Advice: Should I buy Sony HC3 or Panasonic PV-GS500 ??

[RjBeals]

I've been searching the forums all morning, can't find what I need, although I'm sure it's out there somewhere - so here goes:

I'm upgrading from an old Sony Hi8. I've narrowed down to 2 cameras (thread title). I consider myself more than the "average Joe Consumer" but not much more. Videos will be of family events burned to DVD's for family viewing. However, I do focus on quality & editing. I've spent hours/days/weeks tweeking filters using avisynth & capturing these hi8's using the huffyuv codec. I’ve seen the Panasonic listed as (SD, Broadcast Quality), but I’ve also seen that it has bad stair-stepping in the video.

The Sony HD camera seems like a great price for a HD camera, but – since my main goal is to make normal DVD-R’s that can only hold 720x480, do I really need HD camera?

Or… When I record in HD at 1080i – will I have to re-encode down to 720i? But will the quality still be significantly better than the Panasonic MiniDV? This whole topic I’m unclear on. My question kind of centers around that.

Also – I know I can shoot 4mp still photos with the Panasonic, but can I also shoot stills with the Sony? It could replace our digital camera (convince the wife to let me spend the dollars)…
(Edit: Just read that the HC5 will capture stills)....



Panasonic


Features
* Features professional-quality 3CCD imaging system
* 2.7-inch wide LCD display
* 4.0-megapixel still image capture
* 12x optical Leica lens with 700x digital zoom brings you close to the action
* Records to miniDV or directly to PC through DV (FireWire) or high-speed USB 2.0 interfaces

Technical Details

* Model number: PV-GS500
* Camcorder: Panasonic 3CCD Ultra-Compact Digital Palmcorder MultiCam Camcorder with 4.0 Megapixel Still Picture Recording
* CCD lens (total): 1/4.7-inch, 1.07M x 3
* CCD lens (effective): 4:3 - 700K x 3; 16:9 - 730K x 3
* Optical zoom: 12x
* Filter diameter: 43 millimeters
* Lens type: Leica
* Still picture recording: 4.0 megapixel
* Digital photoshot function: Yes
* Progressive photoshot: Card only
* Minimum illumination: 5 lux
* High speed shutter: In tape mode: 1/60 - 1/8000; in card mode: 1/2 - 1/2000
* Program auto exposure: Five mode
* Viewfinder: Color
* LCD: 2.7-inch wide (123k)
* Power LCD: Yes
* Manual focus ring: Yes
* Soft-skin mode: Yes
* Macro zooming: Yes
* MagicPix images: Yes
* Microphone: Zoom
* Wide mode (16:9): Yes
* On-screen display languages: English, Spanish, and French
* Image stabilizer: Optical image stabilizer (OIS)
* Digital zoom: 700x
* Built-in EfficiBright LED light: Yes
* Flash: Yes
* Quick start: Yes
* Web camera function: With optional USB cable
* Built-in SD slot: Yes
* PictBridge compatible: Yes
* S-video out: Yes
* Mini DV in/out IEEE1394: Yes
* USB port: 2.0 high speed (mini B)
* Microphone (stereo mini): Yes
* Power supply: 1360 mAh
* Dimensions: 3.583 x 2.874 x 6.024 inches (W x H x D)
* Weight: 3.17 pounds




Sony

Product Features

* Records and plays back both high-definition (1080i resolution) and standard-definition video on MiniDV
* 2.1-megapixel ClearVid CMOS image sensor; 1.43K effective
* Variable-speed Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* 10x optical zoom lens; digital zoom to 80x
* 2.7-inch widescreen touch-panel LCD
* Super SteadyShot image stabilization

Technical Details

* Model Name: HDR-HC3 Handycam
* Model: HDR-HC3
* media_type: Mini DV (HDV), None
* Lens Type: Zoom lens
* Optical zoom: 10
* maximum_aperture_range: F/1.8-2.9
* Minimum focal length: 5.1 millimeters
* Maximum focal length: 51 millimeters
* Included Flash Type: Built-in flash
* form_factor: Memory Stick Duo, Rotating
* Display: LCD display
* Display Size: 2.7 inches
* Image types: JPEG
* video_input_special_effects: Skintone, Cinematic, Still, Sepia, Pastel, Monotone, Old Movie, Flash Motion, Negative Art
* optical_sensor_resolution: 2.1 MP
* optical_sensor_technology: CMOS
* optical_sensor_size: 1/3"
* Viewfinder Type: LCD
* audio_input: Microphone
* Height: 3.12 inches
* Weight: 1.31 pounds
* Depth: 5.5 inches
* Width: 3.25 inches

[racer-x]

The question is do you want to go with SD or HD?

With HD you'll more than likely have to resize all your footage, at least until decently priced storage format that can easily be played becomes availible. Sure the HD footage has about 4 times as much resolution, so it has the potential to give better quality in good lighting that is.

I have the Panasonic GS500 and I can tell you it's a very good camera, arguably the best SD camera under $2000. I''m also thinking of getting an HDV camera, but I think the Canon HV20 is a much better buy. I won't give up my GS500, though.............

[RjBeals]

but I think the Canon HV20 is a much better buy.

Why? I see it's about the same price as the sony.

Edit: Nevermind. Just read tons of info on this new Mid-april release. Does sound good.

[edong]

Last year, it took me almost a month on deciding whether to buy a GS500 or HC3. The wife convinced me to buy the HC3. Sure, video looks good in our 57" HDTV when played using the camcorder. I was able to transfer some HD-mpg2 to DVD and looks good also in the widescreen PC monitor. But I want to be able to view HD using a home DVD player. Perhaps, there are ways to accomplish that but I do not have the necessay expertise (and the money).

So to be able to transfer it to DVD (that can be played in a home DVD player), I'm down-converting the HD to SD and sometimes using SD as the default recording format which I ask myself why I bought a HD camera in the first place. But HD really looks good. The HC3 makes good stills (4MP) but my 3MP digital camera is better. BTW, HC5 can be had for around $800 or less.

The review in www.camcorderinfo.com showed that the SD resolution of HC3 is lower than that of the GS500. Another advantage is that, if your SD camcorder broke, there is a better chance that a friend has one where you can play your minidv tapes. Not true if it is recorded in HD (correct me if I'm wrong). If I have to do it again, I will buy the GS500.

I should mention that my HC3 broke after recording to only TWO tapes and paid $250 to Sony for the labor. Adding insult to injury, Sony did not return a lens filter attached to the camera. I got promises to get a replacement but that's about it - promises.

[zoobie]

I just bought the new HC5 and am loving it. Why would you buy a discontinued HC3? You simply record in HD and downconvert to SD until the new HD-DVD's become the standard.
I bought my HC5 from an authorized dealer for $900...with a 3 year warranty for $100 more. PM me for details. BTW, if you buy a new cam on eBay, it voids the warranty (unless from a authorized dealer selling on ebay). Also, the HC5 & 7 are third generation HDV cams with most bugs worked out. The Canon HV20 will be a first generation being a whole new camera than the HV10 complete with all the latest bugs.
Being a hi-tech cam, I certainly wouldn't allow the family to use my HC5 to take stills...
More info here:
http://www.dvinfo.net
http://www.sonyhdvinfo.com
PS - I think Baldrick decided to keep these forums non-camera seeing as there are already lots on the internet.

[KenJ57]

I don't have personal experience but I can relate what some of the folks on the Adobe Premiere Elements forum have said. I have heard that the new HDV camcorders can provide a picture that rivals the performance of a $5000 pro standard-def camcorder previous to HDV. They are recording in hi-def and down-converting to DV in the camcorder when capturing on the PC. I don't think the original hi-def mode/resolution makes a difference. Since the original video is shot in hi-def, the tapes can be preserved until affordable hi-def burners and media arrive.

[javi270]

Buy HD, no doubt! It is not true that you have to downgrade to SD to make a disk. Using DIDit or ULEAD DVD Movie Factory you can easily record HD DVD (the Toshiba standard for HD disks) on regular DVDs. A single layer DVD will let you record up to 20 minutes of family videos (going beyond than taht may be boring for the audience) and double layer will hold up to 40 minutes. The same software can make downconversion to DVDs quite easily.

Once you have your HD DVD burnt on a DVD, you can play it on a PC (running PowerDVD 6.5), an XBox 360 or a HDDVD player (below 700 eur yet) connected to your TV.

Your HD camera will be with you many years. Don't buy something old.

[nwo]

Don't buy something old.

what and buy something crap![/quote]