XL1S vs. JVC GY-DV550U Pro and GY-DV5000? at DVinfo.net

Zack Birlew · April 24th, 2004, 04:03 PM

Hi, I was wondering how the GY-DV550U Pro and GY-DV5000 cameras compared to the XL1S. I'm looking for a new camera as Canon has screwed us all on the absence of anything relating to the XL2 at NAB <=P. So I figure that getting an XL1S would be the most useful for me as I already have a GL1 (which I bought a few months before the announcement of the GL2 >=X LOL =D!), but I can't help but notice the GY-DV550 and 5000 cameras being better with their low light capabilities, XLR inputs, LCD screens (DV5000 only I believe), hard drive recording, similar price (after lenses and accessories), and somewhat interchangeable lense system. But you see, I'm also planning on getting the P+S Technik 35mm adapter as well, so which camera would be best for film blowup and just all around better looking video? I don't really need frame mode as that is bad for blowup stuff, so don't even mention that.

Frank Granovski · April 24th, 2004, 04:11 PM

Deciding would depend on how much money you want to spend? Or going with the right cam for the right job/s? Which one you like best?

Zack Birlew · April 24th, 2004, 04:14 PM

I don't understand what you're trying to say there, but I'm looking for something to make indie films with.

Frank Granovski · April 24th, 2004, 05:28 PM

I'm sure they are all good for making "Indie films." Which cam seems right for you?

Dylan Couper · April 24th, 2004, 09:10 PM

Hey Jack
If you think the cameras are in the same price category, you are grossly underestimating the cost of accessories for the DV5000.
Because it is a substantialy heavier camera, you will need a heftier tripod than you would for the XL1. Plus, I think the only lens for the Dv5000 that costs less than $3000 is the Fujinon 14x that most places package with it. A WA adapter for that will probably cost more than the entire 3x lens for the XL1s.
Plus the batteries and charger don't come with a DV5000, you have to buy them seperatly, and we aren't talking $60 a pop on Ebay. Budget an extra $800+ for a set of batteries and charger.
I'd figure a complete XL1s package would be in the $4000 range (with tripod, bag, extra batteries) but I'd put the DV5000 at (are the DV5000's selling for around $5000 with lens now?) at least $7000.

Which camera is better? Bigger chips in the DV5000 win out over the XL1s, if you can afford it, go for it!

However, the best indie film camera is probably the DVX100.

PS, I hope you are joking about Canon screwing us over at NAB. They specificaly said they were not releasing a new camera, so if you are dissapointed, it sure isn't their fault.

Zack Birlew · April 25th, 2004, 11:01 AM

Well that's just what I get from reading other's thoughts on the lack of an XL2. But anyway, thanks for clearing that up for me ^_^ !

Nathan Gifford · April 25th, 2004, 05:32 PM

Another thing to remember Jack is not many systems out there have interchangeable lenses. The XLs, for now, offer a real bang for your buck in this arena.

Still bigger image arrays win out on most systems...they just co$t more.

Dustin Cross · April 26th, 2004, 12:07 PM

Jack,

I am VERY happy with my DV5000, but I have to admit I could have bought two XL1S for what I paid for my DV5000 and accessories.

Personally, I think the DVX100A is the best prosumer camera right now.

I am thinking about getting a JVC HD10U, but the HD10U requires extra work.

Dylan Couper · April 26th, 2004, 10:23 PM

Dustin, what did your DV5000 camera package end up costing total? I thought about buying one, but when the costs started to really add up I backed off and stuck with the XL1.

Dustin Cross · April 26th, 2004, 10:55 PM

About $6,500 for camera, lens, viewfinder, two batteries, and a charger.

Vinten tripod, mattebox, follow focus, and a few filters was about another $4,000.

Dylan Couper · April 27th, 2004, 09:50 PM

Thanks Dustin. Looks like my guesstimate was just about right on.

Andy Bryant · May 4th, 2004, 08:35 PM

Hi Jack,
If you're still following this post, here's my 2 cents. I own both an xl1s and the gy-dv5000. The picture quality is better in the 5000 without a doubt, especially in low light. The XL1s has a soft focus with the lenses that comes with it. For any serious work you'll need to change the lenses. I got the 16x manual zoom and it's a great improvement on exact focusing. The XL1s has maybe slightly warmer colors with a lean towards reddish. A good white balance is a must. Overall, if price is no object the 5000 is the better machine. It's heavy and the accessories are expensive but it does a fine job. The XL1s isn't bad either.

See ya'
Andy

Andrew Kiu · May 5th, 2004, 07:40 PM

Just to share some little thought, Budget = Cam, More budget = better Cam...
My Setup: XL1-s, MA200, CH910 w 2 x 945 Batts, Work great!!!!

April 24th, 2004, 04:03 PM	#1
Zack Birlew Major Player Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 613	XL1S vs. JVC GY-DV550U Pro and GY-DV5000? Hi, I was wondering how the GY-DV550U Pro and GY-DV5000 cameras compared to the XL1S. I'm looking for a new camera as Canon has screwed us all on the absence of anything relating to the XL2 at NAB <=P. So I figure that getting an XL1S would be the most useful for me as I already have a GL1 (which I bought a few months before the announcement of the GL2 >=X LOL =D!), but I can't help but notice the GY-DV550 and 5000 cameras being better with their low light capabilities, XLR inputs, LCD screens (DV5000 only I believe), hard drive recording, similar price (after lenses and accessories), and somewhat interchangeable lense system. But you see, I'm also planning on getting the P+S Technik 35mm adapter as well, so which camera would be best for film blowup and just all around better looking video? I don't really need frame mode as that is bad for blowup stuff, so don't even mention that. __________________ "Babs Do or Babs Do not, there is no try." - Zack Birlew www.BabsDoProductions.com

April 24th, 2004, 04:14 PM	#3
Zack Birlew Major Player Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 613	I don't understand what you're trying to say there, but I'm looking for something to make indie films with. __________________ "Babs Do or Babs Do not, there is no try." - Zack Birlew www.BabsDoProductions.com

April 24th, 2004, 09:10 PM	#5
Dylan Couper Wrangler Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Vancouver, British Columbia Posts: 8,314	Hey Jack If you think the cameras are in the same price category, you are grossly underestimating the cost of accessories for the DV5000. Because it is a substantialy heavier camera, you will need a heftier tripod than you would for the XL1. Plus, I think the only lens for the Dv5000 that costs less than $3000 is the Fujinon 14x that most places package with it. A WA adapter for that will probably cost more than the entire 3x lens for the XL1s. Plus the batteries and charger don't come with a DV5000, you have to buy them seperatly, and we aren't talking $60 a pop on Ebay. Budget an extra $800+ for a set of batteries and charger. I'd figure a complete XL1s package would be in the $4000 range (with tripod, bag, extra batteries) but I'd put the DV5000 at (are the DV5000's selling for around $5000 with lens now?) at least $7000. Which camera is better? Bigger chips in the DV5000 win out over the XL1s, if you can afford it, go for it! However, the best indie film camera is probably the DVX100. PS, I hope you are joking about Canon screwing us over at NAB. They specificaly said they were not releasing a new camera, so if you are dissapointed, it sure isn't their fault. __________________ Need to rent camera gear in Vancouver BC? Check me out at camerarentalsvancouver.com

April 25th, 2004, 11:01 AM	#6
Zack Birlew Major Player Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 613	Well that's just what I get from reading other's thoughts on the lack of an XL2. But anyway, thanks for clearing that up for me ^_^ ! __________________ "Babs Do or Babs Do not, there is no try." - Zack Birlew www.BabsDoProductions.com

April 25th, 2004, 05:32 PM	#7
Nathan Gifford Wrangler Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Tickfaw, LA Posts: 1,217	Another thing to remember Jack is not many systems out there have interchangeable lenses. The XLs, for now, offer a real bang for your buck in this arena. Still bigger image arrays win out on most systems...they just co$t more. __________________ Nathan Gifford Southern Cyclist Magazine & Productions For quick answers try our Search! To see me and Rob Lohman click here

April 24th, 2004, 04:11 PM	#2
Frank Granovski Outer Circle Join Date: May 2002 Location: Hope, BC Posts: 7,524	Deciding would depend on how much money you want to spend? Or going with the right cam for the right job/s? Which one you like best?

April 24th, 2004, 05:28 PM	#4
Frank Granovski Outer Circle Join Date: May 2002 Location: Hope, BC Posts: 7,524	I'm sure they are all good for making "Indie films." Which cam seems right for you?

April 26th, 2004, 12:07 PM	#8
Dustin Cross Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 133	Jack, I am VERY happy with my DV5000, but I have to admit I could have bought two XL1S for what I paid for my DV5000 and accessories. Personally, I think the DVX100A is the best prosumer camera right now. I am thinking about getting a JVC HD10U, but the HD10U requires extra work. __________________ Mahalo, Dusty

April 26th, 2004, 10:23 PM	#9
Dylan Couper Wrangler Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Vancouver, British Columbia Posts: 8,314	Dustin, what did your DV5000 camera package end up costing total? I thought about buying one, but when the costs started to really add up I backed off and stuck with the XL1. __________________ Need to rent camera gear in Vancouver BC? Check me out at camerarentalsvancouver.com

April 26th, 2004, 10:55 PM	#10
Dustin Cross Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 133	About $6,500 for camera, lens, viewfinder, two batteries, and a charger. Vinten tripod, mattebox, follow focus, and a few filters was about another $4,000. __________________ Mahalo, Dusty

April 27th, 2004, 09:50 PM	#11
Dylan Couper Wrangler Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Vancouver, British Columbia Posts: 8,314	Thanks Dustin. Looks like my guesstimate was just about right on. __________________ Need to rent camera gear in Vancouver BC? Check me out at camerarentalsvancouver.com

May 4th, 2004, 08:35 PM	#12
Andy Bryant Tourist Join Date: May 2004 Location: Starkville, MS Posts: 1	Hi Jack, If you're still following this post, here's my 2 cents. I own both an xl1s and the gy-dv5000. The picture quality is better in the 5000 without a doubt, especially in low light. The XL1s has a soft focus with the lenses that comes with it. For any serious work you'll need to change the lenses. I got the 16x manual zoom and it's a great improvement on exact focusing. The XL1s has maybe slightly warmer colors with a lean towards reddish. A good white balance is a must. Overall, if price is no object the 5000 is the better machine. It's heavy and the accessories are expensive but it does a fine job. The XL1s isn't bad either. See ya' Andy

May 5th, 2004, 07:40 PM	#13
Andrew Kiu Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: BRUNEI Posts: 108	Just to share some little thought, Budget = Cam, More budget = better Cam... My Setup: XL1-s, MA200, CH910 w 2 x 945 Batts, Work great!!!! __________________ Andrew