I was fortunate enough to have unlimited access to two Canon XL1s, a Sony VX2000, an 8mm camera, and a state of the art editing suite...that was in college... and after i graduated I was still able to nab these things whenever a project came up. Well, time has created a gap, the last of my friends are graduating this spring(they were freshmen, when i was a senior) and I'm looking to acquire a new camera.

Problem is, like most of you when you first got started, I don't have the money now to buy a Canon, or Sony camera. I have a project looming, three short films I have to make for my graduate film school application, and my deadline in a couple months away. I have money for another decent camera I saw, but i haven't been able to get any skinny on it because it's apparently new. So does anyone, have any helpful info on the Panasonic AG-DVC7? Right now, that's where my financial range extends to...should i go ahead and get it...?

I moved your thread here where you should get better answers...

Thanks Stephen

Hi, Kenny. The DVC7 is a lower-end 1-CCD cam housed in a large plastic body. If you want this type of small shoulder cam, I would strongly consider the 3-chip version, which is called the DVC15. If that is too much money for you, see if you can find the slightly older one called the DVC10.

The DVC10 and DVC15 use the same CCDs and lens (engine) as the old PV-DV950 and AG-EZ30U.

A better 1 chip would be the Pana PV-DV852, going for about $600 at B&H. For a better 3 chip, the Pana PV-DV953 is going for about $1100 at B&H.