Some highlights about the MX500 (PAL)

* Leica Dicomar Lens
* Optical Image Stabilizer
* 3.5" 200K LCD
* Frame Mode
* 16:9 Mode
* MPEG (Internet Movie)
* 3 Mega Pixel Still Picture Recording
* Pop-up Flash
* Mic Input Level Control
* Web Camera Function
* Independent 2-Step ND Filter
* 628K X 3 Video Effective CCD Pixels
* 748K X 3 Still Effective CCD Pixels
* Advanced Pixel Interpolation System
* 3-D RGB NR (Noise Reduction)

Wide Screen mode Vertical res: 576 TV Lines (720 pixels X 576 pixels). The MX300's vertical resolution is only 432 (TV Lines). Regular resolution: 934 X 768 pixels.

For a deeper look, check out the MX500 user manual and Power Point slides at:

www.dvfreak.com/pana_mx5.htm

For shooting video with the intent of transferring to film, there are a number of options. The better the cam (higher resolution), the better the results once on film. There are 2 main ways of doing this, for shooters on a tight budget---which is largely dependant on the transfer lab one plans to use.

For best results, shoot PAL and in 25P, with the shutter set at 1/50th. If you go this route, consider, www.swisseffects.ch as your transfer lab. If you decide to go with NTSC, then shoot interlaced, with your shutter set at 1/60th. www.digitalfilmgroup.net is a good bet with this option. (If you let your shutter speeds wander, or vary, the transfer lab will have one heck of a time with the process, and your end quality will suffer---it'll also cost you more.)

There are many options, and many dos and don'ts. So always check with the transfer lab first, even before you go out and buy your new cam!

Considering the shooter is on a budget, either the PAL MX500, or the NTSC MX5000 are very good options, for cams. Their video quality is high, and their costs are low. Plus, the 16:9 mode lets you get good results without going to a costly, 16:9 lens adaptor: "There is something different with the Wide Screen Mode from the MX300. The MX300 converted 720 x 576 to 720 x 432. Then x 1.33 zoom applied to vertical. MX500 starts with 934 x 768 then converted to 720 x 576 without zoom. Almost appears natural!"

If you go with the NTSC route (on a budget), check out these NTSC cams:

1) MX5000
2) VX2000
3) GL2
4) TRV950

For good reading about shooting DV for film, start here:

www.geocities.com/hollywood/location/5272