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Wanted - HDV cam
- Thread starter EvsFX08
- Start date
not sure. Still doing research. I'm indecisive really on what I want. Canon, Sony, Panasonic.....I was looking at the HV-30- $750+ and then the Sony version- $1600, another Sony camera (HD1000U) for 1500, so I don't know really. It's not like I NEED one right now, but I know eventually I'll need to with my line of work. The XH-A1 looks nice, but I wouldn't know what to do with it, I might hurt myself. I'm in the basics of HD, so that's part of the problem, I don't know what I'm doing. 
The JVC GZ-HD7, the first of the JVC HDD cameras is now a little
over a year old and discontinued, but I’ve seen these on line for
as little as $800. A really nice Fujinon lens makes a huge difference
and full manual controls is important. Three 1/5’ 16:9 progressive
scan CCD’s are pretty impressive for a camera in this price range.
It has manual controls, a mic input and an excellent focus ring which
is surprisingly rare on small cameras. It records directly to a built in
60GB hard drive. The issue here is the MPEG-2 compression (TOD).
It’s not compatible with many NLE’s so you’ll need to convert the
TOD to QuickTime or AVI.
The GZ-HD6 can record 1080/60p through HDMI - pretty impressive.
The GZ-HD40 is a bit of a disappointment. I like that it records using
AVCHD compression which makes it compatible with most NLE’s but
it loses the important focus ring. And it’s so small.
The Panasonic HDC-SD100 uses a 3-CMOS array and records 1920 x
1080 video in the AVCHD format to SD and SDHC memory cards. I like
the ring on the lens that controls zoom, focus, white balance, shutter
speed, and iris and it actually has a viewfinder in addition to the LCD
screen. Very important it has both a mic and headphone jack. I found
it difficult to handle with all the cables attached (mic, headphones and
monitor) but it’s a camera with all the basics.
The Panasonic HDC-HS300 is a fine camera. I got to use it in January
for a little test run shooting some behind the scenes footage for a
model shoot in Las Vegas. I likes the focus ring - a great improvement
over similar cameras. But I didn’t like the touch screen controls. On the
plus side it has the essentials - headphone and mic jacks and manual
control over all the basics. I like that it uses the AVCHD format. There
is a nice toggle switch at the front of the lens for switching between the
zoom and the focus. It took just a few tries for me to master it.
Close is the Canon HV20. It records in HDV (1080i) and 24p (60i), has
a mic input and manual controls of white balance and focus but it uses
one 1/2.7” CMOS sensor rather than 3 CCD’s. And it’s so small the
handling is difficult.
The HV30 adds a 30f (Canon’s “frame mode”) in addition to 24p.
The Sony HDR-SR12 has a mic input and a good sized 120GB HDD. It
uses a 1/3” CMOS chip and like the Canon is really small. Because of
the input placement, the mic cable kept getting in my way. The HR9
(which records to tape) is also a nice, very small, camera with the
essentials. Again the mic input is just below the lens which is rather poor
placement, in my opinion.
Pushing the price cap is the Sony HD1000U. It’s $1,400 and has all the
essentials. The touch screen is too unusual for me - I’m old school - but
it works quite well. I like that it’s a shoulder mount camera. It only uses
one CMOS Sensor, but the image was very nice.
over a year old and discontinued, but I’ve seen these on line for
as little as $800. A really nice Fujinon lens makes a huge difference
and full manual controls is important. Three 1/5’ 16:9 progressive
scan CCD’s are pretty impressive for a camera in this price range.
It has manual controls, a mic input and an excellent focus ring which
is surprisingly rare on small cameras. It records directly to a built in
60GB hard drive. The issue here is the MPEG-2 compression (TOD).
It’s not compatible with many NLE’s so you’ll need to convert the
TOD to QuickTime or AVI.
The GZ-HD6 can record 1080/60p through HDMI - pretty impressive.
The GZ-HD40 is a bit of a disappointment. I like that it records using
AVCHD compression which makes it compatible with most NLE’s but
it loses the important focus ring. And it’s so small.
The Panasonic HDC-SD100 uses a 3-CMOS array and records 1920 x
1080 video in the AVCHD format to SD and SDHC memory cards. I like
the ring on the lens that controls zoom, focus, white balance, shutter
speed, and iris and it actually has a viewfinder in addition to the LCD
screen. Very important it has both a mic and headphone jack. I found
it difficult to handle with all the cables attached (mic, headphones and
monitor) but it’s a camera with all the basics.
The Panasonic HDC-HS300 is a fine camera. I got to use it in January
for a little test run shooting some behind the scenes footage for a
model shoot in Las Vegas. I likes the focus ring - a great improvement
over similar cameras. But I didn’t like the touch screen controls. On the
plus side it has the essentials - headphone and mic jacks and manual
control over all the basics. I like that it uses the AVCHD format. There
is a nice toggle switch at the front of the lens for switching between the
zoom and the focus. It took just a few tries for me to master it.
Close is the Canon HV20. It records in HDV (1080i) and 24p (60i), has
a mic input and manual controls of white balance and focus but it uses
one 1/2.7” CMOS sensor rather than 3 CCD’s. And it’s so small the
handling is difficult.
The HV30 adds a 30f (Canon’s “frame mode”) in addition to 24p.
The Sony HDR-SR12 has a mic input and a good sized 120GB HDD. It
uses a 1/3” CMOS chip and like the Canon is really small. Because of
the input placement, the mic cable kept getting in my way. The HR9
(which records to tape) is also a nice, very small, camera with the
essentials. Again the mic input is just below the lens which is rather poor
placement, in my opinion.
Pushing the price cap is the Sony HD1000U. It’s $1,400 and has all the
essentials. The touch screen is too unusual for me - I’m old school - but
it works quite well. I like that it’s a shoulder mount camera. It only uses
one CMOS Sensor, but the image was very nice.
Good info Directorik, here's what I know I want, HD, Mini-DV compatible, I do not want the HDD. The other thing, which is probably a minor detail is the ability to have remote controls. I currently have a Sony with a LANC connector. I was interested in the Canon HV-30, but I don't see how a remote control (for zoom) can be hooked up. I didn't realize the HD1000u was touch screen, but since I have a Sony consumer Cam now, I'm used to the touch screen.
I know when the Panasonic P2 came out it was all the rave. I know a guy who bought one and loved it. I wouldn't know what to do with the focus ring and lens adapter but I'm sure I'll eventually figure out the useage. what's the deal with a 35mm adapter, what's that do for a camera?
So, as you can see, I'm still researching on what I really need to have at my skill level (minimal) versus a "would love to have" camera.
I know when the Panasonic P2 came out it was all the rave. I know a guy who bought one and loved it. I wouldn't know what to do with the focus ring and lens adapter but I'm sure I'll eventually figure out the useage. what's the deal with a 35mm adapter, what's that do for a camera?
So, as you can see, I'm still researching on what I really need to have at my skill level (minimal) versus a "would love to have" camera.