Looking to replace HV20: Not sure what to buy at DVinfo.net

Jason McDonald · November 11th, 2010, 04:51 AM

When I'm out shooting for keeps, I usually have my Canon 1Dm4 and lenses in my bag. When I want to go ultra-light during the day I bring along my GoPro HD. My HV20 has served me well for everything inbetween. I'm always setting it outside to capture sunsets and sunrises for time-lapse. I've even left it on a station platform for hours without anyone taking it...makes for great video. SO...I'm looking at use a no-tape system that records HD as good as or better than my HV20 in about the same size as the HV20. Anyone have any recommendations?

Andy Wilkinson · November 11th, 2010, 05:36 AM

Maybe a Canon HFS20, 21 or 200 or the Panasonic TM700. Some info and good links in this thread that might get you thinking.

http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/panasoni...ional-use.html

Les Wilson · November 11th, 2010, 05:38 AM

I don't have one but from my research for the same requirements you describe, I like the Panasonic tm700
three 1/4" chips
1080p60 and 720p24
best in class low light
decent wide angle of view
lens ring
mic input

Jason McDonald · November 11th, 2010, 05:42 AM

That's the cam that keeps coming up in my internet searches...gonna have to go into town to take a closer look.

Tony Neal · November 11th, 2010, 01:52 PM

Bought a TM700 last week and still only halfway through the manual. Its unbelievably good value for money.

Just used it alongside a Sony Z1 for a theatre shoot and in terms of image quality it outperformed the Sony. Without gain both cams gave about the same image quality in low light, and the TM700s Spotlight mode focussed and exposed the actors faces perfectly while keeping the noise in the shadows to an acceptable level.

The wide angle is great, but not as wide as the Sony CX550, and the lens ring lets you do creep zooms.
With the bigger battery you can record for around 3.5 hours - ideal for time-lapse.

Its uncanny watching the auto mode detecting and tracking faces, keeping them properly exposed and in focus - you just tap the LCD screen to drop into manual mode and tap again to take control of iris, shutter speed, WB and focus - its a very well designed interface.

Then there is the the 1080p mode, mic and headphone sockets, still imaging abilty, 32Gb internal memory and SD slot and stunningly good image quality.

The only thing missing for me is a LANC facility.

Harold Franklin · November 11th, 2010, 04:49 PM

Jason I'm in the same boat as you and will be getting a new camcorder soon, maybe on Black Friday in a couple weeks if I see a good deal. Right now I'm leaning towards the Sony CX550 mainly because of the image stabilization... most people seem to say it is the best in that price range. And other reviewers say the low light performance is as good or better than the Panasonic.

D.J. Ammons · November 11th, 2010, 10:14 PM

I also own a Canon HV20 that I use as a backup camera to my two Sony V1U's in Wedding Videography. I love it but also am thinking to the future. I probably will get the Canon HFS20 or HFS21. Can't really justify spending a thousand bucks when the HV20 still looks so good though.

November 11th, 2010, 04:51 AM	#1
Jason McDonald Major Player Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Japan Posts: 295	Looking to replace HV20: Not sure what to buy When I'm out shooting for keeps, I usually have my Canon 1Dm4 and lenses in my bag. When I want to go ultra-light during the day I bring along my GoPro HD. My HV20 has served me well for everything inbetween. I'm always setting it outside to capture sunsets and sunrises for time-lapse. I've even left it on a station platform for hours without anyone taking it...makes for great video. SO...I'm looking at use a no-tape system that records HD as good as or better than my HV20 in about the same size as the HV20. Anyone have any recommendations?

November 11th, 2010, 05:36 AM	#2
Andy Wilkinson Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Cambridge UK Posts: 2,853	Maybe a Canon HFS20, 21 or 200 or the Panasonic TM700. Some info and good links in this thread that might get you thinking. http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/panasoni...ional-use.html __________________ Andy K Wilkinson - https://www.shootingimage.co.uk Cambridge (UK) Corporate Video Production

November 11th, 2010, 05:38 AM	#3
Les Wilson Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Boca Raton, FL Posts: 3,014	I don't have one but from my research for the same requirements you describe, I like the Panasonic tm700 three 1/4" chips 1080p60 and 720p24 best in class low light decent wide angle of view lens ring mic input Last edited by Les Wilson; November 11th, 2010 at 06:45 PM.

November 11th, 2010, 05:42 AM	#4
Jason McDonald Major Player Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Japan Posts: 295	That's the cam that keeps coming up in my internet searches...gonna have to go into town to take a closer look.

November 11th, 2010, 01:52 PM	#5
Tony Neal Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Fareham, UK Posts: 160	Bought a TM700 last week and still only halfway through the manual. Its unbelievably good value for money. Just used it alongside a Sony Z1 for a theatre shoot and in terms of image quality it outperformed the Sony. Without gain both cams gave about the same image quality in low light, and the TM700s Spotlight mode focussed and exposed the actors faces perfectly while keeping the noise in the shadows to an acceptable level. The wide angle is great, but not as wide as the Sony CX550, and the lens ring lets you do creep zooms. With the bigger battery you can record for around 3.5 hours - ideal for time-lapse. Its uncanny watching the auto mode detecting and tracking faces, keeping them properly exposed and in focus - you just tap the LCD screen to drop into manual mode and tap again to take control of iris, shutter speed, WB and focus - its a very well designed interface. Then there is the the 1080p mode, mic and headphone sockets, still imaging abilty, 32Gb internal memory and SD slot and stunningly good image quality. The only thing missing for me is a LANC facility.

November 11th, 2010, 04:49 PM	#6
Harold Franklin New Boot Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 6	Jason I'm in the same boat as you and will be getting a new camcorder soon, maybe on Black Friday in a couple weeks if I see a good deal. Right now I'm leaning towards the Sony CX550 mainly because of the image stabilization... most people seem to say it is the best in that price range. And other reviewers say the low light performance is as good or better than the Panasonic.

November 11th, 2010, 10:14 PM	#7
D.J. Ammons Major Player Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 506	I also own a Canon HV20 that I use as a backup camera to my two Sony V1U's in Wedding Videography. I love it but also am thinking to the future. I probably will get the Canon HFS20 or HFS21. Can't really justify spending a thousand bucks when the HV20 still looks so good though.