Advice For Buying Better Camera

[duraysteeus]

Hi All,

I've been a video hobbyist for about 2 years now. I have a really old/basic consumer handheld DV camera and I'm looking to purchase something a little more "prosummer." My budget is about 2-4k.

I've seen lots of mixed reviews on the Canon XL2. Is there an official "Stage 2" camera that would fit my budget that you all recommend?

Something that's important to me: I want to be ready for the future of video. In other words, I want to have a camera that can shoot 16:9 and possibly HD. I realize that the television and video standards are going that way and I want to have a relevant camera for the next 10 years or so.

-Dustin

[edDV]

Hi All,

I've been a video hobbyist for about 2 years now. I have a really old/basic consumer handheld DV camera and I'm looking to purchase something a little more "prosummer." My budget is about 2-4k.

I've seen lots of mixed reviews on the Canon XL2. Is there an official "Stage 2" camera that would fit my budget that you all recommend?

Something that's important to me: I want to be ready for the future of video. In other words, I want to have a camera that can shoot 16:9 and possibly HD. I realize that the television and video standards are going that way and I want to have a relevant camera for the next 10 years or so.

-Dustin

At that level there are several choices depending on how serious you are about the full boat of film school, tripods, lighting, zero cases, renting a van, assistants and insurance.

If you just want a handheld that shoots DV and HDV look at the Sony HC1 and HC3.

If you want something inbetween, describe what you want to do.

[duraysteeus]

Actaully. I'm interested in doing some semi-serious stuff, like maybe filming some weddings or such. I'm not planning on getting into film or anything like that. I'd just like to make some really fantastic looking videos with very clean resolution and color. And like I said: I'd like to have a camera that is "future ready" to the extent that my videos could be viewed on large high definition widescreen TVs - and look good on them.

-Dustin[/quote]

[videogirl]

The Sony HVRA1U is an HD camera and can also be used as just a mini dv camera. I have played around with it and the picture is great. The only problem with the camera is the tapes load from the bottom so if you use a tripod you actually have to take the camera off the tripod to change tapes. However there is a $500. rebate on them. So you are looking at around 2,500-2,800.

[greymalkin]

just do a google search for HDV. Sony has an HC-3 model that is very affordable (around 1,500).
I really wish I had an HD camera now because watching my movies on an SDTV looks great but on HDTV it's disappointing.

For weddings, get a wireless mic. setup for the person doing the ceremony and a mixer that the music/speech goes through. Record that to some digital medium and blend it in in the editing phase. Good audio makes a big difference in the wedding video. Also, more importantly...always have a backup cam at a different angle and a tripod. Maybe convince a buddy of yours to buy the same camera and borrow it for these events. Or if you are made of cash just buy two of them :P.

[duraysteeus]

Do HD cameras require special kinds of tapes? If so what kind? Not Mini DV Tapes then?

-Dustin

[dun4cheap]

Goto B and H and check them out. I personally like Canon Optics and I am waiting for an nice HD cam from them.

[edDV]

Actaully. I'm interested in doing some semi-serious stuff, like maybe filming some weddings or such. I'm not planning on getting into film or anything like that. I'd just like to make some really fantastic looking videos with very clean resolution and color. And like I said: I'd like to have a camera that is "future ready" to the extent that my videos could be viewed on large high definition widescreen TVs - and look good on them.

-Dustin

The HC-1 has the basic features you want for event recording but the prosumer conversion HVRA1U is what you need if this is to be the primary camcorder. You will need to handle low impedance line and mic levels and multiple wireless mics.

Wedding and event recording is mostly about getting good audio if you want to be paid. The HC-1 can be adadpted with Beachtek ( http://www.beachtek.com/ ) and other audio adapters as an alternative. The HC-1 would make a good Camera2 for event recording. The HC-3 has been dumbed down for point and shooters and lacks many exposure audio control features found on the HC-1.

Next step up gets very bulky (e.g. Sony FX1 or HVRZ1U) and expensive. These aren't what you want for casual recording but make an excellent primary event recording camcorder intended for tripod mount. These can be rented when needed as can the audio gear. http://www.myvtp.com/htm/hdvcamsony.htm

Panasonic and JVC models are targeting higher. Look for next gen models from Canon to fill the gaps.

Look for new models here.
http://www.camcorderinfo.com/

*PS rental receipts come in very handy when you need to go to small claims court for a payment judgement.

[xxiangg]

Sanyo Xacti HD is a new products for 720p video. It is very small.
Record to SD card (~17min/G). There are several reviews on the
product. You can also find some clips shot by the camara. The reviews
are mixed. But it is very cheap (~$600-700) compared with Sony HDV.
BTW, I do not have it and had no first hand experience with either
one.

[duraysteeus]

Is the HVR-A1U a 3CCD Camera?

[edDV]

Is the HVR-A1U a 3CCD Camera?

No, but a highly rated single 1/3" CMOS sensor. Not CCD.
http://www.videolifestyle.com/reviews/a1u/a1u.html
http://www.digitalproducer.com/articles/viewarticle.jsp?id=33933

Similar HC1
http://www.camcorderinfo.com/content/Sony-HCR-HC1-Review.htm

[duraysteeus]

Has anyone had any bad experiences with the Sony HC1 or HC3? Because I think I'm going to go with that one unless you guys think it has problems. (I have read a few bad reviews).