Panasonic HC-VXF1 vs Canon HF G26

Tony_Mac

HI All

about to replace my Canon HV40 (HDV). I still like the camcorder format despite having a DSLR (EOS77d). I'm considering these two models and look for advice/opinions

Canon LEGRIA HF G26PANASONIC HC-VXF1
I'll be using it mainly for holidays/family on the go. I'm very unlikely to be doing anything particularly creative .

I generally don't see the advantage/benefit of 4k (NB panasonic model is canon is not) but I note the sensor in the Canon DIGIC DV4 is quite old.

Aside from holidays I'll be doing a lot of indoor/low light filming (I live in Scotland LOL).

any advice gratefully received.

Tony

asik1

Hi, why you considered the G26 which is larger ? and why the vxf1 ? for the viewfinder?
if it's just for holidays/family look into smaller and handy ones

Terfyn

Have you considered the HC-V800? If you don't want to go 4K then this may be your better choice.
I've not used a camera with a viewfinder since my Canon HV20. The problem was the camera picked up all the sound, even my breathing.
My current camera is the Panasonic HC-V750 which has excellent low light pickup. I have used it in many very poorly lit situations. (Ghost Train and a spooky Halloween Train) All the definition is there and I use the brilliance control in my video editor to "lift" the picture. All the detail can be seen clearly with no video amplifier "noise" effect.

Tony_Mac

thanks guys, I do really want a viewfinder, I find filming outdoors a lot easier with a viewfinder. I'm not too fussed about the larger dimensions. The V800 looks perfect except for the lack of viewfinder...

Terfyn

I suspect that cams with viewfinders are restricted to the 4K range - nothing wrong with that except the price level - at the top of the consumer cam range.

Oddly enough I have never struggled with the Panasonic LCD, even in very bright sunlight (does it ever happen in Scotland?) I do have a sunshade that goes over the LCD but it is still in the box. All my life I have used viewfinders from the days of my Eumig 8mm, through a Sony Hi-8 and the Canon. My first cam without a EVF was a Panasonic HC-V700 and I never missed that little eyehole. In my case I find it easier to compose the shot using the screen. I use both a tripod and monopod where it is awkward to use the EVF. My next cam , when I have saved up, is the HC-VX1.

12harry

Wex shows Canon G26 at £849 ..... same as the Pana VXF-1.
FWIW,  the Pana is the "later model" and being 4K, should have a better lens and electronics to cope with the faster data-rate  ( although we know that sometimes "compression" will affect this, as Mfrs try to get more recording onto a card. ) .
Incidentally, the Canon is 20x  Zoom, against 24x Pana . . .  not a lot, but doesn't this show the Brand is holding up the price?
Three other issues:-  recording media as Canon pushes CF cards ( which are expensive, compared with same-capacity SD ); I'm 95% certain the Pana uses SD.
- and- the ability to make jpeg stills . . . . I'm fairly certain the Pana can create 24mpx images... not sure how as the sensor is somewhat closer to 8Mpx but it may be the movie-mode combines pixels.
The Lens shallow DoF - in the past Canon were shouting about their multi-blade iris ( with 8, on the G25 I think - DYOR ), but that seems to be omitted from the somewhat brief descriptions.

My two digital cameras don't have EVFs - it adds a lot to price and the extra power could reduce filming-time per charge.
Nowadays, many "features" are via the touch-screen . . . so I'm not sure how these are combined . . . . Anyone? . . . However, for some work the EVF is useful and I guess it may be "a good thing" - yet the VX-1 (LCD-only) is £699 which allows you to budget for a larger-capacity battery, and/or  ND filters for that shallow DoF creativity....

I guess, unless there is some feature that's been omitted, the Pana wins hands-down . . . .
What do others think . . .  and anyone got either model - for a Hands-on review???

Tony_Mac

thanks Harry some good advice there, let's see if any owners chime in.

Terfyn

Or the Power Bank trick. The Panasonics require a 5V supply to run or recharge the supplied battery, therefore a USB charger will do the job. At 1/3rd the price of a Panasonic battery a power bank will supply all the power you need. Plus extra cash for a decent mic, perhaps a small shotgun.

The Panasonics use SD cards. Currently running a 64Gb SDXC card.

There are a number of "professional" reviews in the magazines.

I understand from other posts that even when recording in HD using a 4K cam the quality is better.