Uploaded April 2015 | Updated September 2026, 37 minutes ago
Testing how the Sony FDR-AXP33 (AX33) and Panasonic HC-VX870 (WX970) compare when the light's dim and you need to start adding in gain.
NOTE: the Sony has weirdly limited manual exposure controls which means I can't absolutely guarantee that this test is precisely like-for-like. Sorry, it's the way Sony have implemented their Auto / Manual function.
Specifically, I fixed shutter at 1/50 to match the Panasonic, then could only use the Auto Gain Limit control to gently allow the camcorder to bring the gain up from 0. This was done on the basis that it was so dark that the lens would already have to be at maximum aperture but sadly the Sony doesn't actually confirm the aperture to you when it's on Auto (which it has to be if you set the shutter speed to manual! Yes, it's peculiar. You can only have *either* Shutter or Iris or "Exposure" (the don't define this anywhere) on manual, at which point the others change to Auto)
******* If anyone watching has a better way of ensuring the two are matched and controlled equally, I'd be delighted to hear it *************
You may like my other Sony AXP33 videos:
youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_CzKKr2ndpnGaeTplN2Osiy-CotCfKtb
And my Panasonic VX870 videos:
youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_CzKKr2ndpmA4-iq_MkxdpPGVqySkfVE
If you fancy buying either of these camcorders after watching, would you consider going via my Amazon link? That way I get a small commission to keep the reviews coming. Thanks:
Sony AXP33: amzn.to/1IwiuzP
Sony AX33: amzn.to/1EW0YxY
Panasonic HC-VX870: amzn.to/1BF8Gef
Panasonic HC-WX970: amzn.to/1IwiLmm
For updates, follow me on Twitter:
twitter.com/UKAirscape
Testing how the Sony FDR-AXP33 (AX33) and Panasonic HC-VX870 (WX970) compare when the light's dim and you need to start adding in gain.
NOTE: the Sony has weirdly limited manual exposure controls which means I can't absolutely guarantee that this test is precisely like-for-like. Sorry, it's the way Sony have implemented their Auto / Manual function.
Specifically, I fixed shutter at 1/50 to match the Panasonic, then could only use the Auto Gain Limit control to gently allow the camcorder to bring the gain up from 0. This was done on the basis that it was so dark that the lens would already have to be at maximum aperture but sadly the Sony doesn't actually confirm the aperture to you when it's on Auto (which it has to be if you set the shutter speed to manual! Yes, it's peculiar. You can only have *either* Shutter or Iris or "Exposure" (the don't define this anywhere) on manual, at which point the others change to Auto)
******* If anyone watching has a better way of ensuring the two are matched and controlled equally, I'd be delighted to hear it *************
You may like my other Sony AXP33 videos:
youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_CzKKr2ndpnGaeTplN2Osiy-CotCfKtb
And my Panasonic VX870 videos:
youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_CzKKr2ndpmA4-iq_MkxdpPGVqySkfVE
If you fancy buying either of these camcorders after watching, would you consider going via my Amazon link? That way I get a small commission to keep the reviews coming. Thanks:
Sony AXP33: amzn.to/1IwiuzP
Sony AX33: amzn.to/1EW0YxY
Panasonic HC-VX870: amzn.to/1BF8Gef
Panasonic HC-WX970: amzn.to/1IwiLmm
For updates, follow me on Twitter:
twitter.com/UKAirscape
