I am thinking of buying either one of the following in the next few days:

- Sony VX2100,
- Panasonic AG-DVC30.

I know the low-light ability of the VX2100 as it is well documented, has low-res 1/3" CCDs, HAD, etc. I really like the DVC30 better because of its smaller size and a few of its other features. What I want to know is how well does it perform in low-light compared to the VX2100? I assume it will be less but by how much?

Does anyone here use a DVC30 for indoor / night family shots with typical home lighting? If so can I see a capture? I don't care about night-shot / IR mode, etc. I want to know about natural available light ability, wide-aperture / maybe increased gain, shots.

Please read this to learn more about my frustrations and why I so vehemently desire to have these questions answered.

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?s=&postid=233370#post233370

Sorry for being so frantic about this but I want to have a good holiday season with the family starting on Halloween, video-wise. My Optura PI is so nice, but just not quite enough for me in the lowest lighting.

Thanks very much

Hank, I've owned way more camcorders than I should have over the last few years and hands down the VX2000/VX2100 is AMAZING in low light. The DVC30 is a great cam but its not going to come any closer in low light performance than any of the other 1/4" 3CCD cams. There really is no comparison!

The DVC30 is no small cam and I actually think the VX2000/VX2100 is slimmer, just longer.

Back in 2001 my second digital camcorder purchase was a VX2000 and I still have one to this day for its superior video quality in dim lighting.

The other cams I've owned:

DCR-TRV120
DCR-VX2000
DSR-PDX10
PV-DV852
PV-DV953
NV-GS100
GR-DVL9000U
VL-AX1U
Optura Pi
Optura Xi
AG-DVX100A

Go for the VX2100 and you won't be disappointed.

<<<-- Originally posted by Tommy Haupfear :
The DVC30 is no small cam and I actually think the VX2000/VX2100 is slimmer, just longer. -->>>

I believe the VX2100 is about 6" longer than the DVC30, which is a lot if you want a family camcorder IMO. You can also remove the DVC30 handle if you want a smaller form factor. Not a super-compact size, but much more manageable.

I've been satisfied with the household indoor low light capability of the DVC30. With several lights on (overhead 65W floods), I've been able to get good (not perfect) images without adding any additional lighting at 0dB gain.

(That said, I'd have much preferred the 1/3" chips in the Sony....)

Your best bet is to buy from a source that has a decent return policy in case the cam doesn't live up your expectations. I wasn't satisfied the DVC30 would meet my needs until I'd used it under the actual conditions that matter to me.

His anyone used the optional Infra Red light on the DVC30?

Not the built in light, but the "AG-YRL30G" that Panasonic claims is good out to 100 feet...

Thanks,
millrick