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Question

Good Camcorders for Business Use

Aug 16, 2013 5:49AM PDT

I'm considering buying a camera for business use. Some common tasks I might use it for:

1. Create videos ("shows") for YouTube on content related to my business,
2. Create investor presentations,
3. Some outdoor content

The show, in particular, would probably be about an half and a half and would be professional. It would also be interspersed with a lot of content I create via Excel and / or PowerPoint. I'm using Corel VideoStudio Pro X4 software for editing. It would also be important for the sound to be reasonably good quality.

Unfortunately, I have a limited budget and trying to minimize my spending, while still getting what I need. I'm definitely trying to keep under $2,000, but getting under $1,000 would be even better.

Any recommendations for camcorders to look into?

I've been looking at the Canon XA10, but it costs around $1700 which is a bit for me. Curious if anyone has thoughts on this camcorder, or recommendations for a less expensive one that might get the job done.

Thanks!

Discussion is locked

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Clarification Request
What about post production?
Aug 16, 2013 7:19AM PDT

It's a stretch to see such shows be done in a single 30 minute "take." I see Corel is noted so I'm guessing the video is in smaller takes and put together later.

My son opted for the other solutions. That is he is using a Canon t3i and for better audio, mics and a Xoom audio recorder. All this is used in post production.
Bob

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Answer
More Info
Aug 16, 2013 6:55AM PDT

Here are a few other camcorders I was considering:

Canon VIXIA HF G20 HD
Panasonic HC-X900M
Sony Handycam HDR-PJ710V

Should mention two other considerations:

1. External mic
2. Easy to transfer files to my PC (one reason I've focused on the Canons admittedly)

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Answer
Panasonic option
Aug 17, 2013 12:16AM PDT

Perhaps the Panasonic X920 3-CCD camera would be an option. Good performer but cheaper than the XA10.
More important - isn't it about time you upgraded to VS Pro X6 with the advantages of direct downloads to YT and Blu-Ray generation?

I run a Panasonic HC-V700 with X6, a good combination.

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Answer
It is a bit of a challenge to make a "recommendation"
Aug 17, 2013 2:45PM PDT

without all the information associated with what is budgeted.

A tripod or other steadying device, lighting, mics (sounds like you'll want a shotgun mic and a wireless lavaliere), hard drives, cases, cables and a few other items make up the "system". If your budget is merely the video capture device (and these other items are a different budget), the XA10 is fine.

In your case, you should be able to control the lighting, so for the most part, if an appropriate lighting investment is made, then the camcorder investment can be reduced. If your goal is to spend more on the camcorder and reduce the lighting investment, then I would suggest that the camcorder budget is not enough. The lens diameter and imaging chip array need to be 3-chip (not single chip) and that means a bigger budget (but you don't want to go there, so I won't). If you really like the XA10, the consumer version in the HF G10 and HF G20 are very close. Adding an XLR adapter from juicedLink or BeachTek gets the good audio connectors, you save $ and the camcorder is no longer top-heavy (with the odd add-on XLR adapter it uses - the XLR adapters from juicedLink or BeachTek attach to the bottom of the camcorder.).

For even less money in the camcorder, adding in an XLR adapter and lighting, the Canon HF M500 (or any from Panasonic, Sony or JVC in the same price range) will provide the same AVCHD-compression video captured by the XA10 (and HF G series). You want the XLR adapter for good shotgun mics. For outdoor use, the mics should have some sort of "fuzzy" or dead cat on them in order to control wind noise (foam wind screens, alone, are useless in the wind).

Lighting with a couple of LED panels for fill in is easy enough. Wireless lav from Sennheiser, Sony, or Audio Technica... And a digital audio recorder - as Bob suggests - The Zoom H2 and H4n are fine (others from Tascam, Marantz, Edirol, and several others are at least worth a look when shopping).

For a shotgun mic, then a boom and boom stand may be appropriate.

Most video editors can easily import various screen shots (still or video), pdf or other file types for the PPT and XLS docs to which you refer.

Since we don't know what computer hardware you are plannig to use, we don't know if a faster CPU is needed to deal with the AVCHD compressed video or whether more RAM or external hard drive space is required... or part of your budget.

Lets get the shopping list complete and set a budget - then we can see what we have to work with.