PDX-10 vs $20,000 ENG Camera at DVinfo.net

Adam Grunseth · September 5th, 2006, 02:30 PM

I just shot a wedding video this weekend with my PDX-10 and a rented high end sony ENG camera that is around the $20,000 price range. I have sense been logging the footage, and I have been amazed at how well the footage from the PDX-10 stacks up against the other camera. The color reproduction from both cameras is nearly identical. No camera clearly captures more detail then the other. The dynamic range of the larger camera is of course better, but this is only noticable in the most extreme circumstances- such as when shooting inside and the camera pans over a window where sunlight is coming in, and the darkest of the dark shadows. Now i'm sure shooting in extremely low light, the more expensive camera would win hands down, but with even marginaly decent lighting it is nearly impossible to tell which footage came from which camera.

Tom Hardwick · September 9th, 2006, 05:46 AM

You've found what a lot of folk have known for years - that the PDX10 produces quite outstanding results when used in good light and left to its own devices.

Of course the limitations are the tiny 1"/5 chips making selective dof difficult, and the poor low light performance. CCD smear is something that keeps you well away from high shutter speeds, but as I say, left to its own devices those internal NDs keep the fine lens at its sweet spot, and the picture quality glows.

tom.

John Hartney · September 11th, 2006, 12:23 PM

Hi Adam,

I use an Ikegami dv7 in 16:9 and a pdx10 for a palmcam. And, on occation have used the larger camera for wide shots, and the pdx10 for closeups and they've intercut fairly well. But the bigger chips and lens on the Ikegami make for a superior camera. For the price, the pdx10 is an excellent camera for certain applications. It does fall apart in low light and on wide shots due to the small chips.

I've had my pdx10 for several years without any problems, and it gets good use!

Ben Eytalis · December 10th, 2006, 10:05 PM

I've used a PD100 and P17o along side a Ikegami 75W with a $30 Canon lens, and often time the footage from the Sonys looks better.

September 5th, 2006, 02:30 PM	#1
Adam Grunseth Major Player Join Date: May 2005 Location: Eugene Oregon Posts: 393	PDX-10 vs $20,000 ENG Camera I just shot a wedding video this weekend with my PDX-10 and a rented high end sony ENG camera that is around the $20,000 price range. I have sense been logging the footage, and I have been amazed at how well the footage from the PDX-10 stacks up against the other camera. The color reproduction from both cameras is nearly identical. No camera clearly captures more detail then the other. The dynamic range of the larger camera is of course better, but this is only noticable in the most extreme circumstances- such as when shooting inside and the camera pans over a window where sunlight is coming in, and the darkest of the dark shadows. Now i'm sure shooting in extremely low light, the more expensive camera would win hands down, but with even marginaly decent lighting it is nearly impossible to tell which footage came from which camera.

September 11th, 2006, 12:23 PM	#3
John Hartney Major Player Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Elgin, Illinois Posts: 206	Hi Adam, I use an Ikegami dv7 in 16:9 and a pdx10 for a palmcam. And, on occation have used the larger camera for wide shots, and the pdx10 for closeups and they've intercut fairly well. But the bigger chips and lens on the Ikegami make for a superior camera. For the price, the pdx10 is an excellent camera for certain applications. It does fall apart in low light and on wide shots due to the small chips. I've had my pdx10 for several years without any problems, and it gets good use! __________________ John Hartney Elgin, Illinois USA 847.742.9321

December 10th, 2006, 10:05 PM	#4
Ben Eytalis New Boot Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Tampa, Florida Posts: 18	I've used a PD100 and P17o along side a Ikegami 75W with a $30 Canon lens, and often time the footage from the Sonys looks better. __________________ LunarVue Media Services Tampa, Florida www.lunarvue.com

September 9th, 2006, 05:46 AM	#2
Tom Hardwick Inner Circle Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Billericay, England UK Posts: 4,711	You've found what a lot of folk have known for years - that the PDX10 produces quite outstanding results when used in good light and left to its own devices. Of course the limitations are the tiny 1"/5 chips making selective dof difficult, and the poor low light performance. CCD smear is something that keeps you well away from high shutter speeds, but as I say, left to its own devices those internal NDs keep the fine lens at its sweet spot, and the picture quality glows. tom.