What HD video camera? at DVinfo.net

Richard Grebby · January 4th, 2011, 11:40 PM

Im looking for an HD video camera to compliment my HDDSLR for weddings as I do some now and then and they need to be filmed.

Ideally im looking for a video camera with the following functions.

HD 1080
manual focus
External mic input 3.5mm jack
audio levels (also works with the external mic)
other manual settings (not a must)

I was looking at the Canon hf-s20

any other suggestions?

Mario Vermunt · January 5th, 2011, 06:28 AM

How about a 3mos Panasonic HDC SD700 (works with SD-cards) or a HDC HS700 (with internal hard disc). Has manual operation for many functions and decent image quality.

D.J. Ammons · January 5th, 2011, 09:17 AM

Richard, I think the Canon HFS20 is an excellent choice. I am looking at it myself. I am a wedding videographer who uses two Sony V1U's as my main cams but I also use a Canon HV20 as my emergency back up cam (locked on a wide center shot) and as an alternate audio source (it is mounted with a Rode Videomic).

The HV20 footage cuts in amazingly well with the 3 chip Sony footage. Just a slight difference in color that can be color corrected.

I am looking at the HFS20 or HFS21 as the eventaul replacement for my venerable HV20.

I also hear great things about the Panasonic TM700 but it does not have a LANC input so if you wanted to have a zoom / focus controller mounted on your tripod arm you would be out of luck with it.

Dale Guthormsen · January 5th, 2011, 09:59 AM

The above suggestions are just dandy. You might look them up on vimeo and see some actual footage for comparisons on how they may match up your dslr. close to start will minimize the amount of color correction later!

I would make certain it had lanc!!! you may not think you need it but with a remote you can control without moving the camera, and control of zooms is excellent on the smaller cams!!!

The rode video mic is the choice of external mic by the way, great producer for the cash outlay!!!

D.J. Ammons · January 5th, 2011, 10:08 AM

Dale, the audio from that Rode Videomic mounted on my little Canon HV20 has saved my butt more than once when editing a wedding shoot.

I did an outdoor wedding where the wedding music was just the DJ for the reception turning his speakers to point toward the event from the reception area. The speakers were about 75 feet from the action so my wireless lapel mics and Rode NTG2 on the steadicam did not pick up much.

However my trusty little Rode Videomic on the HV20 way at the back about 15 feet beyond the last seat somehow picked up the music from 75 feet away and was the audio we used for everything except the vows and the minister speaking.

Dale Guthormsen · January 6th, 2011, 07:42 AM

Good morning,

I have had the rode mic ave my butt at several weddings much like yourself!!!!

I had the rode mic on a gl2 and an AT 897 shotgun on the xl2, in the end i used the audio off the gl2 and the rode mic!! I have thought of buying there stereo vid mic a couple times!!!!

I am going on a 10 day shoot with my sony fx 1000 and the video mic is in the bag!!!!

Stelios Christofides · January 6th, 2011, 09:50 AM

Have a look at this from Canon

Canon U.S.A. : Consumer & Home Office : XA10

Stelios

January 4th, 2011, 11:40 PM	#1
Richard Grebby Regular Crew Join Date: May 2007 Location: Kent, England Posts: 134	What HD video camera? Im looking for an HD video camera to compliment my HDDSLR for weddings as I do some now and then and they need to be filmed. Ideally im looking for a video camera with the following functions. HD 1080 manual focus External mic input 3.5mm jack audio levels (also works with the external mic) other manual settings (not a must) I was looking at the Canon hf-s20 any other suggestions? __________________ --Canon XL1-- http://www.richardgrebby.co.uk

January 5th, 2011, 09:59 AM	#4
Dale Guthormsen Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Saskatchewan Posts: 3,048	The above suggestions are just dandy. You might look them up on vimeo and see some actual footage for comparisons on how they may match up your dslr. close to start will minimize the amount of color correction later! I would make certain it had lanc!!! you may not think you need it but with a remote you can control without moving the camera, and control of zooms is excellent on the smaller cams!!! The rode video mic is the choice of external mic by the way, great producer for the cash outlay!!! __________________ DATS ALL FOLKS Dale W. Guthormsen

January 6th, 2011, 07:42 AM	#6
Dale Guthormsen Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Saskatchewan Posts: 3,048	Good morning, I have had the rode mic ave my butt at several weddings much like yourself!!!! I had the rode mic on a gl2 and an AT 897 shotgun on the xl2, in the end i used the audio off the gl2 and the rode mic!! I have thought of buying there stereo vid mic a couple times!!!! I am going on a 10 day shoot with my sony fx 1000 and the video mic is in the bag!!!! __________________ DATS ALL FOLKS Dale W. Guthormsen

January 6th, 2011, 09:50 AM	#7
Stelios Christofides Trustee Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Nicosia, CYPRUS Posts: 1,080	Have a look at this from Canon Canon U.S.A. : Consumer & Home Office : XA10 Stelios __________________ My Blog: http://steliosc.blogspot.com "I hope for nothing, I fear nothing, I am free" Nikos Kazantzakis

January 5th, 2011, 06:28 AM	#2
Mario Vermunt Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Rotterdam, the Netherlands Posts: 77	How about a 3mos Panasonic HDC SD700 (works with SD-cards) or a HDC HS700 (with internal hard disc). Has manual operation for many functions and decent image quality.

January 5th, 2011, 09:17 AM	#3
D.J. Ammons Major Player Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 506	Richard, I think the Canon HFS20 is an excellent choice. I am looking at it myself. I am a wedding videographer who uses two Sony V1U's as my main cams but I also use a Canon HV20 as my emergency back up cam (locked on a wide center shot) and as an alternate audio source (it is mounted with a Rode Videomic). The HV20 footage cuts in amazingly well with the 3 chip Sony footage. Just a slight difference in color that can be color corrected. I am looking at the HFS20 or HFS21 as the eventaul replacement for my venerable HV20. I also hear great things about the Panasonic TM700 but it does not have a LANC input so if you wanted to have a zoom / focus controller mounted on your tripod arm you would be out of luck with it.

January 5th, 2011, 10:08 AM	#5
D.J. Ammons Major Player Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 506	Dale, the audio from that Rode Videomic mounted on my little Canon HV20 has saved my butt more than once when editing a wedding shoot. I did an outdoor wedding where the wedding music was just the DJ for the reception turning his speakers to point toward the event from the reception area. The speakers were about 75 feet from the action so my wireless lapel mics and Rode NTG2 on the steadicam did not pick up much. However my trusty little Rode Videomic on the HV20 way at the back about 15 feet beyond the last seat somehow picked up the music from 75 feet away and was the audio we used for everything except the vows and the minister speaking.