1/2" or 2/3" for news?

[David Cleverly]

Hi there,

Have to make a decision on a camera tomorrow and am considering either the Panny 502 P2 or the Sony F335 due to budgetary constraints. I am open to either.

But the Sony has 1/2" CCD's and the Panny 2/3" CCD's.

My work is mainly news, sport, some weddings and very little corporate work.

Would the drop to a 1/2" CCD make much difference to me?

I have been using a DSR-570 for four years now with 2/3" CCD's.

Thanks for any advice.

David

[Steve Phillipps]

The F335 is significantly less light sensitive than the Panny, don't know the figures but have used both and the Panny virtually seems to see in the dark! May be 3 stops or so difference?
Also depends if you want discs or hard drives for archive - I prefer discs.
F335 pic is definitely sharper and higher res, but for your uses may not be big deal, Panny is nicer looking and better motion characteristics.
My thoughts, hope they are of some help.
Steve

[David Heath]

Originally Posted by David Cleverly

Would the drop to a 1/2" CCD make much difference to me?

I have been using a DSR-570 for four years now with 2/3" CCD's.

I think one issue would be to do with lenses - if you already have good 2/3" glass, a 2/3" camera as replacement makes sense. If you have to buy a new lens, there's much less difference.

Regarding the 502, just be aware that it is missing some features that you may take for granted on a 2/3" camera. No slot or easy integration for radio mic receiver, and only one zebra stripe pattern, which I found quite a step down after the setup on a DSR570, for two examples. Then again........ it's cheap.

If clients aren't insisting on any particular format, it really boils down to whether you think XDCAM or P2 gives you the most appropiate workflow.

[David Cleverly]

Thanks so much guys.

The answer might actually come down to availability, because I am camera-less at the moment due to a misadventure with the 570. If it is being replaced, I will need a camera quickly. If they choose to fix it, there will be delays of weeks to get it fixed.

All Sony cameras have a 4 to 6 week wait in Australia as (apparently) Sony no longer stock here.

Panasonics available within a week.