Re: F330 vs HD250 cameras plus lens questions

Lance. I'd go for the PDW-F330 any day. The image quality of that camera (with decent HD Fujinon lens of course) is miles ahead of the ProHD 250; I mean a long way.

I've owned and used all of them and the difference is clear on a monitor from the other side of the room. F330 produces quality that is miles better than the GY-HD250, but then the JVC is only HDV using the lesser 720 resolution and a constant 25Mbps. F330 uses half inch 1080 chips at 35Mbps and it is these key differences that give the 330 super-smooth image with far superior sharpness and resolution. Sony also has negligible fringing compared to JVC, which is riddled with green fringing in comparison; not to mention an image like a Mexican Mosaic in comparison too.

Also, with the F330 you don't have to buy the PDW-U1 USB Optical Disc reader/writer, just use the camera and it's FireWire to drag/drop the clips; it is a file-based tapeless system remember; that's what I do with my 350. It's not like you have any heads to wear out.

Forget SD lenses on 330, you will kill the cameras potential. The best budget lens for XDCAM HD by a mile is the Fujinon XS17x5.5BRM; amazing lens and as good as Canon costing twice the price according to my chart testing.

If you only shoot/edit in SD, stick with 450 as the image quality will be better than shooting with 330 in SD DVCAM mode due to 450's better SD lens and larger chips.

Having said that, shooting HD on 330 and editing HD, then dumping to uncompressed 8bit SD timeline will yield better results than 450 as you are capturing more detail in HD to start with; just don't down-convert in camera via FireWire; post down-convert is superior.

I'd go for it just for the file-based super fast workflow. You have to use XDCAM HD to fully appreciate it's superb workflow. Once you've tried it and used it on a complete production you'll never turn back.

Oh, you say you are not interested in other Sony handycams. Wait until the PMW-EX1 comes out November 1st; you'll soon change your mind there. I've been field-testing this camera for the past week ready for my IBC presentations and I can tell you the image quality has to be seen to be believed; it's incredible.