Looking to buy a semi-pro HDV type vid camera. Suggestions?

[Steve Polley]

Looking to take the plunge into the semi-pro vid gear world. Im looking for a camera that would be a compromise that would work with most situations while chasing. Im dont want to break the bank but do realize they can be very expensive. What would you guys recommend for someone that is moving from a simple handycam?

Thanks for your help in advance

 

[Dan Robinson]

New cameras are coming out so frequently that it's hard to keep up with individual models to recommend. The best thing to do is decide which parameters you want/need and then look for a camera that has as many of them as possible. Unfortunately, the 'way it is' with the camera industry is that consumer models only have a small number of desirable features, prosumer ones have a little more, then the pro models have it all. Compromise is always required with buying a prosumer camera - you'll always be giving something up to get something else.

For chasing, low light performance is important. I've found that with HD, the lux rating is not as reliable of a number as it was with SD. Bigger imaging chips mean better low light performance. CMOS generally does better than CCDs here. Look for real-life video/frame examples and don't rely on specs alone.

The recording format is also important. HDV is sufficient, but is mainly a tape-based format and therefore on its way out. Better codecs like XDCAM and DVCProHD are better than HDV. AVCHD/H.264 can be a good codec, but watch out for the bitrates. Low-bitrate AVCHD can be total junk. I'd want a bitrate of 25-35mbps or better there.

As far as media goes, solid-state is getting more popular. I would avoid hard drives or DVD media. P2 cards are very expensive and drive up the cost.

Also check for zoom range and infinity focus lock, important for chasing.

CMOS chips cannot capture clean lightning footage, so that is another consideration.

Again, no consumer/prosumer model can give you everything that I just mentioned. You have to basically pick which elements you can live without.

FWIW, a good HD prosumer is going to require upwards of $5k, ideally you'd need a budget of $8-10k to get something worth making the jump from consumer grade. You truly get what you pay for with these things.

Also FWIW, if I had the budget for a new camera I would probably be going with a Sony EX1. But that is partly for non-chasing business use - although I'd defintely use it for chasing. It's a CMOS camera though.

 

[Jason Foster]

If it is basically for chasing and few other shots...two top picks:

Sony FX-1000
Sony A1U

If you're getting into media or film making there are other cameras to consider...but for good HD video...those two would be what to consider. There are better cameras. Remember, in addition to the camera, there is hundreds of dollars worth of accessories you should have (wireless mics, lights, lenses, extra batteries, video capture storage (HDD), wind jammers, etc., etc.

 

[Chris C Sanner]

If it is basically for chasing and few other shots...two top picks:

Sony FX-1000
Sony A1U

If you're getting into media or film making there are other cameras to consider...but for good HD video...those two would be what to consider. There are better cameras. Remember, in addition to the camera, there is hundreds of dollars worth of accessories you should have (wireless mics, lights, lenses, extra batteries, video capture storage (HDD), wind jammers, etc., etc.

I used a Canon XH-A1 last year and it as pretty solid in low light, but in bright light the differences are really rather small between handycams and prosumer cameras. Jason speaks the truth here that you should consider the other stuff as well when factoring in a price. I always take 3 batteries with me as well if I'm out in the field.

However, while the difference starts to show up somewhat in low light, handycams are starting to really advance and the difference isn't as much as what you might be hoping it will be if you just shoot with the auto-modes on with a prosumer cam. So if you do go that route, make sure you experiment with it a lot before the season in different shooting conditions to figure out what you are going to need to do to get the best image possible.

 

[Brandon Headley]

I have a Canon XH-A1s and the low-light is ok. I still like my sony vx-2000 for low light(less noise). The Canon is great though and has three 1/3" CCDs. I love it.

 

[cedwards]

Here is a link to some of the ones you mentioned. I would also recommend the Sony FX-1.
Sony FX1000 $ 3,099.99

Sony HVRA1U $ 1,849.95

Canon XH A1s $ 3,399.00

Sony FX7 $ 1,999.00

 

[Olivier Staiger]

has anyone here tried these cams here :

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...R_CX500V_HDR_CX500V_32GB_High_Definition.html

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...RXR500V_HDR_XR500V_120GB_High_Definition.html

- FHD
- low light 3 lux ( slow shutter 1/30 )
- optical stabilization
- good lens
- large chip 1/2.88 " Exmor R CMOS
- light weight compared to the big brothers
- 12 MP photo

and... bellow 1 k$ on B&H !

there are also CX520V and XR520V models with more internal memory but at quite some cost increase, well above 1000$. I would recommend the 500 over the 520 models and for the price difference get a good wide-angle converter , an extra battery and a large memory stick.

The CX500V and XR500V could be a great choice for chasing IMO : apparently good image and sound quality , also in low light ( not as good as the FX 1000 with its amazing minimal lux rate of 1.5 , but 3 lux is still pretty good )

read the reviews:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/con...&sku=597660&is=REG&si=rev#anchorToReadReviews


http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/con...&sku=597655&is=REG&si=rev#anchorToReadReviews

 

[Andrea Griffa]

And what about Sony HVR-HD 1000E? Did anyone try it? It seems not bad maybe not too easy to handle. I don't know how does it work in low light condition.

http://www.sony.co.uk/biz/view/ShowProduct.action?product=HVR-HD1000E&site=biz_en_GB

 

[Chris C Sanner]

has anyone here tried these cams here :

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...R_CX500V_HDR_CX500V_32GB_High_Definition.html

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...RXR500V_HDR_XR500V_120GB_High_Definition.html

- FHD
- low light 3 lux ( slow shutter 1/30 )
- optical stabilization
- good lens
- large chip 1/2.88 " Exmor R CMOS
- light weight compared to the big brothers
- 12 MP photo

and... bellow 1 k$ on B&H !

there are also CX520V and XR520V models with more internal memory but at quite some cost increase, well above 1000$. I would recommend the 500 over the 520 models and for the price difference get a good wide-angle converter , an extra battery and a large memory stick.

The CX500V and XR500V could be a great choice for chasing IMO : apparently good image and sound quality , also in low light ( not as good as the FX 1000 with its amazing minimal lux rate of 1.5 , but 3 lux is still pretty good )

read the reviews:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/con...&sku=597660&is=REG&si=rev#anchorToReadReviews


http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/con...&sku=597655&is=REG&si=rev#anchorToReadReviews

Oliver:

Those cams are good enough I'm actually considering using multiple HDR-520's and 500s instead of one big prosumer cam for next year. I have played with them extensively and while the low light performance doesn't match up to $3000+ camcorders, it is more than adequate. I might add that in daylight, the quality difference becomes much less, especially to the casual eye. If you get one of those things along with a good mic and even a wide angle lens, you will be more than happy with the results. It also helps that the 520 (240 gig model) can hold 17+ hours of top quality HD footage I do believe....not that you'd want to keep it all on there. But it does take away the need to worry about tapes and whatnot.

 

[Chris C Sanner]

And what about Sony HVR-HD 1000E? Did anyone try it? It seems not bad maybe not too easy to handle. I don't know how does it work in low light condition.

http://www.sony.co.uk/biz/view/ShowProduct.action?product=HVR-HD1000E&site=biz_en_GB

From what I remember, it's basically a much cheaper handycam in a shoulder mount design. So basically, you are getting an overpriced consumer camcorder that looks somewhat professional but really isn't. IMO, it's best to go with one of the smaller ones for maximum portability and whatnot. Unless you are trying to run a professional operation on a budget (like wedding photoraphy) where looks are important, it's really not worth the price of admission. But that's just MHO, we all know how wide ranging opinions are on ST

 

[Steve Worthington]

And what about Sony HVR-HD 1000E? Did anyone try it? It seems not bad maybe not too easy to handle. I don't know how does it work in low light condition.

http://www.sony.co.uk/biz/view/ShowProduct.action?product=HVR-HD1000E&site=biz_en_GB

I have and use a Sony HVR HD 1000. I use it for streaming live video, Videoing storms as well as still shots.
The only complaint I have is the auto focus is a little slow for me but if I knew anything about cameras I`m sure there a setting for it???

Super NightShotTM
The Super NightShot function uses a built-in infrared light emitter that allows you to record an object in zero lux light levels. It also enables night-time monitoring and surveillance.

The night vision is killer for night chases

I have all kinds of stuff for it like 2X lens and wide angle along with 50 other things I`ll never use...lol

And another cool little Features is:

Capturing stills from recorded video
In case you missed the perfect timing for your still photo while videotaping, you can capture and save still frames from recorded video by simply pressing the photo button of the HVR-HD1000E camcorder during playback. HDV footage will give you a 1.2-megapixel, 1440 x 810 pixel still image of that magic moment.

 

[Martin Kucera]

Oliver is spot on. I own the XR500 and the image quality/clarity is simply amazing. Low light is very, very good too. What really stands out is the image stabilizer. Unlike anything I've seen before. You can run with it or drive on very bumpy roads and the final image will come out absolutely pleasing to your eye. I used to own VX-2100 and won't even look back. Fot the money you can not beat it by far.

 

[JeffGonzales]

Hey, I own the Panasonic HDC-SD1. It is a flash drive camcorder and has great HD vid.pics. It is very easy to load on the computer. You dont need any minidvs or tapes because all the video/pics are stored on a SD card. It also has HDMI hookups. Surround sound with zoom is really neat for this cam. I have been very happy with it. This is the camcorder i use to film my video and you tube stuff. I have a different camcorder for my Live Stream that has firewire. Another cool this about this cam is it is very small and easy to control with one hand. Its not to expensive either for an HD camcorder. I got mine for about $400.

 

[Olivier Staiger]

> The night vision is killer for night chases

indeed :

http://www.youtube.com/klipsigeneva#p/u/67/_mBXRBw2tcc

( that was filmed in 2007 on a Sony handycam , not HD, but also in night shot . )

late last june I saw a great storm at night with intense lightning but sadly the camera I had with me was not so good in low light lux rating, check it out and... imagine if I had had the cam with 3 lux or 1.5 lux rating... or at least the night-shot feature.
http://www.kyte.tv/ch/9038-klipsi/543271-flashdance
also, that camera had no image stabilization ( it actually has an optical stabilizer but it only works in photo mode, not in video mode ) , so using a tripod would be a great idea...

 

[Dan Robinson]

"Night shot" mode on most camcorders rely on an infrared lamp on the front of the camera to illuminate close-up objects. Unfortunately this won't improve low light performance for storms, as the camera lamp can't illuminate objects more than a few yards away, let alone storm features at typical distances. Some of the night shot frames in this thread show lightning-illuminated storm features, which most cameras can pick up to some degree without night shot modes. To see tornadoes/wall clouds with nightshot, you would need an IR light source that was capable of illuminating the storm features in the field of view.

The original post referred to prosumer cameras, the implication being a camera that had notable quality/feature advantages over consumer brands. While most consumer HD cameras are more than capable of performing in many chasing scenarios, they fall short in areas of lightning and low light performance. Attempting to solve those problems would be the justification for spending the money on a prosumer model.

I'd have to agree with Charles that the FX-1, though discontinued and largely a used market item now, is probably still the most affordable/practical option. Although it does still lack a high jump in quality over consumer models (I would even hesitate to give it a 'prosumer' label), it does do somewhat better in low light, and its CCDs have no rolling shutter. The next real step up in quality/low light performance requires an even larger jump in price that is only an option for those with huge leisure income to spend. Storm footage sales alone will never cover the cost of cameras like these anymore - unless you are willing to finance and pay it off over a period of 3-4 or more years (and that is only if you manage to catch a lot of great, rare footage).

In my opinion, a consumer camera is good enough for chasing today. If I was looking for a camera these days, I would not spend much more than $1,000. It isn't going to give the greatest results, but I'd be willing to live with that in light of the fact that when it comes right down to it, any increase in quality isn't going to be of much use for the money it takes to get it.