Low light performance: Does an HD camcorder make any difference, with it's higher quality CCD?
1765381
This cam has a larger CCD imager. It is fabualous in low light. Get it you won't regret it.
1143738
low light recording is good as long as you do not zoom. The bigger the aperture of the lens the better quality of the picture
1608678
In looking up what AL-Musafer is saying, I found out cameras normally use about 1,500 pixels/cm^2, but this one is using 2,500, nearly twice as many. A 1/2.5 CCD is normally used in a 4 MP camera, not a 10 MP. This is also supposed to make it less effective in low light, but most of us have reported excellent low light ability. The Sony's I tested had equal zoom with greater sharpness, but I did not think to test low-light ability.In any event there are no shots I was able to take and detect a difference between the 10 MP and 5 MP settings.
2238475
No. Just setting for low light filming, which IMO are very good even when there is minimal light.
846653
If you go to cnet, they have a more detailed comparison between the two. I'll try a link here...http://www.cnet.com.au/camcorders/0,239035877,339272971,00.htm
219022
CCD should be faster... but probably uses more battery... wonder if it has any heat problems with fast back to back shooting?
2212638
For me major difference was Canon having ISO 100 - 6400 for shooting from bright to dim light whereas Nikon D3100 only has ISO up to 3200. That makes Canon a much better option as far picture clarity in dim light is concerned. I do agree that it is 12 mp but that's not too less compared to 14mp. Major CONS of canon do include 720mp video but if video isn't that important, i would stick with CANON..
1830266
I use this camcorder in the field hunting deer has very good low light resolution I would buy this camcorder
1576341
I have taken at least 100 photos withe Sony CX260V. Daylight photos are acceptable but not the quality I would want if I was using a 8-9 meg pixal camera. Low Light shots are worse than expected. I am working with the camera now to learn how to use the manual features instead of auto features and have been able to make some improvements in picture quality. Even better on the video recording side using the manual feature settings versus auto. Basically - it is a decent HD video camcorder with a camera feature that is nice to have when you do not want to carry two cameras.
1697311
Jeff:Thanks for responding! I'm glad you like it so much. I think I'll give it a try. I did read a review that said that Fuji didn't think people buying a camera in this category wouldn't want HD video. I guess that makes sense, although it sure doesn't make any difference to me. Thanks again for a nice response.Steve
244950
I have recorded video on my panasonic digital camera from time to time, but I primarily take stills so I cannot attest to the hd video......but the stills come out great.
725760
Thanks Jim, What is the advantage of the HF200 over the HF100 camcorder? Is the quality going to be better?
1548971
I don't like how it shoots in low light situations. BUT you can push the ISO in AV or TV mode and it should work OK. You may have to remove some digital noise in the editing.
234425
Hi Andrew, The camcorder has a Night Scene mode to shoot Night scenery but doesn't have night vision. - Vincent
1658512
No, the camera is very grainy in low light. It looks okay at first, but it is more noticeable when you zoom in a bit.
1466714
I agree with j-rob. Does anyone know how the newer model (HDR-XR500V) performs in low-light situations? They claim the Exmor-R sensor helps with these situations. It's too bad there's no easy or cost-effective way to upgrade. I'm not in the position to spend another $1k+ for a new camcorder that handles low-light.
1322069
In hs mode no. I mean you have to be aware that if you are shooting HS the camera needs more light, because of the time of the "exposition". Now in normal video is fine, I would say average. Pictures I don't know I don't use it for taking pictures.