Cam advice...one more time... at DVinfo.net

Michael Hintlian · May 8th, 2004, 04:26 PM

Greetings all...

Been lurking and reading threads trying to find the mini-dv camera that makes sense for me.

I want light and small, top quality results in low light, and a camera that will mesh with my documentary still work (a camera that will handle like a 35mm Leica). I've come to the conclusion that the GL2 is too big and maybe I should look at the JVC HD-10 or even look at a high end one-chip camera. I am working on a documentary and would love it if the final product should be close-to or at broadcast quality...without carrying a ton of stuff. Where are the compromises? What should I be looking at?

What are the thoughts here about this?

With thanks to all!

Michael Hintlian

to see work: http://www.hintlian.com

Michael Connor · May 8th, 2004, 05:51 PM

Any Sony main dv camera will give you a sharp pic and decent low light. There is a Panasonic 3ccd model available that is very small. But in low light it struggles. Your gonna need a 3ccd medel realy if you want good pics in low light. Sony vx2000 is v good here, but bigger and more xpensive. For size you cannot wack the Canon xm2. It is small enough to fit in a laptop case, has excellent features, excellent pic quality, is lighter and smaller than the vx2000 with a bigger zoom. If your gonna do it, do it properly!

Shawn Mielke · May 9th, 2004, 12:52 AM

You want a combination of features that is difficult to come by in a good camcorder. Three CCDs is a must. Good audio is a must. Smaller than a GL2? There is the Sony trv950, or the PDX10, though they aren't exactly great in low light. The PDX is a fine little camera, with XLR audio. The Panasonic DVC30 should definitely be looked into.

Guy Bruner · May 9th, 2004, 06:02 AM

Also, the Panasonic DVC80, which has been discontinued, has pro features that you will have add as extras on most cams. It has 1/3 inch CCDs and manual mechanically linked zoom/focus, among a host of other things. It may not be as sveldt as a Leica, but it has the lens ;-).

Mike Rehmus · May 9th, 2004, 11:05 AM

Or my all-time small camera favorite, the Sony 900. About $1200 or so used and in good shape. Better than almost anything other than the Sony 2000/2100 & 150/170 cameras in low light and smaller than many 1-chip amateur cameras.

Paul Tauger · May 9th, 2004, 01:34 PM

For what it's worth, I went through a similar search process last year. I agree with Mike -- if you can find a low-hours TRV-900, grab it. The TRV950/PDX10 have miserable low-light performance by comparison. I finally settled on a VX2000 which, while a little bigger and heavier than I liked, produces pristine video with stunning low-light performance.

May 8th, 2004, 04:26 PM	#1
Michael Hintlian New Boot Join Date: May 2003 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 9	Cam advice...one more time... Greetings all... Been lurking and reading threads trying to find the mini-dv camera that makes sense for me. I want light and small, top quality results in low light, and a camera that will mesh with my documentary still work (a camera that will handle like a 35mm Leica). I've come to the conclusion that the GL2 is too big and maybe I should look at the JVC HD-10 or even look at a high end one-chip camera. I am working on a documentary and would love it if the final product should be close-to or at broadcast quality...without carrying a ton of stuff. Where are the compromises? What should I be looking at? What are the thoughts here about this? With thanks to all! Michael Hintlian to see work: http://www.hintlian.com

May 8th, 2004, 05:51 PM	#2
Michael Connor Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Durham, England Posts: 138	Any Sony main dv camera will give you a sharp pic and decent low light. There is a Panasonic 3ccd model available that is very small. But in low light it struggles. Your gonna need a 3ccd medel realy if you want good pics in low light. Sony vx2000 is v good here, but bigger and more xpensive. For size you cannot wack the Canon xm2. It is small enough to fit in a laptop case, has excellent features, excellent pic quality, is lighter and smaller than the vx2000 with a bigger zoom. If your gonna do it, do it properly! __________________ StMichael

May 9th, 2004, 12:52 AM	#3
Shawn Mielke Major Player Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Santa Rosa, California Posts: 745	You want a combination of features that is difficult to come by in a good camcorder. Three CCDs is a must. Good audio is a must. Smaller than a GL2? There is the Sony trv950, or the PDX10, though they aren't exactly great in low light. The PDX is a fine little camera, with XLR audio. The Panasonic DVC30 should definitely be looked into. __________________ Breakthrough In Grey Room

May 9th, 2004, 11:05 AM	#5
Mike Rehmus Wrangler Join Date: May 2002 Location: Vallejo, California Posts: 4,049	Or my all-time small camera favorite, the Sony 900. About $1200 or so used and in good shape. Better than almost anything other than the Sony 2000/2100 & 150/170 cameras in low light and smaller than many 1-chip amateur cameras. __________________ Mike Rehmus Hey, I can see the carrot at the end of the tunnel!

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May 9th, 2004, 06:02 AM	#4
Guy Bruner Major Player Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Ashford, AL Posts: 937	Also, the Panasonic DVC80, which has been discontinued, has pro features that you will have add as extras on most cams. It has 1/3 inch CCDs and manual mechanically linked zoom/focus, among a host of other things. It may not be as sveldt as a Leica, but it has the lens ;-).

May 9th, 2004, 01:34 PM	#6
Paul Tauger Wrangler Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Los Angeles (recently from San Francisco) Posts: 954	For what it's worth, I went through a similar search process last year. I agree with Mike -- if you can find a low-hours TRV-900, grab it. The TRV950/PDX10 have miserable low-light performance by comparison. I finally settled on a VX2000 which, while a little bigger and heavier than I liked, produces pristine video with stunning low-light performance.