about Sony camcorders...

[Mysticav]

Hi, I wedding film-maker toll me a few days that Sony camcorders suck.
That its the worst invest I can do. He recommend me Panasonic..

Any comments ? I was erady to buy a Sony, but since this comment, I have my doubts....

[daamon]

Hi Mysticav,

There's good info at www.camcorderinfo.com

I've heard that Canon's have the best optics (lenses etc.). But it depends what you're using it for. If it's just video of holidays, kids etc. then you may better off with one that suits you in other respects (price, ease of use, portability etc.).

Good luck.

[Mysticav]

well, does this site is a good source for trust ?
As you know, most webpages recommend based on the amount $$$ they receive from the product companies.

[daamon]

well, does this site is a good source for trust ?

There's reviews on all aspects, not just price - I get the impression the site isn't influenced by "bribes". There's also a forum (like here) where you can ask actual owners / cam enthusiasts their opinion.

I got good feedback from there.

[gshelley61]

Also check out some consumer reviews on Amazon.com and other sites (like Epinion.com and cnet.com) on the specific camcorder models you are looking at. You'll quickly be able to get a good idea about things like reliability and user satisfaction. Don't listen to one person's subjective opinion about any of this stuff.

[Mysticav]

gshelley61 and daamon, personally, what do you prefer, Panasonic or Sony ?

[gshelley61]

I have a Canon MiniDV camcorder and a Sony Digital8 camcorder... I like them both just fine.

[daamon]

gshelley61 and daamon, personally, what do you prefer, Panasonic or Sony ?

Canon - Sorry to add another to the mix. I've recently got a Canon XM2 (also known as GL2). But I'm planning on doing some semi-professional stuff, weddings etc.

But I looked at a number of high-end cameras before making my choice, including Sony and Panasonic, and went for the Canon.

[edDV]

gshelley61 and daamon, personally, what do you prefer, Panasonic or Sony ?

http://www.camcorderinfo.com/ is a good review site, also
http://www.dvspot.com/

There is no best manufaturer in all categories

Panasonic is very hot at the moment for their line of consumer 3CCD camcorders (GS-200 and 400 particularly) and their higher end AG-DVX100 is well regarded for shooting 24fps 720x480 progressive scan.

Sony make a solid line of prosumer cameras and many good consumer models as does Canon.

I could see buying any of these brands depending on the specific need.

[troyvcd1]

Well no prosumer camcorder can beat the sony vx2000/2100 in low light. This is a fact for this range of camcorder that most wedding shooters use. This is why a lot of wedding shooters will only use a sony.

[daamon]

Well no prosumer camcorder can beat the sony vx2000/2100 in low light. This is a fact for this range of camcorder that most wedding shooters use. This is why a lot of wedding shooters will only use a sony.

What makes it so good?

The Canon XM2 is rated as 1 lux at 1/6th shutter speed. But you need at least 1/50th shutter spped to get fluid motion matching (for PAL) 25fps.

How does that compare to the Sony VX2000/2100?

[troyvcd1]

The original poster said that somebody told him that sony camcorders suck. I just stated that this is not true and to the contrary a lot of wedding videotapers will only use a sony. As far as comparing it to every other camcorder I dont have the time to get into all that.

[daamon]

I wasn't after a full review, nor was I asking for a comparison "to every other camcorder".

I got the impression that you were sufficiently familiar with the Sony VX2000/2100 that you could provide a brief enlightenment...

I stated the specific area of interest for comparison. I was just curious to see the equivalent for the Sonys.

Sorry for, seemingly, troubling you.

[edDV]

Well no prosumer camcorder can beat the sony vx2000/2100 in low light. This is a fact for this range of camcorder that most wedding shooters use. This is why a lot of wedding shooters will only use a sony.

What makes it so good?

The Canon XM2 is rated as 1 lux at 1/6th shutter speed. But you need at least 1/50th shutter spped to get fluid motion matching (for PAL) 25fps.

How does that compare to the Sony VX2000/2100?

Have you ever shot live action with 1/6th shutter? I wouldn't.

I've shot lots of low light (typical room or outdoor night lighting) with a Sony PD-150 (similar to the VX2000) and am always amazed in post that the shot is usable. Are you saying the Canon XM2 would do better?

It's one thing to set up for a movie shoot with actors and lighting control. It's quite another to get the live action shot.

[daamon]

Have you ever shot live action with 1/6th shutter? I wouldn't.

Yes, as a test. And it wasn't fluid motion (hence my original comment that 1/50th shutter speed is the minimum for 25fps).

Are you saying the Canon XM2 would do better?

No, not at all. Just curious how it compares - From an actual performance perspective, and specs. Particularly at 1/50th shutter speed (or equivalent).

[ZAPPER]

I have no mathmatical evidence to submit and only an opinion to offer. I like my Sony TRV 330. I think that it captures and outputs as fine as any TV or monitor that I have can show. As far as I know it was always been a middle of the road cam. In my hands it does just about everything that I could want from a cam. In a pros hands it could do better I am sure.

It may all go back to your general intended use or budget. You can try to compare specs, and I say good luck. When I picked mine I found that trying to compare specs was like comparing apples to oranges. While there may be brands that offer simular cams, they tend to be different enough that a direct feature to feature comparision was almost impossible. One would have more optical zoom and the other would have a bigger flipout screen. I finally went to Circuit City and best buys and put my hands on a few to see if I could actually work all of the features that were on the cams. The Sony seemed to make more sense from a users point of veiw as far as the controls and options went. I was ready to spend more money on a cam than I did. At the time there were bigger screens but I figured that the screen didn't matter as mucn as the optical zoom. So I stepped down in screen size and went for more zoom.

Unless you intend to do Pro work, a fairly feature rich cam from just about any maker will most likely be fine. Some like Fords, some like Chevy's. Pick one that you like.

[edDV]

MiniDV for the consumer is a huge step up from Hi8 and SVHS-C. The DV recording format is amazingly good and the camera section is rapidly catching up.

At the prosumer DV level, we can now have camcorders superior to early Betacams at 1/6th the cost.

[Dosdan]

I have a JVC DV-GR900.

The main problem it has is a viscious, non-defeatable AVC which pumps the background noise level up and down mercilessly. Unless a digicam has adjustable-level ext. audio feed capability so that you can take a good quality feed from a mixer or a radio mike link it is useless for prosumers.

Why have 90db potential audio dynamic range and then squash this like a fly with a ridiculous AVC? I'll tell you why: to keep prosumers from using cheap digicams!!!

[FulciLives]

For what it's worth ... the movie DEEP WATER (now out on DVD in the USA) was shot with a Sony PD150 and a Sony VX2000

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[edDV]

I have a JVC DV-GR900.

The main problem it has is a viscious, non-defeatable AVC which pumps the background noise level up and down mercilessly. Unless a digicam has adjustable-level ext. audio feed capability so that you can take a good quality feed from a mixer or a radio mike link it is useless for prosumers.

Why have 90db potential audio dynamic range and then squash this like a fly with a ridiculous AVC? I'll tell you why: to keep prosumers from using cheap digicams!!!

I agree and will never have a consumer camcorder without manual audio control again. That means it needs to be a GS-400 if a Panasonic.

Add good mics, a Beachtek XLR adapter and it's ready to go.
http://www.beachtek.com/dxa2s.html

[Leoslocks]

If you need a source for researching cameras try Digital Camera Reveiw

Oops, not for Video Cameras!

[pbhalerao]

Canon and Sony are both good. It is incorrect to say that Sony has inferior optics - most of their miniDV Cams have Carl Zeiss optics which are rated to be one of the best.

Having said that, it comes to what feels good to one, budget being the prime criteria. I have tried Sony, JVC and Canon (consumer models). Comparable models in all makes are more or less equal in quality, mechanics, electronics, etc. Panasonic should be no exception.

[lechtin]

Hi all,

I have also heard comments about very good low-light performance out of the Sony VX2000 and PD150. I suggest to head over to www.DV.com for a good review of those cameras and good articles in general. You have to register, but it's free.