Camcorder upgrade...

[Joe Pudlik]

I'm looking to upgrade from my current unit and have been doing some searching lately.

Currently I have a JVC Everio GS-MS230RU (39x optical zoom, 800x digital zoom and 45x dynamic zoom and 1920 x 1080 full hi-def recording resolution)...It's and alright unit, but I'm at the point where I want something better. I'm looking to upgrade to a decent full HD unit and am alright with spending up to around $600. My main concern is wanting quality video in HD. A bonus would be a unit good in low light, but not if it gives up quality in standard situations.

I have been looking into a few of the Canon Vixia units.

I was wondering if anyone has experience or recommendations on any of those, or if there is a different/brand model that you would suggest.

 

[Adam R Davis]

I'd highly recommend the HF-M500 in the Canon line. I've got the HF-G20 which is slightly larger and has more surface controls, but under the hood they're pretty much identical. They do a remarkable job in low light and rolling shutter artifacts seem to be minimized. The only downside IMO is all the touchscreen control, but that seems universal now and Canon's interface is intuitive enough. It can be had for $600 on B&H, and might drop during the holidays.

 

[Paul Knightley]

I really like my Panasonic HC-X920 - low light is very good, and the timelapse function and wifi sharing is great. However, it's over the budget you suggested.

I found the Canon HV-30 was also very good in low-light, although this recorded to tape, and is why I changed. Canon quality is good, though.

 

[Jason McKittrick]

Can we open this discussion up a little bit. I have not had very good luck in the past with camcorders. The last couple times I have ended up with camcorders that do poorly in low light conditions. I don't have a lot to spend $200-$400. I was wondering if anyone has recently purchased a camcorder in this price range that has served them well?

 

[JeffGonzales]

I highly recommend the Sony hdr CX-560v. There are some newer models of this camera like the 580v. The benefit is it is great in lowlight, full HD, and easy to access infinity focus. It is also flash based so you don't have to worry about bumps messing up a hdd. Image stability is amazing and if you get the newer model it has a floating lens which is even more stable. If you need something cheaper you can get the cx-260 same basics with a little less features. I also own the cx-110 zoom on that is incredible.

 

[Joshua Nall]

Jeff, do those models you mentioned have a time lapse function. I'd love to upgrade to a camera with a dial or ring I could assign to focus and set to infinity and it would actually stay there... and I would also like one with the time lapse function. Any other recommendations from others is welcome also. I bought a new camera last year and thought I would be happy with the manual focus on the touch screen, but it seems to not want to stay at infinity or goes past infinity, or something. It's just a pain.

 

[Scott Taylor]

Does anyone here use Sony's HXR-NX30? I have a friend that highly recommends it and I'm on the verge of ordering it within the next week or two. I'm pretty much settled on it, based on his recommendation and tons of reviews I've read.... but would still love to hear more chaser-specific thoughts on this unit in the field.

My last camcorder was a VX-2100, which has been dead for a few years now... and I've only been shooting stills anyway for the past 8+ years. Getting back into video after all this time has put me well behind the curve in regards to post-processing video. Years ago I used pinnacle studio to do all my work... and looks like they still offer a good product. But I'm really leaning towards the Sony Vegas Pro software. I guess my question here is - do I need the Pro version for what should be primarily standard editing (titling, music, maybe slow-mo here and there), or is there a cheaper flavor of it that would suffice? (I will be using 64-bit and plan on doing all recording in 60p with the NX30, if that matters)

Almost started a new thread but added to this thread since it is relevant to the topic.. any thoughts and direction are greatly appreciated.
Scott
[h=3] [/h]

 

[Clarence Bennett]

I have the Canon Vixia HF R42 and wish I would have saved my money for something else. I think the color and tint is awful. I have never been able to get it right.