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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Not a SLR but they're Canons. (Camcorder Help) | |
ok - so here is my answer to your almost exact same question on the Nikon forum regarding D7000 vs G10
We shoot a mixture of DSLRs (5D2, 7D, 60D & 550D) and Camcorders commercially. We even have one of the Canon G10s the OP is asking about. I've just returned from a shoot this evening and while we used the G10 in good light, in poor light the G10 will never be 'better quality' than a larger DSLR style sensor. The noise above 6db / 9db becomes unacceptable very quickly. Having said that, 9db is equal to around ISO2000.
They are different tools for different jobs. DSLR for low light and shallow DOF footage. Camcorder for AF and good (deep) depth of field when needed.
The G10 is an awesome camera for it's price. The image stabilization is about as good, if not better than anything I've played with and combined with a little help from After Effects (such as the Warp Stabilizer) we can shoot almost anything hand held with it instead of needing expensive and cumbersome steadicam rigs.
However, the G10 suffers from two problems (IMO), the first is that it lacks time code (not a big deal for many people) and the image is far too saturated. We have the saturation turned down to -2 (as far as it will go) but often still need a further reduction (to around 80%) to match with our other camcorders (XF-100 and XF-300).
Being a 1/3" sensor, it has awesome depth of field, and by that I mean you can get a LOT in focus, which is often important. While many people want the holy grail of shallow DOF, sometimes you need to get more than a few inches in focus (i.e. both Bride & Groom at the same time!) and with the G10 this is possible, whereas with a DSLR it's much harder because you can't stop down far enough without increasing the ISO to unreasonable levels.
Noise on the G10 is acceptable up to around 3db, with 6db normally needing some noise reduction (e.g. Neat Video) for commercial use, and I'm happy to go to about 9db when needed.
Auto mode adds lots of noise reduction AND saturation which tends to make it 'look' less noisy, but in the end you also lose detail.
Also, while the dual cards can be used in parallel (write the same to both cards) or sequentially (fill one card then fill the next one), if you ever switch to Auto mode it disables it and never re-enables it when you go back to manual. *really annoying!)
So, tonight we put the G10 back in the bag and kept shooting with XF100 (essentially the same lens, sensor and electronics - but different software) and DSLRs. The DSLR footage is worlds apart because it's a lot cleaner than the video footage.
Video cameras can 'look' higher quality in good light, but in lower light I know which one I'd want
I'd take the G10 over the S30 every time - in fact I just wouldn't bother with the S30 if you can afford the G10.
Audio is of course another matter. G10 is better than DSLR most of the time, but then we rarely use the audio from either.
-- Canon Specific --
The 5D2 & 7D coupled with good glass blow the G10 out of the water in low light - but the G10 can look amazing in good light.
DSLRs with cheap consumer glass are blown away by the G10.
Now what?
What EXACTLY are you planning to shoot with the G10 ?
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