AVCHD Camcorder (around $1000) at DVinfo.net

Mark Chafe · February 19th, 2012, 10:11 PM

Hi All,

I have been putting off upgrading my old cameras since I do not do as much video production anymore, however I would like one or 2 nice camcorders for HD video. I have decided to go tapeless and I think with a Mac Book Pro i7 with 16GB of ram, I should be able to edit AVCHD with decent speed.

I have sold my Sony HVR-Z1U and selling off my PD150 and PD170. I would like something that size of a camera, but my budget right now doesn't allow me. As long as I have a big enough LCD and some manual controls I should be ok.

I have been looking at the Canon Vixia HF G10 at the moment since it has the most manual controls and also has a LANC port so I can still use my LANC controllers for tripod work. Anyone prefer the Sony CX700 or another sony model over the G10? Have tried the G10 before and the menu system is a bit cumbersome. I haven't tried the CX700 or any of the sony's.

Thanks
Mark

Glen Vandermolen · February 19th, 2012, 11:15 PM

Also consider the Panasonic 1/4" 3MOS HC-X900K or the older TM900K. They take very good video.

And the upcoming JVC GZ-GX1. It has a 1/2.3" chip, and can ever record at 300fps. And the GC-PX10.

Matt Sharp · February 20th, 2012, 01:21 AM

I have a CX700, but only got it over the G10 for it's 60p to match footage with my NX70U. If you're shooting in 60i or 24/30p the Canon would be a better choice.

James Kuhn · February 20th, 2012, 11:59 AM

I have a Canon Vixia HF S21 I don't use any more if you're interested? PM me and we can talk.

Regards,

J.

Terence Murphy · February 24th, 2012, 05:43 PM

I've moved from a Sony VX2100 and Z1U to CX700s, and am quite happy with them. It is a bit of a loss of manual controls, but I've found it to be tolerable. Picture quality is excellent, and low light is much better than my Z1 was (I shoot in the 60p mode). I certainly don't regret saving all the $$ compared to a NX5!

Your LANCs will work with an adapter.

-Terence

Michael Kraus · February 25th, 2012, 03:11 PM

I personally am REALLY interested in the JVC GX1 coming out in March. Spec wise it seems ideal for a budget AVCHD camcorder. I can't seem to find any clips or images from it though so I guess we'll just have to wait and see.

Lee Mullen · February 26th, 2012, 11:55 PM

Panny SD/TM900 are awesome

Ian Cope · March 1st, 2012, 04:01 PM

Panasonics 900 series are indeed an awesome camera, BUT have no LANC control.

Mark Chafe · March 3rd, 2012, 09:35 PM

Thanks for all the recommendations. I managed to rent the Canon HF G10 locally to try it out, but there is nowhere locally that sells the CX700. Any model similar to this? Also what is the menu interface like on the Sony? I have only used the Canon and have no experience with the sony handycams.

I would like to look at more cameras, but I would really like to continue using my LANC controllers on tripod work. I suppose I could rig up something for the wireless remotes, but i would prefer to use what I have if possible.

Also, people have been trying to get me to look at DSLR cameras for video as well. If they had proper controls for video I wouldn't mind so much, but they are possibly an option as well.

Its a very hard decision to step back from the manual controls I was used to with my bigger cameras, but for my budget right now, the picture quality is much better on the newer handycams not to pass them up.

Thanks again
Mark

Matt Sharp · March 3rd, 2012, 10:14 PM

Sony just announced their new handycams for this year and discontinued the CX700. The Replacement is the CX760 and it's not available until toward the end of the month.

At first glance the only spec bump it has over the CX700 is the googly eyed "balanced steadyshot" that's new this year on the PJ710, PJ760, and CX760.

February 19th, 2012, 10:11 PM	#1
Mark Chafe Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Newfoundland, Canada Posts: 162	AVCHD Camcorder (around $1000) Hi All, I have been putting off upgrading my old cameras since I do not do as much video production anymore, however I would like one or 2 nice camcorders for HD video. I have decided to go tapeless and I think with a Mac Book Pro i7 with 16GB of ram, I should be able to edit AVCHD with decent speed. I have sold my Sony HVR-Z1U and selling off my PD150 and PD170. I would like something that size of a camera, but my budget right now doesn't allow me. As long as I have a big enough LCD and some manual controls I should be ok. I have been looking at the Canon Vixia HF G10 at the moment since it has the most manual controls and also has a LANC port so I can still use my LANC controllers for tripod work. Anyone prefer the Sony CX700 or another sony model over the G10? Have tried the G10 before and the menu system is a bit cumbersome. I haven't tried the CX700 or any of the sony's. Thanks Mark Last edited by Mark Chafe; February 19th, 2012 at 10:48 PM.

February 19th, 2012, 11:15 PM	#2
Glen Vandermolen Space Hipster Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 1,596	Re: AVCHD Camcorder (around $1000) Also consider the Panasonic 1/4" 3MOS HC-X900K or the older TM900K. They take very good video. And the upcoming JVC GZ-GX1. It has a 1/2.3" chip, and can ever record at 300fps. And the GC-PX10.

February 20th, 2012, 01:21 AM	#3
Matt Sharp Major Player Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Northridge, CA Posts: 280	Re: AVCHD Camcorder (around $1000) I have a CX700, but only got it over the G10 for it's 60p to match footage with my NX70U. If you're shooting in 60i or 24/30p the Canon would be a better choice.

February 20th, 2012, 11:59 AM	#4
James Kuhn Major Player Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Merritt Island, Florida Posts: 865	Re: AVCHD Camcorder (around $1000) I have a Canon Vixia HF S21 I don't use any more if you're interested? PM me and we can talk. Regards, J.

February 24th, 2012, 05:43 PM	#5
Terence Murphy Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Baltimore, MD Posts: 161	Re: AVCHD Camcorder (around $1000) I've moved from a Sony VX2100 and Z1U to CX700s, and am quite happy with them. It is a bit of a loss of manual controls, but I've found it to be tolerable. Picture quality is excellent, and low light is much better than my Z1 was (I shoot in the 60p mode). I certainly don't regret saving all the $$ compared to a NX5! Your LANCs will work with an adapter. -Terence

February 25th, 2012, 03:11 PM	#6
Michael Kraus Major Player Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Denton, TX Posts: 232	Re: AVCHD Camcorder (around $1000) I personally am REALLY interested in the JVC GX1 coming out in March. Spec wise it seems ideal for a budget AVCHD camcorder. I can't seem to find any clips or images from it though so I guess we'll just have to wait and see.

February 26th, 2012, 11:55 PM	#7
Lee Mullen Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Western Australia Posts: 576	Re: AVCHD Camcorder (around $1000) Panny SD/TM900 are awesome

March 1st, 2012, 04:01 PM	#8
Ian Cope Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Brisbane Australia Posts: 25	Re: AVCHD Camcorder (around $1000) Panasonics 900 series are indeed an awesome camera, BUT have no LANC control.

March 3rd, 2012, 09:35 PM	#9
Mark Chafe Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Newfoundland, Canada Posts: 162	Re: AVCHD Camcorder (around $1000) Thanks for all the recommendations. I managed to rent the Canon HF G10 locally to try it out, but there is nowhere locally that sells the CX700. Any model similar to this? Also what is the menu interface like on the Sony? I have only used the Canon and have no experience with the sony handycams. I would like to look at more cameras, but I would really like to continue using my LANC controllers on tripod work. I suppose I could rig up something for the wireless remotes, but i would prefer to use what I have if possible. Also, people have been trying to get me to look at DSLR cameras for video as well. If they had proper controls for video I wouldn't mind so much, but they are possibly an option as well. Its a very hard decision to step back from the manual controls I was used to with my bigger cameras, but for my budget right now, the picture quality is much better on the newer handycams not to pass them up. Thanks again Mark

March 3rd, 2012, 10:14 PM	#10
Matt Sharp Major Player Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Northridge, CA Posts: 280	Re: AVCHD Camcorder (around $1000) Sony just announced their new handycams for this year and discontinued the CX700. The Replacement is the CX760 and it's not available until toward the end of the month. At first glance the only spec bump it has over the CX700 is the googly eyed "balanced steadyshot" that's new this year on the PJ710, PJ760, and CX760.