Comments

riredale wrote on 3/8/2004, 10:16 PM
Do a search on this. I recall there was a rather extensive thread on this subject a few months ago.
GaryKleiner wrote on 3/8/2004, 10:33 PM
Your question is very general.
There is a wide range of camcorders and users.
To get a meaningful answer, type of use, shooting conditions, experience of the user, and price range would all have to be addressed.

Gary
craftech wrote on 3/9/2004, 5:12 AM
VX2000. Great camera, especially for low light. Reliable too. Has been replaced by the VX2100 which is esentially the same.

John
TorS wrote on 3/9/2004, 5:22 AM
I am sorry, but this is a rather silly way to use this good forum. If you want to know about a good camera for a certain kind of use, by all means ask away. But to simply ask what everybody is using - what's the point? Why do you want to know?
Tor
jdas wrote on 3/9/2004, 6:54 AM
I have a Vx2000 Sony. No regrets...period.
cyanide149 wrote on 3/9/2004, 8:48 AM
Canon Gl2. Better zoom and optics than the Sony. And don't believe all the "low light" hype.
SonyEPM wrote on 3/9/2004, 8:56 AM
PD170- like it.
rebel44 wrote on 3/9/2004, 9:47 AM
JVC GDR-DVF21U it is MiniDV NTSC camcorder. I love it.
Rendering in 720x480 give to me good sharp clips.
AnotherMovieMaker wrote on 3/9/2004, 9:50 AM
Canon GL2
Dwuane wrote on 3/9/2004, 9:57 AM
Canon XL1's, and Sony DCR-VX-2000. Like them both very much.

Dwuane
corug7 wrote on 3/9/2004, 11:42 AM
I'm using a Sony VX-2000 and a Panasonic PV-DV953. The Sony has a sharper picture and better color saturation due to its larger lens and larger ccd chips, but is big for a handheld camera and is a little front heavy. It also is more expensive than the Panasonic, but it is a VERY good prosumer camera. The Panasonic is small, light, and gives a very good picture for the price, which is about $1000 less than the Sony. There is less color saturation due to the fact that the ccds are small (1/6 inch), and this camera is not as good in low light for the same reason. Still, it has a lot of neat features including the ability to print to MPEG-4 in camera, a large viewscreen, and the ability to shoot 3.0mp (interpolated) stills. At about $1200 street, it is really hard to go wrong with this camera if you are a hobbyist. Hope this helped in some way.

Corey
Grazie wrote on 3/9/2004, 11:44 AM
Canon XM2 - It's the Dog's Testicles!

Grazie
BE0RN wrote on 3/9/2004, 11:51 AM
xl1s
munkee wrote on 3/9/2004, 1:29 PM
Thanks for ALL the tips! Please know I did try doing several searches but came up with about 300+ links on this forum. I'm looking for a decent camera within about a 1500-2500 budget.Shoot Music Videos, Idie films etc. Many people at my work say use the new Panasonic AG100a( the model number may not be right).

I work for a Film School and most all the people are more into film cameras(Airflex, Panavision etc) So it's hard to so it's hard to get a solid opinion since Film cameras are mostly used and the people are biased to film rather than DV.
Jay Gladwell wrote on 3/9/2004, 1:36 PM
The Canon XL1s and its open architecture comes closest to a film camera. Moving from film to video, as I did, I chose the XL1s for that reason.

J--
Laser wrote on 3/9/2004, 1:55 PM
I am using the new Panasonic AGDVX-100A and love it.
busterkeaton wrote on 3/9/2004, 1:57 PM
The new Panasonic is highly regarded, but i think it's out of your price range.

B and H has it at $3900. If you are going to make money with the camera, and can make the purchase price back I would get it, but otherwise you are looking at the Canon or the Sony.
mark2929 wrote on 3/9/2004, 2:22 PM
Thats easy the best Camcorder In the WORLD. is a SONY DSR570WSP with FUJINON LENS. We all have our Dreams. That is mine.
JJKizak wrote on 3/9/2004, 2:33 PM
XL1-s
JJK
ScottW wrote on 3/9/2004, 3:05 PM
Beach Camera is listing the DVX100A for $3199, which is quite a bit cheaper than B&H. The DVX100 is something like $2700.
busterkeaton wrote on 3/9/2004, 3:54 PM
Is Beach reputable?
RedEyeRob wrote on 3/9/2004, 4:01 PM
Nobody has mentioned the DVC80. The best audio of any camera mentioned here besides it's cousin and it can be had at buydig.com for just over $1900. If you can live without 24p it's a good buy. I use the DVC80 and a GL2.
ScottW wrote on 3/9/2004, 4:02 PM
I've never ordered from Beach, so I can't say. I did just find a lower price though - $2975 at Broadway Photo (bwayphoto.com). Now if I could just convince the wife that I need a new toy.
winrockpost wrote on 3/9/2004, 4:19 PM
Xl1 with a burnt pixel & a pd 170 go into vegas.