Topic: Sony HX9V vs HX20V vs HX50V

[guitard]

My HX9V kicked the bucket, so I'm looking for a new cam.

I was very happy with HX9V, but a lot of newer models have come out since then.  I don't care at all about photo capabilities - only concert video shooting capabilities.

Anyone checked out an HX20V?  Or the HX50V?

[dmb2much]

In case you haven't already seen this write up, Recommended & Best Three Pocket Digital Cameras for Live Music Concerts for Fans (Photos & Video). Give it a read, as well as the comments made towards the bottom. There's discussion of the HX50V vs. HX20V - which is favored. 

If you decide to go after an older model, keep an eye out over to the used section at B&H Photo. A few weeks ago there was a HX20V going for about $125. On ebay I believe they are going for an average of $90 - 180$. Also, if you run across the HX30V it's the same as the 20V, but with WiFi built-in.

Good Luck!

[guitard]

There's discussion of the HX50V vs. HX20V - which is favored.

That's an interesting article, but it's almost entirely focused (yes - pun intended!) on still photography.  The writer of that blog doesn't seem to know much about filming or about the capabilities of these cameras when it comes to concert filming, as evidenced in this exchange at his blog:

hello - my lumix ZS7 uses AVCHD Lite, and can shoot continuous video until the memory card is full (over an hour at a time). is the HX20v capable of this, or is it strictly limited to 29 minutes in AVCHD?
thanks.

I've never run it continuously, but the battery life is very long - I wouldn't be surprised if it ran an hour. You'll have to read the Sony specs to see what their claims are. I always bring extra batteries.

And as far as shooting video with the HX20V vs HX50V, he says ...

The more I've used the HX50V (which I used to replace my HX20V), I've found it to be pretty much unusable in most concert situations. Even in the light on the artist is good, any blacks behind them becomes a mess. Fine for video, horrible for still concert photography.

[fguidry]

The article above is a bit out of date, no surprise since the high performance compact market a point of hot competition. The RX100 is up to MKiii now, for instance.

I'm admittedly a Lumix fanboy, but the new GM1 hits a lot of hot spots and is quite close in size to the Sony RX-100, has a larger sensor and is an interchangeable lens shooter without making it obvious. The kit lens is a short zoom (12-32 which is 24-64 equivalent) 30 or 24 fps, a 24 Mbps codec, no shot length limit. Probably need a couple of spare batteries for a long show though. This camera requires some study, it really only comes to life if you're willing to go to manual settings.

The replacement for the LX7 is coming and it's loudly rumored to be 1" sensor and with a f2.8-f4 short zoom. But that brings up an issue for some people - shot length. The LX7 and according to rumor the LX8 as well are limited to 30 minute shot length (the file is created in smaller chunks but span without glitches up to the limit). This limit is very very common and if continuous shooting is important it knocks out a lot of cameras that would otherwise be attractive. One reason I like no shot length limit is that it simplifies syncing in post, another is the use of a locked down unattended camera.

Fran

[guitard]

The article above is a bit out of date, no surprise since the high performance compact market a point of hot competition. The RX100 is up to MKiii now, for instance.

I gave some serious consideration to ordering an RX100 III.  But didn't because even though it has a tilt-able LED screen (a really cool feature for stealth filming), it only has a 3.6X optical zoom.  I just couldn't see spending an extra $400+, and opted for the RX50 that comes with 30X optical zoom.

But that brings up an issue for some people - shot length. The LX7 and according to rumor the LX8 as well are limited to 30 minute shot length (the file is created in smaller chunks but span without glitches up to the limit). This limit is very very common and if continuous shooting is important it knocks out a lot of cameras that would otherwise be attractive. One reason I like no shot length limit is that it simplifies syncing in post, another is the use of a locked down unattended camera.

I look at it this way...

Your average concert runs around 90 minutes.

Your average battery will get you around 60 minutes.

If you shoot a show with a camera that has a 30 minute time limit, you'll have to stop/start at 30 minutes.  You'll have to change the battery at around 60 minutes.  And then you can usually catch the rest of the show without a break (either stop/start because of the 30 minute time limit or for a battery change).

So the end result is that having a 30 minute time limit should really only cost you once.  If you plan that out and make the stop/start and battery change in between songs - it really shouldn't cost you anything.  Not to mention, if it's a big show - you'll probably be able to find something on Youtube to cover any gaps in your video.

[beatkilla]

I just picked up a HX50 from bestbuy for $329.....not a bad price at all.Hope to use it tomorrow!

[guitard]

I just picked up a HX50 from bestbuy for $329.....not a bad price at all.Hope to use it tomorrow!

Why did you choose the HX50V?

[beatkilla]

I chose it mainly because of the long zoom .....but after using it yesterday i can say that viewing the LCD in bright sunlight is almost impossible.

[guitard]

I chose it mainly because of the long zoom .....but after using it yesterday i can say that viewing the LCD in bright sunlight is almost impossible.

I suppose that might come into play at the occasional daytime show, but 95% of the time, I'll be using it indoors, so I'm not to concerned about that.

[tardis71]

Get a Sony HX50v 30x optical zoom! 
Here's some examples! I'm pretty far away...about midway on the side of the arena.

Rod Stewart
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3znMBTEXn7s

Steve Winwood
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=njEfqEbiStQ

Nine Inch Nails
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VwwLoh4VNws

[beatkilla]

Have you found any way to adjust exposure settings in video mode,it seems that there is only 2 options for video,Full automatic or Scene modes which are still automatic but i haven't found any explanation of the scene mode shutter settings etc.

[beatkilla]

Anyone else who has this camera can check for me in Manual mode the fastest shutter speed i can select is 1600 not 4000 as in the specs,am i missing something?

[shoestringconcerts]

I am a big fan off the LX7(I have 2) great low light performance but only 4x zoom but that is not a big concern for me. 

This might be an option:
http://shop.panasonic.com/shop/model/DMC-FZ200K

If you want to keep small just go with the hx20/30/50

M

[dmb2much]

I recently bought a HX20V from B&H Photo's used dept for $129 for the sole purpose of concert recording. I recorded some video last week for the first time.
I like the size of the camera and was extremely happy with the video quality. It will suite my needs perfectly.

Although I have a difficult time holding steady with the 20x zoomed in, the HX50V would be nice with the 30x zoom and wifi.

I may try the "active" steadyshot setting as it uses optical and incorporates EIS as well. I'll need to do some testing to see the trade off with the compromised video quality.

Here's some handheld footage from the show I went to, mind you I did run the video through Virtual Dub with the Thalin DeShaker plug-in: The Avett Brothers: Laundry Room > I Killed Sally's Lover          Be sure to change the "setting" to 1080p HD.

There's other videos in this playlist that were shot with more daylight: The Avett Brothers @ Red Butte Amphitheatre 2014-07-09

Here are some pics taken with the camera: