Compare Sony HDR-CX900 with Canon Legria HF G30 / XA20

Compare Sony HDR-CX900 with Canon Legria HF G30 / XA20

Canon Legria HF G30 HD Camcorder (20x opt. Zoom, 400x Dig. Zoom, 8-blade iris shutter, 8.9 cm (3.5 inch) OLED touchscreen, Wi-Fi, DIGIC DV 4) (Electronics)

Customer Review

The end of 2013 I switched from the 2011 Consumer flagship Panasonic HDC-HS900 with 220 GB hard drive to the much more professional designed and better-operate Canon XA20. Background is a part-time use for wedding films and events with Henkel and XLR microphones. The special feature is the removable handle to a smaller camcorder for private use, for example, to get on vacation. Except for the absence of rear Canon's accessories shoe for example, the Canon's own 5.1 surround microphone is without mounted handle to a Canon Legria HF G30. Shortly after purchasing the Canon XA20 the new Sony models were presented 1 with probably breath robbing image quality, an unprecedented Bookeh and an even better manual operation. How great an impact Bookeh shot with shallow depth of field is known to me from my Canon DSLR EOS60D that I did (so far) only use the photograph. Although the Sony I have not has a professional orientation as the Canon XA20 with handle and XLR I ordered the CX900 shortly after publication and compared them with the Canon. A Sony AX100 separates me from because they but initial tests According sensational 4K recordings accomplished this technique is still in its infancy though. So no 50p recording possible is compressed only with 60 Mbps, there is no real standard for format and storage medium and because it lacks a playback and presentation equipment. The following impressions I've gathered and finally after much hesitation decided to continue deadline for Canon XA20.

HAPTICS / PROCESSING
Both models are about the same size and weight. The Canon is slightly wider, the Sony for something higher. They are both high quality and not look cheap. With Sony like the rubber coating of the entire right side (handle area) and in the larger Canon (by professional acting) zoom button and the wider Handstrap with more pleasant softer inner surface.
All buttons are sitting properly. Nothing wobbles or creaks. Only the lens ring is at Canon somewhat sluggish. You also have to get used over traditional consumer models, both models on the slightly higher weight.

EQUIPMENT
Most striking is of course the large sensor 1 at Sony. Canon is content with a conventional 1 / 2.84-sensor. 3-sensor technology both not offer.
Both models boast manual control of aperture, shutter speed and gain (Gain = ISO). If Sony has its own button, with which you manually and / or automatically controls and adjusts the values ​​individually with the side lying in front thumbwheel for each parameter on the left side. So worry about the terms Shutter Speed ​​or Aperture you have to make. The gain can be set to +33 and Max.. Compared to Canon, however, one must always look to the left side to meet the respective buttons.
Canon has rigorously thought of an additional rear camera operation, so you can control all the settings to take away from the viewfinder without looking. On the one hand by the small joystick next to the trigger and the other by calling the above parameters are not three but only a button or in the quick menu or assigned specifically by the user, by a combination of the foremost Custom button and also easily accessible knurled wheel. At Canon, the gain value which is always hides here to +24 or to Max..
For white balance, there is both a separate button, and it can be both very simple calibration user-defined. At Canon, however, you can calibrate two separate values ​​and save with Sony only one.
Sony has only one button for other custom features Canon five.
Sony photographed by the rather large sensor with 20 megapixels. Canon has its sensor intentionally optimized for Full HD and therefore so photographed only with the resolution of about 2 megapixels. Sony has its own photo-timer and various Fotoeinstellmöglichkeiten. Canon is not so far, and has banned the button on the display.
The optics are both very rich and have a diameter of 58 mm (Canon) and 62 mm (Sony) on. The zoom range is Canon with 26.8 - (!) 576 mm at an aperture range from 1.8 to 2.8 but much higher than in Sony with 29-348 mm and an aperture range from 2.8 to 4.5. For both lenses, there is a removable cover but unfortunately no automatic closure. The removable lens hood is larger in size with Canon and has its own additional closure which can be opened and closed with a lateral slide. A very practical solution. For Sony, the lens hood is open.
Canon has housed his connections among a large cover on the right front side. Sony shines here in two ways: The covers are all provided with a kind of hinge and can be easily aside / drops down. When this power connector is particularly dibasic. The distribution like the housing. Links you will find headphones and HDMI, the right microphone and multi-AV, for the way no cable is included.
The changeover between manual and automatic operation is done with both models easily with its own button.
The lens ring assignment of Zoom and Focus happens when two very simple with their own slides.
An outstanding feature of Sony equipment is the 3x undeliverable ND filter. This is really a novelty and is very easy and comfortable to use. Canon has only one located in the Aperture range 4.0 automatically undeliverable ND filter with but also three levels of intensity. An ND filter is in terms Bookeh recordings with a particularly small aperture value (= maximum aperture) and very bright environment indispensable and part of the creative films to.
Both cameras are equipped with very high resolution and excellent performing 3.5 folding displays. The same is true for both the viewfinder, but here Sony scores with a greater displayed image. At Canon, the viewfinder image will appear a bit too far away, but is otherwise the same high quality. For the rubber Eyecup is especially great in Canon, thus very convenient and effectively prevents the side incident daylight. The Sony is a bit small. Both viewfinder can be pulled out and fold up.
The Sony HDR-CX900 can be turned on by pulling out the viewfinder and / or the folding back the display on and off reversed. The left-hand Power button is pressed to additional off in the viewfinder and the LCD screen open. The Canon Legria HF G30 and XA20 on and off quite conventionally over a overhead slide.
As already described, the XA20 not record surround sound and the RF-G30 only an approximately 200 food additive end microphone. In a Sony Surround Microphone is installed and can be switched to stereo. Likewise, in addition to a WindCut is also a trimming of any filmmaker sounds possible (breathing sounds).
When flash / hot shoe Sony allowed in my opinion the biggest blunder. About the submerged lying AIS-shoe can only Sony own accessories are used. Any adapter for standard accessory costs, up to 50 and protrude out quite high. Canon installed in addition to its own accessory shoe of the HF G30 on both models a standard accessory shoe. Of course, in assembly of the handle of this XA20 and the rear connector panel are blocked. But in turn owned by the Henkel handle another standard accessory shoe.
About these two XLR microphones can be connected also with phantom power or a stereo microphone. It is also a combination of XLR and a mini-jack microphone on the body possible. The Canon HF G30 and the Sony HDR-CX900 each have a aussteuerbaren stereo mini jack. To connect even on the Sony XLR microphones requires the about 450 expensive adapter XLR-K1M. However, this must be mounted on an accessory rail because the AIS is occupied with its additional adapters connecting cable /. This is quite impractical.
The menu appears in Sony modern and tidy. However, the configuration options and possibilities with Canon are higher by a multiple. As an example, the adjustable sensitivity and zoom speed of the zoom lever is mentioned. For Sony, these can not be changed and relatively slow, which in turn is also a matter of taste. Incomprehensible is the fact that in Sony's display no wiping movements are possible, as is the case with the Canon models. It is navigated with only two arrow keys and the Select menu. Unfortunately, in both models is the fact that the displays respond but a bit sluggish on the operation. From smart phones and tablets as usual one is something else.
The Sony and Canon XA20 only have an infrared function that works like a night vision device. Here a green bright image in a dark environment is possible. At Canon, however, can also be converted to white representation ie s / w. The Canon HF G30 has no infrared function.
Both manufacturers supply of a full remote control and can also shine with WiFi capabilities.
Canon provides a battery of medium size and Sony unfortunately with a very small battery. This probably made model for political reasons. The 4k model Sony AX100 comes with the next larger battery.
At Canon, you can enter through presets better on the image characteristics, which is not possible at Sony. Instead, there are video effects like Toyland and representation of a single color at b / w-photographs (such as red dress in black / white film).
A unique feature in Sony's live recording except in 50p with real 24p and it adjusted shutter speeds! At Canon, unfortunately is only 25p / 50p possible.
As storage media SDXC cards can be used up to 64 GB for both models, which should if possible have speed class 10. Canon has two SD slots behind a convenient slider and Sony only an SD layer behind a rather simple flap.

IMAGE QUALITY
The sharpness and picture quality is superior to Sony really in any lighting situation beyond doubt and rushes in Lowlight area very little. Here, the designed really for the 4k-use large sensor and new signal processing pay off. In practical use, but Canon can not really splash out. Finally, the sensor for full HD has been optimized and the pure pixel size is compared to Sony only in the ratio of 1: 1.15 In addition, Sony has presented unfortunately much less by the non-poor but more average appearance, which can be derived from the above mentioned aperture values. Tests of incisive journals graded the Lowlight and sharpness behavior at Sony with excellent and Canon still very good. In what must be the effect on the practice of each decide themselves. In very marginal lowlight environments Sony shows in direct comparison, the better and brighter image. However, such by me simulated lighting conditions are far from any practice.
The direct comparison of the video quality in a room for the afternoon time showed that both models slipping the automatic white balance bluish, however, as evidenced stronger at Canon. After manual calibration behavior was perfect on both models.

AUDIO QUALITY
As no editing and no PC-based assessment was carried out by video footage, the video quality lies not only compare using the camera monitor and the sound. However, you can go out with two models of a more than good audio quality. According to tests, this is in Stereo usually better than with surround sound. Also one can use higher-quality microphones with Canon with more professional orientation (XLR).

SUMMARY
As you can see, there are two camcorders to really good models. Everyone has to decide for themselves which issues raised are important to him. Such a comparison is not available in the fewest possible buyers, but as you can see, it is necessary to make an informed decision.
I decided against the large sensor of Sony, the some people might view only as a marketing gimmick, and opted for the more practical Canon XA20. In a follow-up model of the Sony with a possibly stronger light optics and thus still stand out alia Bookeh could look different maybe. As long as I use my DSLR for this individual takes with shallow depth of field (eg weddings).

SUPPLEMENT TO THE IMAGE QUALITY (07/04/2014)
I want to add that the hoped beautiful Bookeh (focus) is in my opinion compared to the "hype" and the expectations around this 1 "sensor failed very low. Of course it is better than conventional (existing) camcorders. But there are still worlds to what achieved a DSLR here.

SUPPLEMENT TO THE SUMMARY (07/04/2014)
Nevertheless, photosensitivity and Bookeh are better by the large sensor, but does not have to be so decisive. If you were the Canon duo a very good certify in both disciplines, it is a excellent at Sony. Both great results ...
My comparison was also in all other disciplines, particularly the XA20.
Would I have to choose between a Canon HF G30 and Sony I would resort to Sony. I compare the Canon XA20 but with the Sony I stay especially because of the additional functions Henkel and XLR at the Canon. Here then looks but the handling.

1ST COMMENT (07/04/2014)
I agree with the terms described difficulties when shooting with a DSLR to absolute. But applies only if you (almost) exclusively wants to film it. In my case, I'm filming everything with the XA20 and attack only when "artistic value" settings as individual takes at weddings, where the sound does not matter, it is because of Bookeh for DSLR. Thus the Bookehschwäche the Canon to be partially offset. However, a focus pulling is this due to the described difficulties of Kommantators on the line ...

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