Panasonic HPX500 or Sony XDcam PDW-F350

[Jan Crittenden livingston]

Hi Peter,

If you were to look at the other variables that make the cameras work I think it will definitely push you over the edge toward the Panasonic.

1. DVCPRO HD is an I frame codec, which means that each frame is independent and compressed individually. The Sony is Long GOP. This means the frames are not independent of each other and the more motion, the more detail, the more it will stress the algorithm. This could result in the picture turning into blockies and you won’t see this in the VF, you will see it in the edit suite.

2. Many folks look that the XDCAM disc as the archive format, and while that can be true, I feel a need to point out that this means your archive will be as expensive as tape, or more at a $1.00+ a minute. Data can be stored much more inexpensively starting around .25 aminute and ending with a smalt LTO system that is MXF aware at about 40 cents a minute.

3. The variable frame rate in the 350 falls to half resolution in frame rates over 30 frames per second. The Panaosnic is full resolution in all frame rates, and does loop record, interval record and pre-record. When you want to delete something, it is a simple matter and the time is immediately available for rerecord. No consolidation of media required.

4. The 500 has Chroma Aberration Compentation circuits in it to help you use inexpensive glass if that is what your budget dictates. If you have the money for expensive glass then this is not so much of a deciding factor. The fact is that if you want really nice glass, most of that is available in the 2/3″ domain and you will have to use an adapter that will potentially cause chroma aberrations even with expensive glass, should you choose the Sony.

5. The Panasonic will be better in low light and dynamic rage because of the size of the sensor. The Sony may have more resolution because of the greater pixel density, but due to the algorithm it has to record to, you may not always benefit.

6. When you push the button to be in record on the P2 camera, you are in record. Not so on the spinning disk. The P2 is virtually environmentally bullet proof. I have a camera that got trashed in shipping, I mean the viewfinder got ripped off and I have a hole in the side of the camera case. It still records and plays back footage. I have a customer that is giving it a work out in extreme heat, sort of the reverse of the Iditarod scenario. And before you say that Sony did the Iditarod, let me interject that they did about 30 miles of an 1150 mile race, P2 went the entire distance and when the tape based camera gave up, the P2 continued to record. They never lost a shot, they got every shot they wanted.

I think however, the real proof of the camera will be in just comparing the recorded images. 4:2:2 looks better than 4:2:0. I really do think that if you compare the cameras side by side you would even see it on the camera output. Put up a real high contrast scene, see which camera is able to contain the picture, if both do, push it until there is one camera left that can hold the picture. Compare the recorded images, make sure your images are moving, like a babbling brook with trees and camera motion.

Anyhow I hope this helps you to decide to go demo the cameras, see for yourself.

Best,

Jan

Jan Crittenden Livingston
Product Manager, DVCPRO, DVCPRO50, AG-DVX100
Panasonic Broadcast & TV Systems

[Peter Dorr]

Wow, that’s a very impressive summary. Thanks a lot.
I asume you are “slightly biased” of course, but the facts cannot be ingnored 🙂
I was also advised by my supplier to have a very serious look into the Panasonic after he heard me talking about the Sony.
So although the battle ain’t over yet, you guys are on the winning hand….
I will let you know when I have decided.
Oh, BTW which lens would you recommend for the Panasonic
I have a budget of around $10k and for personal reasons I can only buy a Canon lens, so no Fujinon or something else.
I mostly use it for shots between 1 meter and 20-30 meters distance and only seldomly anything at 100 mtrs+

Would that be an inexpensive HD or a higher quality SD lens?
thnx
Peter

Peter Dorr

[Jan Crittenden livingston]

Hi,

Well yes I am a little biased as I am the product manager, and that is why I tried to put the facts out there and not just say that the 500 is clearly the winner. 😉

The recording algorthm is really a key factor. We had footage in our booth at NAB that showed exactly how the 500 rocked against the 350. Everyone wants to ignore the fact that Long GOP can come back to kick you in the pants. You don’t even know it when you are shooting, as you are innocently looking in the VF thinking all is well. Unless you have a big monitor for review, you won’t see it. So you see the problems in the edit suite.

Anyhow the lenses that fall into your price range are 16X with a doubler. There is a package wrapped around it, 4 16GB cards. It is a little backordered on the lens right now but that should improve by next month. But you could take delivery on the camera and rent an HD lens.

Hope this helps,

Jan

Jan Crittenden Livingston
Product Manager, DVCPRO, DVCPRO50, AG-DVX100
Panasonic Broadcast & TV Systems

[Peter Dorr]

Thnx so much for the info

I tried finding the 16x package, but all I found so far is a 20x package.
https://www.creativevideo.co.uk/public/view_item_cat.php?catalogue_number=panasonic_ag-hpx500_pk2

This sounds like a good deal to me however, but is this lens a good one or are there better ones in the sams price range?

thnx again and sorry for asking all these detailed questions.
Peter

Peter Dorr

[Accountclosedduetopolicyviolations]

It will also come down to cost.
1/2′ lenses are cheaper,especially nice Fujinon 13×3.3 zoom.
XDCAM hd stock is available all the time everywhere.
Do not forget if you buy f350 you get 2′ VF with it.
now about the sensor……why do you think all high end broadcast video cameras have 2,5 mill megapixel block???
(Thomson Infinity,Sony 2/3′ XDCAM hd and Pana 3000)

Pana 500 and Sony 1/2′ are both good bang for the money and they both have certain advantages and disadvantages.
Good luck with your decision.