As usual, Sony cameras are always pretty. And their professional line models such as the EX1R and EX3 has always impressed me. This review is based on it being a consumer camcorder. However, it’s rather difficult to define where the line is drawn between a consumer and filmmaker.

First of all, here’s a little video I’ve compiled from the event. Everything else but the VG10 footage was shot with the Canon 550D/T2i + 24-105mm F4L IS Lens + Rode NTG-2 shotgun mic + AGC hack + LCDVF. Appearances by the Advertlets bloggers in the later part. And sorry i had gum in my mouth!

And now to talk about on whatever I’ve missed on.

Notice how the volume was bumping up and down when I was talking to the VG10, that must be the AGC kicking in. Unfortunately, I didn’t have time to go to the camera settings to check whether manual audio control was possible. There was a fan nearby, that could be a factor to the AGC bumping. My guess is, since Sony implemented the 5.1 surround sound with its capsule microphone, the audio handling should be impressive with the AGC turned off when operating with an external microphone.

Screen Capture comparison

Canon 550D + Canon EF 24-105mm F4L IS
ISO 200 1/50 F4 at Standard picture style

Sony NEX-VG10 + Sony alpha Carl Zeiss 24-70mm F2.8
ISO not selectable 1/50 F4 at Standard picture style, FX (highest bitrate) recording mode

If you notice the “SONY” logo on the lens, the seems to break/jag the image.

Sony claims that the VG10 is the solution for film makers whereby its form factor resembles a proper video camera.

Ergonomics, camera body, shape and feel
Holding the camera feels like holding the conventional consumer camcorder, small. Problem is, the body was a ton lighter than the lens making it front heavy. I don’t think the shape of the body is very forgiving for the hand, it doesn’t give you a firm grip. The body resembles the feel of most small consumer camcorders. My Panasonic HMC152 offers great grip, with grooves for your hand to grip on. I even find that my Canon 550D gives me better grip. I guess this being a consumer camera, it’s unfair to compare it to prosumer cameras.

LCD and viewfinder
I won’t talk about the specs on the LCD and the viewfinder, however I will talk about them in terms of practicality. It’s funny how the LCD CAN’T turn a full 180 degrees for mirrored monitoring. It’s goes 90 degrees for both up and down which allows you to shoot from high and low angles. Now Canon’s releasing the 60D, that just killed the VG10 by offering a full 180 degrees flip screen for a mirrored view. I remember when I wanted to use viewfinder, I had to close the LCD. However, I am not certain whether there is an option which allows the LCD and viewfinder to operate at the same time. The eyecup is no where comfortable and the viewfinder’s screen was pretty tiny to me. This could be a disadvantage when pulling focus on a bright sunny day.

Controls
With the LCD screen open, you have access to the inner buttons to change settings of the camera. Offered is a vertical scrolling controller, with a few buttons to navigate and execute your way to the camera’s menu. I didn’t like the way I had to navigate through the shutter and aperture with the offered controls because hey guys what, I reckon I could do it quicker a HD DSLR without looking at the controls. On the VG10, it’s more like pressing buttons for left and right each, then adjusting values with the scrolling knob.

Color
The Sony NEX-VG10 offers a couple of presets from Standard, vivid, B&W and such. I didn’t have enough time to find out on tweaking the image profile, I don’t know if it’s possible. However, judging from this screen capture, I do think it’s possible.

Notice the values on the image tweaks.

Video and audio file handling
From the screen grabs and footage shown in the earlier video, the VG10 was set at the highest recording mode possible. Adobe’s After Effects and Premiere Pro CS5 detected the footage as progressive at 1920×1080. I do find that the footage from the Canon 550D/T2i sharper compared to the VG10. I believe if image tweaks are possible, it may get rid of the jagged edges from the VG10′s footage. Unfortunately, i didn’t get to do a moire test. Audio handling wise, without having the shotgun microphone plugged in, Adobe Premiere Pro CS5 detects the wave readings but there’s just no sound in playback. Same case when converting it to a proxy file with the PhotoJPEG codec.

Value
Recommended retail price is at RM7999 together with the 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 optical stabilized lens. Yes, still cheap for a camera that utilizes interchangeable lenses. Compared to the HD DSLR? You be the judge, HD DSLRs have the best of both worlds of brilliant pictures and a bonus of video, wide array of lenses, 3rd party accessories for your film making pleasure.

Disadvantages of the Sony NEX-VG10
- Poor grip
- Not very quick accessing controls
- Poor viewfinder
- Tilt LCD but no mirrored view
- Autofocus with face detection, nice feature but if I was on the job with a camera that utilizes interchangeable lenses, I wouldn’t dare to depend on autofocus

Advantages of the Sony NEX-VG10
- Better audio handling compared to HD DSLRs
- Top handle for low shots
- HDMI out for external LCD monitoring

If you’ve read this and still interested in checking out the Sony NEX-VG10, you should be looking out for the following that I’ve missed out on
- Manual audio controls/AGC option
- Custom color profile tweaking
- Test the viewfinder if it does it for you when it comes to pulling focus
- Compatibility between the VG10′s audio codec and editing software

The Sony NEX-VG10 and HD DSLRs share something very in common; limitations but in their own different flavors. If video making’s a job, you will end up with more than one camera for different environments during shoots. Hence, this camera may end up in your bag of cameras. However it will not replace my HD DSLR when I need to shoot with interchangeable lenses. Having a viewfinder like the LCDVF really changes the experience when shooting with a HD DSLR, better yet with the soon to be released Canon 60D with its flip screen LCD and manual audio controls.

Be sure to check B&H’s hands on review on the camera so you get a better picture of what to expect from the Sony NEX-VG10 since I have left out a ton of apparent detail about this camera. Again, this review is just based my short hands on experience on the Sony NEX-VG10.

And I’d like to thank Advertlets once again for getting me this exclusive invite.

Here are some pictures when i wasn’t on video mode with the Canon 550D/T2i.

A little of design, abit of buying of this and that will go a long way. This is the next piece of equipment I’ll be busy making till i start using it!

I hope to get more in touch with people who’d like to learn more about video or film making, and share what i can offer when i have the time. Hopefully the editing workflow would be the start, and slowly write more about on my experience on camera operation and in camera color profiles.

Next year marks my 15th year skateboarding. This month’s about catching up. This is me 8 years ago.

September’s a month to shoot a full length part of myself. Pain has always been my game. Goodluck.

With the Advertlets bloggers at Sunway Lagoon!

Now you know that it’s cheap, find out for yourself if they’re really shit or, maybe just maybe, there is such thing as cheap and cheerful. Oh it seems that they have a facebook page for it.

Hmmm, interesting! Goodluck Douglas Lim, Kuah Jenhan & Phoon Chi Ho! May the PJ Live Arts crowd that very week have mercy on you guys!

This was shot on my Panasonic HMC150 and boy, it’s heavy! I could only carry it for about a minute in operation. However, i’ve gotten used to the operation and i use it on my second camera, the Canon HV20. I’ll talk about more on the Glidecam next time. Anyhows, during my trip to Singapore, i traveled light so i left all cameras back home. Instead, i took some footage with my iPhone 3GS. I just thought with a little editing and a music, it’ll hold me something to remember still. Before the video, here are some random pictures taken with the iPhone 3GS.

And here’s the video shot with the iPhone 3GS.

So i swung by LCDVF‘s website and checked for their dealers list. Nearest one was Singapore but unfortunately at the time, they didn’t stock the 3/2 version. Instead, i checked out DSLR.com.au based in Australia and lucky for me, they had it in stock. For an unfortunate moment, their website did not offer any postage service to Malaysia. So i sent them a friendly email and their support team quickly replied, “We can make exceptions, what would you like to order?“. To my delight, i did my purchase over paypal and they shipped it out the next few days later. About 2 weeks later, it’s here! Here are some pictures of the package and unboxing.

The 3/2 in “LCDVF 3/2″ is referred to the 3:2 screen the Canon 550D/T2i/Kiss X4 Digital has. LCDVF without the 3/2 is compatible with the other Canon HD DSLRs*.

The main dish all bubble wrapped and above it is the manual.

Notice the lanyard with the LCDVF print along with the magnetic frames that comes in a pair.

It comes with a lil pouch for it too. I really like this one!

Comparing the LCDVF to the Panasonic HMC152 (HMC150)’s viewfinder.

And this is how it’s supposed to look like attached from above. The magnetic frame isn’t really attached yet since i haven’t got my replacement screen protector. And excuse me for the picture quality, it was taken with my iPhone 3GS.

Thanks DSLR.com.au for the great customer support. Btw, they’re giving special deals on both the LCDVF and 3/2 version!

*HD DSLR – DSLRs with video recording capability

“A videogame invasion has hit Mt Hood and High Cascade! Check out Scott Stevens, Micah Hollinger, Chris Beresford, Tim Eddy, Ben Bogart, and Casey Wrightsman as they live life like it’s one big game.

Music by Ground Up. They are awesome, go check out their latest stuff at their website:
groundupsounds.com/”