DV Info Net - vx2000 comparison...

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vx2000 comparison...

Ok, I am new here, and I am lookin for some advice from the best out there. Ive been doing alot of research for the past month 1/2 on which camera I should get. I will be using the camera for skateboarding filming and other extreme sports. I've made it come down to either a used sony vx2000, or a used Canon GL2, and I want yall's input on which one would be the better buy. Some of the filming will be done during day or at night with lots of lighting, and some will be dont with little light except the add-on on the camera. If someone could tell me which one is more reliable with less problems, which one has the best picture quality, and which one is better made for this type of filming It would be greatly appreciated. I would ask on the forums at skateperception.com but everyone there is biast about Canon and its basically an all-sony vid. camera forum group. So if someone who knows a good amount about these two, please share because I dont want to end up making the wrong decision and have a camera that breaks too often because I wont have the money to fix it. Input needed!!!!!

Thanks,
Ryan

The best will have to chime in later, but here is my opinion. :)

I would say that these cameras are very close in all respects except for one thing. The VX2000 has great CCDs that are sensitive in low light. For run-and-gun shooting, there is no substitute. It also seems to be a very rugged camera, assuming you are careful with it during transport and operation. I can't stress enough a good case. I have a waterproof case with custom-fit foam and my camera has no problems at all. There are no guarantees in life, but these cameras should both be reliable. There are cheaper and smaller 3ccd cameras that can do a good job and will cost less. The Panasonic gs400 looks nice and the Sony TRV9xx series are decent.

To give you an idea of how sensitive the VX2000 is, it can shoot under a single streetlight. Streetlights don't put out nice quality light, but the VX2000 can make a passable image with one assuming you are working fairly close to the pole. This is the exact type of lighting I would expect skateboarders to be around at night.

You've come to the VX page so you're bound to get a VX bias showing through Ryan, and I'm no exception. I've used the VX and GL (actually a PAL XM2) side by side, and I can say the footage from the Canon looked very good on the edit, and it's 20x zoom can be very useful at times.

But it's not as good in low light, it has smaller chips and no zoom ring and just feels less substantial. If anyboby tells me I'm 'paying for the name' when I say I've gone the Sony route then I agree with them - Sony has passed the 'dropability' test in my book, and come out laughing.

This is what paying for the name really means - the ability to carry on when the going gets tough, and Sony's VX range (and spin-off PD series) does that to perfection. They may not have the best lenses or the best side-screens (I'm thinking DVX100A here) but what they do have is a solid pro toughness. Watch any footage out of Iraq and what do you see the cameramen in the background using? It sure ain't Canons or Panasonics, so make of that what you will.

tom.