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General discussion

For Lecturing: sony cx550 vs. canon hf s21 vs. ??

Mar 9, 2011 1:33AM PST

Hi, I am evaluating the Sony cx550 and the Canon HF S21, and want to make a decision among them, and would be interested in hearing your impressions or alternatives.

I am recording lectures from an (small) office space, so there will not be a lot of camera movement, nor exterior filming considerations (like weak battery for example). I am also using a XLR Microphone as my audio source (connected through Beachtek). I plan to cut with Premiere on a very powerful Windows 7 PC. I will use a black backdrop, and Rotolight interview lights.

My primary aim is to have the richest, cleanest HD picture. With all other considerations secondary.

Which camera should I choose, and am I omitting any potential selections? I have found a cx550 for $850 and an HFS21 for $1150, so there is already quite a big price gap in the cameras I have sourced locally. I am also thinking of a wide-angle lens, which will add $300-$400 to the ticket, so perhaps I should consider a higher range, anyway.

Thanks,
Castle

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