HPX500 or HPX2100

[Barry Green]

The HPX2100 is cleaner in noise and noticeably sharper. Of course, it’s also 2x to 3x the price.

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[Bo Skelmose]

And something that is very important, when it comes to focusing: You can put an HD viewfinder on the 2100 and only an SD on the 500. HD is much more difficult to focus than SD – With a low resolution monitor you have no chance to focus…

[Matt Gerard]

[Bo Skelmose] “HD is much more difficult to focus than SD”

Boy, I’ll second, third and fourth that comment. I’ve got a 2000 with the Fujinon wide angle HD lens, and it is a touchy mother when it comes to focus. Especially when we are shooting at low fstops (as my DP loves to do). Fortunatly the boss laid out the cash for the Panny 17″ flatscreen monitor. Very nice.

MAtt

Its more fun to ride a slow motorcycle fast than a fast motorcycle slow…

[Jan Crittenden livingston]

I will say though that if you use the Histogram display you should have no trouble focusing. Additionally keep the peaking on in the VF and LCD. I am able to hit focus everytime.

Best,

Jan

Jan Crittenden Livingston
Product Manager, HPX500, HVX200, DVX100
Panasonic Broadcast & TV Systems

[Matt Gerard]

[Jan Crittenden Livingston] “Additionally keep the peaking on in the VF and LCD. I am able to hit focus everytime. “

I’ll have to check to make sure this is on. Very true. Also, as with anything, it takes practice. Also the QuickZoom on the Fujinon lens is indispensable when it comes to quickly grabbing focus.

Matt

Its more fun to ride a slow motorcycle fast than a fast motorcycle slow…

[Chris Baldwin]

The focus histogram is the single most useless feature on the camera. It only works when the subject and the camera isn’t moving…at all. Life doesn’t hold still. Yes bowls of fruit at NAB displays hold still and the histogram looks like a great idea. But I have no idea why Panasonic didn’t put the HVX200’s focus tool in the 500. The focus histogram is a pointless feature.

[Jan Crittenden livingston]

Hi Chris,

Just like the focus tool on the 200 takes a bit to get used to, so does the histogram. Between it and the peaking I can indeed hit focus, and yes the subject was moving. The reason that I like the Histogram is that it doesn’t get in the way of the composition of the image.

Best,

Jan

Jan Crittenden Livingston
Product Manager, HPX500, HVX200, DVX100
Panasonic Broadcast & TV Systems

[Brad Neal]

Unless I’m doing something wrong (which may very well be the case), my biggest complaint with the histogram is that the subject has to be centered in the cross hairs to work properly.

I finally gave up and just ordered 2 8.4″ onboard HD monitors for our 500’s. An expensive solution, but I’ll sleep better at night.

-Brad

[Bronek Gober]

I don’t mean to switch the topic but could you comment on HPX500’s performance in low light in comparison to let’s say DSR300? Thanks.
Bronek

Bronek