Hello,
I’m a student in Turkey.
I am interesting in video art and video activism. I have some short films and some activist videos played on some regions in Europe.
By editing some videos i must work very fast, to catch the day.
My old cam, SONY DCR 39E is a DV-Tape camcorder, which is a time consume for capturing the tapes.
Now, i want to buy a new camcorder to a new short film. I need a high definition camcorder with Hard Disk Drive (or memory card) …
I can’t decide the brand and model.
I have about 800 dollars.
SONY HDR-SR10E
JVC Everio GZ H05
Canon Vixia HF100
Canon Vixia HG 20
or some other…
Please help me to give a decision…
Dear,
it doesn’t matter that the camcorder carries which brand. All the matter is what you want to do and which one can perform it better for you.
HiDef camcorder is common todays but try to find one that has most of these things:
1.Long lasting battery
2.Wider or bigger lens wich gives you a better view and wider angle. Besides, it must have the ability to add another lens such as tele, wide or filter.
3.It must be able to set the lens manualy than auto. Do not notice to auto lenses with auto focus. These lens have problem in moving objects that moves slow in the focus.
4.It must gives you the maual white balance. This is so important to capture natural scences.
5.Input and output ports are important too. A full por camcorder is a cam that have at least i-link (IEEE 1394 or FireWire), USB, In and Out for S-Video, I/O for Video Component, I/O for audio component and Microphone In.
6.Ability to attach another mic with Hot Shoe.
7.Hot Shoe that makes you attach extra devices such as Mic, DC Light, DC Flash and etc,
Remember, larger and colorfuller LCD will not help you more.
Automatic and artificial AE Programs won’t help you capture better.
Zooms an specialy digital zoom are not good features. Because you won’t need more than 10x zoom in most scences.
Recording in 1080p, recording in 24p format must be in your list.
Actually, I have the Sony HDR-SDR10E
and I have it for about a year now.. and WOW! It does make a diference in Recording! Its worth it having one! I recomend you buying sony.. its the best quality ever!
It comes with a 40gb HDD and It records in 5.1 Surround Sound! I REALLY RECOMEND YOU THAT SONY! But Of course there are better sony ones.. but they cost about $3,000 dollars! so…
My Opinion is that Sony! REAL HIGH DEFINITION QUALITY!