cameras under $2000
 

So here's the situation:
A friend of mine has $2000 to spend on a digital camera. She really wants to spend closer to $1500, but is willing to go higher. She has a friend at Sony that may get her $100 to $200 off. The camera is going to be used for both travelling in Europe for a year and for doing her own short films (ie; docs) Also, she doesn't want anything bigger than the VX-2000. So what do you all think about the best bang for the buck, with the above circumstances? Any info would be great. Thanks

Sony TRV 900 fits the bill.

If you can still find the original GL1, the Canon $250 rebate has been extended to the end of July. Puts the price well below $2K.

The TRV900 has a tad higher resolution along with all the slow shutter speeds below 1/60th. However, I too would lean towards the GL1. I've used both, and like the feel and ease of operation with the GL1. And then it also has the 30fps frame mode (progressive scan).

hi,
if it's preferrably Sony and she has some time to wait, maybe it could be TRV950 (again not sure what is it's name in US), seems to be better in quality than 900. It has also semi-pro brother DSR-Pd10 which includes dual XLR adaptor and some more whistles-bells.
Margus

Hello:

From what I understand, the TRV900 has been discontinued. I was looking for the camera for a friend several weeks ago, and I remember not being able to find it. The TRV950 (is indeed the US model name) was to come out in June. I haven't heard anything besides that. I know you can get the 950, but you have to hunt around. Problem with that camera is it lists somewhere in the mid-$2000 USD range.

Another Sony option is the DCR PC101. I've used the PC100 (the earlier model) and the picture looks pretty good. Not awesome, but good. Its around $1000 USD or so. However, remember, you get what you pay for with these cameras. The PC100 was single-chip and 520 lines of horizontal resolution - if it matters.

Regards,

Kyle "Doc" Mitchell

yeah i have dsr-pdx10 tech spec near me at the moment. nothing special but 3 x megapix CCD-s. Sony guys said that it will beat dcr2000/dsr150 hands down in 16:9 format (can be true, sony was'nt good at that field with it's consumer stuff anyway). Better XLR interface than dsr-pd100 had, but no wide-angle adaptor, which was in standard for pd100. Longer zoom ratio (12x vs 10x) compared to pd100/dsr900. DV recording possibility. When i get one to test, i can do comparison try-out with pd150, so far it's only guestion mark for me.
one more thing, 14bit signal processing, here can be a really good improvement.

Margus

for $1199 she can try the JVC VS200u or the $1399 3CCD Panasonic 951

I've heard and read good things about the Panasonic 951. Anyone used it?

Jeff

Jeff,

I've read the same good things about the 951- the biggest gripe seems to be it's a poor low-light performer but matches the GL in anything but the poorest light- it has 1/6th inch CCDs so that's to be expected- for 1/2 the price of the GL2- it probably makes an awesome 2nd cam.....I may pick one up to keep handy (the XL can be overbearing at times- if u know what i mean)

have fun,

I read recently its the least expensive 3 chip camera on the market. Might be worth considering as the camera you take everywhere. If you get one, let us know what you think of it.

jeff