GH1 Companion Camera
 

I am currently shooting with the GH1 and need to make a camcorder purchase. Has anyone tried to match footage with the GH1 and the HMC150 or HVX20? Thoughts on either of these 2 cams as a companion to the GH1?

Re: GH1 Companion Camera
 

Canon XA-10 or XF100 or XF300 (XA-10 is backordered and listed at $1999) would be the best choices for my money, to match with the GH1. The HMC150, which I owned, is not the best in low light. The Canon and it's bigger brothers are being used by a lot of shooters because of it's ability to match with DSLR footage.

HMC150 is popular, has loyal users, and some skilled folks use it to acquire great images, I personally hated the camera and sold it within several weeks of buying it. Except for missing having a "proper" videocamera, I still do not regret getting rid of it.

See review of Canon XA-10 by googling Phillip Bloom XA-10 for a comparison of the three Canons.

Re: GH1 Companion Camera
 

Actually, your lens has as much or more to do with the look of your images as the camera, as your lens choice affects your end result greatly. Look at your lenses and the images you are already getting to help you make your decision.

Re: GH1 Companion Camera
 

Derek,

If you are budget-limited at around $3000, I recommend the .

Even though the http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/696066-REG/Panasonic_AG_HVX200APS_AG_HVX200A_1_3_3CCD_P2.html is about the same price, add in a couple of $349 http://www.adorama.com/PCAJP2E016XG.html and you 'll be close to $4K and might as well get an AF100.

If it fits your budget, I recommend the AF100 -- it shares lenses and the m4/3 sensor with the GH1 and should give you the closest match -- and right now, Adorama is throwing in a free 14-140mm lens with it.

Cheers,

Bill
Hybrid Camera Revolution

Re: GH1 Companion Camera
 

Bill, the Canons I mention above are as good if not better in low light, are newer technology, and the the AF100 shoots in 60p at 50mbps, or something insane like that. Not sure I would want years-old technology of an HMC-150 when I can get better and more feature rich for a similar price.

In my opinion the AF-100 is an awkward beast not unlike the GH2, just bigger with more controls. Still no motorized zoom and it lacks the great autofocus that can be had with a traditional style camcorder. But for some I suppose it works. I find it most telling that the AF0-100 was showing up used in the classifieds almost a month after they were released. And if Panasonic is giving a free $800 lens with it now, that tells me even more. Not that it's a bad cam, bit it is certainly not living up to the expecations many had for it. Any $4K plus cam should have more native lens choices then the AF-100 has, IMO.

Re: GH1 Companion Camera
 

It has its limits, but it's about to get and native power zooms.

And that said, there are more native lenses for it than for the $5000 FS100 ;-)

I'll be in the market for a camcorder early next year and I'm looking seriously at the VG20 for $2K -- but if I can find an AF100 for $3K, I will pick it up.

The flexibility and growth potential inherent in a large sensor interchangeable lens camcorder are a must for me - even if they're 'fiddly' to shoot with.

Cheers,

Bill

P.S. I agree with you on the superiority of the new Canon XA & XF cameras to the old technology Panasonics. If I was looking for a fixed lens camcorder, I would get the XA10.

Re: GH1 Companion Camera
 

I use 2 GH1's with 2 HMC40's, and love the results I get, with some tweaking/denoising in post.

Re: GH1 Companion Camera
 

I want an XF100 or XA-10 pretty badly, and didn't become familiar with them until it became too late to get one for this wedding season, with the back order thing.