What is the quality like of broadcast camera stills?

[richmondfloyd]

Hi,

I am looking to purchase a Sony Z1 HDV Broadcast Camera and I am interested to know what quality the stills are both from those taken from the video footage and those specifically captured as stills. Any ideas?

How can I compare the quality to a digital camera? i.e. It is the equivalent of a 'X' megapixel camera.

Also, if anyone can recommend a better camera then the Z1, for around this price, please let me know.

Thanks

[Sushigaijin]

Let me start by saying I don't know much about the camera in question - I googled it to get an idea of it's stats, but that's really about it.

First, I couldn't find anything that indicates that this camera CAN take stills. If it can, there will be a number that will let you know image dimensions. Most video cameras shoot at just under 1 mp, although before HD the standard was VGA (1/3 mp). That's really low resolution for a still but totally normal for a video camera. The average for a still camera today is somewhere in the 8-10 mp range.

Second, if the camera is not specifically able to take stills, you will need to de-interlace the video, which is an imperfect science at best. Rather than explain interlacing at length, I'd suggest google.

hope that helps!

[retroactiv]

I know when I worked in TV, Avid will allow you to take a still off of a broadcast camera. I've done this with BetaCamSP, DVCpro, MiniDv, and XDcam. What application are you going to use this camera for, that will best allow me to answer your question if there is a better camera for the price.

[freygr]

Hi,

I am looking to purchase a Sony Z1 HDV Broadcast Camera and I am interested to know what quality the stills are both from those taken from the video footage and those specifically captured as stills. Any ideas?

How can I compare the quality to a digital camera? i.e. It is the equivalent of a 'X' megapixel camera.

Also, if anyone can recommend a better camera then the Z1, for around this price, please let me know.

Thanks

720i = just under 1 mega pixel, 1080i = just over 2 mega pixel. Now the still images are dependent on the hardware of the camera, but a Broadcast Camera will not have any extra pixels for still photography. And you will be limited to frame captures.

[retroactiv]

I don't think that any broadcast cams have the extra pixals, but I shot on a XDcam that allowed you to take stills right there while you were one the scene (it was supposed to be great for putting an still image on the website or that is what the news director thought, I never used it). Even though I never used it it it did have the option to do it, along with a slot to put memory cards in (SD cards) so you could shoot stills to your hearts delight then hand the card to the web editor. Personally what I did was use a Point and Shoot Camera to get the stills for the website and used the broadcast camera for what it was built for, broadcasting.