Panasonic DVX100A is the prosumer 3 CCD model many 'movie-makers' like myself choose. In addition to broadcast quality 60i it also shoots in 24P [24fps non-interlaced] for results that look a bit more like film. They run around $3500.

To keep your accessories all in the same line, you might want to step up to the GS400, which is Pana's current top of the line. It is supposed to be MUCH better than their other 3-chippers. Supposedly it is better then the entire HC line from Sony. Don't know.

If you want to wait just a bit, and still want a Sony, consider the HDR-FX1, which is already being advertised for about $3200 in several places. It is supposed to go on sale this soon.

It is Sony's first sort-of High Definition camera. Not true 1920x1080, but then no one else is making the true HiDef units in reasonable size and price, or will make them, for quite some time, either. Probably three years of more.

www.camcorderinfo.com/content/ Sony-HDR-FX1-Canon-XL2-compared.htm
reviews.cnet.com/Sony_HDR-FX1/4505-6500_7-31085889.html
www.cnet.com.au/photography/ cameras/0,39025768,40001221,00.htm
reviews-zdnet.com.com/Sony_HDR_FX1/ 4505-6500_16-31085889.html
http://store.yahoo.com/1888camcorder/hdr-fx1.html

Good luck.

Which one is the Sony pro one, hmm I asked one videographer at a seminar I was speaking at, I think is was a 2000 series with a new release 3000 on the way, or some such (1000 with a 2000 being released soon?).. it was a full size pro video camera.. I asked him about it and he liked it..

btw that panasonic consumer one also has manual white balance etc I think, and it's top loading, great image quality... fwiw...I'll post a captured uncompressed avi clip later ..

ken

> I'll post a captured uncompressed avi clip later ..

Please do! I was eyeing that camera as well. Thanks!

I bought one two weeks ago and have used it for about 12 hours of filming.
I compared it to others in the $500 - $800 range and decided on it after reading reviews and playing with it a bit in the store.

First impressions are great.
Colors very accurate - even in difficult lighting situations without manual white balance.
Top loading is definately a requirement. Film replacement time reduced significantly.
Have not had or wanted to use the manual focus but it is available.
Still image quality comparable to my Nikon Mega Pixel camera. COncurrent picture taking is at 640 by 480 but is adequate for internet usage.
Zoom Microphone seems to produce better quality than other camera based microphones. I film high school marching bands and have noticed better clarity and less noise than before.
Negative is the small size just feels like a toy when not on the tripod. Also the small LCD screen I am used to a 3.5 inch and this comes with a 2 or 2.5.

All in All highly recommended.

We use two panasonic Ag-DVX100's for our event videography; they work great. We have not done any professional work using the 24p modes yet, but the 60i on F3 (spark setting) looks fabulous for weddings.

B

"I'll post a captured uncompressed avi clip later .."

And how will you get one of those? Is this not a DV camera?

Richard Hunter

Yes... so capturing raw uncompressed avi from the DV tape, I can post a clip from that..

ken

Ken,
I think the uncompressed quibble is that miniDV (DV 25) is already compressed by a factor of 5. I assume that you meant that you would not further comp[ress it??

Have had nothing but good things to say about the 60i with the AGDVX100 (not DVX100A). Can anyone tell me if the focus is auto on the DVX100A in the 24P or 30P, I know it's not in the DVX100 (one of the main reasons that I don't use 30P).

BTW, What is the Lense diamiter on the Sony PD170, I know that the DVX100 has a nice big lense at 72mm I think. maybe it was 77mm. eitherway, nice sized lenses make the difference for me, all other things being equal. (who knew, size really does matter)

Good points all, sorry you're getting over my head now (still learning all this stuff), so I can't help much re specs and advanced functionality of the different camcorders..

ken

The 100A has autofocus in all modes, including slow shutter. However in many modes the amount of data available means that finding focus may take quite some time. One test I read showed that at 24p and 1/4 sec shutter focus took over 60 seconds to determine. This isn't the cameras fault, just a fact of life.
These little 3 CCD cameras do give remarkable results however they don't come close to what better gear achieves. If you don't have a good studio monitor you may not see the difference, if you don't have decent audio monitors you may not hear the difference (funny again how no one mentions the sound quality!). For what it's worth here's my spin on it:
If you want a good general all round camera that'll cover most situations then either the PD170 or the AG DVC 30 are hard to beat, the DVC30 is a better camera in that it's built for a cameraman to use. The 170 offers better low light capabilities, take your pick.
If you want to shoot serious video in a controlled environment then you shouldn't be even thinking about low light, after all you're lighting the scene, then the DVX 100A is the go, the XL2 would also be a serious contender.
It's all a question of what you're shooting, there's no one shoe fits all.
HDV MAY change some of this, I think it's too early to tell but the one thing the new Sony HDV camera seems to offer and is being overlooked, is a decent, afforable way to shoot native 16:9 on DV25.

Bob.

Mandk, do you have any problems when filming marching bands in night competitions? I also video marching bands, usually at wide angle in night competitions in stadiums with their problematic stadium lights. I have an old SONY Digital 8 camcorder which has good low light sensitivity but stadium lights overload the CCD and cause vertical stripe which totally ruins the video unless I shade the lens. If it can take good statium video at night without the stadium lights overloading the camera then I may consider upgrading to this one

Hi Steve

If you visit www.mustangbandimages.com and look at the "2004 music bowl" performance option or the big red marching machine option you can see my wide angles and close ups. I took both frontal view cameras. THe wide angle was taken on my JVC GR800 the close-up fronts taken with the new Panasonic.

I had problems with the lights screwing up the videos last year until I learned to get the white balance correct (or at least a lot better than they are without manual adjustments). Its better but still not the quality of the higher end cameras which are way out of my budget.

Good luck with your marching band.

Best buy lowered their price to $625.
I am now editing footage shot with this camera and it is good. Even the wife said - that looks good is it the new camera?