DVC30 vs VX2100 at DVinfo.net

Erik J. Sturcke · July 29th, 2004, 08:13 AM

Hi, has anyone had a chance to compare these two cameras side by side? I have been reading this board for over a month now and putting together pieces of information, but it is hard to get a good sense of how they compare.

The price difference is not a big deal for me. Frame mode seems good, but is it that much better than deinterlacing and adjusting gamma and levels in post? The sony has better low light performance, but does the picture quality blow the panasonic out of the water? Manual controls are important, which one has better manual control?

I would love to try them both out, but i have not found any place in Pittsburgh that has the DVC30 in the store, they would all have to order them for me.

Matthew Martin · July 30th, 2004, 12:59 AM

I am also very interested in this comparison. I would probably use the cam mainly for short films, but the actual film look isn't that important to me, rather overall image quality. I was also wondering whether the frame mode on the DVC30 would be better than de-interlacing VX2100 footage with a program like DvFilm Maker.

Dave Croft · July 30th, 2004, 06:10 AM

There are wide and diverse opinions about whether frame mode is better or worse than de-interlacing in post production. Some 'smart' de-interlacers *might* produce better results than using frame mode.

IMHO it is better to just use frame mode. The main reason being that it saves a HUGE amount of time. De-interlacing in post can take a vast amount of rendering time, Magic Bullet is one of the best to use, but I think it takes a long time to render. It also costs $1000. DvFilmmaker is supposed to be quicker and cheaper than Magic Bullet though.

Using frame mode can instantly give you the look you want, and you can see in real time how it looks with what you are filming (this is important to avoid strobing etc).

I have a DVC30 and love it. Sure it is my first 3CCD dv camera, and I have never used the Sony. I had to decide between these very 2 cameras, and decided on the Panny.

I think that if you want to shoot ENG, event work or documentaries, get a VX2100. However, if you want to shoot short films, and more dramatic work get the DVC30 (if you cannot afford the DVX100a or new XL2 ;)

Using the DVC30, I have found that Frame mode and Cine gamma produces video that looks very different to normal video but in a subtle way. Maybe this is a contradiction, but it is the best way I can describe it.

Erik J. Sturcke · July 30th, 2004, 06:23 AM

Hi Dave,

Thanks for your input! That is pretty much the same reasons i am leaning to a DVC30.

I also want the ability for do stuff that does not look like video. Not really trying to look just like film, just somethere where it is a little easier to suspend disbelief than videos live feel. Either frame mode or magic bullet or something.

However, we will also do many street interviews and documentary style stuff. What is better about the VX2100 other than low light for that purpose? I have never really read comparisons of pure 4:3 60i in well lit situations of the two.

BTW, what shotgun mic do you have? I would like to get a decent one that won't break the bank.

Thanks again.

Dave Croft · July 30th, 2004, 05:00 PM

Hi Erik,

I have just bought the Panasonic AG-MC100G uni-directional mic that is made intended for this cam. However, I haven't really had much time to test it out yet, but it seems pretty cool.

I think the DVC30 would do just fine in street interviews. The only way it might be worse than the VX2100 is in low light, which you might not be filming in anyway, and can be compensated for.

July 29th, 2004, 08:13 AM	#1
Erik J. Sturcke New Boot Join Date: May 2004 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 15	DVC30 vs VX2100 Hi, has anyone had a chance to compare these two cameras side by side? I have been reading this board for over a month now and putting together pieces of information, but it is hard to get a good sense of how they compare. The price difference is not a big deal for me. Frame mode seems good, but is it that much better than deinterlacing and adjusting gamma and levels in post? The sony has better low light performance, but does the picture quality blow the panasonic out of the water? Manual controls are important, which one has better manual control? I would love to try them both out, but i have not found any place in Pittsburgh that has the DVC30 in the store, they would all have to order them for me.

July 30th, 2004, 06:10 AM	#3
Dave Croft Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Yorks UK Posts: 89	There are wide and diverse opinions about whether frame mode is better or worse than de-interlacing in post production. Some 'smart' de-interlacers might produce better results than using frame mode. IMHO it is better to just use frame mode. The main reason being that it saves a HUGE amount of time. De-interlacing in post can take a vast amount of rendering time, Magic Bullet is one of the best to use, but I think it takes a long time to render. It also costs $1000. DvFilmmaker is supposed to be quicker and cheaper than Magic Bullet though. Using frame mode can instantly give you the look you want, and you can see in real time how it looks with what you are filming (this is important to avoid strobing etc). I have a DVC30 and love it. Sure it is my first 3CCD dv camera, and I have never used the Sony. I had to decide between these very 2 cameras, and decided on the Panny. I think that if you want to shoot ENG, event work or documentaries, get a VX2100. However, if you want to shoot short films, and more dramatic work get the DVC30 (if you cannot afford the DVX100a or new XL2 ;) Using the DVC30, I have found that Frame mode and Cine gamma produces video that looks very different to normal video but in a subtle way. Maybe this is a contradiction, but it is the best way I can describe it. __________________ Dave Croft Experimental filmmaker, Nature video, Documentary work and more. Panasonic DVC30, XLR adapter, Shotgun Mic, Canon WD43 Wide angle, PC using Premeire + AE.

July 30th, 2004, 05:00 PM	#5
Dave Croft Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Yorks UK Posts: 89	Hi Erik, I have just bought the Panasonic AG-MC100G uni-directional mic that is made intended for this cam. However, I haven't really had much time to test it out yet, but it seems pretty cool. I think the DVC30 would do just fine in street interviews. The only way it might be worse than the VX2100 is in low light, which you might not be filming in anyway, and can be compensated for. __________________ Dave Croft Experimental filmmaker, Nature video, Documentary work and more. Panasonic DVC30, XLR adapter, Shotgun Mic, Canon WD43 Wide angle, PC using Premeire + AE.

July 30th, 2004, 12:59 AM	#2
Matthew Martin New Boot Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Australia Posts: 10	I am also very interested in this comparison. I would probably use the cam mainly for short films, but the actual film look isn't that important to me, rather overall image quality. I was also wondering whether the frame mode on the DVC30 would be better than de-interlacing VX2100 footage with a program like DvFilm Maker.

July 30th, 2004, 06:23 AM	#4
Erik J. Sturcke New Boot Join Date: May 2004 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 15	Hi Dave, Thanks for your input! That is pretty much the same reasons i am leaning to a DVC30. I also want the ability for do stuff that does not look like video. Not really trying to look just like film, just somethere where it is a little easier to suspend disbelief than videos live feel. Either frame mode or magic bullet or something. However, we will also do many street interviews and documentary style stuff. What is better about the VX2100 other than low light for that purpose? I have never really read comparisons of pure 4:3 60i in well lit situations of the two. BTW, what shotgun mic do you have? I would like to get a decent one that won't break the bank. Thanks again.