CNET.com - HC7 has better low-light performance than Canon hv20 (!)

[john100]

http://reviews.cnet.com/Sony_Handyca...tag=prod.txt.1

HC7 won the test because of its better low-light performance. First I thought they are crazy. But now I'm not sure.

I downloaded some low light footage of hv20 and HC7. HV20 was acceptable
and HC7 was not.

Later I saw some HC7 clips that were quite good. I was surprised.
What's going on?

Maybe the answer is in adjustments? Most people don't present them.
Maybe in auto shutter slow off or on picture is better? Maybe in twilight mode?


I don't know what to think. Help.

[Luke]

Originally Posted by john100

http://reviews.cnet.com/Sony_Handyca...tag=prod.txt.1

HC7 won the test because of its better low-light performance. First I thought they are crazy. But now I'm not sure.

I downloaded some low light footage of hv20 and HC7. HV20 was acceptable
and HC7 was not.

Later I saw some HC7 clips that were quite good. I was surprised.
What's going on?

Maybe the answer is in adjustments? Most people don't present them.
Maybe in auto shutter slow off or on picture is better? Maybe in twilight mode?


I don't know what to think. Help.

I believe the reason is that they took the manufacturer's specs:

HC7 min. illumination: 2 lux (probably with 'super' nightshot).
HV20 min. illumination: 3 lux

So I wouldn't take this review very serious (cnet reviews are often not very in-depth). The camcorderinfo.com review is much better (only thing missing is more quantitive audio tests like dvspot used to do).

[vstudio3k]

Thanks, this information is very helpful. HC7 handle shaking video better than HV20

[Charliemvd]

Originally Posted by vstudio3k

Thanks, this information is very helpful. HC7 handle shaking video better than HV20

Hello, ?m testing HC7 for a few months and I`ve downloaded HV20 footages and I believe that you have to set the correct exposure or scene. It?s easy to say that HV20 has better low light performance, you should try to test the different modes for low light in HC7 and you?ll be surprised how well it works.

None of this camcoders are ment to perform in low light but if you set the correct parameters and postprosses them in Vegas you will get good results.

I have some clips in very low light of HC7, and I would share them, but this page seem to be frozen and if I upload them you wouldn?t see them

[andrewnick]

With the use of the right strobe light the low light shots become daylight shots!lol!

But i think that hc7 has better performance than hv20