Review says HC7 low-light worse than HC3 at DVinfo.net

Dan Peterson · March 21st, 2007, 09:53 AM

A review of the HC7 elsewhere says the low-light capability of the HC7 is worse than that of the HC3.
Any users who have used both camcorders care to comment?

Dave Blackhurst · March 21st, 2007, 10:13 AM

At least one person who has the 7 and had the 3 has posted here and on that review that this depends on how the cameras are set, and that the 7 is as good or better than the 3. I'd take that review with a grain of salt or two. I'll post if and when my 7 arrives...

DB>)

Art Willig · March 21st, 2007, 09:10 PM

weird...I just read a user review that said his HC7 blew away his HC3 in low light...

Douglas Spotted Eagle · March 21st, 2007, 09:20 PM

I won't go so far as to say it "blows it away" but it is definitely better than the HC3. IMO, it manages low light better than any HDV cam outside of the Z1.

Buddy Frazer · March 27th, 2007, 07:10 AM

How does the low light performance of the HC7 compare to the FX7/V1U?

Douglas Spotted Eagle · March 27th, 2007, 07:32 AM

it's a little better; one thing you'll note is that if you have the color depth enabled, the noise shows up differently. It might bother some, and please others.

Buddy Frazer · March 27th, 2007, 07:39 AM

I'm sorry, Spot. Which is "a little better?"

Douglas Spotted Eagle · March 27th, 2007, 07:49 AM

Apologies, the HC7 is a little better than the V1, and I'd assume better than the FX7. I don't have an FX7.

Yow Siang · March 29th, 2007, 07:45 PM

Hi Douglas,
How about the sharpness/details compared to V1

thanks
ys

Ray Wesley · April 4th, 2007, 09:02 AM

I think it was Dan's samples that prompted me to get the HC7. I had the Hc3 and consider the HC7 to be the same if not better in low light compared to the HC3 as long as you have auto slow shutter set to off. When the HC3 has this feature set to on it is defintely less noisier than the HC7 in the same mode, not sure why this is but the difference is way noticiible. The bottom line I wasn't happy with the exposure and color of the HC3 and the HC7 seems to improve wholeheartedly on this issue and the low light is fantastic in my eyes. Without a doubt the best cam I have ever owned out probably 10-15 camocorders in the past 20 years.

Ray Wesley · April 4th, 2007, 09:04 AM

I think it was Dan's samples that prompted me to get the HC7. I had the Hc3 and consider the HC7 to be the same if not better in low light compared to the HC3 as long as you have auto slow shutter set to off. When the HC3 has this feature set to on it is defintely less noisier than the HC7 in the same mode, not sure why this is but the difference is way noticiible. The bottom line I wasn't happy with the exposure and color of the HC3 and the HC7 seems to improve wholeheartedly on this issue and the low light is fantastic in my eyes. Without a doubt the best cam I have ever owned out of probably 10-15 camcorders in the past 20 years.

Yow Siang · April 4th, 2007, 05:39 PM

Hi Ray,
just wan to hear from you.. there are many discussion and good things said about the HV20 like its better details and so on.. what is the biggest pull factor for you to buy the HC7 and not the Canon HV20?

thanks
ys

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ray Wesley

I think it was Dan's samples that prompted me to get the HC7. I had the Hc3 and consider the HC7 to be the same if not better in low light compared to the HC3 as long as you have auto slow shutter set to off. When the HC3 has this feature set to on it is defintely less noisier than the HC7 in the same mode, not sure why this is but the difference is way noticiible. The bottom line I wasn't happy with the exposure and color of the HC3 and the HC7 seems to improve wholeheartedly on this issue and the low light is fantastic in my eyes. Without a doubt the best cam I have ever owned out of probably 10-15 camcorders in the past 20 years.

March 21st, 2007, 09:53 AM	#1
Dan Peterson Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 61	Review says HC7 low-light worse than HC3 A review of the HC7 elsewhere says the low-light capability of the HC7 is worse than that of the HC3. Any users who have used both camcorders care to comment?

March 21st, 2007, 09:20 PM	#4
Douglas Spotted Eagle VASST Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Stockton, UT Posts: 5,648	I won't go so far as to say it "blows it away" but it is definitely better than the HC3. IMO, it manages low light better than any HDV cam outside of the Z1. __________________ Douglas Spotted Eagle/Spot Author, producer, composer Certified Sony Vegas Trainer http://www.vasst.com

March 27th, 2007, 07:32 AM	#6
Douglas Spotted Eagle VASST Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Stockton, UT Posts: 5,648	it's a little better; one thing you'll note is that if you have the color depth enabled, the noise shows up differently. It might bother some, and please others. __________________ Douglas Spotted Eagle/Spot Author, producer, composer Certified Sony Vegas Trainer http://www.vasst.com

March 27th, 2007, 07:49 AM	#8
Douglas Spotted Eagle VASST Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Stockton, UT Posts: 5,648	Apologies, the HC7 is a little better than the V1, and I'd assume better than the FX7. I don't have an FX7. __________________ Douglas Spotted Eagle/Spot Author, producer, composer Certified Sony Vegas Trainer http://www.vasst.com

April 4th, 2007, 09:02 AM	#10
Ray Wesley New Boot Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: New Jersey Posts: 10	Low light for HC7 I think it was Dan's samples that prompted me to get the HC7. I had the Hc3 and consider the HC7 to be the same if not better in low light compared to the HC3 as long as you have auto slow shutter set to off. When the HC3 has this feature set to on it is defintely less noisier than the HC7 in the same mode, not sure why this is but the difference is way noticiible. The bottom line I wasn't happy with the exposure and color of the HC3 and the HC7 seems to improve wholeheartedly on this issue and the low light is fantastic in my eyes. Without a doubt the best cam I have ever owned out probably 10-15 camocorders in the past 20 years.

March 21st, 2007, 10:13 AM	#2
Dave Blackhurst Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Apple Valley CA Posts: 4,874	At least one person who has the 7 and had the 3 has posted here and on that review that this depends on how the cameras are set, and that the 7 is as good or better than the 3. I'd take that review with a grain of salt or two. I'll post if and when my 7 arrives... DB>)

March 21st, 2007, 09:10 PM	#3
Art Willig Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Colorado Posts: 104	weird...I just read a user review that said his HC7 blew away his HC3 in low light...

March 27th, 2007, 07:10 AM	#5
Buddy Frazer Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Addison (Dallas) Texas Posts: 88	How does the low light performance of the HC7 compare to the FX7/V1U?

March 27th, 2007, 07:39 AM	#7
Buddy Frazer Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Addison (Dallas) Texas Posts: 88	I'm sorry, Spot. Which is "a little better?"

March 29th, 2007, 07:45 PM	#9
Yow Siang Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Singapore Posts: 153	Hi Douglas, How about the sharpness/details compared to V1 thanks ys

April 4th, 2007, 09:04 AM	#11
Ray Wesley New Boot Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: New Jersey Posts: 10	Low light for HC7 I think it was Dan's samples that prompted me to get the HC7. I had the Hc3 and consider the HC7 to be the same if not better in low light compared to the HC3 as long as you have auto slow shutter set to off. When the HC3 has this feature set to on it is defintely less noisier than the HC7 in the same mode, not sure why this is but the difference is way noticiible. The bottom line I wasn't happy with the exposure and color of the HC3 and the HC7 seems to improve wholeheartedly on this issue and the low light is fantastic in my eyes. Without a doubt the best cam I have ever owned out of probably 10-15 camcorders in the past 20 years.