Compact HD Camera w/ Big Punch! at DVinfo.net
DV Info Net

Go Back   DV Info Net > The Tools of DV and HD Production > Open DV Discussion

Open DV Discussion
For topics which don't fit into any of the other categories.

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Old August 22nd, 2011, 10:09 PM   #1
New Boot
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Dallas, TX
Posts: 20
Compact HD Camera w/ Big Punch!

I need some help. My father is looking for a great choice for high end resolution in 1080p. However, he isn't looking for a large camera. Something that is managable for one person. Smaller than the GL2 body.

Need excellent sound capabilities...even if they are external.

I'm looking for some options and someone to help me understand what I need.

I need:

Camera
Shotgun Mic
Lavalier Mic (2)

Any help would be super helpful.

Thanks!
Michael Littlejohn is offline   Reply With Quote
Old August 22nd, 2011, 10:38 PM   #2
New Boot
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Dallas, TX
Posts: 20
Re: Compact HD Camera w/ Big Punch!

What about this? Anyone have thoughts?

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/707153-REG/Sony_HXR_MC50U_HXR_MC50U_Ultra_Compact_Pro.html
Michael Littlejohn is offline   Reply With Quote
Old August 22nd, 2011, 10:53 PM   #3
Trustee
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Mesa, AZ
Posts: 1,389
Re: Compact HD Camera w/ Big Punch!

I'm a canon fan so go for the XF100. Its the best of the small cams with 4:2:2 color space and 50mbs codec. Get a Rode NTG-3 kit for shotgun and Sennheiser G3's for lavs. Re-mic with Sound Technologies VT500's and you're all set!
__________________
The older I get, the better I was!
Robert Turchick is offline   Reply With Quote
Old August 22nd, 2011, 11:28 PM   #4
Major Player
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Northridge, CA
Posts: 280
Re: Compact HD Camera w/ Big Punch!

Quote:
Originally Posted by Michael Littlejohn View Post
The MC50 is just a consumer camera (CX550V) with a hood and mic tossed on. Still has AGC with no audio control.

If you're looking for something small a Canon XA10 or Sony http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/761581-REG/Sony_HXR_NX70U_HXR_NX70_Compact_Dust_and.html might work.
Matt Sharp is offline   Reply With Quote
Old August 23rd, 2011, 01:53 AM   #5
Inner Circle
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Billericay, England UK
Posts: 4,711
Re: Compact HD Camera w/ Big Punch!

The Panasonic SD (or TM) 900 is well worth a look. Read the pupil-dilating reviews on this very site and many others. This 900 is the one to beat. Don't be put off by its low price - its performance has to be seen to be believed.
Tom Hardwick is offline   Reply With Quote
Old August 23rd, 2011, 04:17 AM   #6
Regular Crew
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Princeton MA
Posts: 142
Re: Compact HD Camera w/ Big Punch!

The canon xa10 with xlr inputs. If you didn't need the xlr inputs hf g10. The Sony hx100V and hx9 are very compact and take great video, but would need a external audio recorder if you didn't like the onboard mics.
Gerald OConnor is offline   Reply With Quote
Old August 26th, 2011, 04:14 PM   #7
New Boot
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Dallas, TX
Posts: 20
Re: Compact HD Camera w/ Big Punch!

I've really narrowed down my choices to these two...

Canon XF100 HD and the Canon XA10...

I see that the XF100 shoots MPEG2...

what are the major differences in these two cameras?
Michael Littlejohn is offline   Reply With Quote
Old August 26th, 2011, 04:26 PM   #8
Trustee
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Mesa, AZ
Posts: 1,389
Re: Compact HD Camera w/ Big Punch!

Pro VS prosumer

Codec is different. Media is different. The CF cards are much more robust than SD cards. List goes on but if you want the best quality, 4:2:2 50mbps the XF can't be beat for it's size.
__________________
The older I get, the better I was!
Robert Turchick is offline   Reply With Quote
Old August 27th, 2011, 03:53 AM   #9
Inner Circle
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Boca Raton, FL
Posts: 3,014
Re: Compact HD Camera w/ Big Punch!

INFORMATION:
Video review of the Canon XA-10, XF100 and XF105 | Philip Bloom

Did you look at the Panasonic HMC150?
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/575992-REG/Panasonic_AG_HMC150PJU_AG_HMC150_AVCCAM_Camcorder.html
Les Wilson is offline   Reply With Quote
Old August 27th, 2011, 07:10 AM   #10
Trustee
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Mesa, AZ
Posts: 1,389
Re: Compact HD Camera w/ Big Punch!

The HMC 150, while priced very nicely right now, is much larger than what the OP requested. Also in terms of quality it's severely outgunned by all the other pro cameras mentioned and even some of the consumer ones. Its old technology. The single sdhc card slot isn't confidence-inspiring and the LCD is terrible. I owned one for a few years so I know that camera inside and out.
__________________
The older I get, the better I was!
Robert Turchick is offline   Reply With Quote
Old August 27th, 2011, 07:26 AM   #11
Inner Circle
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Boca Raton, FL
Posts: 3,014
Re: Compact HD Camera w/ Big Punch!

There's also the HMC-40 with optional XLR.
Les Wilson is offline   Reply With Quote
Old August 27th, 2011, 07:40 AM   #12
Trustee
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Mesa, AZ
Posts: 1,389
Re: Compact HD Camera w/ Big Punch!

So Les...are you a Panny guy? Ha ha! The hmc40 is a better choice! I keep forgetting about the 40. I've used one for b-roll many times and it works great. it does only have the single sdhc card and the codec is 24mbps avchd but for the price it's a killer little camera. It is noisier than the canons and needs light to make a great picture. That's probably due to the 1/4" sensor VS 1/3" in the canons.

DISCLAIMER: I do not work for canon in any way. I just love their products. If they would like to pay me an endorsement deal I would not turn it down.
__________________
The older I get, the better I was!
Robert Turchick is offline   Reply With Quote
Old August 27th, 2011, 09:50 AM   #13
Trustee
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Antrim, Northern Ireland
Posts: 1,569
Re: Compact HD Camera w/ Big Punch!

Quote:
Originally Posted by Robert Turchick View Post
Pro VS prosumer

Codec is different. Media is different. The CF cards are much more robust than SD cards. List goes on but if you want the best quality, 4:2:2 50mbps the XF can't be beat for it's size.
Of course, it depends if you really need 50mbps 4:2:2, and if you really need or want to use CF cards that are much more expensive than SDHC cards... how important is size to you, does it need to be really small? Choosing the XA10 insead of the XF100 could save quite a few $$$ and be more suited, providing the features are adequate.

It's one thing _wanting_ all those extra goodies in the XF100, it's another thing actually _needing_ them!
Mike Beckett is offline   Reply With Quote
Old August 27th, 2011, 10:23 AM   #14
Trustee
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Mesa, AZ
Posts: 1,389
Re: Compact HD Camera w/ Big Punch!

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike Beckett View Post
It's one thing _wanting_ all those extra goodies in the XF100, it's another thing actually _needing_ them!

For pro use, quality of the image and reliable media aren't what I'd consider "goodies" :)

Not saying the XA10 isn't also a great choice cause clearly it produces fantastic images. Just that for me, the 4:2:2 and broadcast-quality 50mbps are worth it.

So Michael...have we given you enough info? what are your thoughts on our opinions? Just curious if we're actually helping!
__________________
The older I get, the better I was!
Robert Turchick is offline   Reply With Quote
Old August 27th, 2011, 11:19 AM   #15
Inner Circle
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Boca Raton, FL
Posts: 3,014
Re: Compact HD Camera w/ Big Punch!

I am not a "Panny guy". When I looked at this discussion, I thought Panny had products for the OP to consider and were missing from the conversation...plenty of threads for the OP to read up on each one.
Les Wilson is offline   Reply
Reply

DV Info Net refers all where-to-buy and where-to-rent questions exclusively to these trusted full line dealers and rental houses...

B&H Photo Video
(866) 521-7381
New York, NY USA

Scan Computers Int. Ltd.
+44 0871-472-4747
Bolton, Lancashire UK


DV Info Net also encourages you to support local businesses and buy from an authorized dealer in your neighborhood.
  You are here: DV Info Net > The Tools of DV and HD Production > Open DV Discussion

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

 



All times are GMT -6. The time now is 03:42 AM.


DV Info Net -- Real Names, Real People, Real Info!
1998-2024 The Digital Video Information Network