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Video Quality Test HV30 HFR400 Rebel T4i

MiniDV, DVD, Hard Drive, 8 mm, High Def, brands, import / capture techniques, settings ... talk about camcorders in here.

Video Quality Test HV30 HFR400 Rebel T4i

Postby Ron Hunter » Sat Dec 28, 2013 10:23 pm

I recently purchased a refurbished Canon Rebel T4i with 18-135mm lens. I got the camera mainly as a still camera upgrade for my 8 year old digital Rebel XT. I know the T4i can shoot video (thanks to Momoffduty) but I didn't plan to use the T4i as my main "camcorder".

I was curious about the quality of the T4i in video mode, so this week I tested the T4i's video quality against my two dedicated Canon camcorders, an 8 year old Vixia HV30 (MiniDV tape) and 2 month old HFR400 (SD card). I presumed that a dedicated camcorder would have better video quality than a device for which video was an afterthought. I was wrong.

For test 1 I compared T4i vs HFR400. Both cameras were in auto focus/exposure/WB, and the T4i lens was adjusted to create the same screen composition as the camcorder. For test 2 I did the same thing but I compared T4i vs HV30. I think the difference in video quality is amazing. You can see my results here:



I'm sure the lens on my T4i is a big part of these results, but I was blown away by the T4i. If I would have known about the T4i's video quality I would not have purchased the HFR400 a couple of months ago. Long story short, I'm glad I have the T4i and I plan to use it whenever possible in my videos.
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Cameras (in use): Panasonic GH4/Canon HFR400/Canon HV30, GoPro HD Hero2.
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Re: Video Quality Test HV30 HFR400 Rebel T4i

Postby momoffduty » Sat Dec 28, 2013 10:35 pm

Wow, very nice comparisons. I still use the HV30, but juice it up in post so it doesn't look so flat. I have the 18-135 IS STM lens and noticed that it isn't as dynamic as the 40mm pancake or the 50mm 1.4. I love the 40mm for a good walking around lens and the price has come down too. It is around $134 now. I think I paid about $200 last year. I think a dedicated camcorder is better in certain situations over the dslr just as a dslr is better than the camcorder. It depends on the situation and good to have one in your arsenal.
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Re: Video Quality Test HV30 HFR400 Rebel T4i

Postby Peru » Sun Dec 29, 2013 1:41 pm

It would be interesting to see the same comparison outdoors with good lighting.
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Re: Video Quality Test HV30 HFR400 Rebel T4i

Postby Dave McElderry » Sun Dec 29, 2013 2:51 pm

I understand where you're coming from, but I would also have to ask which result is more true-to-life. Oversaturated, brighter colors may seem more visually appealing at first but, for me, natural wins out every time.
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Re: Video Quality Test HV30 HFR400 Rebel T4i

Postby Gerlinde » Sun Dec 29, 2013 4:30 pm

I use my HV30 mostly in Cine Mode, which has a positive effect on low light performance. I agree with Peru, you should run the test again under better lighting conditions. Also, just setting the cameras into auto mode does propably not really compare.
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Re: Video Quality Test HV30 HFR400 Rebel T4i

Postby Ron Hunter » Sun Dec 29, 2013 5:30 pm

OK, the weather in NC isn't great right now but I'll try to get some outdoor footage the next time the sun shines. Could be a while though. :fg:

Gerlinde, you mentioned that the cameras shouldn't be in fully automatic mode for that test. What would you recommend?

All of this surprised me because the T4i is primarily a still image camera, whereas the HV30 and HFR400 are primarily camcorders. I just presumed a video-focused camera would perform better than a still image-focused camera. I understand that each "tool" has its own place in the videographer "toolkit", but I am very glad I finally got the T4i.
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Cameras (in use): Panasonic GH4/Canon HFR400/Canon HV30, GoPro HD Hero2.
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Re: Video Quality Test HV30 HFR400 Rebel T4i

Postby Gerlinde » Sun Dec 29, 2013 6:32 pm

Gerlinde, you mentioned that the cameras shouldn't be in fully automatic mode for that test. What would you recommend?


I don't really know, but I assume that the still camera has a lens with a better light factor. Maybe setting the same aperture and f- stop on the HV 30 as the still camera is using? Also, some dslr cameras are set for "vivid" or "natural" colors or use a custom color setting. I don't know though if that would affect video recording too. It does on my simple Panasonic lumix.

I'm not trying to critize your test, i was just wondering if a dslr really compares to a deticated camcorder when you just look at automatic settings.

I was very tempted by Cheryl's videos she took with her Rebel camera. It looks really nice and the fact that you can use different lenses is for sure an advantage. But the down side is it will not record continiously like a camcorder.
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Re: Video Quality Test HV30 HFR400 Rebel T4i

Postby momoffduty » Sun Dec 29, 2013 7:57 pm

Bob, Dave & Gerlinde brought up some valid points. Here is an old thread that I posted with and without color correction on the HV30.

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=11109&p=95985&hilit=hv30#p95985

With all my cameras (HV20, HV30, T4i) I shoot in a neutral tone and if necessary color correct or punch up in post, ex: MBQL a small percent, white balance, saturation, OR contrast. Not all the adjustments ever, just what I feel is needed. Sometimes no adjustments.

Lenses do make a big difference. What I have noticed is that the 18-135 isn't as sharp as the 40mm and has a flatter look. But, again I don't use color styles like vivid, landscape, portrait. I did use portrait on one set of photos and was unhappy how they looked too pinkish.

Light makes a big difference too. Golden hour brings out some nice colors whereas high noon is flat light. Indoor lighting is a big challenge.

I used the HV30 at 3 events last weekend. Because it was all indoors and shooting for long times. I didn't want to worry if the card would fill up. And the T4i is too grainy at 800 ISO in my opinion. Maybe if I had better lenses or a full frame camera that would work better in low light then I wouldn't have used the HV30.

It is interesting to see the comparisons in the video Ron. Maybe reshoot a comparison in the spring time outdoors?
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Re: Video Quality Test HV30 HFR400 Rebel T4i

Postby Ron Hunter » Sun Dec 29, 2013 11:14 pm

Cheryl, what is MBQL?

All of the video in my comparison was shot with the cameras in Program mode (no color styles), all color/saturation/contrast/younameit settings at default. And I applied no corrections of any kind in PRE12. HFR400 camcorder in AVCHD 60p mode, HV30 in HD mode (I think 1440x1080i), and Rebel in 1920x1080i.

I suppose this isn't a fair test because the Rebel lens is likely much better than the lenses on the camcorders.

It's actually supposed to be clear and sunny tomorrow. I'll try to take some footage and post it in the coming days.
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Re: Video Quality Test HV30 HFR400 Rebel T4i

Postby momoffduty » Mon Dec 30, 2013 10:32 am

Ron Hunter wrote:Cheryl, what is MBQL?


From Red Giant, Magic Bullet Quick Looks. This version has presets and the only controls is the intensity. There are a few I use and the intensity at 20% to about 50%. Just enough to give some pop, but not too much. At 100% is way too much. Guess it depends on what you are going for. The Full version of Magic Bullet (pricey $$$) has each parameter broken down and can tweak.

http://www.redgiant.com/products/all/quicklooks/

In the past year I have been using AE & PrPro to color correct more than MBQL. After watching a ton of photography tuts this past year I have gained a little more confidence to tweak on my own. :)
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