JVC vs Sony

[Scotttyd]

I am looking at the JVC HD-30 and Sony SR 12, to me it seems like sony camcorders are the most popular, but I was curious as to if anyone new of any major difference between the two? The ikelite housing for the JVC camcorder is less expensive which means more money for lights if the camcorder is a good buy.

 

[crpntr133]

Most Sony camcorders can be used in a electronic control housing. They use the LANC or whatever they call it now. Since I am not familiar with the two models you mention I can't help much there.

 

[diversteve]

Every major housing mfr. houses Sony cameras since they work in either format. Only Ikelite and Equinox house JVC. So you see more Sony housings than anything else.

Key differences after I spent 2 mins. reviewing each.

Both shoot 1920x1080P. The Sony might have a better lens. The Sony might have a better LCD screen. JVC didn't specify either so I couldn't tell.

The Sony has one extra HD recording speed:

FH = 7 hours 10 min.
HQ = 14 hours and 40 min.
SP = 17 hours and 50 min.
LP = 22 hours and 50 min.

vs JVC's:

XP: 10hr. 17Mbps
SP: 14hr. 12Mbps
EP: 33hr. 5Mbps

I have no clue which is better at any setting since Sony doesn't list their Mbps/speed numbers. It might be in the manual - which you might be able to d/l here: http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/select-system.pl?DIRECTOR=DOCS

Compare/Contrast:

JVC
2.68MP sensor
80GB HDD
Optional MPEG2-TS output - a non-standard format. Although some editors now support it.
Uses industry standard MicroSD cards.

Sony
5.6MP sensor (3.8K actual)
120GB HDD
Output in MPEG2.
Uses Proprietary Memory Stick Duo Pro cards - more expensive.
Has Tele-Macro capability. Useful if the Ikelite housing supports it - and you plan to shoot Macro...

A better comparison would be the HD40 to the SR12. Or the HD30 to the SR11.

 

[Scotttyd]

as far as a sensor 5.6mp vs 2.68 mp, is this similiar to comparing megapixels in a camera (ie the more the better
resolution

The only difference I see (other than cost) between the SR11 and SR 12 is memory size, is this correct?

 

[diversteve]

as far as a sensor 5.6mp vs 2.68 mp, is this similiar to comparing megapixels in a camera (ie the more the better resolution

Generally speaking that's it. There was a problem with the HDR-HC7 in low-light since the chip size on all the 1CMOS Sony cameras is the same, in effect cramming more pixels onto the same area led to more cross-talk between the individual sensors - thus creating more "picture noise" and less overall resolution - but that's specifically in low-light natural light situations. I haven't read anywhere if Sony did/did not correct the problem in the SR11/12 but it's of very minor concern - esp. since you seem to be buying lights.

Note that when comparing "actual" resolution, i.e. what's usable, the Sony is 3.8MP while JVC didn't specify theirs. I would assume it's something under 2MP. The mfr's tend to use the biggest number possible in their marketing.

Personally I'll buy the largest sensor I can afford, the resolution will be better in most (if not all) conditions. It may partially explain why the Sony has one more resolution level than the JVC also.

The only difference I see (other than cost) between the SR11 and SR 12 is memory size, is this correct?

"memory size" meaning storage space? Yes - one has twice the HDD size of the other so can record basically twice as long. Other than that, they seem identical. The limiting factor with either of them will likely be the battery time - it used to be tape length.

The less often you open your housing the better the odds you won't flood it. So anything to maximize that is of use. Especially in adverse conditions like on a smaller dive boat. Even on liveaboards with camera tables, I almost always only change tapes in my cabin - or at least indoors. I've yet to flood a housing (I've owned two) yet three people on my last Nekton trip who opened their (still) housings at the outdoor camera table flooded theirs during the week. Coincidence?