Canon HV30 or Panasonic GS400

[davidlee]

If you have a choice which camcorder would one go for? I need especially good image quality in low light conditions.

 

[antimony60]

If you have a choice which camcorder would one go for? I need especially good image quality in low light conditions.

It really depends on your Budget and ... how often do you need to shoot in lo-lite condition.

 

[davidlee]

They are around the same price 2nd hand. I am at a lost which one to really go for. Anyone can help?

 

[mediashock]

If you have a choice which camcorder would one go for? I need especially good image quality in low light conditions.

No experience with canon. But I heard quite a few ppl saying canon one not bad. I bought GS400 for my friend few years ago. The 3CCD cam performed well. But as expected, the low light performance is not good due to small CCD size

 

[davidlee]

Thanks for advice on low light. Sorry to be a pain.
But which would have the better image quality in good conditions and better still picture?
Thanks to everyone that can help.

 

[lwm]

One is HD, one is SD. You are comparing apple and orange. With a decent HV30, it is hard for a SD camcorder to look better than it.

 

[chanxj]

I tested the hv30. The low light performance is good for its price point. Its generally good except for some humming noise i suspect from the tape mechanism.

 

[jaegersing]

It all depends on what people mean by "low light". For example, if you are shooting in a dark pub the HV30 definitely needs an on-camera light, otherwise the footage is noisy and pretty colourless, apart from a reddish cast. But to be honest, this applies to all cameras to varying degrees. For normal indoor lighting the HV30 is fine, especially if you use manual exposure mode to control the highlights.

 

[davidlee]

Thanks for everyone's comments. Makes me lean towards the HV30. Is the only thing going for the GS400 is the ease of editing and burning copies?

 

[chanxj]

It all depends on what people mean by "low light". For example, if you are shooting in a dark pub the HV30 definitely needs an on-camera light, otherwise the footage is noisy and pretty colourless, apart from a reddish cast. But to be honest, this applies to all cameras to varying degrees. For normal indoor lighting the HV30 is fine, especially if you use manual exposure mode to control the highlights.

thats of course a definate. But compare to other cameras in its class, i would say it the best available.

 

[sliated]

If you have a choice which camcorder would one go for? I need especially good image quality in low light conditions.

I would rather like you look for expert reviews of products that caught your interest. At the same time, you can compare the camcorder ratings given by some reviewers among different units. At least, you have an idea that you're getting the best value for your budget. Good luck.

 

[Flashbulb]

If you have a choice which camcorder would one go for? I need especially good image quality in low light conditions.

why not rent the camcorders first and check them out?

both not really suited for low light in my opinion.