Hello, simple (but bang4buck) HD camcorder suggz

memannmusic wrote on 5/26/2014, 1:52 PM

Hi I mainly work with post prod (a/v ingestionand editing) and moreso with audio recording/production with vegas (and reaper, etc).

Now I'm wanting to upgrade myself to 1 or 2 decent HD camcorders (mainly for instructional videos, home vids, etc. Not indie/films, etc.)

I'm hoping some of you might best guide me on some camcorder deals or best bang4buck models to take a look at.

I currently have 2 old DV tape camcorders (Panasonic GS-500, 3ccd cams) and although not HD they still fit most needs. But I'd like to axe the process of dumping over from tape, move to HD and upgrade these old camcorders (with budget in mind).

Any 2010-2014 models I should look into? I'll be editing in Vegas of course so Vegas friendly format model suggestions would be great.
very affordable/get the job done HD kind of thing here (good low-light performance would be nice though).

bonus: would favor a camcorder that would allow for a separate audio in or better microphone for location shoots - but this isn't a must either.

And if there are models which allow for using my current lens add-ons (UV filter, wide-lens, etc.even better. Be nice (but not a must of course)
* I even wonder if there's panasonic HD camcorder models that might be able to use the same batteries/charger from these old PV- GS300/GS500 camcorders.

Thanks all!

AMD FX-8350 (8-core), Asus M5A97 mobo, 8GB Ram, Nvidia GTS-450, SSD OS drive w multiple sata HDDs, Win7u x64

Comments

musicvid10 wrote on 5/26/2014, 4:56 PM

Looks like you mentioned everything except your budget.
"Very affordable" could mean anything $500 - $50,000.

videoITguy wrote on 5/26/2014, 5:12 PM

Canon XA25

Steve Grisetti wrote on 5/26/2014, 6:16 PM

VideoITguy's suggestion is excellent, if you've got a semi-pro budget of $2500 or so.

Otherwise, if you're looking for affordable at more of a consumer level (around $500), you should definitely check out the Canon Vixia series -- AVCHD camcorders between $300 and $1000.

farss wrote on 5/26/2014, 6:31 PM

If you want balanced audio inputs for better microphones take a look at Sony's HXR-NX30. The nice thing is you can remove the audio bridge for when you want a less "pro" looking camera.
Don't be put off by the built in video projector, I've found it useful and the gyro stabilized lens can be very handy.

Bob.

OldSmoke wrote on 5/26/2014, 6:48 PM

Canon Vixia HF G30. Excellent picture, tons of features. It's basically a XA20 without the XLR.

musicvid10 wrote on 5/26/2014, 7:59 PM

Used Kodak Zx5 Playsport on craigslist, $35.

musicvid10 wrote on 5/26/2014, 8:05 PM

Arri Alexa.
$39,500 naked.

ushere wrote on 5/26/2014, 9:54 PM

+1 arri, but if your budget doesn't stretch that far....

there's a great many 'good' prosumer camcorders advertised on ebay. late model tape ones are especially cheap, and what you save can be spent on acquiring some form of hd recorder, mrck1 for sony, ninja, etc., etc.,

xberk wrote on 5/26/2014, 10:05 PM

I second the Sony NX30U. Got one about six weeks ago. Very very pleased so far. I believe this would be the best value or Bang4buck currently in the market for Prosumer models. Sony has a $200 rebate on it until June 30th making the camera around $1600 + tax.

John_Cline wrote on 5/27/2014, 1:31 AM

I'll go ahead and "third" the Sony NX30. I've got a client that shoots with it and it looks far better than a sub-$2000 camera should. She gets great results, the Active SteadyShot and face-tracking autofocus is flawless. She records audio from a variety of sources and it always sounds great. Having external XLR audio inputs is a must.

Rory Cooper wrote on 5/27/2014, 2:24 AM

Sony NEX VG 20 or 30 or 900

Then get yourself a 1.2 35mm prime lens and a 10-20 wide angle between the three lenses you will get to be a lot more creative with your shots, it also has jacks if you are using wireless mic. Can shoot 50 progressive and takes very good stills. Don’t pan with the 70 -300 attached lens except locked to 70.

The canon vixia series gives you amazing images.

memannmusic wrote on 5/27/2014, 3:15 AM

Oh that's a fantastic camera, Thanks! I'll have to hold off a bit and move on this when possible ($) but the reviews are stellar.

My budget was $200 to 500 (yes, just looking for a basic consumer HD camcorder, mainly tripod use filming artists, lessons, etc. And if a budget is a $200-500 HD camcorder, what would you then recommend?

I guess perhaps just my Samsung S4 at this point (32gig mem card) but trying to not tie that line up ;)

Former user wrote on 5/27/2014, 7:19 AM

Look at the Canon Vixia line. You can get Refurbished very cheap and I have had great luck with mine. I have the HFm40. It is very good in low light. allows an external microphone (mini plug). Can be completely auto or complety manual. 3rd party batteries are cheap. I have been blown away by what mine can do in bad lighting conditions. I don't know if they make this model anymore, but I love it. I got it for under $400 refurb and it was just like new.

Here is a video I did for my church with my Canon

Steve Grisetti wrote on 5/27/2014, 7:35 AM

I agree. Canon Vixias are the way to go. They're in your price range and they provide excellent bang for the buck!

_Lenny_ wrote on 5/28/2014, 2:31 PM

I have a European Canon M52. It shares the same sensor as the prosumer G20 (or it could be the G25).

Having watched the video above for the Sony NX30, I thought I'd look again at the settings in the Canon. In particular, image stabilisation. Until now, I had only used the 'basic' stabilisation mode, but today I tried out powered optical stabilisation, and it's truly astonishing.

I was out with the children, and we took a ride around town on a very jerky vehicle. VERY jerky. We were bouncing about all over the place.

Upon replay, I can see other passengers being shaken, but the image is rock steady.

So, I'll go with those who suggest the Vixia line. I prefer the colours from the Canon cameras; Sony always seems a little brownish to me. Also, the sensor, being only 2MP, has larger pixels and better light collecting properties than the Sony's. The downside is that they make lousy stills cameras.

There are plenty of manual settings, though they tend to be buried in menus. My M52 allows me one customisable button.

farss wrote on 5/28/2014, 3:48 PM

Memannmusic said:
[I]"My budget was $200 to 500 (yes, just looking for a basic consumer HD camcorder, mainly tripod use filming artists, lessons, etc. And if a budget is a $200-500 HD camcorder, what would you then recommend?"[/I]

I'd recommend staying with what you've got. That Panasonic camera was legendary with its three chips and I think more expensive than what you're looking to spend on a HD camera [I]with professional audio.[/I]

My suggestion would be to spend your limited budget on better audio kit. That'll mean double heading your shoots and a bit of pain syncing sound to vision in post but it'll be worth it. I'd look at investing in a Zoom H4n or better yet the H6. When you've got people talking having one close-up mic per person makes a considerable difference, especially if to date you're only using the on camera microphone.

Bob.

musicvid10 wrote on 5/28/2014, 9:52 PM

You can find a Canon HV30, HV50 at reasonable used prices, and an XHA1 if you're willing to look. Even the DV from the latter runs circles around the 3-chip Panny's I compared in the same venue; I can see a difference at a shooting distance of 15-20 feet.