best compact camcorder price doesn't matter

dhill wrote on 10/13/2005, 12:58 PM

I need to get a compact camcorder for b-roll footage. Mostly band traveling kind of thing, limos, sound checks, etc. where light is usually less than ideal. I'm considering the HC1, A1U, or maybe even the PC1000 though it obviously isn't a pro cam. I don't care about the price so much...under $5K or so. All those cameras I listed having a lux rating of 7 I believe which is not so good for dark rooms such as the studio, stage, etc. It HAS to be small, but I want the best quality I can get. I want it to fit in my carry-on brief case, so, even the little Sony HDV cams are pushing it size wise. I know I'll have to get the big batteries too which will add to the size.

I've read reviews on the HC1 and A1 for a few hours this morning and I don't see anything that says the video quality is better with the A1. It just seems to have a lot more manual controls. I am not a pro camera man and I will not be using an external mic (size factor again) so I'm wondering if I want all of those extra controls any way.

Any suggestions are appreciated.

Comments

Laurence wrote on 10/13/2005, 2:37 PM

I went with the A1 for audio reasons. I have a better mic mounted and a wireless receiver. The setup is still pretty small and kicks butt. If I want to go "stealth mode" I can remove the whole top audio assembly, wireless receiver and all and get into places like casinos and horse race tracks. If you never used the audio stuff at all, the H1 would give you the same fantastic picture quality.

Laurence wrote on 10/13/2005, 3:09 PM

My A1 is much better in low light than my old TRV-20 which also has a 7 lux rating. I think that you'd be surprised at how good low light on the A1 or H1 is. It has no problem with average indoor lighting at all.

dhill wrote on 10/13/2005, 11:21 PM

Hi Laurence...thanks for your reply. I read Spot's review of both hdv cams along with some others. They sound pretty good for the price. I'll wait and see if anyone else chimes in with other opinions.

I was also thinking of the pdx10 dvcam. But one review I read said that the A1U could be the new pdx10 for news crews, etc. wanting a small "cheap" camera for b roll stuff, so, maybe it's yesterday's news so to speak.

Guy Bruner wrote on 10/14/2005, 9:08 AM

I'd suggest the Panasonic DVC30. It has good low light and 3CCD color and is relatively compact (2.2 lbs).