Size comparison for the HMC150 and Canon XH-A1

[Rick Bolton]

Roger - ditto.

Currently using the Canon Vixia HF 100 because of NLE - so easy on m Mac. The Vixia is too small / screen controls / slow auto focus.

Need to buy an entry level professional and am really trying to learn if Jeff has run into any show stoppers on the 150. I shoot Canon DSLR for still photography and love the results and build quality.

NLE is important but NOT if the 150 has issues - image quality, ergonomics, build quality.....

Jeff is in a unique position having both of the units I am so interested in.

[Jeff Kellam]

Originally Posted by Rick Bolton

Jeff - your pixel peeping comments resonate loudly for many of us.

Here is the scenario - you lose both cameras and can have only one - I show up with brand new sealed units - the 150 and the A1 - you can only have one of them for the next year.

Which do you want?

I would take the HMC150 for sure. When you combine tapeless and better image quality, it's just a step up from the A1.

Originally Posted by Rick Bolton

Need to buy an entry level professional and am really trying to learn if Jeff has run into any show stoppers on the 150. I shoot Canon DSLR for still photography and love the results and build quality.

NLE is important but NOT if the 150 has issues - image quality, ergonomics, build quality.....

1. No show stoppers or problems at all yet except learning Panasonic controls. Before I updated Vegas to 8.0c, I had editing problems, none now.

2. I shoot Canon DSLRs too and really like Canon. The A1 functions like any canon camera where you turn a dial and get A, Tv, Av, M, etc. Unfortunately, no other pro video cameras use that convention.

3. The Canon has a little more detailed appearance to it and has a much greater depth of controls. Most of them are of little use, but more is better right? Example; the Canon has brightness, contrast, color, sharpness and 2 backlight settings for both the EVF and LCD. The Panasonic has 3 backlight settings for each.

4. Both seem equally tough and well built. The HMC150 dosen't have a tape transport mechanism or heads to get dirty.

5. The HMC150 leans more to the pro side than the A1 because the auto mode is a little less auto. You can set the parameters the camera uses for auto such as iris level, gain, etc.

[Rick Bolton]

Great - that is the way I've been leaning. We have been fixated with SONY tv for so many years - would not even look at much else. When our latest XBR started going on the blink after 4 years I decided to scope out other brands and LOVED the Panasonic 1080 flat panel.

Brand loyalty can start to get in the way of good decision making.

BTW - I'm from VB (many years ago) - we lived just across from Little Creek Amphibious Base off Shore Drive. I was active in the very early surfing years at the steel pier and loved to surf Dam Neck in the early morning hours.

Thanks

[Jeff Kellam]

Originally Posted by Rick Bolton

BTW - I'm from VB (many years ago) - we lived just across from Little Creek Amphibious Base off Shore Drive. I was active in the very early surfing years at the steel pier and loved to surf Dam Neck in the early morning hours.

Thanks

Well...now Im going to have to post some of the HMC150 surfing shots I took last week at the oceanfront break next to the inlet. Im off Shore Drive near Chicks Beach.

[Rick Bolton]

Originally Posted by Jeff Kellam

Well...now Im going to have to post some of the HMC150 surfing shots I took last week at the oceanfront break next to the inlet. Im off Shore Drive near Chicks Beach.

OMG - would you believe that I was on the construction crew that built the Lynnhaven Bridge!!! I life guarded at the Officers Beach at Little Creek and have been to Chicks many times. Also - what was that lil She Crab spot - Charly's??

I'll enjoy seeing the clips - and plan on getting the 150 ordered shortly.

Thanks again.