Anyone here have any recommendations for medium-end digital video cameras?

Message Bookmarked

Bookmark Removed

Looking into buying something slightly below the level of the Canon XL2 3CCD camera, which retails for about $5K. Some of the models I've looked into are the Sony DSR-PDX10 (low $2K range), the Panasonic AG-DVC30 ($2000 or so) and the Panasonic DVX100A ($3500K, ouch). It's mostly for taking semi-pro footage and the usual home movies, so I'm looking for something that amateur filmmakers might actually consider.

― Baked Bean Teeth (Baked Bean Teeth), Friday, 19 November 2004 18:15 (twenty-one years ago)

I recommend the term "non-end," since "medium-end," in this context, seems awkward and oxymoronic. I also feel terrible about posting that, and know nothing about cameras.

― nabisco (nabisco), Friday, 19 November 2004 18:33 (twenty-one years ago)

God, I take it back, that was such an awful thing to do. I'm sorry.

― nabisco (nabisco), Friday, 19 November 2004 18:34 (twenty-one years ago)

"Medium-end" = somewhere between low-end and high-end, but I see what you're saying. It's like "middlebrow."

― Baked Bean Teeth (Baked Bean Teeth), Friday, 19 November 2004 18:38 (twenty-one years ago)

I have used the DVX and can recommend it.

― adam... (nordicskilla), Friday, 19 November 2004 18:39 (twenty-one years ago)

I own the DVX100 & I love it. It can do anything the PD-170 can, plus it allows you shoot at 24p to give you a look similar to telecined 16mm film. The DVX actually exceeds the XL2 in nearly every area (according to several reviews I've read), other than the ability to change lenses.

If the film look isn't that important, the other two are pretty similar, and both very good quality for the price range. I recommend checking out www.camcorderinfo.com and www.creativecow.net for reviews, and www.dvxuser.com for info of the DVX100.

― jay blanchard (jay blanchard), Friday, 19 November 2004 19:14 (twenty-one years ago)

The Sony HVR Z1E (HVR FX1 in the states I think) has been getting some press and it will shoot up to 1080i. As has the JVC JY-HD10U which can do 720P/30. Both good entries into the HD arena.

In the SD arena, my camera wielding colleagues like the DSR-PDX170 and PDX10.

― Ed (dali), Friday, 19 November 2004 19:37 (twenty-one years ago)

http://store.yahoo.com/royalcamera/jvcjyhhigdef.html

that seems like an excellent deal to me.

― Ed (dali), Friday, 19 November 2004 19:56 (twenty-one years ago)

Royal Camera appears to have some, minor fraud "issues".

― Baked Bean Teeth (Baked Bean Teeth), Friday, 19 November 2004 20:08 (twenty-one years ago)

Btw, regarding the High Def cameras, what is the practical impact of using one when all of the equipment I own to view my footage isn't HD-compatible? Obviously the equipment will be HD within a few years, but for the time being, is an HD camera just a bell & whistle I wouldn't notice?

― Baked Bean Teeth (Baked Bean Teeth), Friday, 19 November 2004 20:11 (twenty-one years ago)

If you are going to go the HD route, the new Sony 3CCD is the only decent camera on the market. The JVC's are a single chip camera and not recommended for professional use.

If you are planning to making home movies/corporate videos/wedding videos/etc., HD is the way to go. If you plan on making short films, you should have the 24p option: go with the DVX or the XL2.

― jay blanchard (jay blanchard), Friday, 19 November 2004 20:16 (twenty-one years ago)

Whatever work my wife or I does would never be intended for a large screen, just DVDs at best....so, HD is the way to go?

― Baked Bean Teeth (Baked Bean Teeth), Friday, 19 November 2004 20:18 (twenty-one years ago)

You can render down in your edit package, also they shoot in SD progressive and interlaced. (progressive scanning is really really worthwhile in my book, smoother, better freeze frame better effects). You'll Need FCP HD or Premiere Pro HD to edit right now.

― Ed (dali), Friday, 19 November 2004 20:19 (twenty-one years ago)

If you're not going for a "cinematic" look, then I would go with a HD camera. If you can wait it out about six months, I'm pretty sure they'll be flooding the market with them after the new Sony cam, so you may have a much greater selection and the prices will be cheaper.

― jay blanchard (jay blanchard), Friday, 19 November 2004 20:21 (twenty-one years ago)

You must be logged in to post. Please either login here, or if you are not registered, you may register here.