Camcorder for my upcoming trip.

[edDV]

Well let me say this, and again I dont want to start a Camera 1 VS Camera 2 kind of thread, but let me have an honest opinion on these two cameras. The canon gl2 while semi pro, heavy and bulky, compared to the panasonic pv-gs400 more travel type while kind of prosumer. Which of the two provide proffesional grade video or near proffesional grade. Ive read in many forums that that they both basically offer the same output, in video quality. Now I believe the ccd sensors on the canon are larger or a tiny bit smaller than the panasonic, while I dont know if that really affects the quality dramatically.

Oh I think this is it.

Canon GL2= CCD sensor 1/4"
Panasonic PV-GS400= CCD sensor 1/4.7"

The Camcorderinfo reviews detail the pro/con of the two camcorders. Image quality is very similar.

[Jorge]

Now to my knowledge, Ive heard the bigger the ccd, the better the low light perpormence or the better the video quality. And after seeing this setup by a fellow videohelp forum member Georg Liigand, my interest has grown. I just need to find a local camera store to test it out, Ive been to a few at the mall, but the owner gave me an actitude and said that he wont show me it because he wont take out of the box, so how will I decide to buy it? real cocky guy.

This is the pic of the Panasonic PV-GS400 with lens hood and microphone attachment.



Decision decisions, what shall I do? I still have till summer to purchase and get a feel to the cameras functions and capabilities.

[edDV]

Now to my knowledge, Ive heard the bigger the ccd, the better the low light perpormence or the better the video quality. And after seeing this setup by a fellow videohelp forum member Georg Liigand, my interest has grown. I just need to find a local camera store to test it out, Ive been to a few at the mall, but the owner gave me an actitude and said that he wont show me it because he wont take out of the box, so how will I decide to buy it? real cocky guy.

This is the pic of the Panasonic PV-GS400 with lens hood and microphone attachment.



Decision decisions, what shall I do? I still have till summer to purchase and get a feel to the cameras functions and capabilities.

I guess you don't believe in the Camcoderinfo test procedure.

"I still have till summer to purchase"

Summer 2006? Everything could change by then.

[Jorge]

Oh ed, by the way I did read the camcorderinfo review on both the gl2 and the gs400. Now I didnt see where it said the quality was nearly the same in the camcorderinfo test.

Well yes, by this summer I will be going, but Im giving it a head start, so I can gain some knowledge. I guess everything can change by then, I dont doubt that ed, who knows.

[edDV]

The GL2 (or XL2 or Panasonic AG-DVC30 or AG-DVX100) is better if you need to shoot pro style with all the accessories and hopefully an assistant or three.

For your proposed use, Robin Liss of CamcorderInfo.com concluded:

[GS-400 vs] "Canon GL2
The race here is a little more tight. The Canon GL2 includes three 1/4-inch CCDs, but a much larger 20x optical zoom. I like the manual control of the four-way hybrid ring on the PV-GS400 slightly more than the ring / jog dial combination of the Canon GL2. The GL2 wins in handling and overall look. You're going to look much more professional with a GL2 than with a PV-GS400, but that might not be important to some users. I’d give the slight edge to the PV-GS400 over the GL2. It’s a much newer camcorder and the overall performance is slightly better."

For those of us who have lugged everything from Betacam SP (several cases) to Hi8, the GS-400 or AG-DVC30 look like dream solutions for high quality travel acquisition although still far from the luxury of a microsize miniDV cam.

It seems like you place high stock in a pro look to your cam. I can attest this is a disadvantage if your goal is to get video on tape. Many people resist being shot by pros or seek compensation. Once while just carrying a pro camcorder in a Paris Metro station I was mugged by 4 local immigrants (long story, but they didn't get my cam or money but the smell of their mace never washed out). In the Carribean, any pro camcorder activity may result in payment demands by "agent" lookouts. This can also happen in Asia. In Brazilian cities, you better have a driver-bodyguard and never stop at a red light.

The ideal for normal travel taping is a high quality camcorder that looks like it was bought on $199 special at Wal-Mart. People ignor my Digital8 and if the muggers want it, they can have it.

[Jorge]

Ed I see what your saying, I honestly would of never thought it would be a dilema to have a high quality pro looking camera. But I guess its obvious people will be looking at you, if your carrying such a piece of equipment. Well maybe I shouldnt place a high stock in a pro look to the purchase of my camcorder. I should probably rethink this. Well time will tell until I purchase. I still would like as much feedback for my knowledge, anything you would know, I would like to know, to further my understanding. So keep your posts coming.

[edDV]

Ed I see what your saying, I honestly would of never thought it would be a dilema to have a high quality pro looking camera. But I guess its obvious people will be looking at you, if your carrying such a piece of equipment. Well maybe I shouldnt place a high stock in a pro look to the purchase of my camcorder. I should probably rethink this. Well time will tell until I purchase. I still would like as much feedback for my knowledge, anything you would know, I would like to know, to further my understanding. So keep your posts coming.

My general rule: If you are charging someone for your services, then you need to look as pro as possible. Rent or buy what you need.

If you are acquiring video for personal use, blend in with both your equipment and clothing.

[zoobie]

To me, the difference between amateur and professional shots are the tripod. Tourists want convenience...hence amateur shots without the tripod.

You gotta pay the price for pro shots...regardless of what camera you use.

[Georg Liigand]

Hi again Jorge,

Very interesting thread here and I'm sure you and many others are getting a lot of good information from here.

I also own a NV-GS400 which is on the picture posted above and a more advanced setup on my cam is here http://georg.skyfilmproductions.com/camera/rvm_dxa2s_1.jpg . I am very satisfied with the GS400 and I made a lot of cool clips with that. However, about a month ago I decided that I'll have to go more professional. I was also looking at the Canon XM2 before, but I rather quickly decided to go for Sony VX2100 which they say wins the XM2 big time except the optical zoom (that I don't need so much) and maybe some other minor things. I've also done some work with PD150 and never used XM2, so this also pushed me towards the VX2100, because I really LOVED the PD150. I will receive the camera next week, then I'll be able to comment a bit more thoroughly.

Basically the upgrade was ofcourse a good move as I had the possibility to do it, but on the other hand I brought pretty much trouble for myself with this. Firstly the Sony is A LOT more heavier than the GS400, even if fitted with the extras like hood, mic and Beachtek. I don't have a car and therefore I usually move around here locally by bus or ask friends or family members to give me a ride. Now I have a lot of extra weight to carry and I can already feel the pain having the large camera bag on one shoulder and tripod on the other!

Secondly, I'm of similar age as you, Jorge, and expensive and heavy cameras like GL2/XM2 and VX2100 in our hands may make some certain fellas very hungry, especially in places like metro or less populated areas. The GS400 without too many extra accessories often looks similar enough to usual tourist cams and therefore isn't that attractive.

A few days ago I found a very cool place - http://www.bbctraining.com . They are using a lot of VX2000's (the earlier of 2100) and that's why they have a great amount of good documentation for professional camera operators up in the web for free. It's pretty useful for GL2 users as well, because although a little smaller, it's still somewhat similar to the Sonys. Every document begins with paragraphs like Health and Safety. Firstly they have a lot of information on how to reduce fatigue when filming with these cams by hand and what to do in case of back pain, for instance. Are there so serious notes published for the small tourist camcorders? I think not. All this means that if you will choose a GL2, then you will have many additional tasks to think about, it will be physically hard to film by hand all the time and your vacation will probably not be half as fun as you wanted. It is clear that if you go out from the hotel, you will not want to take the large bag of the GL2 with you and therefore you will have to hold your camera like a little baby wherever you go. It will be very uncomfortable to then carry for example another plastic bag as you have only one free hand because of the cam. Being honest, these cameras are really meant more for dedicated camera operators, not for going travelling.

Anyways, the decision is up to you. If you think that the fun from the prosumer camera will outweigh health and other issues, then go for it. The picture quality will be outstanding.

[edDV]

Georg Liigand, lots of useful info at that BBC site.

Thanks

[Georg Liigand]

Oh yeah. It has information from camera handling to professional video shooting and a lot in interactive format. Can't ask for much more.

[Jorge]

Hey all, Im back online after everything was restored here in miami after hurricane wilma passed by. Wow, seven days without power what a hastle. I can say this, I really appreciate everything a little more than before, and thank God it wasnt like katrina. No damage was done to my home at all, some water came in through my windows but nothing serious. A few palm trees in front of my house were knocked down, luckly not on my car. Well Im glad to be finally back here at videohelp.com forum. I'll post some pics of the damage later in the open forum.

Well getting back to the topic, thanks Georg for that helpful website, which I think myself and others will benefit much richly from it.