On 22 Sep 1998 20:29:10 GMT, peter pope wrote:

> I've been contemplating purchasing a Sony VX-1000 unit for
>pro-sumer use. The only concern I have regarding this unit is it's
>performance in low-light conditions. How exactly does one define low
>light? What is the Lux level on the vx-1000? A few years ago I had a JVC
>S_VHS camera with a lux rating of 7 lux. I can say as a fact that in low
>light conditions, the results were HORRENDOUS. Indoor filming without any
>additional light sources was poor. Recently I have been experimenting with
>a Panasonic S-VHS Ag-456 unit, which I believe has a lux arting of 1 or 0.
>The low light recordings in a gothic cathedral were good, but some
>grain/noise is visible. Based on all this, how well does the VX-1000
>perform in low light conditions?

Compared with a Canon A1-Digital Hi-8 (and other Hi-8 Sony and
Canon camcorders I've had), the VX-1000 picture is slightly
cleaner at low room illumination levels (low enough to show a
bit of graininess). In a local DARK chapel, with some smallish stained-glass windows and some antique tungsten-bulb chandeliers,
I can just get a clean-looking picture. In candle-light (as in
those under-illuminated wedding receptions...), the picture is
grainy and the color is not ideal, but the results are useable.
The Panasonic 3-chip DV camcorders handle very low light a bit
better, but there are too many reasons I prefer the VX-1000 to go
that way... I have not checked out the Canon XL-1, but its reputation
is that it also is at least somewhat better in very low light
(but, again, for various reasons, I prefer the VX-1000...).
The VX-1000 is pretty good in moderate light levels (office/classroom
lighting); not at all bad in moderately low light levels
(home night-time reasonably well-lit interiors); acceptable in
low light (home night-time low-lit interiors); and on the edge
of acceptability in really dark places with minimal illumination
(dropping the shutter speed or adding a light helps, if you
can stand the drawbacks). The TRV-9, for comparison, is quite
poor even in moderately bright areas...