I have a Sony DCR-VX2100. How does this compare? does this camera work well in low light?
1437595
http://www.youtube.com/user/artfacestudios/videos?view=0 these videos were pretty much all made with the hvr a1u. From the youtube clips ive seen using the dcrvx2100, i can tell you they seem similar, but maybe the dcrvx2100 is a little on top... Low light on the a1u is grainy, not as bad as some videos ive seen, but definitely noticeable! I also want to find a good low light video camera... Also a little off topic but...i will take the a1u footage over gopro hero2 footage any day. My friend shoots with a Canon D5 or something like that. He really has a lot of control with the camera and his footage is very similar to the a1u. Maybe even better! http://www.youtube.com/user/artfacestudios/videos?view=0 these videos were pretty much all made with the hvr a1u. From the youtube clips ive seen using the dcrvx2100, i can tell you they seem similar, but maybe the dcrvx2100 is a little on top... Low light on the a1u is grainy, not as bad as some videos ive seen, but definitely noticeable! I also want to find a good low light video camera... Also a little off topic but...i will take the a1u footage over gopro hero2 footage any day. My friend shoots with a Canon D5 or something like that. He really has a lot of control with the... » Read More http://www.youtube.com/user/artfacestudios/videos?view=0 these videos were pretty much all made with the hvr a1u. From the youtube clips ive seen using the dcrvx2100, i can tell you they seem similar, but maybe the dcrvx2100 is a little on top... Low light on the a1u is grainy, not as bad as some videos ive seen, but definitely noticeable! I also want to find a good low light video camera... Also a little off topic but...i will take the a1u footage over gopro hero2 footage any day. My friend shoots with a Canon D5 or something like that. He really has a lot of control with the camera and his footage is very similar to the a1u. Maybe even better! « Show Less
1437596
This camera is so old and outdated, I would go with something way newer. Horrible in low light. HDV tapes....go with the Sony HXRNX300U.
388179
I have found that it produces acceptable images in fairly low light. I don't try to take pictures in almost total darkness so I have no experience there. Under a full moon it took acceptable pictures of animals in my yard. HTH
1928265
It copes pretty well, but you should operate under low loght conditions in manual mode.Personally, I am satisfied with the way the camera behaves in low light situatuions, but it depends on what do you expect - it is one step above the majority of the point-and-shoots cameras(as the model is indende to be).For example, I got some amazing photos and videos of the Statue of Liberty and Manhattan sceneries during night from the Hudson river.Generally speaking, I can say: yes. :)
1028752
Its actually not too bad. I use mine all the time in low light situations, but with any camera the lower the light your filming in it will start to look grainy. This camera comes with a light you can attach, so all you need to do is turn that on.
288758
It is an excellent camera and performs well for me in all light conditions. Buy it you will be impressed.
2006106
The low light performance is probably the best in the consumer camcorder. Check the camcorderinfo website. Comparing low light performace with my old Canon ZR25, I can't be more satisfied.
300738
I have this camera and LOVE it!! Still learning about it.This will sound crazy but, I have taken pictures in low lighting in the SCN mode set on portrait WITH the flash OFF...as most places/concert halls don't like you flashing your cam on everyone as it can be highly distracting.My pics are pretty clear so I say just play around with the different settings and you can figure out what works for you. Works for me! I LOVE THIS CAMERA!!!
2137224
I haven't used this camera in a while, but from what I remembered it handled it self pretty well in low light conditions. It depends a lot on the light that is available. I am assuming you're looking to rent the camera because of it's size, but if size is not an issue, there are probably better DSLR's out there that handle low light conditions better in terms of speed and ISO performance. But, for its size the Ricoh does a really good job in low light conditions.
1647720
I love my camera. I just had twins, so I take picture all the time. I haven't had any light issues. I would recommend this camera.
372072
Yes, the pictures it takes are great, provided there is enough light. If you purchase I would advise buying an extra higher capacity battery. The battery it comes with won't last longer than 2 hours. Otherwise it is a good, inexpensive video camera. I would recommend it.
1608677
Maybe it is good in low light because for the same reason it is no sharper than a cheap 5 MP camera: all the light is concentrated on a smaller CCD. Maybe it is really no better than other new cameras i low light. I have always been happy with simple sony and samsung cameras. Cameras are one of the devices you really have to test side-by-side in the store to know.
1148633
Hi David. Can you explain why so many reviewers have said there are bad problems with visual "noise" at so many settings, and even worse in low light? I really want to buy this camera for every other reason, but worried about image quality. Your experience seems quite difference. I also read a pro review that said all the images were soft/not finely detailed because of the Venus processor's over-suppression of the images. What do you think?
777353
It's a portable video camera with no built-in light nor adjustable aperture or ISO, in short it does not work well on low light condition. Low light photography requires flashes if you need a bright image and the same is true with low light videography. Don't expect a crisp image/video if you're shooting in low light condition without using a separate light setup. Search YouTube for shooting rigs for this video camera and you will notice that everyone that uses this camera semi professionally have external lighting setup. This is not a camera for you if you will use this for low light videography unless you use an external light source or upgrade to a professional video camera with changeable lens and built in light.
1034420
It depends on your definition of low light and picture use. I love the results, I shot at a school musical (Les Miss) (GX7 + 20mm f1.7) with excellent results (I can send you originals for your review at your request). The BEST option for low light will be a large format camera with very bright lenses, (maybe a Hasselblad?). I don't like to set the ISO over 1600, but the camera goes up to 25000. What is your current camera?, what will you measure the results aganist? What is your budget?, What will the pictures be used for?
788646
For low light it will do for sure. I do beluce for sone action too, but not to much. Photographing groups pf friend together i had no problems lime "phantons" ir shades of people moving. It is not a pro camera but a long step from regular ines. If you know how to operate in manual yoy will be able to do it.My experience is only on automatic mode.
2002671
I am a fan of the Sony. Here is a site that I have found helpful with a stat comparison. The sensor in the Sony is also in the much more expensive Nikon d5000 and d7000 and the Pentax k5. Sony makes the sensors, I think this gives you just too much bang for your buck, this sensor is very good at low light, one of the major reasons I am upgrading from a superzoom myself. http://www.dxomark.com/index.php/Cameras/Compare-Camera-Sensors
1058502
It has an APS-C size sensor, so if you are comparing it to a small point-and-shoot, it is much, much better at low light. The ISO can be cranked up pretty high, though I try not to use anything over 6400. With the kit lens at f/3.5 (or f/5.6 full tele), low light performance is decent, though a faster lens like the SMCP-DA 50mm f/1.8 would increase the performance even more.