I'm Testing the difference between A1U and the FX1 - what kind of tests should I do? at DVinfo.net

Jeff Zimmerman · February 16th, 2006, 09:22 PM

I'm Testing the difference between A1U and the FX1 - what kind of tests should I do?

I personally own an A1U and have borrowed the FX1 from a friend. What kind of tests or comparisons would really strain both cameras and possibly show the difference. Personally I don't own any charts, links to where I could download one would be great.

Currently I have some ideas for general indoor lighting, green screen and sunset shots. What other kinds of tests do we want to see?

Laurence Kingston · February 16th, 2006, 09:40 PM

Where you are going to see the difference is in low light, and any shots that require quick manual changes. You might also see some difference in the clarity of stabilized shots. I wouldn't worry about charts. Just shoot what you shoot and compare how both cameras do with that.

Boyd Ostroff · February 16th, 2006, 09:44 PM

How about http://www.belle-nuit.com/testchart.html ?

I haven't used an A1 (I have a Z1), but it seems like image tests would only be part of the story. You should also play around with all the controls and observe their effect while watching on a monitor. The nice iris knob in and of itself might be enough to sway a purchase decision. The LCD panel on the FX1/Z1 is also excellent.

Chris Barcellos · February 16th, 2006, 10:21 PM

I have FX1, but am curiuos about A1 as second Hi def cam. Is it heavy enough to create some stability, hand held. More important, how close are they to each other in color reprodoction of a vaious scenes indoor and out.

Jeff Zimmerman · February 16th, 2006, 11:06 PM

Thanks for the chart link. I found also a 5 line resolution test wedge chart by John Beale. I'll be shooting some action and indoor events this weekend and will make still's of my results. I will post the results here.

Keep the ideas coming. I just setup both cameras tonight. For some reason and I'm not being bias here, but the A1U looks pretty sharp next to the FX1 in terms of picture quality via LCD Panel. We'll let actual use decide...

Graeme Fullick · February 17th, 2006, 02:55 AM

Guys,

I have a Z1 and an A1. I haven't tested the two cameras in any way other than shooting with both under many different conditions. I have to say that there is very little between the two in good light. The Z1 is nicer to use on a tripod and of course is much easier to tweak and control manually. THe A1 is a great cam to use for run and gun - conveniet light size and more than acceptable performance in auto everything mode. Audio on both is very similar, and also quite good (XLR).

In low light as Laurence says - there is a big difference. The A1 just does not cut it when the light fades, whilst the Z1 performs admirably (despite what a lot of people say) and takes gain very gracefully.

If you intercut the footage from the 2 (which I do all of the time) you will have a lot of trouble telling the difference in good lighting conditions. The A1 has remarkably good colour saturation and can be set up to look very much like the Z1 (as can the Z1 to look like the A1).

I am sure that there are several people like me that own both. I bought the A1 to use as a deck as well as a back up cam - and I am very happy with my choice.

Hope this helps.

I believe that this is a better test than anything based on charts.

Boyd Ostroff · February 17th, 2006, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff Zimmerman

the A1U looks pretty sharp next to the FX1 in terms of picture quality via LCD Panel.

I don't see how you could make a meaningful judgement that way. The A1's LCD panel only has 123,200 pixels while the Z1 has 250,000... more than twice as many! Their viewfinders are the same however.

Robert M Wright · February 18th, 2006, 02:08 PM

Graeme - Do you use black stretch much with the A1?

Robert M Wright · February 18th, 2006, 02:13 PM

I'm also curious to know how EIS on the A1 compares to OIS on the Z1.

Graeme Fullick · February 18th, 2006, 03:00 PM

Robert,

I have used the black stretch on the A1 - and still was not impressed with it's low light abilities - here it it is not a patch on the Z1. If you are thinking low light for a lot of your shooting do not buy the A1.

The image stabilisation on the A1 is very good. I am hugely impressed with the stability of this little camera which I use hand held most of the time. It is hard to compare directly to the Z1 as I almost always use my Z1 on a tripod with the stabiliser off, but I have to say that I think that the A1 would be close.

Hope this helps.

Robert M Wright · February 18th, 2006, 04:53 PM

Thanks Graeme. My (tentative) plan is to go with an FX1 (or maybe Z1) along with an A1 to use as a second camera for ceremonies, and use just one camera for receptions, unless the lighting is real good. The rebate on the A1 makes it look very attractive for a second (and backup) camera. My HD10U will be the emergency backup camera (along with my DV300U), but I might actually use it as a third camera on occasion, for PIP shots like a closeup of the exchange of rings.

February 16th, 2006, 09:22 PM	#1
Jeff Zimmerman Major Player Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Brighton, Colorado Posts: 386	I'm Testing the difference between A1U and the FX1 - what kind of tests should I do? I'm Testing the difference between A1U and the FX1 - what kind of tests should I do? I personally own an A1U and have borrowed the FX1 from a friend. What kind of tests or comparisons would really strain both cameras and possibly show the difference. Personally I don't own any charts, links to where I could download one would be great. Currently I have some ideas for general indoor lighting, green screen and sunset shots. What other kinds of tests do we want to see? __________________ Jeff Zimmerman • Love what I do • Colorado + North America www.m3films.com

February 16th, 2006, 10:21 PM	#4
Chris Barcellos Inner Circle Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Elk Grove CA Posts: 6,838	I have FX1, but am curiuos about A1 as second Hi def cam. Is it heavy enough to create some stability, hand held. More important, how close are they to each other in color reprodoction of a vaious scenes indoor and out. __________________ Chris J. Barcellos

February 16th, 2006, 11:06 PM	#5
Jeff Zimmerman Major Player Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Brighton, Colorado Posts: 386	Resolution Test Thanks for the chart link. I found also a 5 line resolution test wedge chart by John Beale. I'll be shooting some action and indoor events this weekend and will make still's of my results. I will post the results here. Keep the ideas coming. I just setup both cameras tonight. For some reason and I'm not being bias here, but the A1U looks pretty sharp next to the FX1 in terms of picture quality via LCD Panel. We'll let actual use decide... __________________ Jeff Zimmerman • Love what I do • Colorado + North America www.m3films.com

February 17th, 2006, 02:55 AM	#6
Graeme Fullick Major Player Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Newcastle, Australia Posts: 337	Guys, I have a Z1 and an A1. I haven't tested the two cameras in any way other than shooting with both under many different conditions. I have to say that there is very little between the two in good light. The Z1 is nicer to use on a tripod and of course is much easier to tweak and control manually. THe A1 is a great cam to use for run and gun - conveniet light size and more than acceptable performance in auto everything mode. Audio on both is very similar, and also quite good (XLR). In low light as Laurence says - there is a big difference. The A1 just does not cut it when the light fades, whilst the Z1 performs admirably (despite what a lot of people say) and takes gain very gracefully. If you intercut the footage from the 2 (which I do all of the time) you will have a lot of trouble telling the difference in good lighting conditions. The A1 has remarkably good colour saturation and can be set up to look very much like the Z1 (as can the Z1 to look like the A1). I am sure that there are several people like me that own both. I bought the A1 to use as a deck as well as a back up cam - and I am very happy with my choice. Hope this helps. I believe that this is a better test than anything based on charts. __________________ Graeme

February 18th, 2006, 03:00 PM	#10
Graeme Fullick Major Player Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Newcastle, Australia Posts: 337	Robert, I have used the black stretch on the A1 - and still was not impressed with it's low light abilities - here it it is not a patch on the Z1. If you are thinking low light for a lot of your shooting do not buy the A1. The image stabilisation on the A1 is very good. I am hugely impressed with the stability of this little camera which I use hand held most of the time. It is hard to compare directly to the Z1 as I almost always use my Z1 on a tripod with the stabiliser off, but I have to say that I think that the A1 would be close. Hope this helps. __________________ Graeme

February 16th, 2006, 09:40 PM	#2
Laurence Kingston Major Player Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Clermont, FL. Posts: 941	Where you are going to see the difference is in low light, and any shots that require quick manual changes. You might also see some difference in the clarity of stabilized shots. I wouldn't worry about charts. Just shoot what you shoot and compare how both cameras do with that.

February 16th, 2006, 09:44 PM	#3
Boyd Ostroff Wrangler Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Mays Landing, NJ Posts: 11,802	How about http://www.belle-nuit.com/testchart.html ? I haven't used an A1 (I have a Z1), but it seems like image tests would only be part of the story. You should also play around with all the controls and observe their effect while watching on a monitor. The nice iris knob in and of itself might be enough to sway a purchase decision. The LCD panel on the FX1/Z1 is also excellent.

February 18th, 2006, 02:08 PM	#8
Robert M Wright Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Minnesota (USA) Posts: 2,171	Graeme - Do you use black stretch much with the A1?

February 18th, 2006, 02:13 PM	#9
Robert M Wright Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Minnesota (USA) Posts: 2,171	I'm also curious to know how EIS on the A1 compares to OIS on the Z1.

February 18th, 2006, 04:53 PM	#11
Robert M Wright Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Minnesota (USA) Posts: 2,171	Thanks Graeme. My (tentative) plan is to go with an FX1 (or maybe Z1) along with an A1 to use as a second camera for ceremonies, and use just one camera for receptions, unless the lighting is real good. The rebate on the A1 makes it look very attractive for a second (and backup) camera. My HD10U will be the emergency backup camera (along with my DV300U), but I might actually use it as a third camera on occasion, for PIP shots like a closeup of the exchange of rings.