Better picture quality than DV...
 

I have a Pana DVX100 right now and like it very much for its picture quality.

Just curious - what would be the next step ahead in picture quality? The DVCPRO format? Can someone explain the differences to me and which camera could be the next one when it comes to better picture quality?

Are you looking for something also capable of 24P or are you just looking at image quality in general?

24P is not so important for me...

How much will I have to spend to really reach the next level in picture quality?

Which camcorder / format could be the next step, and what would the differences be in picure quality from my DVX100 ??

I think you'd begin to see a real difference by moving up to a 1/2" ccd camera. Now you're into the realm of the full-size ENG-style cameras (ex: Pana's AG-DVC200, Sony's DSR3xx series, JVC's DV5000, et.al.). Better optics, larger imaging sensors, better signal processing.

A reasonable low-end entry budget for a camera, viewfinder and lens combination would be US$6,000. This would give you a new JVC DV5000U with a basic lens and viewfinder. (Note that lenses, alone, in this 1/2" realm can run well into $20,000 although most run closer to the $3,000-$5,000 range.)

But accessories cost more in this realm, too. Your batteries will now cost several hundred each, a charger another $1,000, a tripod and head designed to handle this heavier load (12-20+lbs) will run another $2,000, etc.) a deck for basic capture may cost $3,000+.

Altogether, starting from scratch, I'd budget at least $20,000.

I agree. The JVC DV500 (now DV5000) is a great cam. Concerning "better picture quality than DV," check out which cams have better picture quality for film transfers here:

http://www.swisseffects.ch

Digital BETA is right up there.

good link Frank, thanks!


Michael Struthers
www.buzzdigital.com

Ken,

Thanks for the infos. I see the cameras you mention is all DV-format. Does that mean that getting the better picture quality is not a question about tape format but more about bigger chips, better lenses a.s.o ??

There is also DVCPRO cams in the $8000 range...

DV, miniDV, DVCPRO etc, all has a maximum playback resolution of 540 horizontal lines. For a good run-down of the formats, check out this link:

http://www.adamwilt.com

Also, I have many great links posted here:

http://www.dvfreak.com/links.htm

<<<-- Originally posted by Bjørn Sørensen : ...Does that mean that getting the better picture quality is not a question about tape format but more about bigger chips, better lenses a.s.o ??... -->>>

That is correct. Tape format does not determine image quality; it accommodates it.