing.

Please option-click or right-click to download.

http://www.unumpictures.com/download...lvadecorus.mov
http://www.unumpictures.com/download...lvadecorus.mov
http://unumpictures.com/downloads/li...oaltissima.mov
http://unumpictures.com/downloads/wi...spolylepis.mov
http://unumpictures.com/downloads/di...eapurpurea.mov

Hope that helps.

Many thanks for the info guys, nice links were all these shot with the xl2? cheers for your time

Brian J. Harris · February 13th, 2007, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jerry Stanley

Many thanks for the info guys, nice links were all these shot with the xl2? cheers for your time

Hey Jerry,

Yes, all with the XL2 and the 20x stock lens.

Ian Thomas · February 13th, 2007, 03:49 PM

Jerry

The XL2 is a awesome camera make no mistake, i owned one for a year and loved it, the picture it produces is great,

As far as comparing it to the HDV offerings they blow it away in HD but as for SD i think its the best, I now have the XLH1 only because i have aspirations of getting some wildlife footage broadcast but after reading the debate and talking to people with broadcast experience it seems there's a problem with the HDV codec for TV which i hope can be sorted or my investment will be worthless

depends on what you want your cam for if its for wildlife you won't find a better machine for price than the XL2

February 12th, 2007, 05:01 PM	#1
Jerry Stanley New Boot Join Date: May 2004 Location: Ferndown Dorset, UK Posts: 13	xl2 comparison Sorry for another comparison guys, i have not seen any footage from the xl2 and i wondered how it compares to the sony hdr xf1, i will be using the camera for snakes and closeups of insects, i have used the xl1s but was never really satisfied with the picture quality, has anyone any experience with these cams? just didnt want to buy one system and wish i had gone with the other. just wanted to know which cam is best suited? all the best guys __________________ jerry

February 13th, 2007, 04:34 AM	#4
Tony Davies-Patrick Trustee Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Worldwide Posts: 1,589	Well, when I had the option to buy both, I chose the XL2 over the Z1. I not only prefer the handling, large list of different lens options etc of the XL2, I also much prefer the 'look' and quality of XL2 6X9 footage over both the FX1 and Z1. This is not to say that the FX1/Z1 models are not good because they offer superb packages, but just what fits my way of shooting and the end results that I prefer. The FX1/Z1 also is better held by the handle or out in front, and I much prefer the form of the XL2 on my shoulder. Horses for courses...but I'd go for the XL2 "peach" every time. I'm not convinced by the 'HD' advantage of the FX1 either, as most of the people that I know that own the FX1/Z1 bodies tend to still downconvert all thier footage to SD (an extra working task that I'm glad not to have to do). There is the archive option in that HDV can be captured for future use (if that is the case in 5-years time...). The market that I supply and the companies that I supply to are still 100% SD, or normal DVD, so the XL2 is one of the best options to have to fill that market demand. I feel that if you must go HDV, then the XL-H1 is a better camera than the FX1 by far...but then tends to cost a lot more. __________________ www.WILDCARP.com www.NIKON.me.uk Last edited by Tony Davies-Patrick; February 13th, 2007 at 09:00 AM.

February 13th, 2007, 03:49 PM	#8
Ian Thomas Major Player Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: York, North Yorkshire, England. Posts: 472	Jerry The XL2 is a awesome camera make no mistake, i owned one for a year and loved it, the picture it produces is great, As far as comparing it to the HDV offerings they blow it away in HD but as for SD i think its the best, I now have the XLH1 only because i have aspirations of getting some wildlife footage broadcast but after reading the debate and talking to people with broadcast experience it seems there's a problem with the HDV codec for TV which i hope can be sorted or my investment will be worthless depends on what you want your cam for if its for wildlife you won't find a better machine for price than the XL2 __________________ Ian Thomas. Thomas Video Productions