Please suggest budget video cameras for professional work

[DigitalSFX]

would like to buy a video camera, with which I can shoot broadcast quality short films, documentaries etc and those which can be exhibited at professional short film festivals. However I dont have a limitless budget and lesser the cost I can get it at, the better it would be.
The really professional, very high end cameras are out my reach. But I would like to get quality that is professional and is globally accepatble.
The lesser the cost the better, however I have a slightly flexible budget, can stretch but only if its really necessary.
So can anyone suggest what are the lowest cost video cameras that have a professional quality ?
If I mention the budget then one will start suggesting within that budget be at the higher end or the lower end. Rather I would like to know the lowest cost cameras among the ones which definitely would give professional results(with professional sound quality too).
And also which is better HD or HDV ? Which is better ?
Would higher end SD cameras be better then lower end HD cameras ?
Also out of my own research I have short listed a couple of cameras. The Canon HV30 and Panasonic HDC - HS300 - are they broadcast quality cameras ? Is their quality acceptible for professional short film festivals and publicly presentable documentaries ? And which is better out of the two ?
thanks

[minidv2dvd]

i think you need to do a bit of research and determine the format you need to work in. find a common format for all the work you want to do and go from there. like if something requires dvcprohd - HDV or avchd cams are not going to cut it.

[DigitalSFX]

i think you need to do a bit of research and determine the format you need to work in. find a common format for all the work you want to do and go from there. like if something requires dvcprohd - HDV or avchd cams are not going to cut it.

Thanks for your reply.

I would like to use a format which gives the best quality results. Ofcourse its going to be FD .
Could you suggest what exact type of HD/compression format/cam type I should use for best results. And if possible could you suggest any specific camera models (not in the higher end HD cameras though - say between $1000 to $2000).

I sort off liked The Canon HV30 and Panasonic HDC - HS300. What do you you feel ?

[DigitalSFX]

i think you need to do a bit of research and determine the format you need to work in. find a common format for all the work you want to do and go from there. like if something requires dvcprohd - HDV or avchd cams are not going to cut it.

Thanks for your reply.

I would like to use a format which gives the best quality results. Ofcourse its going to be FD .
Could you suggest what exact type of HD/compression format/cam type I should use for best results. And if possible could you suggest any specific camera models (not in the higher end HD cameras though - say between $1000 to $2000).

I sort off liked The Canon HV30 and Panasonic HDC - HS300. What do you you feel ?

whats the difference between dvcprohd, HDV and avchd cams ? Which gives the best quality result? which format the professionals use ?

[minidv2dvd]

I would like to use a format which gives the best quality results. Ofcourse its going to be FD .

what is FD?

of the 2 cams you list, i personally have and use the hv30 all the time. make sure to add an external mic if you go with the HV20/30/40 series as the built-in isn't good. editing HDV is easy on my systems and gives great results.

[zoobie]

From your posts, it sounds like you'll be wasting your money if you buy a high-end cam.
I'd first invest in some books and education about videography then if all goes well and the interest is still there, buy a little used cam. Many go your route - first buying the equipment - then end up selling it off at a great loss.

[glenpinn]

From your posts, it sounds like you'll be wasting your money if you buy a high-end cam.
I'd first invest in some books and education about videography then if all goes well and the interest is still there, buy a little used cam. Many go your route - first buying the equipment - then end up selling it off at a great loss.

ahh i felt this pain a few years ago when i got caught up in this videography merry-go-round and nearly got burnt

i got a panasonic MX-500 3ccd cam from ebay, nearly new, great cam (poor low light)
then got a GS-70 as a 2nd unit (sounds impressive) for some testing and practice shooting with 2 cams (just family stuff)

kept the GS-70 and got a GS400 (new model to the MX-500) then sold the 400 and got the next GS-500.

thought id be smart and jump in b4 i learnt it all properly and splashed out $6500 on a panny AG-DVX100A
it was a great cam, probably the best of its kind at that time (arguably, depending if your a sony lover or not)

after that i messed about with it for a while, then lost the time to pursue my dream of becoming a pro wedding and events videographer and i ended up leasing the cam for 18 months to various videographers, then sold it.

lucky i made my money back in the end, plus more because i leased it out, but i could have lost nearly half the value of the cam if i didnt lease it out.

start at the bottom and buy a cam suited to your "needs" and not your "dreams" because they dont always come true.