Agez1

[Craig Bellaire]

Just wondering about the AGEZ1.. I can't afford much for a used camera but was wondering about the quality of the 1/3 chips of the AGEZ1 -VS- the new 120/200 cameras with the 1/6 inch chips.. I have a camera with a dead pixal that I can use as a deck so a firewire port isn't that important... I would love to have a 953 but they are a bit hard to find....anythoughts...

[Tommy Haupfear]

You'll probably run into high mileage concerns with the fragile tape assembly but judging by Bill's comments below it sounds decent for the age.

I've actually still use a pvdv1000 which is just the black version of the agez1u. It doesn't have firewire out, so you need either another dv camcorder or a dv deck to transfer the dv files into your computer. As far as footage quality goes, it's almost on par with a vx2000. Does good in low light ( I believe it has 1/3 chips) and good manuel controls. The on board mic (at least mine) isn't great.There's only the mini mic plug and you don't have any controll over audio levels. It doesn't have a flip out lcd, but the viewfinder is about the best one I've ever seen for a mini dv camcorder. It is an old model though, but I've held onto mine for 4 years now cause I'm still satisfied with the qaulity of the footage(I've also got a dvc30). I do notice mine is a little quirky with tape brands, panasonic tapes work with out a problem, but jvc tapes give error codes on ocasion( this could just be my camera),so I'd buy panasonic tapes just to be safe. Battery life sucks- about 50 minutes, so make sure you've got extra batteries or at least some of the extended runtime batteries.

- Bill Jernigan
Oct 13, 2004

[Kin Kwan]

Craig,

Sorry to be a little off topic, but where did you find the agez1 for sale?

[Craig Bellaire]

I haven't really found one YET... but am really considering my options before trying buy a camera...I'm not even sure what the resolution is on these cameras verses the GS200 1/6 inch chips... just maybe it's not worth it and I should just buy a new pani and get it over with.. Also I personally believe the EZ1 has a better tape transport and the build quality is better on the EZ1. And that's why I'm looking at it... maybe even a DV1000 which is the same camera. If you have one let me know…. anyway hope that helps...