OK After getting a lot of help from many people especially Boy84 (THANKS TO ALL), I have decided that I should either wait for HD to be commonly supported, Example HD DVD drives, Blu Ray Drives, HDTVs, and powerful enough computers to edit
OR
I should buy the Sony HC3
The problem is that both the HC3 and HV10 are almost impossible for me to decide between them. One has something while the other doesn't etc.
So I think that I should stick to SD for now.
We will talk about SD cameras here.
Now I will give a list of my requirements:
EXCELLENT Image quality.
Highest rated image quality
IMAGE IMAGE IMAGE
Small
Compact
Pocket size maybe
Easy to use and Handle
Good auto modes
Easy buttons
I am no pro basically this cam is for my vacations, family occasions and just point and shoot.
Mostly indoor shooting but sometimes outside.
Possible low light indoors.
When outdoors I will shoot in the evening or night in parks (LOL) but with basic street lights and stuff.
Low Light Capibilities should be really good.
But no compromise on other image quality things.
MiniDV
No need of stills but by chance if the still quality turns out to be good then I will switch.
NO More than $1000 or then I would buy an HD cam.
I have a Sony and I can get it traded in so to keep things cheap a Sony would be good.
I would like a cam from a good reliable company like Sony, Canon, Panasonic and I would prefer these three from all others but I am open to suggestions.
I will give more info as questions and info comes in.
tHank You
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General discussion
NO HD I want SD for now HELP
Discussion is locked
7 Posts
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Lets discuss these two only.
Can you list out the differences between the two?
Plz give me some small mic prices as well.
I hope I have an easy decision to make unlike the HV10 vs HC3.lol
Thanks
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in the price point you gave us. There will always be differences of features between manufacturers.
Between the two I would select the Panasonic because it has an external mic jack - But I use pro-grade mics that use XLR connectors (so I need a XLR adapter, too) and you don't need any of this. The Sony does not have an external mic jack, but a proprietary hot shoe for Sony proprietary external mics. They both do fine under low light conditions according to camcorderinfo.com.
I don't use 1/8" jack type mics, nor do I use Sony proprietary mics, so I have no opinion.
Here is link to the Sony US web site for mics.
http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/INTERSHOP.enfinity/eCS/Store/en/-/USD/SY_BrowseCatalog-Start;sid=SAJGvrg5f5dE4P1yMRJMtfcoA5hw0qFxTeM=?CategoryName=acc_DIAccessories_DICamcorderMicrophones&Dept=cameras
Panasonic has a Panasonic-branded shotgun mic at their site - I have no idea how good it is. Look into the Rode Video mic (stereo is better).
The Panasonic does slightly better still image resolution. They both use FireWire to transfer video from miniDV tape. They both use USB to transfer stills from a memory card. They both have cables to connect directly to a TV. They both have extra high capacity batteries available. Sony has a LANC jack, but you probably won't need it. Since you should turn off digital zoom, that does not matter on either camera.
Seriously, either one will be fine for your needs... and like you said, you're going to move on to HiDef anyway, so this is just an interim step.
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Hi
If you like to record something important(birth,vacation,wedding,etc) with the cam then I would recommend to buy a HD cam. Perhaps the Sony HC3 because it is better in low-light than the HV10.
The reason is:
With a HD cam you can record now in HD but let the cam downconvert the video to SD. Years later when HD is more common then you will be glad that all your important moments from the past were already recorded in HD. Even in the SD downconversion mode the HC3 is far better than any other SD cam.
Regards
Sektionschef
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