Sony PD170 VS Canon XL2

I have the choice of shooting on a PD170 or an XL2.

I've searched around for a comparison and so far have only been able to come up with PD170 vs XL1S in which the PD170 comes out top over all.

I want a film look to my short film. I've got all the lighting and sound equipment ready I just need to decide on which camera to shoot on.

Has anyone worked with both these cameras?

 

That's probably because the XL2s are brand new and most people haven't compared the two. I'd suggest Sony, because that's what I use. The only reason I can think of for using the XL2 is if you going to film and you want to use the 24 fps mode. But even that is redundant, since you'll pull it into an editing system. If you're going to put it to film, I'm sure the processing center would do a 2:3 pull down for you. Oh, and also interchangable lenses, but those are costly.

I also prefer Sony over Canon because of the Carl Zeis lenses and the color. It's richer, and you can get a film look VERY quickly. With Canon, I've always had a difficult time . . . but then again I'm biased so . . .

Plus Canon is locked at the miniDV format. With the PD-170, you can also select DVCAM mode, which is a higher resolution.

There's some reviews over at c.Net for the XL2 and the PD-170.

Hope that helps.

 

Go with Canon. If it's good enough for 28 Days later, it's good enough for you.(and that was an XL1s not XL2!)

 

An XL1 with give or take a tenth of a million dollars in lens equipment and add-ons.

 

your film look is only going to be as good as the person doing your image proccessing in post. I shot a feature length film on a SOny PD-150 and filmlooked it in post...and people still swear the film was shot on 16mm....(I had to actually prove it was digital by showing the raw and final footage to a film festival before they would accept it as a digital entry)

The XL2 has better depth of field options with the different lenses...be sure you know what kind of film look you want, and what you need to do to get it....all of my attempts to make progressive scan footage shot on my PD-150 look like film failed...but all of the interlaced stuff came out fantastic....but then again...I was shooting at a shutter speed of 1/60, and doing all of my image proccessing in AE...

The cameras are about the same....the film look will come from what you do with your depth of field....PD-170 is really hard to get short depth of field with, (unless you stack ND filters on top of the built in ones, open the lense up, back up, and zoom in)....and what you do to it in post...adjusting gamma, brightness & contrast, saturation, frame rate.

 

Well, I'm tempted to say definately use the XL2.. but I'll refrain, because I don't know -that- much about the PD170.

However, from what info I've gather in the past, I had surmized that the DVX100a kind of beats out the PD170.. and I know the XL2 can definately compete with the DVX and many say it beats it... though it really depends what your looking for in a camera. I know the XL2's controls/menus are way easier to use then the DVX.. don't know about the PD170.. I think I've only used a PD150.. and only for like a second.

On second though....

Yeah, use XL2.. it's a pretty logical choice.. unless you have budget constraints. XL2 has got the built in XLR inputs and controls, true widescreen, progressive scan at 24p, and I don't think anything on the MiniDV market can beat it's controls and customability. Compared with the DVX, the XL2 has higher resolution at widescreen.. slightly less at standard screen I think.

Compared with the XL1s, greater resolution of course.. and roughly the same low light.. though I assumed it might be "technically" slightly poorer at light intake due to the higher pixel count but same size CCDs and someone from Canon rather agreed with me.. but it should only be a minute difference. HOWEVER.. for what light it does take in.. it gets a better more usable picture.. so realistically it's sorta better in low light. No noise.. good blacks.. lot of ability to adjust. The gain controls are sweet.. -3, 0, all the way up to.. I forget what. I've seen alot of XL2 sample footage.. taken some myself in fact (don't own one yet, but used it at DVExpo East)... it probably is the way to go unless getting the PD170 and saving some money would improve your overall production by allowing you to spend it on something else.. otherwise, XL2 XL2 !!!!

Oh, also.. if you can manage to shoot from far away.. the 20x zoom can get you pretty decent depth of field. If wanna some more info on it.. or some sample footage.. let me know.. I can hook you up with some linkage or some of my own stuff.

Hope this helps.

 

Where did you read the DVCam gave better resolution than Mini-DV?

They're both compressed the same. Go with the XL2. I've used the PD-170 and wasn't all that much impressed with it even over my GL1. The flourite lens on the GL1 and XL2 or major kick ass. Also you're packing more pixels in each CCD with the XL2 than you are with the 170.

The XL2 is the better choice.

--Jamball

 

There is absolutely no reason that you should not shoot on the XL2. IT's a MUUCCCCHHH better camera.

 

Ban the troll that took over Pix's account and starting posting with it! I KNOW PIXEL AND THAT IS NOT PIXEL!

 

If it is a choice between the XL2 and the PD170 I am going to use the XL2.

However things are looking good at the moment and I might be using a Sony DSR-300.

Anyone worked with this camera?

 

avoid the DSR-300 at all costs....if yer gonnna go that bulky go with the 500 - better chips...better picture and functionality....and GREAT images. (DSR-300 doesn't do widescreen...FYI)


300 sucks...you'd be better off with the 170 or the XL-2

 

Fig, what are you talking about? No one trolled my account. I posted that.

 

I got the XL2
I think Im in love

 

Why does almost everyone have more money than me?!?

I need 5K, but this child labor thing gets in my way.

 

I want an XL2 or an AG-DVX100A

I watched some video shot on the DVX100A at dvinfo.net It's beautiful. I want one of those two cameras.....

PLEASE!!! GIVE ME A GRANT OR SOMETHING!!!

 

I also want the DVX or the XL2 but both are way to expensive for me. I´ll have to wait some time.

BTW watch some amazing music videos done with miniDV cams (GL2 and DVX)here

 

Yah, Colin Minihan is a cool guy. He won videomaker's "young videomaker" award 2 years back. I didn't know he had a website though, I'll ahve to check it out.

 

I run a uk based video production company and somtimes shoot on a PD170 which is the best small DV camera until you get to sony dsr500 league . During 2 corporate jobs I was asked to use a Canon XL1, never again doesnt balance on the shoulder, colour viewfinder hopeless.
If you can run to it the Panasonic AG-DVC200E with Fujinon lens is the camera to go for.
http://www.videoimageprod.co.uk/

 

Anyone want to give input between the Panasonic DVX100A and the XL2? I directed and edited some ads shot on the DVX100 and was very happy with the look. I'm shopping for a camera myself now, and was planning on going with the DVX100A until I saw this board, which has made me consider the XL2. There was some comparison here between those 2 cameras, but I'd like to hear more. Especially interested in the comments that the DVX's menu/controls are complicated or difficult to use. Thanks.

 

Pixel, I was making reference to you as till now endless endorsement of Panasonic products.