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HPX-500 or EX3
Hi Guys, I need an honest answer from you. I hope you can help me decide which camera to get for our company. We have an EX1 and an EX3 and a NanoFlash. We are planning to get a third camera. Would you suggest to get an HVX-500 or stick with an EX3? What is the big edge on both cameras? If you were us, which one would you prefer, considering we do have a nanoflash at hand? In my opinion, I’m eyeing for the EX3 and getting an extra lens or a 35mm adapter kit(letus or brevis) with the money saved from getting the P2. Rather than getting a new P2 camera and spending more on other accessories. But is it worth getting the HVX-500? Would it be considered as an upgrade for us? Because I believe that having the Nanoflash makes the EX3 at par with the HVX-500, right? Hope to hear from you. Thanks.
Mario Biennarc Sioco
Videographer & Video Editor
Gulf Broadcast
Kingdom of Bahrain -
24 Replies
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In your situation, it would make more sense to buy another EX3. Why introduce a camera that will look so different, use a different media and a different codec?
Dan
Providing value added material to all of your favorite DVDs
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If your EX cameras are doing what you need them to do, I don’t see any compelling reason to introduce a different look and work flow. The 500 will seem a bit soft if you’re used to the EX cameras in 1080.
Adding a 35mm DOF adapter will be a more dramatic difference visually.
I have the Letus Ultimates, but you might want to look at the SG Blade as well.Jeff Regan
Shooting Star Video
http://www.ssv.com -
Keep it simple. While I think the 500 is a very good camera. If you ever have a problem with one of the ex’s and it fails you have a back up. However but EX3 not a true HD camera
its only High Resolution Camera
its only 4:2:0 (pal) color sampling – might not be enough to broadcast demand -
Hi Michael:
“However but EX3 not a true HD camera”
While the EX-3 does have 4:2:0 color space, it is most assuredly an HD camera. The 500 has 4:2:2 color space but is abbreviated raster unlike the Sony and it is also an HD camera.
Any camera that can shoot 720 or above is technically an HD camera, even a FLIP OR A Go Video camera. Doesn’t mean broadcasters will accept footage from it but definitely fits the definition of HD.
Dan
Providing value added material to all of your favorite DVDs
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EX-3 is not 4:2:0 not sure where you read this. All of the white papers express HQ- No where does it say HD and at 35 MBPS.
Sony has selected its words carefully.From Sony
Specifically designed for use with XDCAM EX camcorders, the PHU-60K hard-disk unit is a
1.8-inch, 60 GB external storage unit with a USB 2.0 interface. Users can achieve approximate
recording times of 200 minutes in 35Mbps HQ (high-quality) mode and 260 minutes in 25Mbps
SP (standard play) mode.Anyways I am done with this.
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Michael:
From the Sony U.S. website press release…
“The PMW-EX3 camcorder employs three 1/2-inch “Exmor” CMOS sensors with over 2 million pixels, the camera was exhibited at the NAB (National Association of Broadcasters) 2008 show. It uses an 4:2:0 MPEG-2 Long-GOP codec recorded to SxS solid-state memory cards. It is branded as a member of Sony’s CineAlta family of production equipment. The EX3 offers variable framerate modes, from 1 to 60fps (1 to 30fps in 1080p)…“All of the white papers express HQ”?
What does HQ (a Sony nomenclature signifying a recording mode) have to do with HD (an internationally recognized standard called SMPTE 709)? The two abbreviations are mutually exclusive.“No where does it say HD and at 35 MBPS.”
From the Sony Product Detail page in their website…
“The PMW-EX3 compact camcorder with an interchangeable lens system incorporates three ½-inch type Exmor™ Full HD CMOS sensors, each with an effective pixel count of 1920 x 1080, delivering stunning-quality HD images in 1080P, 720P, and 1080i HD resolutions.”From the Specs Page for the EX3
“Video Recording Format
MPEG-2 , 4:2:0 Long GOP
HQ mode: VBR, maximum bit rate: 35 Mb/s, MPEG-2 MP@HL
SP mode: CBR, 25 Mb/s, MPEG-2 MP@H14”I think a bit of reading may clarify these points for you…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rec._709Dan
Providing value added material to all of your favorite DVDs
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Again were done..
you have your thoughts and the rest us us have ours -
Okay, if you think that the EX3 is not a hi-def camera, I give up, I can’t convince you and the Sony can’t convince you.
Good luck!
Dan
Providing value added material to all of your favorite DVDs
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I have my thoughts, as an owner of an EX1, which is the same camera as far as sensors, processing, codec as an EX3. My thoughts echo Dan’s, as well as reality–EX3 IS an HD camera, but not 4:2:2 color space.
It is the ONLY 1/2″ full raster camera, other than the EX1, that I’m aware of. If a full raster camera is not HD, I don’t know what is. Many use the HD SDI output to record externally and are amazed at just how high the resolution is. From a luminance perspective, the XDCAM EX codec is full sample, recording every bit of detail that the full raster CMOS sensors provide. Chroma is sub-sampled to 4:2:0, something most people can’t see with their eyes vs. 4:2:0, but computers can discern for compositing, etc.
One could even make the argument that the EX3 is more of an HD camera than an HPX500 due to the full raster native 1080 sensors.
Jeff Regan
Shooting Star Video
http://www.ssv.com -
I do have both cameras actually, I have over 15 cameras. The Ex3 is not Broadcast quality for my clients . I don’t care what argument you make about what you think qualifies HD. My clients which include Discovery HD, Sci Fi channel,Lifetime,NBC,CTV,ESPN its 35Mb. Again, you clients may take Ex3 as HD, great mine will not. FP cameras are only allowed 20% for final product and that must be approved.(Underwater) But even underwater they would prefer a HVX-200. 1/2 inch cameras do not qualify for Broadcast 2/3 min. 1/2 inch camera are defined as professional cameras as defined by SMPTE.
again I am done. If you want a Ex1 I sell you ours.
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