The111 1 #1 August 30, 2007 Low light performance is very important to me for skydiving shots, it plays a critical role in underneath shots and sunset shots, two of my favorite perspectives. One of the biggest differences between the HC5 and HC7 seems to be the CMOS sensor. HC5 has 1/3" 2100k pixel, HC7 has 1/2.9" 3200k pixel. HC3 had same sensor specs as HC5. In the review on camcorderinfo.net for the HC7, they gave it a very poor rating in low light performance. They specifically stated that it far underperformed the HC3, which they had given a very high low light performance rating. The reason for this was that the sensor size only slightly increased from HC3 to HC7, but pixel count increased hugely, making for smaller pixels and less overall light collection. They went on to say that they expected the HC5 would perform the same as the HC3 in low light since it had a comparable sensor, and they would review the HC5 later... but it looks like they never did. I was unable to find any other reviews mentioning the low light performance of the HC5 and HC7. Anybody have any practical experience with this? I was already leaning to the HC5 since it's cheaper... now I have more reason. EDIT: Spot, I just found an old post by you on a Sony forum stating that the HC7 is actually great in low light... so I'm expecting a response from you. www.WingsuitPhotos.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dragon2 2 #2 August 30, 2007 QuoteOne of the biggest differences between the HC5 and HC7 seems to be the CMOS sensor. Don't forget the difference in stabilisation, so that you can basically only bellyfly with a hc7 so why would you want one? I'd go with the hc5 for that reason alone. ciel bleu, Saskia Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Laszloimage 0 #3 August 30, 2007 Matt, You can get the HC-3 cameras for $500 on e-bay. If you're lucky even cheaper... The HC-5 or the HC-7 won't give you that much plus for the the extra money. http://cgi.ebay.com/Sony-Digital-MiniDV-HDR-HC3-HDV-1080i-Camcorder-GREAT_W0QQitemZ280148443341QQihZ018QQcategoryZ122611QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem Also we know that the HC-3 is pretty reliable for skydiving. (Scotty Burns at Z-hills probably can tell you) -Laszlo- Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The111 1 #4 August 31, 2007 Quote Matt, You can get the HC-3 cameras for $500 on e-bay. If you're lucky even cheaper... The HC-5 or the HC-7 won't give you that much plus for the the extra money. http://cgi.ebay.com/Sony-Digital-MiniDV-HDR-HC3-HDV-1080i-Camcorder-GREAT_W0QQitemZ280148443341QQihZ018QQcategoryZ122611QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem Also we know that the HC-3 is pretty reliable for skydiving. (Scotty Burns at Z-hills probably can tell you) -Laszlo- Yeh, I've been toying with that idea too. It's a good option, thanks. www.WingsuitPhotos.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DSE 5 #5 August 31, 2007 Both the HC5/7 beat hell on the HC3 in low light. The 5/7 are similar in low light. However, low light is the after sundown jumps, or very near sundown jumps. It's when the cam starts kicking in gain. Outside of the ClearVid chips and better DSP, the only additional benefit of the HC5/7 over the 3 is the XV color, which is indeed a difference, especially if you start editing with Vegas 8Pro and use 32bit float modes. The color quality will scare you Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
drhox 0 #6 October 19, 2007 so... HC-5 has better stabilization features than HC-7? I am about to by a HC-7, this would make an enormous difference... Please let me know if you talk by experience! MarcioMarcio Rossi Brazil Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DSE 5 #7 October 19, 2007 Not better; different. HC5 is EIS where HC7 is OIS. Both work fine for belly work, but some folks with some configurations have issues with OIS and freeflying. Norman Kent speculates that it's the burble and how it affects the minute movements of the head. Since I don't do headdown, it's not an issue for me. I also don't have issues in sit nor belly with the HC7, but there are some here who have. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
drhox 0 #8 October 22, 2007 QuoteNot better; different. HC5 is EIS where HC7 is OIS. Tks a ton DSE. I've just cancelled my HC7 order, changed it to a HC5. Saved a couple of Benjamin stamps. As OIS is based on "floating lens"it looks like it has a problem to deal with turbulance or higher frequency vibrations. Digital steady shot, instead, will not suffer from this. Just a guess, I am not a optical elements specialist. Indeed, I am not a specialist in anything. I was very happy with my Sony PC 350 for almost 800 jumps. But it looks like my old 350 needs a rest. I hope to be happy again with the HC5. So far, friends, tandem and AFF students were glad to find out PC 350 superiority over PC 1000 and its predecessors. Hope HC5 do not disapoint me. Thank you all on those quotes. It saved me form buying a camera tha may have problems on free flying. Blue skies, MarcioMarcio Rossi Brazil Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
