hdr-hc5 versus hdr-hc7

[marshallkarp]

Much difference other than price?

 

[DaFireMedic]

Much difference other than price?

There may not be a huge difference for underwater use, but just looking at the specs, a few things stand out:

The HC5 uses electronic image stabilization, the HC7 has optical stabilization. In general, optical stabilization functions much better.

The HC7 has a slightly larger sensor (1/2.9" compared to 1/3" for the HC5). This should give it better resolution. (I will comment on low light performance later)

The HC7 has 1/8" external mic input and a headphone jack. The HC5 has neither. These are both critical features for me, as I do a lot of land based stuff. I would not buy a camcorder that does not have at least the mic input. For underwater, it obviously does not matter as much.

The HC7 has a manual focus wheel, the HC5 does not.

One thing I noticed, however, about the potential for underwater use. The HC5 has significantly fewer pixels in a similar sized area on the sensor. While this would produce lower resolution, this should (in theory) give the HC5 better low light performance than the HC7.

If I were shopping for one now, and were using it for both land and underwater video, I'd take the HC7, no question about it. But if I were using it strictly underwater, I'd get the HC5.

 

[drbill]

I'm still not overly impressed with my HC-7 underwater. I've even had problems with it topside (slipping unexpectedly into manual focus). It has problems I've posted about here in other threads. However, I must admit that when I look at my HDV footage on an HD TV, the resolution is generally very nice and the colors aren't as bad as my eyes think they are when viewing the footage in standard def (which I downconvert to for my cable TV show).

 

[OceanObsessed]

I'm still not overly impressed with my HC-7 underwater. I've even had problems with it topside (slipping unexpectedly into manual focus).

Now that you mention it...the last time I used my HC3 it had somehow slipped into manual focus since the last time I used it.

 

[5ata]

I'm still not overly impressed with my HC-7 underwater. I've even had problems with it topside (slipping unexpectedly into manual focus). It has problems I've posted about here in other threads. However, I must admit that when I look at my HDV footage on an HD TV, the resolution is generally very nice and the colors aren't as bad as my eyes think they are when viewing the footage in standard def (which I downconvert to for my cable TV show).

Robin Berg feels the quality of footage is up to snuff and is using it for broadcast production. He recently told me that, under the right conditions, it outperforms his Z1U/L&M Bluefin housing. He ingests the HC7 footage uncompressed via a Miranda conversion box and says Discovery Channel has no issues with his using the footage he has shot with the HC7 in a Light & Motion Bluefin HC7 housing.

In addition, the Travel Channel Academy has made the HC7 the defacto standard for it's courses and is used more and more for certain shows broadcast on the Travel Channel.

I'm actually moving to this camera/housing setup for freediving after extensive research on shooting video while freediving.

 

[diversteve]

I'm actually moving to this camera/housing setup for freediving after extensive research on shooting video while freediving.

Looked at the Seatool HC7?

I think I'd prefer it for freediving since it's so much smaller/lighter than the Bluefin.

Costs $500 less new also. Mike @H20Photo has a used one for $2300

 

[5ata]

There's a point of diminishing returns on too small of a housing for holding the camera steady when it becomes too small.

The Light & Motion Bluefin HC7 is now being released with a monitor back (was announced at DEMA) and I prefer the quality of the housing over the Seatool. I don't like the jerry rigged flip out mirror to use for monitoring on the Seatool housing either. The cost for the housing from Light & Motion is doable for me and I prefer working with their people since I know some of them personally..

 

[diversteve]

There's a point of diminishing returns on too small of a housing for holding the camera steady when it becomes too small.

True, but I thought size might be a bigger issue freediving...

The Light & Motion Bluefin HC7 is now being released with a monitor back (was announced at DEMA)...

HD or SD monitor? Does L&M have an HD monitor yet?

I saw they announced the Stingray HD with their SD monitor back. No MWB though so it's basically a Stingray with a port. Might be a good option for others to consider.

I don't like the jerry rigged flip out mirror to use for monitoring on the Seatool housing either.

Can't argue with that - it'd be something I'd likely break off at some point.

 

[OceanObsessed]

Looked at the Seatool HC7?

I think I'd prefer it for freediving since it's so much smaller/lighter than the Bluefin.

Costs $500 less new also. Mike @H20Photo has a used one for $2300

I've been eyeing the Seatool housing for my HC3. Correct me if I'm wrong but it seems to be the most compact housing out there. If I can find a used one for a good price I'd really like to upgrade to that housing. I've been freediving with a Top Dawg housing LOL. Talk about a workout .

 

[pakman]

Not sure if this is of any interest to you guys, but Zillion, another smaller Japanese housing maker, more known for their DSLR housings, has a nice compact HC7 housing with a built in angled LCD (SD only) on the rear. That angled LCD might be great for snorkeling on the surface and u/w when you're shooting some macro down low.

Zillion Breed1-HC7 Underwater Video Housing For The Sony HDR-HC7