| |
Model
|
| Sony NEX-VG10 | Panasonic AG-HPX170 | Sony HVR-Z1 | |
| Picture ? | | | | Picture ? |
| Manufacturer | Sony 
| Panasonic
| Sony
| Manufacturer |
| Name | NEX-VG10 | AG-HPX170 | HVR-Z1 | Name |
| European name ? | NEX-VG10 | AG-HPX171 | HVR-Z1E | European name ? |
| US name ? | NEX-VG10 | AG-HPX-170 | HVR-Z1U | US name ? |
| lowest US price | (1999) $ | 3045 $ | 5295 $ | lowest US price |
| On the market since | September 2010 | September 2008 | April 2005 | On the market since |
| Manufacturers URL | link to Sony | link to Panasonic | link to Sony | Manufacturers URL |
|
|
Test preview
|
| [ top ] | Sony NEX-VG10 | Panasonic AG-HPX170 | Sony HVR-Z1 | |
| slashCAM rating ? | Good
 | Good
| Good
| slashCAM rating ? |
| test picture 1200 Lux | | | | test picture 1200 Lux |
| Test image 12 lux auto-mode | | | | Test image 12 lux auto-mode |
Video
|
| [ top ] | Sony NEX-VG10 | Panasonic AG-HPX170 | Sony HVR-Z1 | |
| Video formats ? | AVCHD
| MiniDV
DVC PRO 25
DVC PRO 50
DVC PRO HD
| MiniDV
HDV
DVCAM
| Video formats ? |
| Recording Medium | SDHC card
Memory Stick PRO Duo
SDXC card
| P2
| MiniDV/HDV-Cassette
| Recording Medium |
| video resolutions EU ? | AVCHD 1440 x 1080/50i
AVCHD 1920 x 1080/50i
| MiniDV 720 x 576/50i
DVC PRO 25,576 / 50i
DVC PRO 50,576 / 50i
DVC PRO HD 720/25p
DVC PRO HD 720/50p
DVCPROHD 1080/25p
DVCPROHD 1080/50i
DVCPROHD 1080/24p
DVCPROHD 1080/30p
DVCPROHD 1080/60i
DVCPRO HD 720 24p - 60i
DVCPRO HD 24p 1080 - 60i
| HDV 1440 x 1080/50i
MiniDV 720 x 576/50i
DVCAM 720 x 576/50i
HDV 1440 x 1080/60i
DVCAM 720 x 480/60i
MiniDV 720 x 576/60i
| video resolutions EU ? |
| video resolutions US ? | AVCHD 1920 x 1080/60i
AVCHD 1440 x 1080/60i
| MiniDV 720 x 576/50i
DVCPROHD 1080/24p
DVCPROHD 1080/30p
MiniDV 720 x 480/60i
720 MiniDV x480/24p
MiniDV 720 x 480/30p
DVCPRO HD 720 24p - 60i
DVCPRO HD 24p 1080 - 60i
| HDV 1440 x 1080/50i
MiniDV 720 x 576/50i
DVCAM 720 x 576/50i
HDV 1440 x 1080/60i
DVCAM 720 x 480/60i
MiniDV 720 x 576/60i
| video resolutions US ? |
| Max Bitrate ? | 24 Mbit/s | 100 Mbit/s | 25 Mbit/s | Max Bitrate ? |
| Compression format ? | MPEG4
| DV
DVC PRO HD-proprietary
| DV
MPEG2
| Compression format ? |
| on-board memory ? | | | | on-board memory ? |
| Optics |
| Optics Manufacturer ? | Sony
| Leica
| Carl Zeiss
| Optics Manufacturer ? |
| Optical Zoom ? | 11 x | 13 x | 12 x | Optical Zoom ? |
| Wide Angle 16:9 ? | 32,5 mm | 28 mm | 32,5 mm | Wide Angle 16:9 ? |
| Filter diameter ? | 67 (kit lens)
mm | 72 mm | 72 mm | Filter diameter ? |
| Image Stabilization ? | optically and electronically
| optical
| optical
| Image Stabilization ? |
| ND Filter ? | No
| 3 | 2 | ND Filter ? |
| Exchangable optics ? | Yes
| No
| No
| Exchangable optics ? |
| Image Sensor |
| Number of sensors ? | 1 | 3 | 3 | Number of sensors ? |
| Size of image sensor ? | 1/APS-C (23.4 × 15.6mm)
inch | 1/3 inch | 1/3 inch | Size of image sensor ? |
| image sensor effective pixel count 16:9 ? | | 1100000 Pixel | 1070000 Pixel | image sensor effective pixel count 16:9 ? |
| Image Sensor Type ? | CMOS
| CCD
| CCD
| Image Sensor Type ? |
| Controls |
| White Balance ? | auto
manual
presets
| auto
manual
presets
| auto
manual
presets
WB-Shift
| White Balance ? |
| Focus ? | auto
manual
| auto
manual
| auto
manual
| Focus ? |
| Minimum shutter time ? | 4000 | 2.000 | 10.000 | Minimum shutter time ? |
| Maximum shutter time ? | 1/4 | 1/24 | 1/3 | Maximum shutter time ? |
| Apperture control ? | auto
manual
| auto
manual
AE-Shift
| auto
manual
AE-Shift
| Apperture control ? |
| Infrared recording ? | No
| No
| No
| Infrared recording ? |
| Expanded Focus ? | No
| No
| Yes
| Expanded Focus ? |
| Peaking ? | No
| Yes
| Yes
| Peaking ? |
| Signal Processing |
| Zebra ? | no
| 50-105% | 70-100% | Zebra ? |
| Histogram ? | Yes
| Yes
| No
| Histogram ? |
| adjustable sharpness ? | Yes
| Yes
| Yes
| adjustable sharpness ? |
| Adjustable color ? | Yes
| Yes
| Yes
| Adjustable color ? |
| Cinegamma ? | No
| Yes
| Yes
| Cinegamma ? |
| Black Strech ? | No
| No
| Yes
| Black Strech ? |
| Knee ? | No
| Yes
| No
| Knee ? |
| Colorbars ? | No
| Yes
| Yes
| Colorbars ? |
| Misc. |
| Shot Transition ? | No
| No
| Yes
| Shot Transition ? |
| Custom Presets ? | No
| Yes
| Yes
| Custom Presets ? |
| Set Time Code ? | No
| Yes
| Yes
| Set Time Code ? |
Configuration
|
| Connections |
| [ top ] | Sony NEX-VG10 | Panasonic AG-HPX170 | Sony HVR-Z1 | |
FBAS ?
synonymous: RCA, composite | | Out
| In
Out
| FBAS ?
synonymous: RCA, composite |
YC ?
synonymous: S-Video | No
| | In
Out
| YC ?
synonymous: S-Video |
YUV ?
synonymous: Component Signal | | Out
| Out
| YUV ?
synonymous: Component Signal |
| HDMI ? | Out
| | No
| HDMI ? |
DV / HDV (FireWire) ?
synonymous: ILink / IEEE-1394 | - | In
Out
| In
Out
| DV / HDV (FireWire) ?
synonymous: ILink / IEEE-1394 |
| USB ? | USB 2.0
| USB 2.0
| No
| USB ? |
| Microphone / Audio input ? | Mini-jack
| XLR
| XLR
| Microphone / Audio input ? |
| Headphones ? | Mini-jack
| 3.5 mm mini-jack
| Mini-jack
| Headphones ? |
| Lanc ? | No
| No
| Yes
| Lanc ? |
| Time-code interface ? | No
| No
| No
| Time-code interface ? |
| Genlock ? | No
| No
| No
| Genlock ? |
| Accessory shoe ? | 1 x 1 x Standard Hotshoe
| Standard
| Standard
| Accessory shoe ? |
| HD-SDI ? | No
| Out
| No
| HD-SDI ? |
| Misc. |
| Weight (without battery) | 620 g | 1900 g | 1995 g | Weight (without battery) |
| Weight (with battery) | 1300 g | 2250 g | 2182 g | Weight (with battery) |
| Battery type | Sony NP-FV70
| Panasonic CGA-D54
| Sony F570
| Battery type |
| Battery capacity | 1960 mAh | 5400 mAh | 2200 mAh | Battery capacity |
| Charger ? | external
| external
| external
| Charger ? |
| Remote control | No
| Yes
| Yes
| Remote control |
| Size |
| Height | 97 mm | 179 mm | 139 mm | Height |
| Width | 132 mm | 154 mm | 182 mm | Width |
| Depth | 294 mm | 397 mm | 360 mm | Depth |
| Relative Size ? | 37 | 109 | 91 | Relative Size ? |
| Viewfinder |
| Viewfinder available ? | Yes
| Yes
| Yes
| Viewfinder available ? |
| Color Viewfinder ? | Color
| Color
| B/W and color
| Color Viewfinder ? |
| Viewfinder format ? | 16:9 | 16:9 | 16:9 | Viewfinder format ? |
| Viewfinder pixels ? | 1440000 Pixel | 235000 Pixel | 252000 Pixel | Viewfinder pixels ? |
| Display |
| Display available ? | Yes
| Yes
| Yes
| Display available ? |
| Color display ? | Color
| Color
| Color
| Color display ? |
| Display size | 3,0 Inch | 3,5 Inch | 3,5 Inch | Display size |
| Display format ? | 16:9 | 4:3 | 16:9 | Display format ? |
| Display pixels ? | 921000 Pixel | | 250880 Pixel | Display pixels ? |
| Touch Screen ? | No
| No
| No
| Touch Screen ? |
| External controls |
| Manual Zoom ? | Ring
| Rocker
Ring
| Rocker
Ring
| Manual Zoom ? |
| Manual Focus ? | Ring
| Ring
| Ring
Menu
| Manual Focus ? |
| Manual Aperture ? | Menu
| Wheel
| Wheel
| Manual Aperture ? |
| Focus switcher ? | Yes
| Yes
| Yes
| Focus switcher ? |
| ND Filter ? | No
| Yes
| Yes
| ND Filter ? |
| Exp Lock ? | No
| | Yes
| Exp Lock ? |
| Gain ? | Yes
| Yes
| Yes
| Gain ? |
| White balance ? | Yes
| Yes
| Yes
| White balance ? |
| Push AF ? | Yes
| Yes
| Yes
| Push AF ? |
| Audio Levels ? | No
| Yes
| Yes
| Audio Levels ? |
Custom Keys ?
synonymous: User buttons | No
| 3 | 6 | Custom Keys ?
synonymous: User buttons |
Audio
|
| [ top ] | Sony NEX-VG10 | Panasonic AG-HPX170 | Sony HVR-Z1 | |
| Audio Formats ? | Dolby AC-3 Digital 2 channel 48 KHz
| MiniDV: 2x48kHz 16bit PCM
MiniDV: 4x32kHz 12bit PCM
DVC PRO 4x48kHz 16bit PCM
| MiniDV: 2x48kHz 16bit PCM
MiniDV: 4x32kHz 12bit PCM
HDV: 2x48kHz 16bit MPEG 1
| Audio Formats ? |
| Microphone ? | Stereo internal
Mini-jack external
| Stereo internal
external XLR
| Stereo internal
external XLR
| Microphone ? |
| Audio Control ? | auto
| manual
| auto
manual
| Audio Control ? |
| Audio levels ? | No
| Screen
| Viewfinder
Screen
| Audio levels ? |
Still
|
| [ top ] | Sony NEX-VG10 | Panasonic AG-HPX170 | Sony HVR-Z1 | |
| Recording Medium ? | Memory Stick Duo
SDHC card
| | No
| Recording Medium ? |
| Medium included ? | No
| | No
| Medium included ? |
| Effective pixels ? | | | | Effective pixels ? |
| Resolutions ? | 4592 × 3056 - Max
| | | Resolutions ? |
| Standard ? | JPEG Exif 2.2
| | | Standard ? |
| Flash ? | No
| | No
| Flash ? |
Misc.
|
| [ top ] | Sony NEX-VG10 | Panasonic AG-HPX170 | Sony HVR-Z1 | |
| Specials | - Vegas Movie Studio Platinum HD 10 as a free download
- Interchangeable lenses
| -european modell is named AG-HPX171
In the 720p mode the frame rate can be changed in 20 steps from 12 to 50 fps (European model; international NTSC-model to 60fps)
| | Specials |
Product Shots
|
| [ top ] | Sony NEX-VG10 | Panasonic AG-HPX170 | Sony HVR-Z1 | |
| View 1 | | | | View 1 |
| View 2 | | | | View 2 |
Test results
|
| Test pictures |
| [ top ] | Sony NEX-VG10 | Panasonic AG-HPX170 | Sony HVR-Z1 | |
| luminance resolution | | | | luminance resolution |
| chrominance resolution | | | | chrominance resolution |
| lens distortion | | | | lens distortion |
| test small ISO image | | | | test small ISO image |
| noise / internal microphone | | | | noise / internal microphone |
| test picture 1200 Lux | | | | test picture 1200 Lux |
| Test image 12 lux auto-mode ? | | | | Test image 12 lux auto-mode ? |
| Test image 12 lux optimized ? | | | | Test image 12 lux optimized ? |
| slashCAM rating |
| Lowlight ? | Very good | Satisfactory | Good | Lowlight ? |
| Resolution ? | Good | Satisfactory | Satisfactory | Resolution ? |
| Color performance ? | Good | Good | Satisfactory | Color performance ? |
| subj.Picture impression ? | Very good | Good | Very good | subj.Picture impression ? |
| Optical Zoom ? | Sufficient | Satisfactory | Sufficient | Optical Zoom ? |
| Wide Angle ? | Very good | Very good | Very good | Wide Angle ? |
| Configuration / image ? | Very good | Very good | Very good | Configuration / image ? |
| Configuration / sound ? | Poor | Very good | Very good | Configuration / sound ? |
| Handling ? | Good | Very good | Very good | Handling ? |
| Portability ? | Good | Satisfactory | Satisfactory | Portability ? |
| Photo function ? | Very good | Poor | Poor | Photo function ? |
| Optics ? | Good | Very good | Good | Optics ? |
| Dynamics ? | Good | Very good | Very good | Dynamics ? |
| Conclusion slashCAM |
| slashCAM rating ? | Good
| Good
| Good
| slashCAM rating ? |
Total score ?
(maximal 570) | 388 | 385 | 384 | Total score ?
(maximal 570) |
| Pros | + APS-C chip with interchangeable lens
+ complete manual control over iris, shutter, gain, white balance
+ image settings can be adjusted
| Good wide angle
+ Professional controls
+ genuine 720/50p mode and a variable framerate
| + Very good image quality impression
+ Wide optics
+ handling well-conceived
+ Very well equipped
+ Supports also formats with 60i
+ individually controllable audio channels
| Pros |
| Cons | - no control over audio, no level indication
- no motorized zoom
- no focus assist options
| - low sharpness due to pixel shift
- P2 cards are more expensive than tape
- 4:3 display with low resolution
| - No full HDV-resolution
- DV-quality only average
| Cons |
| Conclusion | The NEX-VG10 is a nice camera which makes great video recordings with bokeh, and also shows good lowlight capabilities -- even with the not so ideal kit lens.Iris, shutter, gain and white balance can be controlled manually (and separately), and also the image characteristics may be adjusted.But in comparison with present DSLRs Sony missed the occasion to add another dimension to "large-sensor-filming".Hardly any feature can be found that could not be had elsewhere (for considerably less money even).The audio section is rather meager for a 2000 Euro camcorder. | Panasonic´s AG-HPX171E scores with its handling and the Leica lens shows very little chromatic aberrations.Thanks to finally cheaper recording cards the AG-HPX171E can be seen as an allround-model suited for both documentary and fiction shooting.But pixel counting searchers for ultimate sharpness will be happier with other models, as will those who do not wish to invest in P2 cards. The resolution of the display is too low. | Just as the consumer version FX1 the Sony HVR-Z1 lacks CCDs with full HDV-resolution, which is noticeable at least in the horizontals.Nevertheless, the subjective image impression is still very good due to the very good dynamic behavior with extremely little noise and the consistent color reproduction.Despite the comparatively large wide-angle, optical errors are within limits, only little distortion and chromatic aberrations can be detected.In low light-situations the FX1 is good, the low noise being a plus. | Conclusion |
More information
|
| Reviews and Forums |
| [ top ] | Sony NEX-VG10 | Panasonic AG-HPX170 | Sony HVR-Z1 | |
| slashCAM Review | | AG-HPX170 Review | HVR-Z1 Review | slashCAM Review |
| external reviews/tests | |  provideocoalition.com
provideocoalition.com
| digitalcontentproducer.com
www.digitalproducer.com
videosystems.com
videosystems.com
www.digitalproducer.com
| external reviews/tests |
| Comparison | Sony NEX-VG10 compared to Sony PMW-EX1R
Sony NEX-VG10 compared to Sony PMW-350
Sony NEX-VG10 compared to Canon XF300
Sony NEX-VG10 compared to Canon XF305
Sony NEX-VG10 compared to Panasonic HDC-SD600
Sony NEX-VG10 compared to JVC GZ-HM550
Sony NEX-VG10 compared to JVC GZ-HM1
Sony NEX-VG10 compared to Samsung HMX-H204
Sony NEX-VG10 compared to Samsung HMX-S10
Sony NEX-VG10 compared to JVC GZ-HM335
Sony NEX-VG10 compared to Canon HF R106
Sony NEX-VG10 compared to Canon HF R16
Sony NEX-VG10 compared to Canon HF R18
Sony NEX-VG10 compared to Canon XF105
Sony NEX-VG10 compared to Canon XF100
Sony NEX-VG10 compared to Panasonic HDC-DX3
Sony NEX-VG10 compared to Panasonic HDC-SD3
| Panasonic AG-HPX170 compared to Canon XH A1s
Panasonic AG-HPX170 compared to Canon XH A1
Panasonic AG-HPX170 compared to Sony HDR-FX1000
Panasonic AG-HPX170 compared to Sony HVR-Z5
Panasonic AG-HPX170 compared to Sony HVR-V1
Panasonic AG-HPX170 compared to Panasonic AG-HMC151
Panasonic AG-HPX170 compared to Panasonic AG-HPX171
Panasonic AG-HPX170 compared to Panasonic AG-HVX200
Panasonic AG-HPX170 compared to JVC GY-HM100
Panasonic AG-HPX170 compared to Sony HVR-A1
Panasonic AG-HPX170 compared to Panasonic AG-HSC1U
| Sony HVR-Z1 compared to Sony PMW-EX1
Sony HVR-Z1 compared to Canon XH G1s
Sony HVR-Z1 compared to Canon XH G1
Sony HVR-Z1 compared to Sony HDR-AX2000
Sony HVR-Z1 compared to Sony HXR-NX5
Sony HVR-Z1 compared to Panasonic AG-HPX301E
Sony HVR-Z1 compared to Sony HVR-Z5
Sony HVR-Z1 compared to Canon XL H1A
Sony HVR-Z1 compared to Canon XL H1S
Sony HVR-Z1 compared to Canon XL H1
Sony HVR-Z1 compared to JVC GY-HM700
Sony HVR-Z1 compared to Sony HVR-Z7
Sony HVR-Z1 compared to JVC GY-HD100
| Comparison |
| Forum posts | Sony's NEX-VG10 vs VideoDSLR
SonyNEX-VG10 - camcorder with APS sensor and interchangeable lenses
| The SWR and its AG-HPX171
AG-HPX170/AG-HPX171 Pro Panasonic P2 Camcorders
| SonyHVR-Z1E time to delete material in issue?
price for a used Z1 - which were as the average prices!
Migration of SonyPD170 on Z1 - big jump or rather Bleibenlassen!
sony hdr z1 / svideo to bnc adapter
Shoe Adapter for SonyFX1 / Z1 where?
Monitor Z1 connect
SonyHVR-Z1E / DVCAM quality
Search German manual for HVR-Z1E
clips for sony z1
SonyHVR Z1 or Canon XL H1?
SonyHVR-Z1E Picture shows only the coil to
Problem: SonyHVR-Z1E Firewire connection to PC
HVR-Z1E or HVX-200?
| Forum posts |
| |
