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General discussion

Canon HG20 or Panasonic TM700 for indie film making etc?

Nov 30, 2010 3:28AM PST

Hi all,

I am planning on shooting a show that will require a camera capable of the usual attributes: manual focus, exposure, audio level, external mic.

I have found a couple of great deals locally: A barely used Canon HG20 for about $320 or a brand new Panasonic TM700 for around $700 (unwanted gift).

Would the HG20 be sufficient fo rmost situations, or or the Tm700 that much better?

Cheers all!
Mark

Discussion is locked

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While I would be guessing.
Nov 30, 2010 3:42AM PST

There is that Youtube person Mr. Safety that did a lot of good videos using an all too similar Canon.

But since it's used all bets are off whether it works or not. Try this. Offer 1/2 now and test it out. If it works pay the man. If not, bring it back.
Bob

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Thanks for the reply, Bob!
Nov 30, 2010 4:10AM PST

The HG20 seller (a woman) tells me it has been 'barely used'. I would offer her $300 and my gut feeling is that she would accept. The only thing I dont like about it is the lack of a decent manual focus. Using the joystick just looks like a PITA, but then I wonder to myself how much manual focussing I would be doing.

The TM700 was my first pick when starting to shop for cameras a few weeks ago, but then I wondered if I could get the job done with something less expensive. I even considered the Canon RF10 which available here for about $349 + tax, but then it doesnt have manual exposure.

Any more input into this, Bob? Aside from the crappy manual focus is there anything that the TM700 does that the HG20 won't? Is the low-light performance better with the TM700 (I will be shooting a lot of stuff at night-time events)? I dont see much of a need for 60p recording.

Thanks again.

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Oh, here's the link.
Nov 30, 2010 7:36AM PST