Please help before I go MAD (Which camera) at DVinfo.net

Jide Obi · April 18th, 2009, 02:30 AM

I have been going round in circles trying to decide which camera I should get next
I have a budget of £3700 ($5500) . I intend on making music and corporate videos.
I will be doing a lot of green screen stuff.
Please please can anyone recommend a good camera new or secondhand that's within my budget.
Any help advice is much appreciated
Thanks

John Peterson · April 19th, 2009, 10:11 AM

I would recommend the Sony HVR-Z7U.
Read some of the user reviews here:

Sony | HVR-Z7U HDV Camcorder | HVR-Z7U | B&H Photo Video

Shawn Lam had a nice review of the camera in Event DV last year.

EventDV.net: Review: Sony HVR-Z7U HDV Camcorder

You may also want to take a look at his latest review of the less expensive Sony HVR-Z5U in the April issue of Event DV:

EventDV.net: In the Field: Sony HVR-Z5U

It may suit your needs and leave money left over for other necessities.

John

Marcus Marchesseault · April 21st, 2009, 02:38 AM

My choice would be Sony Z7 or Canon 5D MKII in that budget range depending if you are shooting long form or shorter clips. You will likely want a separate audio recorder for the Canon which brings it, a nice lens, and the recorder up to the price of the Z7.

Brian Larson · April 21st, 2009, 08:49 AM

I fell in love with the AG-HPX170
I am done with cameras that need tape.
The solid state nature of the new generation cameras means that you will never ever have to clean a recording head again, worry about tape getting stuck inside, or having a bearing go bad. The SSD technology is "greener" (magnetic tape is energy intensive to make) since you do not need tape anymore and the battery lasts longer since the only motor that needs to be run is the focus (in auto focus mode).

Panasonic USA Pressroom

Jide Obi · April 21st, 2009, 12:20 PM

Thank you guys for your suggestions

Robert M Wright · April 22nd, 2009, 08:10 AM

The aforementioned cameras would stretch (or break) your budget (especially PAL versions). I'd suggest considering a Canon XH-A1 (tape) or (for solid state media) you might consider a Panasonic HMC151 or a JVC GY-HM100. SCHC cards won't break the bank on a tight budget, like P2 (or SxS).

Marcus Marchesseault · April 27th, 2009, 11:05 PM

Neither the Sony Z7 nor the Canon 5DII use exotic media. They use standard flash memory cards and/or tape. They also cost less than $5000 so if that is the camera budget and not the full budget for camera, tripod, accessories, monitors, etc. then they fit the bill. The Panasonic with P2 cards is tempting because it will be decent for greenscreen with a better codec than HDV but the cards will kill your budget.

April 18th, 2009, 02:30 AM	#1
Jide Obi New Boot Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: lagos Posts: 7	Please help before I go MAD (Which camera) I have been going round in circles trying to decide which camera I should get next I have a budget of £3700 ($5500) . I intend on making music and corporate videos. I will be doing a lot of green screen stuff. Please please can anyone recommend a good camera new or secondhand that's within my budget. Any help advice is much appreciated Thanks

April 19th, 2009, 10:11 AM	#2
John Peterson Major Player Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Monroe, NY Posts: 703	I would recommend the Sony HVR-Z7U. Read some of the user reviews here: Sony \| HVR-Z7U HDV Camcorder \| HVR-Z7U \| B&H Photo Video Shawn Lam had a nice review of the camera in Event DV last year. EventDV.net: Review: Sony HVR-Z7U HDV Camcorder You may also want to take a look at his latest review of the less expensive Sony HVR-Z5U in the April issue of Event DV: EventDV.net: In the Field: Sony HVR-Z5U It may suit your needs and leave money left over for other necessities. John

April 21st, 2009, 02:38 AM	#3
Marcus Marchesseault Trustee Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Honolulu, HI Posts: 1,961	My choice would be Sony Z7 or Canon 5D MKII in that budget range depending if you are shooting long form or shorter clips. You will likely want a separate audio recorder for the Canon which brings it, a nice lens, and the recorder up to the price of the Z7.

April 21st, 2009, 08:49 AM	#4
Brian Larson New Boot Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Washington DC Posts: 11	I fell in love with the AG-HPX170 I am done with cameras that need tape. The solid state nature of the new generation cameras means that you will never ever have to clean a recording head again, worry about tape getting stuck inside, or having a bearing go bad. The SSD technology is "greener" (magnetic tape is energy intensive to make) since you do not need tape anymore and the battery lasts longer since the only motor that needs to be run is the focus (in auto focus mode). Panasonic USA Pressroom

April 21st, 2009, 12:20 PM	#5
Jide Obi New Boot Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: lagos Posts: 7	Thank you guys for your suggestions

April 22nd, 2009, 08:10 AM	#6
Robert M Wright Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Minnesota (USA) Posts: 2,171	The aforementioned cameras would stretch (or break) your budget (especially PAL versions). I'd suggest considering a Canon XH-A1 (tape) or (for solid state media) you might consider a Panasonic HMC151 or a JVC GY-HM100. SCHC cards won't break the bank on a tight budget, like P2 (or SxS).

April 27th, 2009, 11:05 PM	#7
Marcus Marchesseault Trustee Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Honolulu, HI Posts: 1,961	Neither the Sony Z7 nor the Canon 5DII use exotic media. They use standard flash memory cards and/or tape. They also cost less than $5000 so if that is the camera budget and not the full budget for camera, tripod, accessories, monitors, etc. then they fit the bill. The Panasonic with P2 cards is tempting because it will be decent for greenscreen with a better codec than HDV but the cards will kill your budget.