First Sony NG-20 test (AVCHD 2.0 and HDMi output).
The Canon specialized website Cinema5D (Click here) had a chance to test the new Sony VG-20 camera. WHat’s so interesting on that test is that it is the very first video showing the difference between the AVCHD 2.0 and HDMi output video quality. But the result do not look that good: “Unfortunately what we got out of the hdmi port of the Sony VG-20 was only marginally better looking than the VG-20 internal AVCHD recording. If you can see what I see you might agree that the hdmi signal looks like it has undergone very much processing.”
And their final conclusion is quite negative: “This is not a scientific test, just a quick grab of some footage to get a first idea of what we could expect from this camera. And to be honest, our shitty recordings are enough to make up my mind: This camera fails for me!“
I have to be honest. I am not excited about that camera. I would have expected a lot more from a dedicated video camera. What’s your opinion when looking on that test?
Those are the Sony VG-20 search links to check price and availability: Amazon, Adorama, B&H, J&R, eBay.
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Comment from Matt: Exactly. People don't seem to compare th...
Comment from Swemba: Does the Nex-5n allow for unlimited clip...
Comment from SpecOps Photo: I take it with a grain of salt... There ...
Comment from c.d.embrey: Can't learn much from a test of a camera...
Matt
9 months ago |I just bought 2 of the VG10′s for a project, couldn’t wait for the VG20′s, but I have to say I think they are a bit of a pile of crap. The ergonomics are all wrong, the output quality is lacking.
I do think they are pretty good value however, at only a few hundred bucks more than we paid for Panasonic SD700′s.
Still – they need work and I personally will get the 5N for my own tinkering.
Matt
9 months ago |Actually does anyone know why the Atomos is only recording at 122Mbit according to this clip?
Bernd
9 months ago |The Ninja offers three kinds of ProRes: 422 LT, 422 and 422 HQ. ProRes 422 with 1080p25 uses 122 Mb/s (LT: 85, HQ: 184).
BTW, as other tests with other cameras have shown already, the AVCHD of nowadays Sony camcorders is really good, so a ProRes recording will not make such a great difference with standard shooting situations. Might be different when it comes to greenscreen work or a lot of color correcting.
Tofa
9 months ago |Almost pointless except if you’re a hard core videographer. Get a Nex 5N instead, or a Nex 7, then get a stabilizer and a lens hood…
John Caballero
9 months ago |SONY NG-20? Another laughable test of this camera. It seems that these guys, the same as EOSHD, are in the outside looking in when trying to review any cameras. Also it shows how worthless is to spend your money on an external recorder. More and more you can see what a fallacy they are. I will wait until real pros review the VG-20.
c.d.embrey
9 months ago |Can’t learn much from a test of a camera chained to a bench at a trade show. Actually you can’t call it a test.
yurilee
9 months ago |At NAB (According to Sony Pro site’s “Video On”), Sony personnel confirms that VG20 is actually a repackaged NEX-5n.
Bernd
9 months ago |The VG10 shares the same sensor with the NEX-5, and the VG20 does the same with the NEX-5N. There has never been any doubt about that, and that’s the source of some problems with aliasing: just too many pixel for videography.
yurilee
9 months ago |Oh. Sorry, The presenter “confirmed” that VG10 is a repackaged NEX-5, not about VG20, that the VG20 is a repackaged NEX-5n is from my implication.
Almazar80
9 months ago |Many people don’t like the VG10/VG20 ergonomics. The funny thing about the Canon review sites is that they are still into reviewing preproduction equipment and then complaining about it when it doesn’t seem quite up to snuff. It makes sense that the VG20 is a repackaged 5n – so once a production model is available, people should review that. If they think the hx9v is great (and it is), there is a likelihood that the production VG20 may actually be quite good (ergonomics aside). Why do people keep looking at preproduction models and making all kinds of pronouncements on the quality of yet to be released products? Sure, Sony is making stuff available for demo purposes. But if the EOSHD folks and Cinema5D folks are really serious, they’d really try the FS-100.
FlashBFE
9 months ago |The best thing about the VG20 in my opinion is the 5 channel audio recording. It’s a pity that they dont’t wrote a single comment on that.
NEXfive
9 months ago |The VG-20 and before VG-10 have been much overpriced variations of the NEX-5 & 5N, of course, but if you want an interchangeable lens video camera system there are not many alternatives in that price range. And I really doubt the NEX VG-20 sound recording system is worth the extra 1.500,– compared to a NEX-5N. So I’d expect in the future more video film makers to go for the NEX-7 simply using the cinch audio in…
Beachrider
9 months ago |Yet another Canon-oriented website deciding that the preproduction Hardware and Software is the proper platform for a Sony evaluation. I looked at the website and cannot find any characterizations of Canon platforms with preproduction hardware/software.
It looks like bias to me…
Beachrider
9 months ago |NEXfive. Be careful. The cost of a NEX 5N at $600 can be compared to the cost of VG20 at $1600. Differential is still $1000, not the $1500 number.
The only way numbers get higher is if you equip them with different lenses.
NEXfive
9 months ago |You’re right, I had prices in mind with different kit lenses. But I still think the additional sound system isn’t worth € 1.000,– compared to the NEX-5N. Therefore the NEX VG-10 wasn’t a big seller and the VG-20 won’t be either, I guess, since a GH2 with external sound recording system might be a much cheaper and more flexible solution already. Additionally Sony wasn’t that generous with firmware updates and didn’t care much about their video customers. That’s a pity, because an interchangeable lens system is such an advantage, so the NEX VG-20 with SEL-18200 could be a quite big seller at € 1.500,– which is more realistic for a NEX-5N in a different box with an advanced microphone.
Francesco Bollorino
9 months ago |We at Genoa Municipality Digital Campus actualy use both NEX 5 and VG10 for our video on youtube with good result apart froma the “plastics” too poor in VG10.
The problem of Sony gears expecially the new A77 is to have or to have not a CLEAN HDMI output in oder to trasform in video work your camera adding Ninja in a poor man RED camcorder…but actually it seems taht this dream is unpossibible to be realesed. It’s a pity in pro and semi pro use and it’s a lot more a pity that Sony have not used the A77 sensor in the VG20..(of course with real clean hdmi output) WHY? It’d be a real goal.. misteries of marketing
SpecOps Photo
9 months ago |I take it with a grain of salt… There are clear biases people get so heavily entrenched in what they choose to shoot with so they go into a test with the this is not going to be better than my Canon or Nikon attitude and harp on the low points.
I can say that I’ve read a few reviews that seem totally unbiased as when I have conducted my own test I drew the same conclusions. I own the Vg-10 and I have a list of things that I’d love to change about that camera but the video quality is not one of them. For it being the first camera in it’s class I think Sony did a good job. The VG-20 is not released so let’s reserve judgment for the time being… Consider the source
Swemba
8 months ago |Does the Nex-5n allow for unlimited clip record times? Does it overheat?
Matt
8 months ago |Exactly. People don’t seem to compare this or the VG10 against their sister models NEX5/5N properly. They think that because it is the same sensor it is the same camera, with a different body – which while partially true, doesn’t really capture the proper differences.
1. The VG series have built in EVF, for 5N it’s a $300 option, for 5 it isn’t available.
2. Better audio, while the unbuilt mics are definitely better, the VG actually have a headphone socket so you can monitor audio.
3. The VG series have clean HDMI out.
4. No 30 min clip limit
5. No overheating
6. The VG kit Lens is significantly more expensive than their stills counterparts.
7. DC coupler in the box – I have no idea how much a genuine DC coupler for a NEX costs but I guarantee they aren’t cheap – this is very important for filming.
8. Hotshoe + coldshoe mounts – stills siblings have neither (except the 7 obviously).
9. Capacity to house a large battery – power is important for filming
10. A top handle. Yes I dislike the ergonomics of the VG10, the button layout is behind the screen, the right hand grip is all wrong – but it is still better than the NEX stills.
11. More buttons – more direct access to commonly used functions.
Running a sensor and video output checklist does not make up the proper differences between these cameras. It is like buying a maserati as a track weapon because it has a farrari engine. They are both (I wager) pretty fantastic cars, but they are designed to do things in two very different ways.