Hi,

Thanks for all the tips, just got my GS80 - will end up archiving the DVI in DVDs and playing them on the tv over xbmc if need be.

I understand that the native mode of the camera is 16:9 - so basically to not lose quality I should capture in that mode right?

Thank!

"Native 16:9" essentially means that the sensor chip has enough pixels that the camera can produce 720x480 anamorphic widescreen. Note that standard 4:3 is also 720x480 pixels, but the regular pixels are almost square (they are actually a bit taller than the width in standard definition, but in 16:9 they are around a third again wider than tall).

Many cheaper cameras create 16:9 by cropping the top and bottom off of a 720x480 4:3 imager, meaning the actual image is 720x350 or such, with letter boxed black bars...

There is no addition resolution captured in 16:9.

It may not be native widescreen, but it is "true". When in 16:9 mode, it loses a few lines off the top and bottom. There is no noticable loss of quality on a TV. In 4:3 mode is adds a couple lines of resolution but it cuts huge chunks off the sides. You actually see less in 4:3 mode.

This is compared to an older hi8 camera, where you would lose huge chunks off the top and bottom, and a huge loss in quality.

To sum up; you won't lose any quality, and I think 16:9 is the way to go. I only take stills in 4:3 mode.

EDIT: Here is 4:3 mode compared to 16:9 mode on the GS80:

Thanks Matt,


Yeah I noticed you see more, which drove me to thinking that in the other 4x3 mode you are wasting part of your sensor..


at the same time, I find it a bit harder to film on 16:9, specially family as there is a lot of real estate I dont find a usefull way to use.

Do you have any tips on that or know a good resource to get a better feeling on how to shoot on that mode?

thanks for all the help!

4:3 and 16:9 are both helpful in different situations. I use 16:9 most of the time because I can fit more in the shot, with less open space on the top and bottom.

But let's say you're filming something tall and narrow. To fit it all in, you have to zoom all the way out. With 16:9, that would give you huge boring spots on the sides. For instance, when all my aunts and uncles stood on a staircase for a picture, I used 4:3 mode. And when I film through my night vision scope, I use 4:3 mode so there is less boring space on the sides.

Once you get used to it you will think 16:9 looks more professional.

You think that black (or gray) bars pillarboxing your video look less boring?

i think your perception tends to ignore them at least

How about the Focal Length ?
In compare with 35mm Film Camera Equivalent
In 4:3 -- 43.9 - 1405mm
16:9 -- 35.9 - 1149mm
The zoom can not be the same Where is the 32x zoom ?

The "X" zoom ratio is only the actual lens maximum focal length divided by the lens minimum focal length. It is only a ratio and does not by itself determine the angle of view nor is the sensors size a part of the ratio.



Rich

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