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We tested the capability of the HDR-HC5’s Electronic Image Stabilization (EIS) SteadyShot system using our custom built shake emulator. However, if you never plan on shooting 24P, the HC5 is worth considering. The Canon HV20 it more flexible in low light, due to the addition of its 24P mode, which helped put it over the edge. The HC5 also performed very well compared to the Canon HV20. Ultimately, we think the HDR-HC5 looks better than the HDR-HC7, but the better sensitivity score from the HC7 skewed the final score for the whole section in its favor. The noise levels measured 1.915%, also much better than the Sony HC7. At best, the Sony HDR-HC5 was able to produce a color error of 9.99, which was significantly better than the HDR-HC7.
HRD HC3 SOFTWARE
Frame grabs are exported to Imatest imaging software for color accuracy, noise, and saturation. This was not as good as the Sony HDR-HC7’s ability to do the same at 7 lux, but as we saw in the 15 lux test, the HC7 has a penchant for overexposing compared to the HC5.įinally, we raise the light to 60 lux, then shoot a GretagMacBeth Color Checker chart. The HDR-HC5 was able to produce this at a light level of 13 lux. We shoot the same chart while steadily lowering the light and monitoring the outputted IRE levels (a measurement of exposure) until can camcorder can produce a peak 50 IRE. The next part of the test determines sensitivity. Finally, the JVC GZ-HD3 produced an image that was simply too dark. Some people might be very willing to trade the loss of color for a cleaner image. At least for 1080/60i shooting, the Sony HDR-HC5 gives the Canon HV20 a run for its money. The Canon HV20 was very noisy, but a little more color information was retained, along with fine detail retention. The image certainly doesn’t look any better than the HC5’s just brighter. This appears to be a processing compensation for the noise, and not a great one at that. Yes, there was the expected increase in noise, but the image was exposed more brightly overall. Because they share the same imager, we have no explanation for this except to speculate that they modified the processing (which often happens year over year). By comparison, last year’s Sony HDR-HC3 looked cleaner and with marginally better color. Noise increased and color retention dipped dramatically. Also, the fine detail retention was low.Īt 15 lux, the Sony HDR-HC5 did not fare so well. Finally, the JVC GZ-HD3 produced a brighter image than any of the camcorders, but the colors took on a strange hue with too much green. The camcorders had almost identical brightness and color, but the fine detail retention was much better with the HV20. The Canon HV20 (at 1080/60i) produced a good deal more noise than the HC5, except in the blacks, which were cleaner. The difference between the HC5 and HC7 was not pronounced, but there was a distinction. The noise levels also increased noticeably. The next model up, the HDR-HC7, has smaller and more densely packed pixels, produced a darker image at this light level.
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The HC5 was a smidgen darker, but the noise levels and color rendering looked about the same.
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At 60 lux, the HDR-HC5 looks very similar to last year’s HDR-HC3, with which is shares the same imager. First, we shot a DSC Labs Chroma DuMonde color chart at an even 60 lux and 15 lux, then held the results up against the competition. The low light performance of the Sony HDR-HC5 was tested in three steps. We found the Sony HDR-HC5 to produce an approximate horizontal resolution of 600 line widths per picture height (lw/ph) and an approximate vertical resolution of 450 lw/ph. Sony Unveils Action Cam, Three Camcorders at CES 2016 This test measures the actual outputted video from the camcorder, rather than the sometimes "idealized" resolution of the imaging chip that manufacturers like to tout. In order to test the video resolution of the Sony HDR-HC5, we shoot a DSC Labs video resolution chart at an even, bright light, then watch the playback footage on an HD monitor.
HRD HC3 MANUAL
Manual control adjustments left a lot to be desired due to the touch screen-only interface, but point-and-shooters will love this. The motion rendering was smooth and the auto controls worked great. Sunny outdoor shots, of course, looked best, but we found little to criticize. Out of the lab, the Sony HDR-HC5 gave pleasing results in most lighting conditions. Finally, the JVC GZ-HD3 produced a oversaturated and oversharpened image that failed to produce the same level of fine detail capture. The HC5 looks good, but the HV20 looks great. The Canon HV20 produced a virtually noise-free image at 3000 lux, the cleanest picture we’ve seen all year.