On Tue, 24 Dec 2002 02:22:12 GMT, "Magnusfarce" wrote:

>I'm comparing some lower-middle level digital camcorders, e.g., Canon ZR45
>and the Sony TRV18, and keep being told that the image on the Sony is
>superior. When in the store a quick experiment shows that when viewing a
>long distance image (filling the screen with a distant sign, for instance),
>the Canon's image is noticeably better. This is the opposite of what I've
>heard. Is this happening because the Canon's digital zoom is better than
>the Sony's? Does this little experiment have any relevance to what I'll see
>during playback?
>
>The Sony boasts a larger number of pixels (680k) versus the Canon (480k) and
>a better lens system. How do these all factor in to the overall quality of
>the final recorded image?

It is really impossible to predict picture quality
from specs - but, having said that, some things
"tilt" toward better image quality: larger CCD
size (for greater sensitivity); fewer pixels (for
better low-light range); more pixels in the
"effective" CCD area used for video (for better
color, often better sharpness, but sometimes more
"artifacting"); more sensitive type of CCD used
(less noise); better lens (but this cannot be
established easily, regardless of the "name" or
lack thereof on the front...); better electronics
(also hard to establish from published specs...).
If you were judging the pictures on the LCDs, this
is not valid; if you were judging the pictures
on different TVs, this is not valid; if you were
judging pictures while using the digital zoom,
this was not valid. Best: compare at the widest
settings of the zooms, with the same area viewed
with each, viewed on the same (good...) TV using
the same kind of interconnecting wires (preferably
using "S" cables) run straight into the TV.
BTW, with DV cameras, what you see on TV with
a direct connection (no tape) is virtually
identical with what you will see on the same TV
with tape playback...