Sony HDR-SR5 $699 @ Amazon!!!!

[kckid]

Outstanding price! Get them while they last... :11:

Amazon.com: Sony HDR-SR5 AVCHD 4MP 40GB High Definition Hard Disk Drive Camcorder with 10x Optical Zoom: Camera & Photo

 

[drbill]

Very good price, but read the reviews about editing and a few other quirks on this camcorder. I have the HC-7 and am not very pleased with the "quality" of the video captured by it underwater. Perhaps one of the problems is the CMOS chip. All my previous Sony camcorders have been great.

 

[Empty V]

Very good price, but read the reviews about editing and a few other quirks on this camcorder. I have the HC-7 and am not very pleased with the "quality" of the video captured by it underwater. Perhaps one of the problems is the CMOS chip. All my previous Sony camcorders have been great.

Hey Dr. B, I know you're shooting HDV, which is my mortal enemy, but what about the quality do you not like? I'm not a big Sony fan but am curious about this new camera they have coming out to compete in the pro-sumer market that has a new CMOS image sensor.

Billy

 

[drbill]

Billy... my feeling is that the CMOS chip or the new Sony color space just don't do well underwater, at least in areas where vis/plankton/suspended sediments are an issue. Lighting has to be spot-on to get good results (unlike my mini-DV and other cameras which were much more forgiving of uneven lighting). Shadows are often cast in an ugly green color instead of dark gray or black as with all my previous Sony cameras.

I've seen great results from clearer tropical waters, and I've certainly taken a lot of pleasing HDV with the set up, but it just hasn't been as consistent as my earlier Sony camcorders that use CCD sensors. My topside video is almost always great (occasionally the camera has problems autofocusing topside even in good light).

To keep on topic, this camera also uses the CMOS sensor so I wonder what kind of results it will generate underwater.

 

[marshallkarp]

So you think the hdr-hc5 would do better underwater? Just curious what you thought?

 

[drbill]

Not if it uses the same CMOS sensor as the HC-7. However, it may use the one on the HC-5 which is different.

 

[KOMPRESSOR]

Very good price, but read the reviews about editing and a few other quirks on this camcorder. I have the HC-7 and am not very pleased with the "quality" of the video captured by it underwater. Perhaps one of the problems is the CMOS chip. All my previous Sony camcorders have been great.

Wo-oops! I ALMOST bought the HDR-HC7E today!!...

Are there different versions of this camera? Is yours with a harddisk or tape Dr Bill?

 

[diversteve]

Wo-oops! I ALMOST bought the HDR-HC7E today!!...

Are there different versions of this camera?

The HDR-HC5 is the model down from the HDR-HC7. Both are HDV (tape) format models. The primary difference is the HC7 has a 3.2MP CMOS sensor vs. the HC5's 2.1MP sensor. And the HC5 does not have an external microphone jack.

The HDR-SR5 and HDR-SR7 are the HDD equivalent models. Although as of today, Sony no longer shows the HDR-SR7 on their website, instead just the HDR-SR8 which is a newer model. Both use the AVCHD storage format.

Also the HDR-SR5 is less optimal for u/w use as it lacks a rear viewfinder requiring either an external monitor or a housing that allows you to view the LCD screen.

btw, the regular price of the HDR-SR5 is $725 almost everywhere online.

 

[drbill]

I use the tape model.

Note the HC-5's CMOS sensor differs from the HC-7's and may actually give better low light results and color rendition.

I've decided I'm going to have to take the camcorder to a nice warm tropical location with plenty of great vis so I can test it out under more ideal conditions! It's pretty wet and cold out here in SoCal this week.

 

[KOMPRESSOR]

I use the tape model.

Note the HC-5's CMOS sensor differs from the HC-7's and may actually give better low light results and color rendition.

I've decided I'm going to have to take the camcorder to a nice warm tropical location with plenty of great vis so I can test it out under more ideal conditions! It's pretty wet and cold out here in SoCal this week.

I haven't got a clue what differs between CMOS and 3CCD except CMOS is newer, simpler, cheaper, and according to some, better(?). The 3CCD cameras I've seen are so expensive they're out of my league anyways. But how come a more expensive HC-7 give less under low light conditions than HC-5? As the HC-7 has 3.2 mega-something much more than the HC-5?

It's now 10F outside, and viz is excellent for video in the lake. But I'm not going to check as my nose is running, there's holidays chaos in our shop, and I'm alone at work...