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Question

which is the best camcorder for filming in low light?

Dec 27, 2014 5:26PM PST

Hi all,

I'm new to all of this but evenutally want to set up my own company filming weddings.

I want a professional video camcorder, one that films good quality footage in low light conditions (i.e. churches!).

I've been looking at Canon's mainly - XF300 / XF305, but after doing some research I've read about complaints that footage filmed in low light appears very grainy. And I've heard the lower model, XA20 is far better in these sorts of scenarios.

Does anyone have any suggestions?

My plan is to get good with the equipment before setting up the business but I want the right camera from the start! My experience is mainly been in editing - I use Premiere Pro.

Any advice would be great Happy

Jim

Discussion is locked

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Answer
Video amps
Dec 27, 2014 7:51PM PST

All cameras claim good filming in low light and all cameras use video amps to boost the signal - hence the "noise".
The larger the lens diameter and the chip the better. You would be better investing in some discreet lighting maybe LEDs. I use a Panasonic HC-V750 and find it produces reasonably clean pictures indoors without supplementary lighting but, like all cameras, it works best with some decent light.

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Answer
The *best* lowlight video
Dec 28, 2014 11:50PM PST

will be captured by a device with large lens diameter (lets in light) and large 3CMOS or 3CCD imaging chip system. It is all about getting as much light into the camcorder and the large imaging chip array being able to deal with what little light there may be available.

The Canon XF300 series has a 82mm diameter lens and a 1/3 inch 3CMOS imaging chip system. Good specs for the money. The MXF file system is interesting (be sure your Premiere Pro can deal with the Canon plugins).

For around the same money, if you have not already looked into them, at least take a glance at the Sony PXWX200 (75mm lens diameter; 1/2 in 3CMOS imaging system).

At about 1/3 the price, the XA20 is a fine camcorder - but with a 58mm diameter lens and single almost 1/3 inch imaging chip is not going to be providing better low light behavior than the XF series... If you choose to go this route, you do allow yourself to get 2-3 of the same device for multi-camera shoots. Please consider saving some money and get the consumer grade HF G20 or HF G30 instead (same everything, but without the XLR audio connections on the "top handle" add-on - Skip the top handle add-on and add an XLR adapter from juicedLink or BeachTek). I do not recommend anything less than about a 67mm lens diameter. The Sony HDR-AX2000 will outperform the XA20 (lighting-wise).

Perhaps there is somewhere nearby where you can rent the gear before you buy...

I agree with Terfyn that investment in decent lighting will be very important. Do not use any video gain...