Need help making buying decision between prosumer cameras

- Collapse -

I was on the receiving end of video to edit

by boya84 Oct 27, 2007 2:38AM PDT

from the Panasonic (100A and 100B)... It takes great video. I was told the project was shot in standard def widescreen (16:9). When I imported as a widescreen DV project, there were black bars on all four sides of the video. I wrestled with it a while - finally, one of the shooters told me that it isn't really widescreen, but masked 4:3... I imported as a 4:3 DV project, black bars only top and bottom ("letterbox", I guess) and everything is fine (bars on the left and right sides are gone). I don't know if this is a camera "issue" or if it is working as designed or whether the shooters could have selected a different capture option... Two of the shooters have had their Pannys for a while, are very familiar with them, and were not surprised at my headscratching (along the lines of, "everybody knows that about these rigs...").

Meanwhile, my Sony HDR-HC1 (its sibling HVR-A1U and FX1, FX7 and I presume other Sony's like the HVR-V1U and Z1U) shoots in 16:9 DV and when I import as a widescreen DV project, the video fills the window - no black bars at all.

I believe the XL2 will provide "true" widescreen (like the Sonys), but you might consider grabbing a tape, shooting some footage and checking for yourself.

You could rent both the XL2 and 100B to see which you prefer.

And if all you are planning to shoot is 4:3, then all this is moot - all cameras shoot 4:3 just fine. I have 4:3 footage shot from a 100A and my HC1 edited together in a single project, and it all came in as standard def DV and you can't tell which camera shot what...

Both the DVX100 and XL2 have "interesting" learning curves... By the way, all HDV cameras (of which I am aware) will also do 4:3 and widescreen DV, so you don't have to do highdef (HD) with them if you don't want to... At least take a look at the Canon XHA1. (And unless you are planning to use a Firestore or similar external hard drive, I would not recommend any HDD camcorder in your price range.)

- Collapse -

I would probably

by iAMmrFahrenheit Oct 27, 2007 6:11AM PDT

almost always be shooting in 4:3. That is just mainly be cause the clients I would be using it for(and my own stuff) wouldn't need to be shot in widescreen. I took a look at Sony's cameras and I just didn't seem to like them that much. Fortunately I have messed around with an XL1 and from what I felt, it was pretty nice. I have also used the Panasonic before, to shoot high school football, and it works great for that. I'm just having a hard time picking between the two of them.(The XL2 and the Panasonic, not an XL1)

- Collapse -

Honestly, if you are doing only

by boya84 Oct 27, 2007 6:44AM PDT

4:3, between the two (100B; XL2), flip a coin... at least from a video quality perspective. They are both fine camcorders for your stated requirement.

Can you share why you did not like the Sonys?

- Collapse -

I think its a mixture of

by iAMmrFahrenheit Oct 27, 2007 6:54AM PDT

personal biased and an old teacher who just bought a HDV Sony and is disappointed. Unfortunately I can't remember the exact model he purchased so I couldn't tell you. Besides that, nothing about the Sonys jumped out at me. I think again, a biased against Sony. As far as the other two cameras go, I think I am leaning more towards the Panasonic because of its lighter weight, cheaper price and most of the same functionality. Though one day I would like to buy an XL2. But for now I think the Panasonic will fit my needs the best.

Any suggestions on the best sites to get batteries,tripods,cases, etc?

Really appreciate the help. My first camera, I didn't want to rush into this. Especially for $3k.

- Collapse -

I regret that I can't give you much in the

by boya84 Oct 27, 2007 7:52AM PDT

way of "places to buy". I make every effort to buy from brick/mortar establishments - even if it costs a bit more. Local stores pay local salaries and taxes for infrastructure and help keep my neighbors employed.

Of course, there are always the "normal" online stores... amazon.com, B&H Photo... There are many of them.

Like I said, I think either rig will do what you need - good luck with your new acquisition!

- Collapse -

The problem with

by iAMmrFahrenheit Oct 27, 2007 8:03AM PDT

stores like that around here is the fact that they would never carry anything for those cameras. I have to get everything on line. Its all good. Thanks for the help, I really appreciate it.

- Collapse -

IMHO, the Canon has two advantages.

by Kiddpeat Oct 28, 2007 4:21AM PDT

The biggest is the ability to use other Canon lenses. If you want a shot that the stock lense cannot do well, you can use a still photo lense of which there is a large variety. Everything from extreme wide angle to very long telephoto.

The second advantage is that Canon seems to know, better than others, how a camera should work, and what controls are needed. I find the controls on a Canon are flexible, and are placed where they can be easily accessed.

- Collapse -

Yeah, I understand what you mean

by iAMmrFahrenheit Oct 28, 2007 7:31AM PDT

about the controls. I used a Canon GL2 for about 3 years and I found it to be very intuitive. The lense feature is nice, but I don't have the money to buy different lenses. In the future, I might buy Canon so that I can have something that I could use in my on films. I think having the Panasonic and Canon would be a very nice duo. But that is about 3000 more than I can spend. I did hear from a reliable source though that the viewfinder for the XL2 was mediocre at best. Besides that, I've heard good things. But I am going with the Panasonic. It just suits my needs the best right now.

CNET Forums

Other Forums

Forum Info