DVX100 or PD150? at DVinfo.net

Mark Monciardini · July 6th, 2003, 10:46 PM

I have the money and I am debating between the two cameras. Is there anyone out there that went from the PD150 to the DVX100? If so what is the quality difference.

I know these cameras very well. It's a hard decision.

Things I like about the PD-150
1.) There are more filters and sunshades available for it.
2.) Comes with a Mic.
3.) They use it in Movies.
4.) It's compatible with my other sony cameras.
5.) There is more asscesories for it.

Things I like about the DVX100 that are hard to pass up.
1.) Rec and zoom controls on handle
2.) Matches refresh rate so you can record computer screens.

Does the 24p mode still have the quality of video? Does anyone have any clips or work they have done in this mode that they can show? I saw some online and it looked like 16mm film sorta and that worries me.

I'll be using it for Weddings, Documentaries and Films.

Much love and respect,
Mark Monciardini

Glen Elliott · July 7th, 2003, 05:24 AM

<<<-- Originally posted by Mark Monciardini : I have the money and I am debating between the two cameras. Is there anyone out there that went from the PD150 to the DVX100? If so what is the quality difference.

I know these cameras very well. It's a hard decision.

Things I like about the PD-150
1.) There are more filters and sunshades available for it.
The PD-150 has been out for many years now- it's normal to have more accessories for an older model. However the DVX100 has a pretty good fair share of filters and matte-boxes (sunshades?).
2.) Comes with a Mic.
The DVX comes with a mice too- it's just onboard. Doesn't matter though- if your serious about shooting you'll replace both mics, whether it be onboard like the DVX's or external like the PD-150s.
3.) They use it in Movies.
Huh?...yeah I HAVE seen a few clips in Jackass where they WERE using the PD-150...but what "Movies" are you talking about? Regarding movies- I'm not even going to go there....thats one of the primary draws to the DVX100....is it's movie-like 24p mode, etc
4.) It's compatible with my other sony cameras.
Compatable how?- Video quality? Regardless of what camera you shoot along side of you'll run into issues with matching up the footage. You'll have to do some pretty tricky adjustments in post to help make them match regardless of both being sony or not.
5.) There is more asscesories for it.
See #1.

Things I like about the DVX100 that are hard to pass up.
1.) Rec and zoom controls on handle
2.) Matches refresh rate so you can record computer screens.
Granted I've never shot with the PD150, however if those are the only 2 reasons your considering the DVX100 maybe you SHOULD go with the PD150.
-->>>

Johan Lundberg · July 7th, 2003, 05:53 AM

I have used both these cameras and I must say they are both very good. However when it comes to image quality and the "look" of the images I prefer the DVX100. I also think the DVX100 has alot of features you won't find on the PD150. You got pretty good control of the way your footage looks, and of course the great ability to shoot 24p/25p. The only thing I think is really much better with the PD150 is that it does not feels so fragile as the DVX100. I know the DVX100 can handle quite alot, but it's just that "plastic feel". Anyway, I don't think this should stop you from going with the DVX100, because it really is a great camera.

Glen Elliott · July 7th, 2003, 07:12 AM

Yeah my old Sony TRV-17 "feels" sturdier than my DVX100. Oddly enough most all DV cams are mostly plastic it's just that the way the DVX is finished (or unfinished I should say) that makes it feel fragil. It's an unpainted, unfinsihed matte black plastic. Ya know...the kind of plastic that has no gloss to it and looks like it'll show fingerprints from handling.

Stephen van Vuuren · July 7th, 2003, 09:14 AM

But it's not plastic, it's magnesium alloy. Feels like plastic but it's not...

Glen Elliott · July 7th, 2003, 10:01 AM

Tis true, thus in all actuality the DVX is more rugged than the PD-150 and the like.

Yang Wen · July 7th, 2003, 02:34 PM

The PD150 I must say feels much more solid and rigid in your hand. The body of the PD150 is of better finish than the DVX100. The DVX100 with it's loose OIS unit when unit's off really sounds bad(but supposedly it's fine)

Frank Granovski · July 7th, 2003, 04:41 PM

I think both cams are equally as good each with their own unique pro's and con's. Personally, I think that the VX2000 is good bang for the buck but it'll need some things like a XLR adaptor. I also prefer smaller hand-helds so I would go with the DVX100---but for the money, the VX2000 is a good buy. The best advice I can give you is go have a look at both cams and test them---then decide. One thing that might sway you toward the DVX is its better audio and fuller color saturation. If you want the 24P, then you only have one choice: the DVX100.

Will Boggs · July 8th, 2003, 08:46 PM

I own both the PD150 and the DVX100. There is a lot more mag alloy on the DVX than the PD. Physically, the PD is a little slimmer and lankier than the DVX. Both cams are about the same length. The DVX looks more professional than the PD because of the bigger glass on the front end. The DVX is a little better balanced in your hand than the PD but not much. I bought the DVX because I wanted a cam to shoot 24P and 30P footage with. However, if 60i is all you need, the PD would be the way to go. It has a few features I like over the DVX. I like that it shoots DVCAM. I like that it has a B&W VF (however, the huge pro sized VF on the DVX is one of its better attributes). I also like the audio control the PD has over the DVX. The PD has a little button on the rear that brings up a level meter display. In terms of audio you know where you are landing. The DVX only has the small display at the bottom of the VF that lets you know when you are hitting -12db but no other ratings. But, if you really need progressive then the DVX is the only game in town in its price range.

July 7th, 2003, 05:24 AM	#2
Glen Elliott Wrangler Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Philadelphia, PA Posts: 2,898	Re: DVX100 or PD150? <<<-- Originally posted by Mark Monciardini : I have the money and I am debating between the two cameras. Is there anyone out there that went from the PD150 to the DVX100? If so what is the quality difference. I know these cameras very well. It's a hard decision. Things I like about the PD-150 1.) There are more filters and sunshades available for it. The PD-150 has been out for many years now- it's normal to have more accessories for an older model. However the DVX100 has a pretty good fair share of filters and matte-boxes (sunshades?). 2.) Comes with a Mic. The DVX comes with a mice too- it's just onboard. Doesn't matter though- if your serious about shooting you'll replace both mics, whether it be onboard like the DVX's or external like the PD-150s. 3.) They use it in Movies. Huh?...yeah I HAVE seen a few clips in Jackass where they WERE using the PD-150...but what "Movies" are you talking about? Regarding movies- I'm not even going to go there....thats one of the primary draws to the DVX100....is it's movie-like 24p mode, etc 4.) It's compatible with my other sony cameras. Compatable how?- Video quality? Regardless of what camera you shoot along side of you'll run into issues with matching up the footage. You'll have to do some pretty tricky adjustments in post to help make them match regardless of both being sony or not. 5.) There is more asscesories for it. See #1. Things I like about the DVX100 that are hard to pass up. 1.) Rec and zoom controls on handle 2.) Matches refresh rate so you can record computer screens. Granted I've never shot with the PD150, however if those are the only 2 reasons your considering the DVX100 maybe you SHOULD go with the PD150. -->>>

July 7th, 2003, 05:53 AM	#3
Johan Lundberg Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: SWEDEN Posts: 34	I have used both these cameras and I must say they are both very good. However when it comes to image quality and the "look" of the images I prefer the DVX100. I also think the DVX100 has alot of features you won't find on the PD150. You got pretty good control of the way your footage looks, and of course the great ability to shoot 24p/25p. The only thing I think is really much better with the PD150 is that it does not feels so fragile as the DVX100. I know the DVX100 can handle quite alot, but it's just that "plastic feel". Anyway, I don't think this should stop you from going with the DVX100, because it really is a great camera. __________________ Johan Lundberg TECHCREW SWEDEN

July 7th, 2003, 09:14 AM	#5
Stephen van Vuuren Space Hipster Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Greensboro, NC Posts: 1,508	But it's not plastic, it's magnesium alloy. Feels like plastic but it's not... __________________ stephen v2 www.insaturnsrings.com

July 6th, 2003, 10:46 PM	#1
Mark Monciardini Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Salt Lake City, Utah Posts: 158	DVX100 or PD150? I have the money and I am debating between the two cameras. Is there anyone out there that went from the PD150 to the DVX100? If so what is the quality difference. I know these cameras very well. It's a hard decision. Things I like about the PD-150 1.) There are more filters and sunshades available for it. 2.) Comes with a Mic. 3.) They use it in Movies. 4.) It's compatible with my other sony cameras. 5.) There is more asscesories for it. Things I like about the DVX100 that are hard to pass up. 1.) Rec and zoom controls on handle 2.) Matches refresh rate so you can record computer screens. Does the 24p mode still have the quality of video? Does anyone have any clips or work they have done in this mode that they can show? I saw some online and it looked like 16mm film sorta and that worries me. I'll be using it for Weddings, Documentaries and Films. Much love and respect, Mark Monciardini

July 7th, 2003, 07:12 AM	#4
Glen Elliott Wrangler Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Philadelphia, PA Posts: 2,898	Yeah my old Sony TRV-17 "feels" sturdier than my DVX100. Oddly enough most all DV cams are mostly plastic it's just that the way the DVX is finished (or unfinished I should say) that makes it feel fragil. It's an unpainted, unfinsihed matte black plastic. Ya know...the kind of plastic that has no gloss to it and looks like it'll show fingerprints from handling.

July 7th, 2003, 10:01 AM	#6
Glen Elliott Wrangler Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Philadelphia, PA Posts: 2,898	Tis true, thus in all actuality the DVX is more rugged than the PD-150 and the like.

July 7th, 2003, 02:34 PM	#7
Yang Wen Major Player Join Date: May 2003 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 991	The PD150 I must say feels much more solid and rigid in your hand. The body of the PD150 is of better finish than the DVX100. The DVX100 with it's loose OIS unit when unit's off really sounds bad(but supposedly it's fine)

July 7th, 2003, 04:41 PM	#8
Frank Granovski Outer Circle Join Date: May 2002 Location: Hope, BC Posts: 7,524	I think both cams are equally as good each with their own unique pro's and con's. Personally, I think that the VX2000 is good bang for the buck but it'll need some things like a XLR adaptor. I also prefer smaller hand-helds so I would go with the DVX100---but for the money, the VX2000 is a good buy. The best advice I can give you is go have a look at both cams and test them---then decide. One thing that might sway you toward the DVX is its better audio and fuller color saturation. If you want the 24P, then you only have one choice: the DVX100.

July 8th, 2003, 08:46 PM	#9
Will Boggs Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Ada, Oklahoma Posts: 92	I own both the PD150 and the DVX100. There is a lot more mag alloy on the DVX than the PD. Physically, the PD is a little slimmer and lankier than the DVX. Both cams are about the same length. The DVX looks more professional than the PD because of the bigger glass on the front end. The DVX is a little better balanced in your hand than the PD but not much. I bought the DVX because I wanted a cam to shoot 24P and 30P footage with. However, if 60i is all you need, the PD would be the way to go. It has a few features I like over the DVX. I like that it shoots DVCAM. I like that it has a B&W VF (however, the huge pro sized VF on the DVX is one of its better attributes). I also like the audio control the PD has over the DVX. The PD has a little button on the rear that brings up a level meter display. In terms of audio you know where you are landing. The DVX only has the small display at the bottom of the VF that lets you know when you are hitting -12db but no other ratings. But, if you really need progressive then the DVX is the only game in town in its price range.