HC7 vs HV20 in low light compared - Techwatch: Satellite TV forums, FTA, Cable, Hardware, & Tech forums

rsen · 01-04-07, 08:00 AM

I bought both the HV20 and the HC7 today. From what I have read here and on other forums I was expecting the HV20 to beat the HC7 in low light. To my surprise this was not the case. I compared both at 1080 60i and 1/30 of a second shutter speed (shutter priority in both) and found the noise levels to be very close to one another in a typical indoor low light situation. In fact, if anything the HV20 was a little noisier, but looked a little sharper. My wife (a non-techie) agreed with my findings. The footage was viewed on a new 37 inch LCD TV via HDMI.

I then compared the HV20 in 24p mode (1/24 sec shutter speed) versus the same HV20 in 60i at 1/30 of a second and did notice slightly lower noise in the 24p mode, but just slightly.

I haven't decided yet which one I am going to keep.

admin_old · 01-04-07, 09:07 AM

Please upload the comparison clips to our site, and let our members give you a definite opinion as to which one to keep.

Thanks
Binu

rsen · 01-04-07, 08:13 PM

Yes, I will do that. And don't get me wrong, I think both camcorders are great for their size and price. BTW, the HV20 does focus much quicker and more reliably in low light compared with the HC7.

rsen · 02-04-07, 04:04 AM

I did more testing of the 2 camcorders today, in more controlled lighting. In average indoor lighting, the "speckle" noise of the 2 cameras is similar, but the colour noise is more pronounced with the HC7.

In really low lighting (which I had not tested before), there is no comparison-the HV20 does indeed beat the HC7 handily. The colour noise is so overwhelming with the HC7 in really low light to make it unusable. The HV20 still has a usable picture in this light.

Some other observations about the HV20 in low light: As I mentioned before, the 24p mode does reduce the noise somewhat. Using Cinema mode in conjunction with 24p in regular light, makes the picture look smoother and less contrasty. However, using Cinema mode in low light darkens the picture substantially. I would definitely use it in good to medium light, but not in low light.

I am leaning towards keeping the HV20.

toni1 · 05-04-07, 10:39 PM

rsen,
have seen the side by side shots
1-The cover tissue is more red in hv20 and more purpul in HC7
2- The green is not the same neither is the light blue
Can you tell me looking at the real objects you filmed which is the nearest of the two for each of the three colours mentioned (or others) .

I tell you that because Sony HC1 (I have) was mentioned as having a serious red coulour issue ( changing red to purpul)

rsen · 06-04-07, 04:26 AM

toni1,

1. The red object is a sleeping bag that is red on one side and purple on the other side. You can only see a small portion of the purple side in the video. The HV20 shows the red very close to the actual colour, much closer than the HC7 does. Neither the HV20 nor the HC7 get the purple in the sleeping bag right-they both make it look blue.

2. The couch is a deep beige colour-the HV20 is right on, the HC7 is paler than the original.

3. The skin colour is closer to normal with the HV20

4. The checkered blue pillow case is very close to the original with both cameras.

5. The shark is grey-close with both cameras.

6. The nightgown is light purple-both cameras make it look slightly blue. The HV20 is closer to normal.

7. The wall at the back is light grey-close with the HV20, the HC7 makes it look slightly blue to my eyes.

8. I didn't film anything that is green.

I hope that helps.

Robin

toni1 · 07-04-07, 11:44 AM

would have been nice to compare coulour accuracy in normal day light. but mabe sony or canon was sent back?
That takes time too

pruthe · 07-04-07, 03:50 PM

rsen,

If you still have HC7, could you run your comparison with Auto Slow Shutter off. On my HC7, I notice a significant lowering of noise in dark areas with this option off. Especially if dark area is predominant part of screen.

Thanks

rsen · 07-04-07, 05:06 PM

pruthe, the HC7 has already been returned. The videos I uploaded here were shot with the HC7 in shutter priority mode, so Auto Slow Shutter was not being used.

toni1, I uploaded one indoor video comparing the 2 cameras with sunlight coming into the room. I don't think they have posted it yet. It shows the colours of the 2 cameras to be very similar in brighter light.

admin_old · 07-04-07, 05:28 PM

Sorry for being a little late. Here is the link for that video
http://www.listvideo.com/details.php?image_id=110

Thanks
Binu

01-04-07, 08:00 AM	#1 (permalink)
rsen Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 37 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	HC7 vs HV20 in low light compared I bought both the HV20 and the HC7 today. From what I have read here and on other forums I was expecting the HV20 to beat the HC7 in low light. To my surprise this was not the case. I compared both at 1080 60i and 1/30 of a second shutter speed (shutter priority in both) and found the noise levels to be very close to one another in a typical indoor low light situation. In fact, if anything the HV20 was a little noisier, but looked a little sharper. My wife (a non-techie) agreed with my findings. The footage was viewed on a new 37 inch LCD TV via HDMI. I then compared the HV20 in 24p mode (1/24 sec shutter speed) versus the same HV20 in 60i at 1/30 of a second and did notice slightly lower noise in the 24p mode, but just slightly. I haven't decided yet which one I am going to keep.

01-04-07, 09:07 AM	#2 (permalink)
admin_old Binu Joseph Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 40 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Please upload the comparison clips to our site, and let our members give you a definite opinion as to which one to keep. Thanks Binu __________________ http://www.listvideo.com - Getting to know cameras better....

07-04-07, 05:28 PM	#10 (permalink)
admin_old Binu Joseph Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 40 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Sorry for being a little late. Here is the link for that video http://www.listvideo.com/details.php?image_id=110 Thanks Binu __________________ http://www.listvideo.com - Getting to know cameras better....

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
V180	LRArt	Mobile Phones	3	04-02-06 05:59 AM
iPod video	rqwilliamsjr	MP3 Players	8	14-01-06 03:54 AM
Line In recording	GadgetShop	MP3 Players	0	12-01-06 07:31 PM


Technology Forums: FTA, Satellite, Cable, Home Media, Hardware & Computers \| Home \| Forums \| News \| Blog \|

01-04-07, 08:13 PM	#3 (permalink)
rsen Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 37 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Yes, I will do that. And don't get me wrong, I think both camcorders are great for their size and price. BTW, the HV20 does focus much quicker and more reliably in low light compared with the HC7.

02-04-07, 04:04 AM	#4 (permalink)
rsen Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 37 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I did more testing of the 2 camcorders today, in more controlled lighting. In average indoor lighting, the "speckle" noise of the 2 cameras is similar, but the colour noise is more pronounced with the HC7. In really low lighting (which I had not tested before), there is no comparison-the HV20 does indeed beat the HC7 handily. The colour noise is so overwhelming with the HC7 in really low light to make it unusable. The HV20 still has a usable picture in this light. Some other observations about the HV20 in low light: As I mentioned before, the 24p mode does reduce the noise somewhat. Using Cinema mode in conjunction with 24p in regular light, makes the picture look smoother and less contrasty. However, using Cinema mode in low light darkens the picture substantially. I would definitely use it in good to medium light, but not in low light. I am leaning towards keeping the HV20.

05-04-07, 10:39 PM	#5 (permalink)
toni1 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: France Posts: 123 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	rsen, have seen the side by side shots 1-The cover tissue is more red in hv20 and more purpul in HC7 2- The green is not the same neither is the light blue Can you tell me looking at the real objects you filmed which is the nearest of the two for each of the three colours mentioned (or others) . I tell you that because Sony HC1 (I have) was mentioned as having a serious red coulour issue ( changing red to purpul)

06-04-07, 04:26 AM	#6 (permalink)
rsen Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 37 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	toni1, 1. The red object is a sleeping bag that is red on one side and purple on the other side. You can only see a small portion of the purple side in the video. The HV20 shows the red very close to the actual colour, much closer than the HC7 does. Neither the HV20 nor the HC7 get the purple in the sleeping bag right-they both make it look blue. 2. The couch is a deep beige colour-the HV20 is right on, the HC7 is paler than the original. 3. The skin colour is closer to normal with the HV20 4. The checkered blue pillow case is very close to the original with both cameras. 5. The shark is grey-close with both cameras. 6. The nightgown is light purple-both cameras make it look slightly blue. The HV20 is closer to normal. 7. The wall at the back is light grey-close with the HV20, the HC7 makes it look slightly blue to my eyes. 8. I didn't film anything that is green. I hope that helps. Robin

07-04-07, 11:44 AM	#7 (permalink)
toni1 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: France Posts: 123 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	would have been nice to compare coulour accuracy in normal day light. but mabe sony or canon was sent back? That takes time too

07-04-07, 03:50 PM	#8 (permalink)
pruthe Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Gahanna, Ohio, USA Posts: 1 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	rsen, If you still have HC7, could you run your comparison with Auto Slow Shutter off. On my HC7, I notice a significant lowering of noise in dark areas with this option off. Especially if dark area is predominant part of screen. Thanks

07-04-07, 05:06 PM	#9 (permalink)
rsen Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 37 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	pruthe, the HC7 has already been returned. The videos I uploaded here were shot with the HC7 in shutter priority mode, so Auto Slow Shutter was not being used. toni1, I uploaded one indoor video comparing the 2 cameras with sunlight coming into the room. I don't think they have posted it yet. It shows the colours of the 2 cameras to be very similar in brighter light.