Shooting on Tape
 

What are the best DV cameras that shoot on tape. I have a multi-cam reality production and I do not want to use P2 cards. What are my best options?

The Sony Z7 is nice and it shoots on both flash and tape simultaneously. I believe all Sony HDV cameras can also shoot DV and/or DVCAM.

The z5 shoots DV or HDV, the z7 does HDV, DV and DVCAM. The z7 shoots to tape and/or SDHC cards, the z5 CAN shoot to both but the card writer is optional. The FX 1000 is the "consumer" model of the z5 but does not have XLR audio inputs, the card writer (if used) is connected by a firewire connection where the z5 is a built in connection. There are other differences between them of course.
Of course there is still the tried and true Canon and o course the JVC HD100/110 series shoots tape. There are actually a lot of choices-depends on the budget and what you're comfortable with.

Is the objection to using P2 the cost of the cards? If so, there are a number of choices for recording onto low cost SDHC cards now.

The Z5 also shoots in DVCAM

Stelios

look at the fx1000 if you are looking at the z5.