K-30 video test

madbrain · 07-17-2012, 02:39 AM - **1 Like**

Same performance recorded at different angles by 3 different cameras .

1 : Pentax K-30

Youtu.be

2 : Canon T3i

Youtu.be

3 : Canon HG21

Youtu.be

I also recorded the audio separately with the mikes shown in the video, but have not yet synchronized the audio with any of the videos, as I wanted to also show the audio quality difference.

ogl · 07-17-2012, 04:35 AM

Canon has better sound. Camcorder is much better than DSLR

Vasyl · 07-17-2012, 08:15 AM

Originally posted by ogl

Canon has better sound. Camcorder is much better than DSLR

We should consider, cameras were not installed at the same place, which may impact the recorded sound and its quality.

As for me, not a big difference except for the WB... it seemed that Pentax has less sound noise.

**robwill** · 07-17-2012, 08:29 AM

Thanks for doing this test and nice playing.
To me the Canon T3i had slightly better sound but it's video seemed less fluid than either the Pentax or the camcorder (which was clearly the best of all).
As someone who does not shoot video enough to matter I would rather have the Pentax with it's less dynamic audio and superior photo quality over the T3i higher video quality and lower photo quality (due to lower DR and read noise vertical banding).

anthony mazzeri · 07-17-2012, 02:17 PM

Originally posted by robwill

To me the Canon T3i had slightly better sound but it's video seemed less fluid than either the Pentax or the camcorder (which was clearly the best of all).

I'm wondering if that's just because the camcorder video is recorded interlaced instead of progressive. It definitely has the best auto white balance though.

If you view in 1080 and full screen, you can clearly see the pixelating compression artifacts on the side of the piano are very animated in the T3i version so by far the worst in video quality. We can't see this with the camcorder due to the different angle, but it's still evident a bit in the black chairs at the rear. The K-30 is a different angle again so it's only really discernable in the piano lid, but not as much as the other two. The side of the K-30 piano is near pristine compared to the very blotchy T3i one, but solid dark materials will always show it more though.

Thanks for posting these comparisons. I'll be very interested to hear the match-up between all those mics positioned in the same spot.

Edit - I'm working on the assumption the artifacts aren't being caused by Youtube instead..

**jbinpg** · 07-17-2012, 06:37 PM

Nicely played. I second the request that these three cameras should have been shot from the same position. The camcorder has the favored position nearest the piano soundboard and will naturally have the best sound of the three as a result.

Jack

madbrain · 07-18-2012, 12:42 AM

Originally posted by ogl

Canon has better sound. Camcorder is much better than DSLR

Which of the 2 Canon do you think has the better sound ?

As for camcorder being better than DSLR, did you mean audio or video ?

madbrain · 07-18-2012, 12:43 AM

Originally posted by Vasyl

We should consider, cameras were not installed at the same place, which may impact the recorded sound and its quality.

As for me, not a big difference except for the WB... it seemed that Pentax has less sound noise.

Strange you would say that. IMO, the Pentax has the worst audio of the 3, by a long shot.

madbrain · 07-18-2012, 12:47 AM

Originally posted by Vasyl

We should consider, cameras were not installed at the same place, which may impact the recorded sound and its quality.

The position of cameras affects the sound, but mostly the volume. In the original files, before youtube upload, the audio from the camcorder is much too loud vs the audio from the two DSLRs. I think Youtube does some normalizing of the audio.

madbrain · 07-18-2012, 12:49 AM

Originally posted by robwill

Thanks for doing this test and nice playing.
To me the Canon T3i had slightly better sound but it's video seemed less fluid than either the Pentax or the camcorder (which was clearly the best of all).

I agree the video on the T3i is not as good as the Pentax or the camcorder.

I don't agree that the camcorder is clearly the best, I actually prefer the Pentax picture.

The white balance was clearly wrong on the camcorder. Both DSLRs got the white balance right.

Quote:

As someone who does not shoot video enough to matter I would rather have the Pentax with it's less dynamic audio and superior photo quality over the T3i higher video quality and lower photo quality (due to lower DR and read noise vertical banding).

IMO, the audio on the Pentax is so bad as to make it useless, unless you want to make silent movies.

madbrain · 07-18-2012, 12:53 AM

Originally posted by anthony mazzeri

I'm wondering if that's just because the camcorder video is recorded interlaced instead of progressive. It definitely has the best auto white balance though.

If you view in 1080 and full screen, you can clearly see the pixelating compression artifacts on the side of the piano are very animated in the T3i version so by far the worst in video quality. We can't see this with the camcorder due to the different angle, but it's still evident a bit in the black chairs at the rear. The K-30 is a different angle again so it's only really discernable in the piano lid, but not as much as the other two. The side of the K-30 piano is near pristine compared to the very blotchy T3i one, but solid dark materials will always show it more though.

Thanks for posting these comparisons. I'll be very interested to hear the match-up between all those mics positioned in the same spot.

Edit - I'm working on the assumption the artifacts aren't being caused by Youtube instead..

Yes, there are some moire patterns on the piano strings in the T3i version. It is very pronounced. This is not a youtube artifact, it is there in the original footage.
If the other cameras were in the same spot this might happen too.

I probably won't bother mixing the other mics in as this wasn't a good performance IMO, just for testing.

A far as the audio goes, both Canon record in stereo and have a large edge over the Pentax mono audio which is also 32 Khz and very low quality.

The Canon HG21 camcorder was using an add-on microphone, the DM-100, which is using the "mini shoe" connector of the camcorder.

twitch · 07-18-2012, 01:24 AM

Just wondered what kind of price bracket the Canon camcorder would slot in today? We talking a $200 cam or a $1k cam?

madbrain · 07-18-2012, 01:53 AM

Originally posted by twitch

Just wondered what kind of price bracket the Canon camcorder would slot in today? We talking a $200 cam or a $1k cam?

The HG21 was a $1K camcorder four years ago, top of the consumer line. The only one to feature an optical viewfinder.
The DM-100 mic is $150.

Here is a pic of it shot with the K-30.

ogl · 07-18-2012, 07:27 AM

Originally posted by madbrain

Which of the 2 Canon do you think has the better sound ?

As for camcorder being better than DSLR, did you mean audio or video ?

The both. I mean audio and video for camcoder.
K-30 has a bit better video than Canon DSLR, but worse sound.

madbrain · 07-18-2012, 04:43 PM

Originally posted by ogl

The both. I mean audio and video for camcoder.

Agree that the audio is better on the camcorder, it has a dedicated mic though. The built-in audio without the mic attached is not as good.

Don't really agree that the camcorder has the best video of the 3, certainly not correct AWB.

I forgot to mention that all 3 cameras were in auto exposure modes in this test.

Quote:

K-30 has a bit better video than Canon DSLR, but worse sound.

Yes, I agree with that.

07-17-2012, 02:17 PM	#5
anthony mazzeri Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Photos: Albums Posts: 312	Originally posted by robwill To me the Canon T3i had slightly better sound but it's video seemed less fluid than either the Pentax or the camcorder (which was clearly the best of all). I'm wondering if that's just because the camcorder video is recorded interlaced instead of progressive. It definitely has the best auto white balance though. If you view in 1080 and full screen, you can clearly see the pixelating compression artifacts on the side of the piano are very animated in the T3i version so by far the worst in video quality. We can't see this with the camcorder due to the different angle, but it's still evident a bit in the black chairs at the rear. The K-30 is a different angle again so it's only really discernable in the piano lid, but not as much as the other two. The side of the K-30 piano is near pristine compared to the very blotchy T3i one, but solid dark materials will always show it more though. Thanks for posting these comparisons. I'll be very interested to hear the match-up between all those mics positioned in the same spot. Edit - I'm working on the assumption the artifacts aren't being caused by Youtube instead.. Last edited by anthony mazzeri; 07-17-2012 at 06:49 PM.

07-18-2012, 01:53 AM	#13
madbrain Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 1,341 Original Poster	Originally posted by twitch Just wondered what kind of price bracket the Canon camcorder would slot in today? We talking a $200 cam or a $1k cam? The HG21 was a $1K camcorder four years ago, top of the consumer line. The only one to feature an optical viewfinder. The DM-100 mic is $150. Here is a pic of it shot with the K-30. Last edited by madbrain; 08-30-2013 at 06:10 PM.

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07-17-2012, 04:35 AM	#2
ogl Banned Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Sankt Peterburg Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,382	Canon has better sound. Camcorder is much better than DSLR

07-17-2012, 08:15 AM	#3
Vasyl Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Photos: Gallery Posts: 648	Originally posted by ogl Canon has better sound. Camcorder is much better than DSLR We should consider, cameras were not installed at the same place, which may impact the recorded sound and its quality. As for me, not a big difference except for the WB... it seemed that Pentax has less sound noise.

07-17-2012, 08:29 AM	#4
robwill Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Durham, North Carolina Posts: 121	Thanks for doing this test and nice playing. To me the Canon T3i had slightly better sound but it's video seemed less fluid than either the Pentax or the camcorder (which was clearly the best of all). As someone who does not shoot video enough to matter I would rather have the Pentax with it's less dynamic audio and superior photo quality over the T3i higher video quality and lower photo quality (due to lower DR and read noise vertical banding).

07-17-2012, 06:37 PM	#6
jbinpg Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Prince George, BC Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,546	Nicely played. I second the request that these three cameras should have been shot from the same position. The camcorder has the favored position nearest the piano soundboard and will naturally have the best sound of the three as a result. Jack

07-18-2012, 12:42 AM	#7
madbrain Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 1,341 Original Poster	Originally posted by ogl Canon has better sound. Camcorder is much better than DSLR Which of the 2 Canon do you think has the better sound ? As for camcorder being better than DSLR, did you mean audio or video ?

07-18-2012, 12:43 AM	#8
madbrain Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 1,341 Original Poster	Originally posted by Vasyl We should consider, cameras were not installed at the same place, which may impact the recorded sound and its quality. As for me, not a big difference except for the WB... it seemed that Pentax has less sound noise. Strange you would say that. IMO, the Pentax has the worst audio of the 3, by a long shot.

07-18-2012, 12:47 AM	#9
madbrain Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 1,341 Original Poster	Originally posted by Vasyl We should consider, cameras were not installed at the same place, which may impact the recorded sound and its quality. The position of cameras affects the sound, but mostly the volume. In the original files, before youtube upload, the audio from the camcorder is much too loud vs the audio from the two DSLRs. I think Youtube does some normalizing of the audio.

07-18-2012, 12:49 AM	#10
madbrain Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 1,341 Original Poster	Originally posted by robwill Thanks for doing this test and nice playing. To me the Canon T3i had slightly better sound but it's video seemed less fluid than either the Pentax or the camcorder (which was clearly the best of all). I agree the video on the T3i is not as good as the Pentax or the camcorder. I don't agree that the camcorder is clearly the best, I actually prefer the Pentax picture. The white balance was clearly wrong on the camcorder. Both DSLRs got the white balance right. Quote: As someone who does not shoot video enough to matter I would rather have the Pentax with it's less dynamic audio and superior photo quality over the T3i higher video quality and lower photo quality (due to lower DR and read noise vertical banding). IMO, the audio on the Pentax is so bad as to make it useless, unless you want to make silent movies.

07-18-2012, 12:53 AM	#11
madbrain Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 1,341 Original Poster	Originally posted by anthony mazzeri I'm wondering if that's just because the camcorder video is recorded interlaced instead of progressive. It definitely has the best auto white balance though. If you view in 1080 and full screen, you can clearly see the pixelating compression artifacts on the side of the piano are very animated in the T3i version so by far the worst in video quality. We can't see this with the camcorder due to the different angle, but it's still evident a bit in the black chairs at the rear. The K-30 is a different angle again so it's only really discernable in the piano lid, but not as much as the other two. The side of the K-30 piano is near pristine compared to the very blotchy T3i one, but solid dark materials will always show it more though. Thanks for posting these comparisons. I'll be very interested to hear the match-up between all those mics positioned in the same spot. Edit - I'm working on the assumption the artifacts aren't being caused by Youtube instead.. Yes, there are some moire patterns on the piano strings in the T3i version. It is very pronounced. This is not a youtube artifact, it is there in the original footage. If the other cameras were in the same spot this might happen too. I probably won't bother mixing the other mics in as this wasn't a good performance IMO, just for testing. A far as the audio goes, both Canon record in stereo and have a large edge over the Pentax mono audio which is also 32 Khz and very low quality. The Canon HG21 camcorder was using an add-on microphone, the DM-100, which is using the "mini shoe" connector of the camcorder.

07-18-2012, 01:24 AM	#12
twitch Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 4,571	Just wondered what kind of price bracket the Canon camcorder would slot in today? We talking a $200 cam or a $1k cam?

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07-18-2012, 07:27 AM	#14
ogl Banned Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Sankt Peterburg Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,382	Originally posted by madbrain Which of the 2 Canon do you think has the better sound ? As for camcorder being better than DSLR, did you mean audio or video ? The both. I mean audio and video for camcoder. K-30 has a bit better video than Canon DSLR, but worse sound.

07-18-2012, 04:43 PM	#15
madbrain Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 1,341 Original Poster	Originally posted by ogl The both. I mean audio and video for camcoder. Agree that the audio is better on the camcorder, it has a dedicated mic though. The built-in audio without the mic attached is not as good. Don't really agree that the camcorder has the best video of the 3, certainly not correct AWB. I forgot to mention that all 3 cameras were in auto exposure modes in this test. Quote: K-30 has a bit better video than Canon DSLR, but worse sound. Yes, I agree with that.