NX70 low light test at DVinfo.net

Mike Beckett · July 3rd, 2011, 01:38 PM

One last video from me for this weekend:

It was a nice warm, clear night last night, so I decided to try some shooting in low light. It was an hour after sunset, and the sky was just about still bright. I switch on the lights later in the video, adding a 100W reflector bulb to the mix, with another 100W bulb round the corner also contributing.

The h264 encoding has gone a bit blocky on the darker areas; download the MP4 from Vimeo to get a 1920x1080 version.

Being realistic. this is pretty good performance from a single chip CMOS camera in very dark conditions. I wouldn't dream of shooting in this kind of low light normally, and certainly not without some proper lighting being added.

It's not a VX2100 or a DSLR, but it's not terrible!

Gerald OConnor · July 3rd, 2011, 02:32 PM

Again not the best lowlight camera but it can hold it's own. Nice test.

Adam Palomer · July 3rd, 2011, 04:38 PM

Not bad at all. Thanks for taking the time to put this together.

I couldn't quite tell whether the Low Lux mode introduced additional grain (i.e. whether it boosted the gain or not). Is that what Low Lux mode does, boost the gain?

Mike Beckett · July 4th, 2011, 02:04 AM

It looks to me like a gain boost (above the 21dB available in camera). It does make the picture a bit more grainy - the compression makes it worse.

I deliberately posted footage without any processing (Neatvideo noise removal etc.). I'm sure with a little bit of processing it could be made to look better.

I'm pleased with the performance; this camera is without doubt not a lowlight king, but it does give acceptable results that you could use as a last resort.

Ron Evans · July 4th, 2011, 06:19 AM

I think the Low Lux mode on the small Sony's drops shutter speed ( it accumulates ) and boost colour. If you pan around you will see that you get motion trails a little too. I use a lot when on holiday etc to always get a reasonable shot. Not competition for an EX1 but better than my NX5U or my FX1 can manage.

Ron Evans

July 3rd, 2011, 01:38 PM	#1
Mike Beckett Trustee Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Antrim, Northern Ireland Posts: 1,569	NX70 low light test One last video from me for this weekend: Sony NX70 - Low Light Tests on Vimeo It was a nice warm, clear night last night, so I decided to try some shooting in low light. It was an hour after sunset, and the sky was just about still bright. I switch on the lights later in the video, adding a 100W reflector bulb to the mix, with another 100W bulb round the corner also contributing. The h264 encoding has gone a bit blocky on the darker areas; download the MP4 from Vimeo to get a 1920x1080 version. Being realistic. this is pretty good performance from a single chip CMOS camera in very dark conditions. I wouldn't dream of shooting in this kind of low light normally, and certainly not without some proper lighting being added. It's not a VX2100 or a DSLR, but it's not terrible! Last edited by Mike Beckett; July 4th, 2011 at 02:05 AM.

July 3rd, 2011, 02:32 PM	#2
Gerald OConnor Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Princeton MA Posts: 142	Re: NX70 low light test Again not the best lowlight camera but it can hold it's own. Nice test.

July 3rd, 2011, 04:38 PM	#3
Adam Palomer Regular Crew Join Date: May 2006 Location: Summit, NJ Posts: 169	Re: NX70 low light test Not bad at all. Thanks for taking the time to put this together. I couldn't quite tell whether the Low Lux mode introduced additional grain (i.e. whether it boosted the gain or not). Is that what Low Lux mode does, boost the gain?

July 4th, 2011, 02:04 AM	#4
Mike Beckett Trustee Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Antrim, Northern Ireland Posts: 1,569	Re: NX70 low light test It looks to me like a gain boost (above the 21dB available in camera). It does make the picture a bit more grainy - the compression makes it worse. I deliberately posted footage without any processing (Neatvideo noise removal etc.). I'm sure with a little bit of processing it could be made to look better. I'm pleased with the performance; this camera is without doubt not a lowlight king, but it does give acceptable results that you could use as a last resort.

July 4th, 2011, 06:19 AM	#5
Ron Evans Inner Circle Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Posts: 4,220	Re: NX70 low light test I think the Low Lux mode on the small Sony's drops shutter speed ( it accumulates ) and boost colour. If you pan around you will see that you get motion trails a little too. I use a lot when on holiday etc to always get a reasonable shot. Not competition for an EX1 but better than my NX5U or my FX1 can manage. Ron Evans