HF G 20(/25) vs HS S 10

[Joeri2k3]

Hey Guys,

Need your input on a question I have.
I'm the owner of a Canon HF S10 and filming underwater. I'm following the new Canon camcorders to prep buying a new underwaterhouse. Now, the new housings are for the HF G series (10-20-25).
The new G series is considered the prosumer series of Canon (so the equivalent of the S series a few years ago).

But here's the thing : I'm confused, since the new G series 'seems' inferior to the older S series.
I have this impression based on two things :

HF S10 :
Image Sensor1/2.6-inch CMOS, RGB Prmary Color Filter Total PixelsApprox. 8.59 Megapixels Effective PixelsVideo: Approx. 6.01 Megapixels
(3264 x 1840) / Still Image: 16:9: Approx. 6.01 Megapixels
(3264 x 1840), 4:3 Approx. 8.02 Megapixels (3264 x 2456)
HF G25 :
Type 1/3 type advanced HD CMOS PRO Total pixels 2.37 megapixel Effective Pixels: Movie 2.07 megapixels Effective Pixels: Still 2.07 megapixels (16:9)
So the G25 has a smaller sensor and it's effective pixels are down to 2 megapixels (whereas the S10 had 6Megapixels).

Am I missing something are have they downgraded the G series ?

Thanks for you input or 2 cents.
HF S10 Spec :
http://www.usa.canon.com/cusa/support/consumer/camcorders/high_definition_camcorders/v...Specifications

HF G25 Spec :
http://www.canon.co.uk/For_Home/Product_Finder/Camcorders/High_Definition_HD/LEGRIA_HF_G25/

[aedipuss]

if you look at the 4k$ xf105 it uses the same sensor as the hfg25, so i'm not sure what your problem with it is. it isn't mega pixels that make a good video sensor. anything over 1980x1080 or about 2 megapixels is wasted in a video cam, it's not like a still cam. better pro canon cams use 3 of the same sensors, one each for red, blue, and green.

[Joeri2k3]

Ok, well reassuring that that 4k camera uses the same sensor size than the HF G25.
Still wondering why in their cameras they have smaller sensor, whereas a lot of people are talking about bigger sensors. For example : more & more people are using full frame DSLR instead of a camcorder.

Following article was interesting for me :
http://camcorders.about.com/od/camcorders101/a/cmos_vs_ccd.htm
sensor size & effective pixels.

Based on that article the G25 is inferior to the HF S10 : smaller sensor size & lower effective pixels. Which puzzled me. My question remains unanswered.

[aedipuss]

dslr still cams don't use their entire sensor. they skip pixels/lines. sensor technology changes all the time, i wouldn't put much faith in about.com.