canon SX30 and panasonic FZ100 HD video comparisons

Comparing the two cameras in a variety of outdoor lighting conditions at the Smithills Hall and Country park in Bolton, England. Both cameras set up for auto operation and clips shot as near to the same focal lengths as i could judge on the lcd screens. the canon lcd screen in comparison to the panasonic screen is tiny and not as easy to access image quality. The lumix lcd image is bright and crisp. Both cameras struggled to achieve a neutral white balance in auto mode - especially in the deep shade areas. The opening introduction, for comparison, was taken with the pansonic sd700 camcorder in auto mode also. For me the canon has marginal sharpness over the lumix and extra telephoto zoom. It is let down, imho, by the small lcd screen and lack of manual adjustment in video mode.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• canon sx30
• panasonic lumix fz100
• smithills hall

[horaciobarroco]

Excelent test! Just a Question: do you think the Full Hd resolution on Panasonic (1920, 1080) makes a difference? Or we have to argue the preeminence of the optical quality on Canon ?

[ghough12]

@horaciobarroco The 1080i implementation on the Fz100 is from 25/30fps progressive sensor. It is not a true 1080 full hd as in a 1080p progressive mode. This is now available with the FZ150. The FZ150 also now produces much cleaner jpeg files than the FZ100. The optical quality is now better through nano crystal coating on the lens surface to reduce flair/ghosting.

[macporteiro]

Amazing comparison, thanks for that!!! I've just bought the FZ100. But its image quality...Neither for photos, nor for videos: saturated colours, blurry pixels, looks like impressionist painting hehe. I was considering a Canon DSLR, or maybe a Nikon D3100, but investing so much money - for me - for not using all their power... besides, I wanted a good camera that could also record good quality videos, too - OK, I know, I want too much! Anyway, which camera did you use for recording this video?

[ghough12]

@macporteiro Hi the opening sequence was shot using the Panasonic SD700 camcorder. With the Fz100 you will get better images if you always use ISO 100 or 200 and shoot in 720p mode for video.

[gwaogi]

Please help me,im choosing between this 2, wat do u tink is better overall? I dont knw anyting about camera, this is going to be my first camera if ever..many thanks

[ghough12]

@gwaogi Hi. both of these cameras have both strengths and weaknesses. If i was going to buy another camera it wouldn't be either of these two. Have a look at some of my Sony HX9V videos. This camera beats these two in many ways. The only thing it lacks is greater zoom, buts thats not the end of the world. It really depends on what you want your camera to do for you. If you want good quality video then the HX9v is probably the best choice. If you want great zoom then its the SX30

[skinnyguay]

this is the best video of comparision ever, i can see you put a lot of effort in it.

both cameras are good, not a big difference in quality of video or still photos. but i would say 35 zoom for sx30 vs 24 zoom for fz100 is big. so after watching your video I will prefer sx30. thanks a lot again for this video

[nate42nd]

Amazing how the Pansonic handles green!

[nkroy1]

Hello, this comparing style is very good !

[horaciobarroco]

Many thanks for your answer. Actually -as many others- I couldn't take a decission between the sx 30 and fz 100, both cameras availables in my small town (I haven't other options) I am as doubtful as Hamlet....I want the camera specially for video. Congratulations for your work and clear explanations!

[macporteiro]

@ghough12 Thanks a lot for your answer! I've tried that yesterday, but the results were not as good as I expected. Some of the photos are good, yeah, even though when I zoom in, it's easy to see blurred pixels, and noise in dark zones. Video is great, the images just are not. It's a shame, such a great camera... I'll return that to the store tomorrow - change for another camera, although I still don't know which one.

Happy New Year!!

[BikeTripod]

@nate42nd - Yes I noticed that seems to have a dark green and then the bricks or the building looker darker.

It looks more darker and less sharp on each picture. Cannon looks brighter and sharper.

[neglected2010]

@gwaogi and i find the colours of panasonic more vivid :D