Need a buy a very small camera, which one to buy?
 

Hi everyone,

I own a Canon XL2. I use it to do coverages for a community channel. I was interested in buying another very small video camera for my coverage's. The reason i need to get a very small camera is because most of the time people especially kids get confused when i take out my XL2 in front of them. You know what impression an XL2 gives out to people especially kids. I don't know anything about smaller version cameras. Please let me know of a camera small enough that it does the job and the quality should be good enough and in such a medium that it can be used for a TV channel.

Looking forward for your feedback.

Thanks

I may as well jump in first, though I figure everyone else is going to tell you the same thing:
Canon's HV-30.

If all you're after is a small camera, and you already have a Canon, that's probably the one to go with (and you'll be able to use it as a deck).

But here's a thought: instead of dropping $800 on another camera to please the kids, why don't you spend $5-$10 to doctor your existing set-up? Maybe put a sock puppet over your XL2's microphone, or ears up top and a mouth under the lens... Kids could treat it as a friend (though beware them wiping chocolatey fingers over the glass!) Also kids have really short attention spans.... just spending some time with them with your camera in hand before you start shooting might make you and it part of their "wallpaper"....

Maybe I'm a little confused as well. Are you saying kids get intimidated seeing such a big professional camera or that they see a big "TV News Guy" camera and start waving and saying "Hi Mom!" while you're trying to get your shot?

As far as smaller, yes, the HV30 should do the job but you may need to add external mics, XLR adapters, and other things to suit your needs thus making the contraption intimidating again.