Mike Beckett's NX70 owner's report

Gerald OConnor · June 10th, 2011, 05:11 AM

How are you guys liking the Picture Quality so far

Wacharapong Chiowanich · June 10th, 2011, 05:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Beckett

..........The two pictures are at f5.6 and f8, straight dumps from Premiere Pro.

I'd like to try this with an ND filter or two so I can keep the iris a bit wider, but that will have to wait.

From the framegrabs, it looks like the lens is optimized at the wider apertures, maybe from the max f/1.8 to about f/4. If this happens to be the case then a variable ND would be needed. Most clips I've seen on the web shot by either the CX700V or CX560V that contain high-contrast scenes like tree branches with bright skies in the background show very noticeable, and in a few cases quite extreme, CA.

Then I was thinking how any of the vari-ND filters (with two individual sets of polarized filters attached to each other) available in the market could cope with the conditions the NX70 itself could, e.g. facing salt spray on the deck of a boat or out in the rain somewhere? Maybe a set of plain ND filters would do?

Mike Beckett · June 10th, 2011, 06:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gerald OConnor

How are you guys liking the Picture Quality so far

Seems pretty good, excellent for the size of camera. I've been out for an hour along the river taking random shots (handheld, I'm afraid). Can't wait to get back home tonight to see the output.

(1080 25p only for now, I'm afraid - My CS5.0 doesn't do 50p!)

The camera handled really well, I'm pleased with it - apart from the need for an ND filter, as it was very bright today and I had to change the shutter to 100 or 200 to control the exposure a bit better. I think a vari-ND might be a good call for sunny days, I will look into that.

I had to use the viewfinder at times because the sun was just too bright to see the LCD. You can adjust the LCD's settings, I just didn't have time on my lunch hour to do much. The viewfinder is great, the only loss is you can't access the touchscreen options on it! I took off the large rubber eyecup and it was just fine. I would need the cup if I was wearing my glasses.

To be perfectly honest, the weather forecast gave rain for us, and I was actually quite disappointed I didn't get the chance to get both me and the camera wet!

Edit:
On-camera mics may be problematic - anything much longer than the supplied XM-1 mic may intrude on the picture. I put a 12cm Rycote softie on it, and the fur was intruding on the picture. Same with my 12cm Rycote mini windscreen. I have ordered a 10cm mini windscreen and am hoping it is better. This is the widest lens I have experienced on a camcorder of this type.

You could use an accessory bracket (like the stuff from the Rycote universal camera kit), but fear it would make the camera too ungainly to use. No point having a tiny camera if you're going to keep piling things on top!

Ron Evans · June 10th, 2011, 08:04 AM

I have a 49mm variable ND and a step up ring from the 37 filter thread. For protection of the ND in bad conditions I guess a clear filter on the outside may do. You have to take off the lens hood though of course.

On my ski trip the CX700 was in full auto, I would just back off the ND until the image started to go dark then turn back a little. Seemed to work fine. Whole trip was shot in 60P. Hopefully with the NX70 there are some indicators to go by.

Ron Evans

Mike Beckett · June 10th, 2011, 02:44 PM

Just for information, I fitted a standard B+W MRC 37mm UV filter under the lens hood no problems. Stacking more than one filter would probably not work, not that it's a great idea anyway.

Mike Beckett · June 11th, 2011, 08:06 AM

OK... so that was kind of weird.

I know I've seen the NAB demo, the CVP video with the cam-shower, but standing out in the rain today with the NX70 exposed to the elements... just felt weird!

All was good though. Exposure is going to be a problem, like any of the small cams. It was very easy today to get up to F9.6 and be overexposed (gain was at zero), so I had to bump up the shutter speed to compensate. I ended up leaving the cam on auto a lot of the time and it coped really well. I have yet to review the footage, and I need to wait for CS5.5 before I can edit it!

I've just received a fixed ND filter, so that will get tried out next.

It's hard to tell from the photo, but it is absolutely chucking it down with rain!

Rick Llewellyn · June 17th, 2011, 11:16 PM

How well does the camera handle motion within the scene? I worry that the imagery will be blocky at 60p with only 24 mbs data rate. That would make it about half the bits per frame of the other AVCHD cameras on the market which shoot 24 mbs for 30p or 60i.

Can someone try shooting a scene with a lot of fine detail motion within the frame? Blowing grass, trees.

Rick

Mike Beckett · June 17th, 2011, 11:52 PM

Hi Rick,

50p shoots at a higher bit-rate, 28Mbps, they have an extra "PS" shooting mode for this.

I'll try to get some footage - it'll have to wait until tomrrow maybe.

Ron Evans · June 18th, 2011, 07:12 AM

AT 60P there is less motion between each frame so the differences are less for the encoder. The move from 24Mbps to 28Mbps allows for this difference I expect. I took some 60P shots with my CX700 when I got it and this is the Vimeo reference though they will now have been downconverted to standard Vimeo from the originals. I will try and take some more of trees today and post.

Ron Evans

Ron Evans · June 19th, 2011, 01:36 PM

This a shot from my CX700 at 60P of grass blowing in the wind. Seems to have lost the title in Vimeo somehow. Should be similar to NX70. You can download the raw files and see how it looks on your system. Playback from the internet never seems to be as good, at least on my system.

Ron Evans

Edit: Reference the correct 60P file

Jean Philippe Stuart · June 19th, 2011, 06:36 PM

Hi to all the lucky ones who have the NX70. I will get this camera for video constructions. Filming the sidewalk, gutter, borders.... e.g.

I give standard DVDs to the clients. The operating guide shows that I will connect the NX70 to a DVD Recorder with analog cable. BUT IT WILL NOT burn HD PS and FX mode. So the best quality I can use is FX. Will the quality still better than what I get with my Sony FX1 (HDV - 3CCD)?

PS (28 Mbps) 1920 x 1080/60p
FX (24 Mbps) 1920 x 1080/60i
FH (17 Mbps) 1920 x 1080/60i
HQ (9 Mbps) 1440 x 1080/60i
LP (5 Mbps) 1440 x 1080/60i
FX (24 Mbps) 1920 x 1080/24p
FH (17 Mbps) 1920 x 1080/24p

Guide:
Standard Definition option
Transfer AVCHD™ video content in SD quality to VRD-MC10 via analog video cable, and record it to DVD for sharing or playback by home DVD players

High Definition resolution
Transfer high definition video in native 1080i resolution from select Sony® AVCHD™ Handycam® camcorders to DVD recorded in H.264 format. This allows up to 95 minutes of HD video to be recorded on a DVD playable on most Blu-ray Disc™ players1 (media and player sold separately)

Note: Cannot burn HD PS and FX mode recorded files to DVD or AVCHD disc.

Ron Evans · June 19th, 2011, 06:48 PM

I think you will be able to downconvert to the VRD-MC10 from any of the data rates. I think the comment is for HD copy to DVD ( 4.7G ) which will not support playback from 24Mbps or 28Mbps hence will only support AVCHD copy to DVD for Bluray player playback at FH or lower data rate. All my AVCHD cameras ( SR11, XR500, CX700 ) are better than my FX1 they are actually better than my NX5U in a full auto mode.

Ron Evans

Rick Llewellyn · June 19th, 2011, 06:49 PM

Ron-
Thanks for the grass video. I downloaded the file from Vimeo and it appears that it is interlaced not 60p. I had some trouble playing the file, so I had to translate it. I tried a couple of different ways but the images all came up looking like interlaced. As a result I could see the stair stepping in each field on moving objects. It is certainly possible that my software is thinking since it is 60 things per second, it is interlaced, even though I told it was 60p.

Would you please check your original and verify that it is a full 60p? (twice the pixel rate of 60i)

Thanks
Rick

Ron Evans · June 19th, 2011, 06:54 PM

My post of grass blowing in the wind video looks poor played back from this site and I suggest you look at it directly from Vimeo. Also suggest downloading the file as the 1920x108 60P is too high a data rate for lots of system to manage.

Ron Evans

Mike Beckett · June 20th, 2011, 02:28 AM

I've been looking for some footage of blowing leaves etc. but there hasn't been a breath of wind here all weekend!

June 10th, 2011, 05:11 AM	#31
Gerald OConnor Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Princeton MA Posts: 142	Re: The new SONY HXR NX70 “Water & Dust proof” How are you guys liking the Picture Quality so far

June 10th, 2011, 08:04 AM	#34
Ron Evans Inner Circle Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Posts: 4,220	Re: The new SONY HXR NX70 “Water & Dust proof” I have a 49mm variable ND and a step up ring from the 37 filter thread. For protection of the ND in bad conditions I guess a clear filter on the outside may do. You have to take off the lens hood though of course. On my ski trip the CX700 was in full auto, I would just back off the ND until the image started to go dark then turn back a little. Seemed to work fine. Whole trip was shot in 60P. Hopefully with the NX70 there are some indicators to go by. Ron Evans

June 10th, 2011, 02:44 PM	#35
Mike Beckett Trustee Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Antrim, Northern Ireland Posts: 1,569	Re: The new SONY HXR NX70 “Water & Dust proof” Just for information, I fitted a standard B+W MRC 37mm UV filter under the lens hood no problems. Stacking more than one filter would probably not work, not that it's a great idea anyway.

June 11th, 2011, 08:06 AM	#36
Mike Beckett Trustee Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Antrim, Northern Ireland Posts: 1,569	Re: The new SONY HXR NX70 “Water & Dust proof” OK... so that was kind of weird. I know I've seen the NAB demo, the CVP video with the cam-shower, but standing out in the rain today with the NX70 exposed to the elements... just felt weird! All was good though. Exposure is going to be a problem, like any of the small cams. It was very easy today to get up to F9.6 and be overexposed (gain was at zero), so I had to bump up the shutter speed to compensate. I ended up leaving the cam on auto a lot of the time and it coped really well. I have yet to review the footage, and I need to wait for CS5.5 before I can edit it! I've just received a fixed ND filter, so that will get tried out next. It's hard to tell from the photo, but it is absolutely chucking it down with rain! Attached Thumbnails

June 17th, 2011, 11:16 PM	#37
Rick Llewellyn Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Columbia, Maryland Posts: 61	Compression artifacts at 24mbs and 60p? How well does the camera handle motion within the scene? I worry that the imagery will be blocky at 60p with only 24 mbs data rate. That would make it about half the bits per frame of the other AVCHD cameras on the market which shoot 24 mbs for 30p or 60i. Can someone try shooting a scene with a lot of fine detail motion within the frame? Blowing grass, trees. Rick

June 17th, 2011, 11:52 PM	#38
Mike Beckett Trustee Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Antrim, Northern Ireland Posts: 1,569	Re: Mike Beckett's NX70 owner's report Hi Rick, 50p shoots at a higher bit-rate, 28Mbps, they have an extra "PS" shooting mode for this. I'll try to get some footage - it'll have to wait until tomrrow maybe.

June 18th, 2011, 07:12 AM	#39
Ron Evans Inner Circle Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Posts: 4,220	Re: Mike Beckett's NX70 owner's report AT 60P there is less motion between each frame so the differences are less for the encoder. The move from 24Mbps to 28Mbps allows for this difference I expect. I took some 60P shots with my CX700 when I got it and this is the Vimeo reference though they will now have been downconverted to standard Vimeo from the originals. I will try and take some more of trees today and post. CX700 Walking down path, 60P, Active SteadyShot, handheld on Vimeo Ron Evans

June 19th, 2011, 01:36 PM	#40
Ron Evans Inner Circle Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Posts: 4,220	Re: Mike Beckett's NX70 owner's report This a shot from my CX700 at 60P of grass blowing in the wind. Seems to have lost the title in Vimeo somehow. Should be similar to NX70. You can download the raw files and see how it looks on your system. Playback from the internet never seems to be as good, at least on my system. Grass Blowing in the Wind CX700, 60P on Vimeo Ron Evans Edit: Reference the correct 60P file Last edited by Ron Evans; June 20th, 2011 at 10:18 AM.

June 19th, 2011, 06:36 PM	#41
Jean Philippe Stuart New Boot Join Date: May 2011 Location: Beverly Hills Posts: 6	Re: Mike Beckett's NX70 owner's report Hi to all the lucky ones who have the NX70. I will get this camera for video constructions. Filming the sidewalk, gutter, borders.... e.g. I give standard DVDs to the clients. The operating guide shows that I will connect the NX70 to a DVD Recorder with analog cable. BUT IT WILL NOT burn HD PS and FX mode. So the best quality I can use is FX. Will the quality still better than what I get with my Sony FX1 (HDV - 3CCD)? PS (28 Mbps) 1920 x 1080/60p FX (24 Mbps) 1920 x 1080/60i FH (17 Mbps) 1920 x 1080/60i HQ (9 Mbps) 1440 x 1080/60i LP (5 Mbps) 1440 x 1080/60i FX (24 Mbps) 1920 x 1080/24p FH (17 Mbps) 1920 x 1080/24p Guide: Standard Definition option Transfer AVCHD™ video content in SD quality to VRD-MC10 via analog video cable, and record it to DVD for sharing or playback by home DVD players High Definition resolution Transfer high definition video in native 1080i resolution from select Sony® AVCHD™ Handycam® camcorders to DVD recorded in H.264 format. This allows up to 95 minutes of HD video to be recorded on a DVD playable on most Blu-ray Disc™ players1 (media and player sold separately) Note: Cannot burn HD PS and FX mode recorded files to DVD or AVCHD disc.

June 19th, 2011, 06:48 PM	#42
Ron Evans Inner Circle Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Posts: 4,220	Re: Mike Beckett's NX70 owner's report I think you will be able to downconvert to the VRD-MC10 from any of the data rates. I think the comment is for HD copy to DVD ( 4.7G ) which will not support playback from 24Mbps or 28Mbps hence will only support AVCHD copy to DVD for Bluray player playback at FH or lower data rate. All my AVCHD cameras ( SR11, XR500, CX700 ) are better than my FX1 they are actually better than my NX5U in a full auto mode. Ron Evans

June 19th, 2011, 06:49 PM	#43
Rick Llewellyn Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Columbia, Maryland Posts: 61	Ron- Interlaced video? Ron- Thanks for the grass video. I downloaded the file from Vimeo and it appears that it is interlaced not 60p. I had some trouble playing the file, so I had to translate it. I tried a couple of different ways but the images all came up looking like interlaced. As a result I could see the stair stepping in each field on moving objects. It is certainly possible that my software is thinking since it is 60 things per second, it is interlaced, even though I told it was 60p. Would you please check your original and verify that it is a full 60p? (twice the pixel rate of 60i) Thanks Rick

June 19th, 2011, 06:54 PM	#44
Ron Evans Inner Circle Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Posts: 4,220	Re: Mike Beckett's NX70 owner's report My post of grass blowing in the wind video looks poor played back from this site and I suggest you look at it directly from Vimeo. Also suggest downloading the file as the 1920x108 60P is too high a data rate for lots of system to manage. Ron Evans

June 20th, 2011, 02:28 AM	#45
Mike Beckett Trustee Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Antrim, Northern Ireland Posts: 1,569	Re: Mike Beckett's NX70 owner's report I've been looking for some footage of blowing leaves etc. but there hasn't been a breath of wind here all weekend!