In my brief testing with the PDX10, I liked the look of the image and the rich colors, but I was not able to test it on people, and was wondering how many of the PDX10 users out there shoot people and how this cam did with skintones (I would be shooting people indoor under properly lit studio confines and also outside from time to time)

Thanks

Also, some of the clips I was able to find, I noticed a lot of blown highlights and white objects. Is this a shortcoming or a challenge of this cam in particular, or not to worry if you are in a controlled environment and expose properly?

I think you got your question answered elsewhere, but I'll throw out a little something for the sake of readership.

The PDX is more susceptible to blowouts than is a larger chipped camera. Faster blacks as well as clips. This is to be expected.
Proper exposure and controlled composition would, yes, take care of this straight away, as is the case for any cam. It's what we shooters do, after all, right? The PDX does best in controlled shooting situations, imo.

__________________
Breakthrough In Grey Room


DSR PD170
DSR PDX10
PowerMac G5
Final Cut Express

I appreciate your reply. I wanted to make sure that some of the problems / limitations of this cam could be managed under controlled lighting, which it looks like it can, rather than camera-based limitations that show up regardless of how you shoot.

Maybe you can give me some advice choosing between Pana dvc30e (with xlr option) or Sony pdx10p. I read it all on the net, you have both and maybe you can help me.

I am going to Patagonia to make a doc about climbing a steep big wall!!
interviews, shots in a snowcave, during the rockclimb, with lots of storm and wind, in a small tent, mostly shooting in daylight. To load the battery's I need to walk 9 ours.

I want a camera to shoot the environment and the climb. I like 16:9 ratio from a design point of view, also almost all doc's and serious TV is 16:9 today. If I drop the 16:9 I'll go for the dvc30. But I can get a pdx10 cheaper.

what I need:

* strong battery life
* good handling (sometimes one handed)
* good sound
* rugged design
* xlr sound even transmitters
* light in weight
* good manual and good automatic control
* easy to match with future 16:9 extra shots ( I now..)
* good signal to create a DVD !!
* good rain protection!!

The pdx10 gives it all, but how is the smear, working outside, high altitude, big contrast, low light inside the tent, ease of operating and handling. Help me out.

What will you do?

Let's see...I haven't used the DVC, but I've read a fair amount on it...

The DVC has more refined manual control.

It has been said more than once that the PDX feels more rugged than the DVC. I know the PDX to be very well built.

They both will give good quality audio.

The Sonys seem to have a good reputation regarding shooting in diverse weather and climate conditions.

The DVC has a longer optical zoom, which might be useful to what you're doing.

Neither is going to be spectacular in lower light levels, but what you consider to be an unacceptable image might be different than what I think. If you're shooting just for yourself and your friends and not for professional applications, either camera will be fine. No camera is going to produce good images with no light, period.

What is your overall budget? Be sure to include any and all accessories into your thoughts. Lightweight, compact tripod? On camera light for snowcaves? Multiple long life batteries? This stuff will be as important as the camera itself.

I've never shot with the PDX in snow. There might be a glare/smear issue, to be sure. I wish I could tell you more about that. You might do better with a larger chip camera. Easy for me to say, eh? But it's true.

I'll add more later if I think of anything.

Shawn

__________________
Breakthrough In Grey Room


DSR PD170
DSR PDX10
PowerMac G5
Final Cut Express

based on the description that you provided, if it was me, I'd take the PDX10. I don't think the DVC30 will be all that much better in any of the other regards than the PDX10. The chips aren't that much bigger and the light sensitivity isn't all that much better (some, but not enough to make a candle light tent shot that might not work with the PDX, work great with the DVC30, you'll get a little more - but only a little more, not enough to transform the shot). The night IR mode on the DVC might give you enough light to work with, but you'll wind up with a gritty B/W image. The 16:9 and the rich and vibrant colors are why I'd take the PDX10 with me. Bright glare off of snow, haven't shot in such conditions myself, so can't say, I don't think the PDX will cause you more grief than the DVC30. The DVC30 has a broader zoom range, but most of that extra range seems to be at the wide angle, as at full tele, they are similar. You'll definitely need a good polarizer, and ND filters. batteries just don't last long at all in cold weather, perhaps a belt-mounted battery, like anton bauer makes will be best, get one for much much longer than it is rated, keep it warm (inside your coat or clothing, might make it last longer than exposed on the cam)

Good Luck
Brian

P.S. I have both cams for the time being.

Thanks for your time.
I am aware of the fact that I need more equipment, it has to be light too. Good rain protection and strong battery life. I'm not new in making programmes, but normaly Im only directing. And it's not for friends but part of a future documentary /dvd production. Its the first step. My problem with the pdx is lack of stability, we have to climb 90 degrees rock, and I like the handle with the dvc30 (is sturdy build design too). Working with a bigger camera is practical a no go.

Thinking of some kind of DVcaddie to relax the shots a little.

The pdx seems to be unpleasantly to handle, specially one handed. But the 16:9 and audio is in its favour. Also, more rain gear etc is available.
Its a production without a lot of control, I read some storys about good quality shots with bright light (small ccd..) but less in hard to control situations. Maybe the pana will do better there, I can shoot in 4:3 and postedit the letterbox later.

* If you shoot in 16:9 mode do you see the image squeezd in the viewfinder/lcd screen?
* do you have some screenshot or qt movies to show the pdx quallity?

QUick points from the replies above.

Snow is no problem for the PDX10, in fact I got some of my best looking shots on a skiing trip. WHite balance of the snow and watch the over exposure, compose with more subject than snow.

THe handling with one hand is a the only problem, one tends to grab the audio fitting (and I know that will cause long term problems). BUT you learn to cope, I have done a lot of on-the-road for TV with this little camera - hanging out of buses, tumbling down pistes, etc.

Go to a shop to test it for feel, add all audio (especially you receiver if you tend to attach it to the camera, whcih I think you will have to) and biggest battery you can find.

ON the battery issue, avoid using the ridiculously big LCD on the PDX10 and you will get a good day on one battery.

I hope some of that helps, give me a shout if I can be of more assistance or if you need to see some footage check this - www.ri-productions.com/yuri

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bob@ri-productions.com