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Comparison: Panasonic camcorders
Had a friend here with a Panasonic NV-DX110 and we thought of making a comparison with my NV-DX1.
Physically both cameras are 3-CCD Mini-DV, the DX-1 being 4 years old and the DX-110 brand new, both PAL. The old camera is about twice the size and 3 times the weight.
We started with a test pattern under identical conditions. This was recorded onto the same tape. Results: small differences when captured via Marvel (unfortunately, no DV capture), highest resolution. Print-outs showed the DX-110 has a small edge on horizontal resolution at the centre of the image but the DX-1 (physically much larger lens) is very slightly better on the corners. No discernable difference on gamma curve. Viewfinder on DX-1 is well centred, but the image on it is an estimated 3% smaller than the full frame. The DX-110 is an estimated 1% smaller, but this is mostly offset to left and top. No discernable colour bleed on either. The horizontal linearity is slightly better on the DX-1. Vertical performance, as could be expected, is identical.
We then took some real life shots of some flowers in the garden. Visual appreciation of the images, captured in 704 x 576 highest quality MJPEG, full screen on the monitor, showed no subjective difference, to either of us, either in terms of colour quality or luminosity. I don't believe that any practical shooting would produce a discernable difference, at least with analogue capture. I did a quick edit interspersing shots from each camera and I don't think anyone could tell whether they were taken on 1 or 2 cameras, they were so similar in quality.
The only thing I can envy him for is that he has DV I/O, which he doesn't use, yet, but I would like but can't afford. I think my monstrosity is easier to use, being larger and heavier - and more robust, perhaps??? I would very much have liked to see whether our evaluation would have given similar results with a digital transfer.
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Brian (the terrible)
Physically both cameras are 3-CCD Mini-DV, the DX-1 being 4 years old and the DX-110 brand new, both PAL. The old camera is about twice the size and 3 times the weight.
We started with a test pattern under identical conditions. This was recorded onto the same tape. Results: small differences when captured via Marvel (unfortunately, no DV capture), highest resolution. Print-outs showed the DX-110 has a small edge on horizontal resolution at the centre of the image but the DX-1 (physically much larger lens) is very slightly better on the corners. No discernable difference on gamma curve. Viewfinder on DX-1 is well centred, but the image on it is an estimated 3% smaller than the full frame. The DX-110 is an estimated 1% smaller, but this is mostly offset to left and top. No discernable colour bleed on either. The horizontal linearity is slightly better on the DX-1. Vertical performance, as could be expected, is identical.
We then took some real life shots of some flowers in the garden. Visual appreciation of the images, captured in 704 x 576 highest quality MJPEG, full screen on the monitor, showed no subjective difference, to either of us, either in terms of colour quality or luminosity. I don't believe that any practical shooting would produce a discernable difference, at least with analogue capture. I did a quick edit interspersing shots from each camera and I don't think anyone could tell whether they were taken on 1 or 2 cameras, they were so similar in quality.
The only thing I can envy him for is that he has DV I/O, which he doesn't use, yet, but I would like but can't afford. I think my monstrosity is easier to use, being larger and heavier - and more robust, perhaps??? I would very much have liked to see whether our evaluation would have given similar results with a digital transfer.
------------------
Brian (the terrible)
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