cx100 vs cx550

[keithm 0]

I know in the past it said on dz.com that the still picture quality was not so good on the cx100 while shooting video, the specs say it will be a 2.7mp still on dual record. Now on the 550 it says the still picture on dual record would be 8.3mpix. Anyone try this on the 550 vs the 100? Is the still picture even at 8.3 still crap cause its doing it from video? And i think that you will only get that if you shoot in HD?

[drudchen 0]

Quote

I know in the past it said on dz.com that the still picture quality was not so good on the cx100 while shooting video, the specs say it will be a 2.7mp still on dual record. Now on the 550 it says the still picture on dual record would be 8.3mpix. Anyone try this on the 550 vs the 100? Is the still picture even at 8.3 still crap cause its doing it from video? And i think that you will only get that if you shoot in HD?

I thought cx550 had optical stabilization and would be no good for skydiving?...
Not sure if extra megapixels in still mode would matter if the video itself isn't up to par comparing to cheaper cx100/105/150 counterpart.

[kai3fly 0]

Quote

I thought cx550 had optical stabilization and would be no good for skydiving?...

can you not glue the OIS, just like the rest? i like the 550 spec better than the 110/150

[Harmless 0]

Someone posted side by side comparison video of the cx100 and cx550 ( Think DSE has it)

I couldn't see any "shake" in the 550 and it definitely had better quality all around...

"Damn you Gravity, you win again"

[Skydivesg 6]

So how about it DSE or others who have first hand info on the CX550.

Is it good for skydiving use and is it better quality?

Be the canopy pilot you want that other guy to be.

[kai3fly 0]

The DSE reviewed side by side comparison was the CX100 vs CX500.

My Cx550 footage for the expert to dissect
http://www.vimeo.com/14549985
OIS is OFF, Century 0.55

My CX550 Review

I have the CX150 but I bought the CX550 for the following features
G series glass lens
Video Wide Angle = 30mm, (previously 45mm)
37mm thread (no step up rings) (no black corners, less fisheye)
Mic Input Jack
Remote (turns out useless for slowmo)(previous models don't work either)

Remote RMT-835
you still have to hit pause then slow like the lcd buttons
i was hoping the previous models would work but they don't do anything. (I tried the RMT-831 and RMT-814)

So nothing really solved there with the remote

Stills
Photo Mode 12MP
Camera Mode 8.1MP
Video Still Grab 2.1MP

The only thing that worried me was the power settings and lack of setting like the cx150 in the menu

No power ON/OFF setting options for the LCD
LCD OPEN = ON
LCD CLOSED, Viewfinder Pulled Out = ON
LCD CLOSED, Viewfinder Pushed In = OFF

Thankgod the Hypeye actually takes over and does control the power.

With LCD CLOSED and Viewfinder Pushed In
+ HYPEYE = ON/OFF

Tripod Mount Screw Hole : not centred
The Tripod screw is very towards the front left

Battery V50 is actually reclused into the body, the V100 is too big so the V70 would be the right size and sit flush with the edge of the view finder.

Cookie Boxes
Cookie said he not making a box for 550 as its not a popular camcorder.

Cookie BOX CX6/7/11/12
76W x 79H x 141L mm

CX550
66 x 74 x 143mm

The awkward thing about the cx550 is its orientation of the AV-R for the hypeye. The orientation of the half moon has the cable pointing up covering the rec button. So I don't see the point of drilling a hole for the rec button in a box

There needs to be some support for the Hypeye Jack as over time im sure this connection will degrade.

Lenses
really nice having the 37mm thread.
I have put a century 0.55 lens on the camcorder.
With the camcorders G lens and wider view,
I get the same result as the Kenko/Opteka 0.43 without the fisheye
A real nice flat image without corners.

More Freefly testing this week,
Either way its a real nice camcorder.

I hope some of this info is of some help

Blue warm Skies and Big Puffies

Kai
Kaiseye