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What should I expect of a Prosumer Camera
I’m posting here because the Sony HXR-NX5U doesn’t yet have its own area.. in any case my query is generic. I’ve just moved up to this camera from a domestic AVCHD Panasonic and although there are very many aspects of it which I find wonderful I have to say I’m a little disappointed by the image sharpness.
It seems to me that there isn’t a huge difference between the two cameras from this point of view. I’m setting aside aspects such as the zoom lens, low light performance, noise, audio, manual control: I just thought that the basic image in ordinary sunlight would have been sharper. Is this naive? What should I expect?
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4 Replies
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Your post is puzzling. This forum relates solely to the Sony XDCAM EX cameras (EX1, EX1R & EX3) and often include the larger XDCAM cameras recording to disk.
Sharpness is an extremely subjective matter and without tests on a chart is difficult to rate. What sort of apertures were you shooting at since these lenses give their best performance when fairly wide open, certainly at F. 5.6 or less if possible. Many cameras have a built in facility such as neutral density filters which can reduce the light coming in thereby ensuring wider apertures. Most cameras in this modern age give extremely sharp pictures when used correctly and I’m sure the one to which you refer is no exception. What are you viewing the footage on? Images vary greatly from one piece of kit to another.
Michael Slowe
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Yeah I mean be realistic with expectations. There’s a reason why folks spend $100K+ for F950s, REDs, etc. You get what you pay for. Also it depends what you need the image for. If it’s SD DVDs- most prosumer HD cameras give you more than enough quality. If it’s broadcast HD or 35mm film output that’s when things get a bit dicey.
Noah
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Thank you both for your comments. I did apologise for the choice of forum in the initial post but pointed out that the query is generic and aimed at more expert users than myself. I’m commenting as the result of a wide range of tests which included all three levels of ND filter in sunlight as well as other trials in artificial lighting. There has been comment elsewhere about a possible back focus issue with this camera: I have been trying to determine whether the sharpness I perceive as no better than my domestic Panasonic is a fault or unreasonable expectation. I’m aware that you pay a lot for high resolution,- the Sony cost five times more than the Panasonic hence the expectation of greater sharpness.
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Sorry Dave, should have read your first post more carefully. The back focus issue may be relevant here, worth a check.
Michael Slowe
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