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Home: Video University Forums: Canon All Camcorders:
xl2 vs. pd170

eeha
User

Nov 9, 2004, 12:02 AM

Post #1 of 6 (3593 views)
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xl2 vs. pd170	Can't Post

what stands each product out when it comes to competition?
i loved the pictures on the pd150s vs xl1s the pic on the xl1s is cool and more dead vs the sony. and also shooting at a darker situation sony is a breeze plus ease of use. has the xl2s improved these at all?

Bob Hudson
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Nov 9, 2004, 10:56 AM

Post #2 of 6 (3576 views)
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Re: [eeha] xl2 vs. pd170 [In reply to]	Can't Post

The XL2 supposedly has worse low light ability than the XL1. What you call "cool and more dead" is to some people a more film like-color rendition with richer, more sturated colors on the Canons than on Sonys. The new XL2 would probably not suit you: it can shoot 24fps progressive scan video, true 16:9 video, and has cine-like gamma to help make the look even more film like.

By the way, 24P is the best format for going to DVD so even if you are not going to film there are some advantages to using it.

It is hard to compare the PD170 and XL2 since they really are not in the same category: if you like plain old video and low light shooting, the PD150/170 will serve you well so why get a camera with a lot of new capabilities you won't use? But, if you want to make films (again, even if they don't go to film) then you should consider the XL2 or the DVX100A.

We also now have HDV coming on the market, but since only something like three percent of US homes actually can watch HDTV and there is no HD DVD, why buy HD now when there's no way to distribute it?

JesseR
Enthusiast

Nov 11, 2004, 12:15 AM

Post #3 of 6 (3531 views)
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Re: [eeha] xl2 vs. pd170 [In reply to]	Can't Post

eeha,

Didn't you just sell a PD-150 in the trading post? Why are you looking at the PD-170? They are the same camera. Just a question. As for the XL2, I got to play with it back in August at the WEVA Expo. Very nice camera, however I don't think it is a player in the wedding and event market. It may be a great ENG replacement for News crews as well as a good camera for low budget movie buffs, but I don't think is the Run and Gun camera needed in the Wedding and event world. Not to mention, from what I saw of the low light really isnt' that good regardless of the LUX ratings.

With that knowledge I sold my GL-2s and moved to PD-170's. I wish I saw your PD-150 for sale. That was a great deal in my book.

Regards,
Jesse R
www.Take5Video.com
www.JesseReich.com

eeha
User

Nov 11, 2004, 12:35 AM

Post #4 of 6 (3529 views)
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Re: [JesseR] xl2 vs. pd170 [In reply to]	Can't Post

I'm not looking for a camera since i have a bunch of them in hand including xl1. i'm just curious to c how these companies are stepping up into each other's competition and canon specially is making a big fuss over the xl2. I was thinking that xl2 and pd170 are in the same range but appearently i'm learning otherwise could u guys please tell me what is the competition to the xl2 in the sony market>?

Bob Hudson
User

Nov 11, 2004, 10:23 AM

Post #5 of 6 (3506 views)
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Re: [eeha] xl2 vs. pd170 [In reply to]	Can't Post

"what is the competition to the xl2 in the sony market>? "

Well Sony has chosen to ignore the market for 24P camcorders and like JVC they are putting their money on a format for which there is currently no distribution medium: HDV. They are betting that videographers will jump on this low-budget form of HD in hopes that someday soon there will be a viable way to distrubute HD.

The XL2 and the Panasonic DVX100A, meanwhile, are competing with other to be the best "affordable" camcorder for to today's SD (standard definition) DVD's. A lot of XL2 and DVX100 users probably also hope that their videos will "go to film" (and that will likely be a big hope of many HDV camcorder buyers) but the truth is that only five percent of finished feature length films ever get theatrical distribution. So unless you're shooting for television, you are probably shooting for DVD and the best format for DVD is 24fps progressive scan, which you can get from the XL2 and DVX100.

Now, as noted elsewhere, these camcorders may not be the best choice for people who are running around chasing high-strung brides on their wedding day and shooting in dark churches and reception halls because, to get the best out of them, you want to be able to take a little more time with each shot and approach it more like making a film than just "shooting video."

Waldemar
Enthusiast

Nov 11, 2004, 8:34 PM

Post #6 of 6 (3478 views)
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Re: [eeha] xl2 vs. pd170 [In reply to]	Can't Post

Go to DVinfo.net and check out the XL2 watchdog pages. Tons of info on the camera as well a clip showing its low light capabilities (shot in a dingy basement in Germany with a flashlight for illumination).
G5 1.8. Final Cut/QT Pro/iMovie/Still Life. GL1. XL1-s