I'm getting ready to buy a professional camcorder.
I do not need 2K or 4K (don't have a monitor for it). I'm fine with 1080i or 720p, however, 10-bit video is interesting and HDR is coming.
The Sony PXW-X70 looks interesting to me:
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1233177-REG/sony_pxw_x70_professional_xdcam_compact.html
So does the Sony PXW-Z150:
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1222976-REG/sony_pxw_z150_4k_xdcam_camcorder.html
I'm not sure what the $1,200-higher price tag of the Z150 buys you other than 4K.
At minimum it needs to record 50 Mbps at 1080i or 24 Mbps at 720p. The content may go to broadcast in which case it would be transcoded to MPEG2.
I like that the Sony's have 24-bit PCM audio.
MUST HAVE an eyepiece-style viewfinder.
Any other suggestions? Price in the $2,000-ish range?
Try StreamFab Downloader and download from Netflix, Amazon, Youtube! Or Try DVDFab and copy Blu-rays! or rip iTunes movies!
+ Reply to Thread
Results 1 to 14 of 14
Thread
-
-
Also have a look at the Canon range. This is from the UK site, but I'm sure there is an equivalent US site. https://www.canon.co.uk/video-cameras/professional-camcorders/
Canon C100 mk2 - Dell XPS8700 i7 - Win 10 - 24gb RAM - GTX 1060/6GB - DaVinci Resolve Studio 18.6.3 - Blackmagic Speed Editor - Presonus Faderport 1 - 3 calibrated screens -
I had a Canon XF305 but the lens was gigantic and all that glass weighed a TON!
The Canon XF100 is still on my list, but 10-bit video may be future-proofing. -
Editing with 10-bit H.264 is going to be slow, as no HW decoders support it. Unlike HEVC.
A 4k camera would be the way to future proof. -
-
Here is what I've decided on. Does anyone have any caveats before I pull the trigger and place the order?
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1072752-REG/sony_pxw_x70_professional_xdcam_compact.html -
I ended up getting a Sony AX53. It does 50 MBps @ 1080p/59.94 and has PCM audio, but 16 bits, not 24. The price is right, about $800.
To bring the picture into compliance with NABA contribution standards I would either have to add interlace and make it 1080i, or make it 720p.
It makes OK pictures but I'm not really happy with the on-board zoom control. You can get an external remote controller for it, but unlike my Canon G40 you cannot set the zoom speed and it does not have soft zoom start/stop. -
The 1080i 59.94 mode on that camera is the same as 29.97 interlaced.
Excellent choice. -
All of the video I'm shooting at 1920 x 1080, 50 Mbps is progressive according to Media Info. I don't see any interlaced modes in the documentation or on the camera. There is not even a 1280 x 720p @60 fps mode. I can convert it with ffmpeg, however.
There is a weird artifact with the image stabilization system. If you make short, incremental moves with image stab. turned on, the floating optical system "floats" or "hunts" as it tries to stabilize the picture. This makes precise control of the framing difficult, but it may be OK in some use cases where there is camera shake and no camera moves are needed. I leave it turned off so it is not a deal breaker.
I'm running it with the AE shift at + 0.5 EV. All other automatics work OK.
My first choice, knowing what I know now, would be a Canon XF 200, but it is about $2,500 new vs. about $800 for the AX53.Last edited by chris319; 25th Sep 2018 at 13:21.
-
-
i've never been impressed with sony lenses. i might have looked at the Canon XC10. 4k @ 305mbps and many interlaced options at 2k
--
"a lot of people are better dead" - prisoner KSC2-303 -
If you like hybrides i'm told the Sony A7SII is excellent (very high iso support "409 600 ISO !", not that grainy up to 12800 iso , that's good for low light), very good for video shooting goes up to 4K (100 mb/s) or hd 120 fps (no hdr though)
Last edited by themaster1; 26th Sep 2018 at 03:12.
*** DIGITIZING VHS / ANALOG VIDEOS SINCE 2001**** GEAR: JVC HR-S7700MS, TOSHIBA V733EF AND MORE -
The AX53 has a Zeiss lens.
My video is for broadcast, either 1080i or 720p. Not interested in 2k or 4k.
Similar Threads
-
How To Beef Up Your Camcorder To Get Professional Result
By Frankli0015 in forum Camcorders (DV/HDV/AVCHD/HD)Replies: 6Last Post: 13th Jul 2016, 13:58 -
Help me decide which JVC VCR & TBC combo to use
By LouGee in forum Video ConversionReplies: 2Last Post: 1st May 2016, 11:34 -
Which filters to use (I can't decide...)
By pooksahib in forum Video ConversionReplies: 3Last Post: 30th Apr 2016, 02:56 -
Need to decide on software for Canon Vixia HFG10
By Monesq in forum Newbie / General discussionsReplies: 4Last Post: 13th Jan 2014, 23:27 -
Help me decide how to render my projects please!
By blujay in forum EditingReplies: 12Last Post: 24th Dec 2013, 05:04