Camcorder

meksmk wrote on 8/10/2012, 11:08 AM
I'm replacing a 3 year old non full HD Panasonic camcorder and was looking for some recommendations. I don't do anything professional. I'm doing mostly family and some free video work for different groups - mostly yearend sports videos. I'm eyeing the Sony HDR-CX260V but also have read a little about the Panasonic HCV700MK. Both have their downsides. Some say sound on the Sony is not good while some mention mechanical noise with the Panasonic. I want to stay around $500 or less. There are getting to be so many choices and opinions on websites that you can get confused quickly. Don't know what to believe.

Thanks,

Mike

Comments

D7K wrote on 8/10/2012, 12:57 PM
I too am looking to replace my little Vixia HF100. So far I'm also looking at these two cameras (don't think I need the projector on the sony).

Very hard to decide which is best. One of the key things I like about the sony is mic and headphone imputs. That is a key issue for me on the panasonic - how to you know what your sound is like. But it the reviewers seem to really like its quality.

I mainly use my Nikon D7000 on a tripod, cinema loupe, and a Rhode mic....but for establishing/run & gun my HF100 has done well. but I want something with a higher bit rate.

Anyone who has information on the Best sub $500 I'd love to hear (so would the OP I think).
meksmk wrote on 8/13/2012, 9:38 PM
I took the plunge D7K and got the Panasonic HCV700MK 3D Full HD 28mm Wide Angle SD Camcorder with 16GB Internal Memory (Black). After reading all the reviews and all the comments at any number of sites, this is probably the best bang for the buck. Let you know how it turns out. Although anything will be an upgrade to what I'm using now.
D7K wrote on 8/14/2012, 9:24 AM
I'm goning with the Sony for two reasons:

1. I need the external headphone jack
2. It's 37mm on the filter thread and I have the Canon Wideangle and telephone convertors which are 37mm. It will be interesting to see the .7 WA on the Sony at 21mm.

But if I didn't have those two things I'd have picked the Pany 700, It does sound like a very nice camera. Actually my like HF100 is a great camera but I want 1080P, higher bit rate, and better low light (nothing with beat the low light of my D7000 for what I can afford, its just not a "run and gun" solution.

Best of luck with your Pany 700.