OT:better low light: Canon XA10 or Sony NEX-VG30EH

Christian de Godzinsky wrote on 3/11/2013, 6:27 AM

Hi,

I need to get a new smallish handy (semi) pro HD video-cam that has excellent low light performance. I'm considering the Sony NEX-VG30EH (same performance as VG20) but when I looked at some footage shot with Canon XA10 - it looked even better (less low light noise and better detail).

VG30 has an APS sized sensor but the lens is only F3.5 at widest angle.

The Canon XA10 has only an 1/3 inch sensor but the lens is F1.8 at widest angle.

Does thing explain the better low light performance in the Canon cam? Which one should I opt for if low light performance is very important?

My budget is about 2K€ - more or less. Grateful for any comments from users having experience using either or cam. I will not keep you responsible for whatever decision I make ;)

Cheers,

Christian

Comments

Rory Cooper wrote on 3/11/2013, 8:05 AM

Christian with regard to the VG20 to get decent images in low light you will have to buy a lens separately not expensive which you have to add on price but then the audio for VG20 is also an issue for some applications so you will also have to buy a Tascam DR-07MKII and maybe a good shotgun mic if you are prepared to go with theses add-ons then I would say go for it. without them you will battle.

This is straight of the cam no fiddle diddle Tuscam out into VG20 with a cheap Nikkon 50mm 1.8 shot in a theatre foyer tight space to talent 1.2 meters using light from windows
http://goo.gl/bRGt6

Christian de Godzinsky wrote on 3/11/2013, 9:32 AM

Rory,

Thanks for your input and the sample. Appreciated. To get decent audio using the Canon XA10 I need also external mikes (or an extrenal recorder), and this cam has already phantom powered XLR mic inputs. To have something similar with VG30 you have to pay some 700 dollars just for an XLR-adapter... That is a totally crazy price.

Its obvious that you cannot get optimum performance with VG30EH if you don't replace the (F3.5) optics with some other lens with F1.2 - F1.8 to gather all available light.

Christian