REVIEW
HEAD
CLASH OF THE TITANS
INTRO
Canon and Sony camcorders have
always been popular with advanced video movie makers but how do their latest
Hi8 machine compare? We take a close
look at the EX2 and VX1 to find out
COPY
Over two
and a half thousand pounds for a camcorder, who's kidding who? Canon and Sony
are perfectly serious about the EX2 Hi and VX-1 Pro, and if you think that's a
lot of money consider this, camcorders on the next rung up the performance
ladder, could easily set you back ten times as much!
These two
Hi8 screamers from Canon and Sony are the last stop before professional and
broadcast video, they manage to squeeze the last ounce of picture quality out
of the format and are about as far removed from the average family palmcorder
as it is possible to get. So who would want such a machine? They're a bit too
bulky to take on holiday, though you could just about lug the Sony machine
around on family days out, but portability is not that important to serious and
semi-professional video movie-makers who's main concerns are, in order of
priority, image and sound quality, flexibility and editing facilities. That's
where these two machines really score, and part of the reason they cost so
much.
Canon and
Sony have approached this small and highly specialised market from quite
different directions. Canon, are one of the world's leading camera
manufacturers and have concentrated their fire on advanced optics; Sony's
expertise lies in electronic imaging and signal processing, so it's not
surprising that the two machines have very different characters.
The Canon
EX2 Hi is the most recent arrival, though it is derived from the EX1 Hi, which
first saw light of day over four years ago. The EX1 was in turn based on the A1
and A2 which were briefly famous for looking and handling like SLR cameras.
However, it was the EX1 that took the cross-fertilisation between still and
video technologies to its logical conclusion by having an interchangeable lens
system called VL-Mount; this enables the EX2 to be fitted with a range of
specialist lenses, including lenses designed for Canon's EOS SLR cameras,
(using a special adaptor). The basic EX2 outfit comes with a 15x zoom lens and
costs £2,700.
The VX-1 is
the latest in Sony's 'PRO' series of Hi8 camcorders and was launched last
Summer. The dramatic shape and silver livery caused quite a stir, and it was
notable for being the very first domestic camcorder to have three CCD image
sensor chips, one for each primary colour; Sony borrowed the idea from their
broadcast division where triple-CCD cameras are the norm, and are a key element in generating broadcast-quality
pictures. The VX-1 now retails for just under £2,500.
NEW FEATURES
The EX2 Hi
looks almost identical to the old EX1 but there have been some significant
changes inside. The most important one is the addition of RC time-code
facilities, to bring it into line with Sony's top-end machines for professional-standard, frame-accurate
editing. Other new features include an
AV line input, so the EX2 can record from an external source; the remote
control now sports a jog/shuttle dial for better control of the machines
trick-play facilities -- it's the first camcorder to have one -- and it records
date and data codes which can be helpful when searching for a particular recording.
Incidentally, the EX2 can also add RC time codes to previously recorded tapes.
Those are
just the improvements, the EX2 is undeniably one of the most sophisticated
camcorders on the market with an impressive range of camera controls (manual
exposure control, correlated/peak metering, high-speed shutter), digital
effects (wipe, split, cinema, freeze, art, zoom, slow shutter, overlap), stereo
hi-fi sound with automatic and manual recording level control, and the
all-important Control L or LANC socket, for connection to an automated assemble
edit controller.
Are three
image sensors better than one? That's a question a lot of people were asking
when the VX-1 was launched last year. The off-camera picture is definitely
close to broadcast quality, as far as colour fidelity and noise levels are
concerned, but the Hi8 recording system cannot fully process all of the
information from the sensors, which imposes a practical limit on recorded
picture quality. The VX-1 also has rather more in the way of manual camera
controls than the Canon machine, they include a full-range exposure system,
manual video gain and white balance controls and four program AE modes
(portrait, sport, aperture priority and shutter priority), and like the EX2
settings are clearly shown on the viewfinder display. The VX1 has two other
spin-offs from the broadcasting field, they are a switchable neutral-density
filter and a 'zebra-pattern' generator, which highlights areas of over-exposure
with a striped overlay. Sony have resisted the temptation to load the VX1 down
with digital effects but it does have a number of creative facilities, such as
interval/time-lapse recording and custom presets, which allow the user to store
settings for colour saturation and balance, though unlike the EX2 (and previous
'Pro' models) it doesn't have an AV line input.
HANDLING AND LAYOUT
Handling is
not necessarily a major consideration with either machine as under normal
circumstances they will spend most or their working lives on top of a tripod.
Nevertheless, there are times when they will be hand-held, and Sony come out
best, the VX-1 is lighter and more manageable than the EX2. The problem with
the Canon machine is mostly concerned with balance, the larger lenses make it
nose-heavy. Holding it by the rear hand-grip helps but then it has to be
supported with the other hand as well. The EX2 could do with a top-mounted
carry handle, there's a great temptation to pick it up by the microphone or
viewfinder, which could damage either.
Control
layout on both machines is reasonable, the VX-1 is slightly more approachable
as the EX2 has buttons, knobs and flaps all over the place. Both manual
exposure controls could be better, the one on the EX1, in particular is awkward
to get at, and the VX-1's thumbwheel has a 'ratchety' feels to it. The EX2's
microphone is detachable, which is helpful, and there's a second accessory shoe
behind it. The VX-1 has a shoe on the
odd-looking handle. Manual focus and zoom on both machines is a delight, big,
easy to grip rings that feel smooth and responsive. The focus ring on the VX-1
is not, in fact, mechanically linked to the optics, instead it controls a servo
mechanism deep inside the inner-focus lens assembly, but you wouldn't know it.
PERFORMANCE
The big
surprise is that the off-camera resolution is slightly higher on the
single-chip EX2, though the VX1 has a definite edge when it comes to noise
levels, colours look crisper, and subtle shades, like skin tones appear more
natural. When it comes to off-tape picture quality there's less in it, in fact
it would be hard to tell the two pictures apart on the basis of resolution
alone. The lower noise levels and colour accuracy of the VX1 do, however, show
up on recordings and the picture seems just that little bit sharper.
Both
machines have exceptionally stable (for 8mm/Hi8) trick-play facilities and they
would make very capable edit decks. We tried the two machines with a number of
RCTC compatible edit controllers and found both to be within a single frame of
the designated edit points.
The EX2
wins hands down when it comes to the sound recording. The actual differences in
audio quality between the VX1 and EX2 are not that great, but the degree of
control and flexibility of the EX2's sound system gives it a big advantage. The
detachable zoom microphone also counts in its favour.
VERDICT
If we had
between £2,500 and £2,700 to spend on a top end camcorder which model would we
choose? In the end it would largely depend on what we were going to use it for.
For those involved in a lot of outdoors recording, wildlife, sports etc., then
the EX2's flexible lens system, superior sound recording facilities and
line-input would tip the balance in its favour; why. The VX-1 is more of a
general-purpose machine, the sophisticated exposure controls and smaller size
are big plus points and it could have a useful secondary role as a studio
camera; if only Sony had give it a line-input facility, then it really would
have been something special. If pressed we would have to say that the VX-1 is
marginally more adept, and on a subjective level it looks a lot neater; the EX2
is getting on a bit, it's still one
machine but it's getting on a bit now and we
suspect it won't be long before there's something even more interesting to replace
it.
THE RIVALS
The only
machine that comes remotely close -- this side of £10,000 -- is the Sony V6000
PRO which has since been discontinued. Rumours of a V7000 abound, and we
wouldn't mind betting we see something this Summer, but until then these two
machines have this exclusive section of the market all to themselves.
SPECIFICATIONS
Make/model CANON EX2 Hi
Recording format Hi8/8mm
Guide price £2,700
OPTICS
Lens interchangeable -- see text
Zoom see text
Filter diameter see text
Pick-up device 0.5in CCD
Min. illum. (lux) 0.5 (gain up/slow shutter)
VIDEO DECK
Long Play (LP) yes
Max. rec. time 240mins (LP mode)
IR remote control yes
Edit terminal yes, Control L
MAIN FACILITIES
Auto Focus yes
Manual focus yes
Auto exposure yes
Programmed AE no
Fader no
Manual white balance yes
Auto white balance yes
Manual zoom yes (see text)
Power zoom yes
Insert edit no
Character generator yes
Digital Superimposer no
Image stabiliser no
Video light no
Battery refresh no
Accessory shoe yes
ADDITIONAL FEATURES
time/date recording, high-speed shutter (7-speed up to 1/10,000th
sec), record review, retake, tally lamp, digital effects (wipe, cinema, split,
overlap, freeze, art freeze, close-up, gain-up/slow shutter), VL
interchangeable lens system, 2-moder metering system, manual iris, still and
slomo replay
VIEWFINDER
Viewfinder 0.7in monochrome
Viewfinder info. deck mode and status, low
battery, tape count, shutter speed, fader, focus mode, tape end, time/date,
title, exposure value, AE compensation
AUDIO
Stereo yes
Audio dub no
Wind noise filter
no
Mic socket yes
Headphone socket yes
Microphone single point stereo (detachable)
GENERAL
Sockets S-Video in and out (mini DIN), Control
L, headphones, microphone (minijack), audio and video in and out (phono),
Size (mm) 149 x 150 x 274
Weight 1.4 kg (body, ex. tape and battery)
STANDARD ACCESSORIES
Batteries, (nicad and lithium),
straps, AC charger/power supply,
AV lead yes
video light? no
remote control? yes
cassette adaptor? N/A
RF Converter? yes
SCART adaptor? yes
PERFORMANCE
Resolution >400-lines
Colour fidelity excellent
Picture stability excellent
Colour bleed none
White balance very good
Exposure excellent
Autofocus accurate but slow
Audio performance excellent
Insert edit very good
Playback thru adaptor N/A
VC RATINGS
Value for money 7
Ease of use 8
Performance 9
Features 9
BOX COPY 2
SPECIFICATIONS
Make/model SONY CCD-VX1E
Recording format Hi 8/8mm
Guide price £2,500
OPTICS
Lens 4-48mm, f/1.6-1.8
Zoom x12, two-speed
Filter diameter 37/43/49/52mm
Pick-up device 3 x 0.3in CCD
Min. illum. (lux) 4
VIDEO DECK
Long Play (LP) yes
Max. rec. time 240mins (LP mode)
IR remote control yes, Control L
Edit terminal yes
MAIN FACILITIES
Auto Focus yes
Manual focus yes
Auto exposure yes
Programmed AE yes
Fader yes
Manual white balance yes
Auto white balance yes
Manual zoom yes
Power zoom yes
Insert edit no
Character generator no
Digital Superimposer yes
Image stabiliser no
Video light no
Battery refresh no
Accessory shoe yes
ADDITIONAL FEATURES
time/date recording, high-speed shutter (16-speed up to
1/10,000th sec), record review, retake, tally lamp, auto head cleaner, gain-up,
still and slomo, 'zebra' pattern exposure indicator, index marker, intro scan,
auto/man ND filter, RCTC recording, data code recording, interval recording,
animation effect, custom presets, colour noise reduction
VIEWFINDER
Viewfinder 0.7in
monochrome
Viewfinder info. deck mode and status, low
battery, tape count, shutter speed, fader, focus mode, tape end, time/date,
title, exposure value, RC timecode data, index mark, program AE mode
AUDIO
Stereo yes
Audio dub no
Wind noise filter
no
Mic socket yes
Headphone socket yes
Microphone single-point stereo
GENERAL
Sockets S-Video out (mini DIN), video and stereo
audio out (phono), headphones, ext. mic. DC out and Control L (minijack)
Size (mm) 116 x 148 x 352
Weight 2.0 kg (inc. tape and battery)
STANDARD ACCESSORIES
Batteries, (nicad and lithium),
straps, AC charger/power supply,
AV lead yes
video light? no
remote control? yes
cassette adaptor? no
RF Converter? no
SCART adaptor? yes
PERFORMANCE
Resolution >400-lines
Colour fidelity very good
Picture stability good
Colour bleed slight
White balance very good
Exposure very good
Autofocus good
Audio performance very good
Insert edit manual inserts clean
Playback thru adaptor N/A
VC RATINGS
Value for money 8
Ease of use 7
Performance 7
Features 9
---end---
R.Maybury 1994 0702
---end---
|
