Sony HXR-MC50E Camera

Downunder wrote on 10/13/2011, 4:19 AM

HiYa all

I am thinking of buying a Sony HXR-MC50E video camera. Has anyone been using one and or can anyone let me know their thoughts, pros, cons etc. I know there are some cons re manual focus and audio adjustment and no XLR, but I have seen that one can buy an XLR twin adapter to plug into the stereo mini jack...what's your thoughts on this? The camera is to be be used for both simple small (sic) production and video for the web.

Look forward to your input.

Cheers fron Downunder

Comments

farss wrote on 10/13/2011, 4:42 AM

If you've got no manual audio gain control then adding an external XLR adaptor seems kind of pointless to me.
For anything with "production" in the same I'd suggest a camera that gives you more control with less features that you'll never need.

Bob.

Downunder wrote on 10/13/2011, 5:40 AM

Hi Bob

the BeachTek DXA-2T XLR adapter allows one to trim the audio (without monitors though). For the type of work I will be doing I am just looking for a small camera which is easy and quick to set up and produces a great picture without as you say "features that I will never use". I am just wanting a simple camera to point and record and also to connect a wirless mic. I can buy this cam in US for AU$1370 (without the BeachTek). The reviews I have read give a glowing report on the video quality. but I would really appreciate if someone owns one to add more 1st hand info of what they think of it or recommend another camera. I do more editing/audio work but when I have to do some coporate work I hire a couple of Sony HVR-V1P cams. I just want my own cam when I need to do some simple single cam shooting of a person promoting their products.

D

farss wrote on 10/13/2011, 5:59 AM

"the BeachTek DXA-2T XLR adapter allows one to trim the audio (without monitors though)."

Not really, the automatic gain control in the camera will do it's best to defeat your efforts at adjusting the level.

I would suggest you look at a camera such as the new Canon XA10. I've had it in my hand for about as long as David Hague, his review is here. As he says it looks and feels like the real deal with all the gubbins and the detachable audio bridge is a nice feature. It can also shoot progressive which will be of considerable advantage if you're shooting content for the web. As far as I can tell the MC50 only does interlaced.

Bob.

Marc S wrote on 10/13/2011, 2:27 PM

I own the USA version and although I've captured some nice footage with it I would buy another camera if I had to do it again. Why? Because it claims to have manual controls but in reality does not. Here's a review I posted a while back on DV Info.

http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/avchd-format-discussion/484477-my-sony-hxr-mc50u-review.html

Weldon wrote on 10/13/2011, 8:24 PM

I have had the US model since last year and I like it. You can do certain manual controls such as focus, apeture, exposure and a few more though it is somewhat difficult. I think for the money, it's a great little camera. Very small profile lets me shoot people without drawing alot of attention. Audio is good as is stabilizer. Does only shoot interlace..not that big of a deal to me today. I would be happy to send you some of my recent work if you want.
I really want the FS100 and hope to be there by next spring but would still use this camera as a "b".

Marc S wrote on 10/14/2011, 3:56 AM

The problem with the manual controls is that you can only choose one at a time. So for example if you set your shutter to 60 your iris goes into auto mode. If you set your iris to manual your shutter then goes into auto mode. So it's not really capable of manual control even though Sony advertises it as manual. Very misleading and frustrating when trying to control the shot. The stabilizer is very nice but I think there are newer camera models (including other brands) to consider if you want true manual control.