Canon XH A1 VS Panasonic DVX100B

[eddiebaby]

Hey guys,

Newbie here, in every respect when it comes to cameras. I am looking to buy my first camera in preparation to go to film school in 2/3 years time. I really want to get some sort of a reel together and I am reaserching which camera to buy.

In my many hours in front of a screen I have come up with 2 contenders.

Canon XH A1 and the Panasonic DVX100B

I'm gonna buy second hand and the prices seem similar, which is puzzling, as store bought there is at least 1000 bucks difference. Does anyone know why this might be?

My main query though is which one would people recommend. I know both would be more than adequate to get a couple of shorts done and with some hard work in post both could give me quality footage.

A book I bought, "Rebels Dv Guide" raves about the DVX100 but we all have our preferences, right?

So price being the same (give or take 100 bucks) , which one would you buy?

Thanks for your help guys!

[MJA]

I'm not a camera expert I kinda like the Canon


http://www.vimeo.com/videos/search:Canon%20XH%20A1

[eddiebaby]

Yeah me too!

Thats where Im leaning but the price difference concerns me.

My brother thinks that that may be explained by either putting a low starting price to get people interested. or it just happens that there are a number of availiable cameras at the same time therfore lowering the price.

Im just wraking my brain right now and its givin me headache

[MJA]

where you going to buy it from? US,or Korea?

[eddiebaby]

US as the taxes here are murder! Like 20%!

[MJA]

Chicago I think 11%,or 12% now. where I live 8%

are you going to buy it from amazon.com ,or onecall.com ?

[eddiebaby]

Well to be honest as I said, I'm thinking second hand fro ebay.

This is mainly due to the fact that I will be leaving Korea to go to the UK in 2/3 years and I will probably sell the camera and get a new one then, cause of the whole PAL and NTSC thing.

[filmboss80]

The Canon is HDV, but isn't the Panny model you listed just DV? (Maybe I'm wrong.) Do Google searches on their features and read reviews. Consider both your present and future needs.

[eddiebaby]

Thanks so much for your help guys!

The canon is HDV and i guess it is the right decision to go for that, the only other differences i could find were:

CANON XH A1 PAN 100B

Media type Mini DV (HDV) Mini DV

Optical zoom 20 x 10 x

Min illumination 0.4 lux 3 lux

Weight 4.7 lbs 3.7 lbs

For the same price, the canon seems a fair bit better, even though its the heavier one.

I think I have made my mind up and I'm just trying to justify spending my hard earned cash by doing too much reaserch.

Again thanks guys for weighing in!