Low-Light HD1000U vs. HV20 at DVinfo.net

Jade Maestre · February 24th, 2008, 09:48 PM

Guys. I want to know how the HD1000U performs in lowlight compared to the HV20. The HV20 got a very good lowlight reputation at 24p mode. The HC7 got a low score in ow light. Others said that the HD1000U is an HC7 in a professional body. I need your input about this because I'm planning to upgrade from SD to HD. And I'm choosing between the HV20 and the HD100U.

I really need a consumer camera that is good in lowlight because most of my projects are shoot indoors. Please don't tell me about the VX2100 or the PD170 because they are just beyond my budget.

Adam Gold · February 25th, 2008, 01:04 PM

I don't have an HV20 so I can't do a direct comparison, but I can tell you the HD1000 isn't great in low light. If you limit your gain to 9dB or less you'll be fine but it really wants to pump it up to 18dB whenever it can.

You could get a used VX2000 for about the same price as a new HD1000 if you don't care about HDV. Much better choice.

Jade Maestre · February 25th, 2008, 05:56 PM

Thanks Adam. I found in Ebay A DVC80 1/3 CCD Camcorder. Do you think it will Perform better in low light than the DVX2000? Yes. I will consider having a second hand DVX2000.

George Sickler · February 26th, 2008, 12:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jade Maestre

Thanks Adam. I found in Ebay A DVC80 1/3 CCD Camcorder. Do you think it will Perform better in low light than the DVX2000? Yes. I will consider having a second hand DVX2000.

I had both, and the VX is better. Still, I loved our DVC80s Nice camera for the $$$.

VX better low light.

Robert M Wright · February 26th, 2008, 01:21 AM

Arguably, the best bargain in used 3 1/3" chip SD cameras nowadays, is the JVC GY-DV300. They can be found in good condition, with low hours, most often under $1000.

Mark Viducich · February 26th, 2008, 10:49 AM

i just got the hv20 and have been pleasantly surprised at its low light capabilities in high def also i believe you stated you want to upres to hd from sd and for the money you cannot beat the hv20

Jade Maestre · February 26th, 2008, 07:04 PM

Thanks for your input guys. Unfortunately, I don't have the budget for a 3ccd HD cam. So maybe I will just stick on SD and find a lowlight SD cam for the meantime. So I have now three choices, the dvc80, the vx2000, and the JVC. I hope I can find a used SD Cam that has low hours on the tapehead. Can anyone tell me about the lowlight performance of the JVC DV300?

Robert M Wright · February 27th, 2008, 02:26 AM

The VXs are the low light champs of that class of camera. Any of the 3 1/3" chip pro cameras will outperform a consumer camera considerably in low light though.

February 24th, 2008, 09:48 PM	#1
Jade Maestre Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Bangkok, Thailand Posts: 37	Low-Light HD1000U vs. HV20 Guys. I want to know how the HD1000U performs in lowlight compared to the HV20. The HV20 got a very good lowlight reputation at 24p mode. The HC7 got a low score in ow light. Others said that the HD1000U is an HC7 in a professional body. I need your input about this because I'm planning to upgrade from SD to HD. And I'm choosing between the HV20 and the HD100U. I really need a consumer camera that is good in lowlight because most of my projects are shoot indoors. Please don't tell me about the VX2100 or the PD170 because they are just beyond my budget.

February 26th, 2008, 10:49 AM	#6
Mark Viducich Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Pleasant Grove, CA Posts: 86	low light i just got the hv20 and have been pleasantly surprised at its low light capabilities in high def also i believe you stated you want to upres to hd from sd and for the money you cannot beat the hv20

February 25th, 2008, 01:04 PM	#2
Adam Gold Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Woodinville, WA USA Posts: 3,467	I don't have an HV20 so I can't do a direct comparison, but I can tell you the HD1000 isn't great in low light. If you limit your gain to 9dB or less you'll be fine but it really wants to pump it up to 18dB whenever it can. You could get a used VX2000 for about the same price as a new HD1000 if you don't care about HDV. Much better choice.

February 25th, 2008, 05:56 PM	#3
Jade Maestre Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Bangkok, Thailand Posts: 37	Thanks Adam. I found in Ebay A DVC80 1/3 CCD Camcorder. Do you think it will Perform better in low light than the DVX2000? Yes. I will consider having a second hand DVX2000.

February 26th, 2008, 01:21 AM	#5
Robert M Wright Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Minnesota (USA) Posts: 2,171	Arguably, the best bargain in used 3 1/3" chip SD cameras nowadays, is the JVC GY-DV300. They can be found in good condition, with low hours, most often under $1000.

February 26th, 2008, 07:04 PM	#7
Jade Maestre Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Bangkok, Thailand Posts: 37	Thanks for your input guys. Unfortunately, I don't have the budget for a 3ccd HD cam. So maybe I will just stick on SD and find a lowlight SD cam for the meantime. So I have now three choices, the dvc80, the vx2000, and the JVC. I hope I can find a used SD Cam that has low hours on the tapehead. Can anyone tell me about the lowlight performance of the JVC DV300?

February 27th, 2008, 02:26 AM	#8
Robert M Wright Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Minnesota (USA) Posts: 2,171	The VXs are the low light champs of that class of camera. Any of the 3 1/3" chip pro cameras will outperform a consumer camera considerably in low light though.