Ag-hmc40 or ag-hmc150 or jvc gy-hm100?? at DVinfo.net

Gregory Scarcell · January 3rd, 2011, 09:09 PM

Through extensive research I have narrowed down my search to either the HMC150 OR HMC40 OR JVC GY-HM100. All are in my price range. Which one should I buy??

I will be shooting short films, documentaries and maybe weddings and using XLR. I know that I can buy the XLR option for the HMC40, which is fine.

I use either Avid or Premiere Pro CS5.

Any suggestions would be helpful.

Thanks - Gregory

Russ Ivey · January 4th, 2011, 10:06 AM

I don't know anything about the JVC model. However, if we're talking about the HMC40 versus the HMC150, my opinion is to go with the HMC150. The reason is, the sensor is 1/3" versus the 1/4" on the HMC40. You'll have a better picture quality. Also, the audio is built in on the HMC150 and I'm to understand you have to pay extra for it on the HMC40? I could be wrong there.

Gregory Scarcell · January 4th, 2011, 11:47 AM

Russ,
You are right about having to buy the optional XLR for the HMC40 at about $270 from B&H

Russ Ivey · January 4th, 2011, 12:10 PM

Hey Gregory, I just read the specs on the JVC model and it also only has a 1/4" sensor on it. I'd really suggest that if you're planning to do short films and documentaries, that you want the 1/3" sensor or bigger. I have the AG-HMC150 and absolutely love it. I got mine used for $2,600 and it only had 4 hours on it. You won't go wrong with that camera. I worry that if you get one of the other two, you'll always have that gut feeling that you wish it was just a bit better. Of course, I guess we all feel that way don't we? There is always something out there that is out of our price range and wish we could get it.

Bob Diaz · January 4th, 2011, 03:48 PM

I can't speak on the JVC, but here's a brief run down on the Panasonic choices:

HMC40:
Good camera, small size, and it's sharper than the HMC150. The downsides are: (1) It's CMOS and could have rolling shutter issues. (2) Low light is NOT as good as the HMC150.

HMC80:
It's in many ways identical to the HMC40, but in a larger case. The main advantage is that the controls are moved from on screen menu to buttons. Same downsides as the HMC40.

HMC150:
Clearly a better camera for low light compared to the HMC40 and HMC80. Not as sharp as the HMC40/HMC80, but not that big a deal in 720p mode.

Bob Diaz

Adam Haro · January 4th, 2011, 07:58 PM

I can only speak for the HMC40, we have one we use for weddings. Great little camera. For wedding receptions we always plan on using plenty of lighting. 2 LED panels on a tripod and 1 on camera. If not your image will fall apart real quick. As long as you watch your lighting its a very capable camera and delivers nice quality.

Mark Von Lanken · January 4th, 2011, 09:23 PM

I did a review of the HMC40 for EventDV Magazine. In the review I compared the HMC40 to the HMC150 as well as the JVC HM100. Here's the link.
EventDV.net: The Event Videographer's Resource

Gregory Scarcell · January 7th, 2011, 12:30 PM

From the 100s of posts and some reviews that I have read on different sites it appears that they only disdvantage or negative feature of the HMC40 is the low-light performance. This can be dealt with by using lights and in post production editing. My mind is made up to buy the HMC40.

Xavier Pilsudski · January 27th, 2011, 09:20 AM

I went through the same dilemma a few weeks ago and finally went with the HMC40
I took the cam out of the box (used box, CL purchase!!) and shot in the neighborhood.
I am very very happy with the results and I don't see how someone who knows what he's doing couldn't use it at a professional level, like shooting a movie in your case.
Here's a link to the footage: 1080.24p, no effects added in post, no artificial lighting.
YouTube - 1st day with my HMC40 test shoot

Lee Small · February 4th, 2011, 04:18 PM

Shameless, plug, but I'm retiring from the video hobby (not enough time - I like playing music better than filming it!) and decided to sell my HMC40 + a number of Panasonic accessories for it, including the XLR adapter. It's posted in the Private Exchange section of the forum if you're interested. :-)

Xavier Pilsudski · February 4th, 2011, 04:33 PM

"Private Exchange section of the forum"

where is this section?

January 3rd, 2011, 09:09 PM	#1
Gregory Scarcell New Boot Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 9	Ag-hmc40 or ag-hmc150 or jvc gy-hm100?? Through extensive research I have narrowed down my search to either the HMC150 OR HMC40 OR JVC GY-HM100. All are in my price range. Which one should I buy?? I will be shooting short films, documentaries and maybe weddings and using XLR. I know that I can buy the XLR option for the HMC40, which is fine. I use either Avid or Premiere Pro CS5. Any suggestions would be helpful. Thanks - Gregory

January 4th, 2011, 10:06 AM	#2
Russ Ivey Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Woodstock, GA Posts: 89	My opinion I don't know anything about the JVC model. However, if we're talking about the HMC40 versus the HMC150, my opinion is to go with the HMC150. The reason is, the sensor is 1/3" versus the 1/4" on the HMC40. You'll have a better picture quality. Also, the audio is built in on the HMC150 and I'm to understand you have to pay extra for it on the HMC40? I could be wrong there.

January 4th, 2011, 11:47 AM	#3
Gregory Scarcell New Boot Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 9	Yes - Need to buy XLR option for HMC40 Russ, You are right about having to buy the optional XLR for the HMC40 at about $270 from B&H

January 4th, 2011, 12:10 PM	#4
Russ Ivey Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Woodstock, GA Posts: 89	The JVC model Hey Gregory, I just read the specs on the JVC model and it also only has a 1/4" sensor on it. I'd really suggest that if you're planning to do short films and documentaries, that you want the 1/3" sensor or bigger. I have the AG-HMC150 and absolutely love it. I got mine used for $2,600 and it only had 4 hours on it. You won't go wrong with that camera. I worry that if you get one of the other two, you'll always have that gut feeling that you wish it was just a bit better. Of course, I guess we all feel that way don't we? There is always something out there that is out of our price range and wish we could get it.

January 4th, 2011, 09:23 PM	#7
Mark Von Lanken Major Player Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Tulsa, OK Posts: 910	I did a review of the HMC40 for EventDV Magazine. In the review I compared the HMC40 to the HMC150 as well as the JVC HM100. Here's the link. EventDV.net: The Event Videographer's Resource __________________ Mark Von Lanken www.VonWeddingFilms.com

January 4th, 2011, 03:48 PM	#5
Bob Diaz Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: LA, California Posts: 170	I can't speak on the JVC, but here's a brief run down on the Panasonic choices: HMC40: Good camera, small size, and it's sharper than the HMC150. The downsides are: (1) It's CMOS and could have rolling shutter issues. (2) Low light is NOT as good as the HMC150. HMC80: It's in many ways identical to the HMC40, but in a larger case. The main advantage is that the controls are moved from on screen menu to buttons. Same downsides as the HMC40. HMC150: Clearly a better camera for low light compared to the HMC40 and HMC80. Not as sharp as the HMC40/HMC80, but not that big a deal in 720p mode. Bob Diaz

January 4th, 2011, 07:58 PM	#6
Adam Haro Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Fresno, CA Posts: 171	I can only speak for the HMC40, we have one we use for weddings. Great little camera. For wedding receptions we always plan on using plenty of lighting. 2 LED panels on a tripod and 1 on camera. If not your image will fall apart real quick. As long as you watch your lighting its a very capable camera and delivers nice quality.

January 7th, 2011, 12:30 PM	#8
Gregory Scarcell New Boot Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 9	Excellent Review! From the 100s of posts and some reviews that I have read on different sites it appears that they only disdvantage or negative feature of the HMC40 is the low-light performance. This can be dealt with by using lights and in post production editing. My mind is made up to buy the HMC40.

January 27th, 2011, 09:20 AM	#9
Xavier Pilsudski New Boot Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: United States Posts: 9	I went through the same dilemma a few weeks ago and finally went with the HMC40 I took the cam out of the box (used box, CL purchase!!) and shot in the neighborhood. I am very very happy with the results and I don't see how someone who knows what he's doing couldn't use it at a professional level, like shooting a movie in your case. Here's a link to the footage: 1080.24p, no effects added in post, no artificial lighting. YouTube - 1st day with my HMC40 test shoot

February 4th, 2011, 04:18 PM	#10
Lee Small Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Chuluota, Florida Posts: 35	Shameless plug... Shameless, plug, but I'm retiring from the video hobby (not enough time - I like playing music better than filming it!) and decided to sell my HMC40 + a number of Panasonic accessories for it, including the XLR adapter. It's posted in the Private Exchange section of the forum if you're interested. :-)

February 4th, 2011, 04:33 PM	#11
Xavier Pilsudski New Boot Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: United States Posts: 9	"Private Exchange section of the forum" where is this section?