Just wondering about the AGEZ1.. I can't afford much for a used camera but was wondering about the quality of the 1/3 chips of the AGEZ1 -VS- the new 120/200 cameras with the 1/6 inch chips.. I have a camera with a dead pixal that I can use as a deck so a firewire port isn't that important... I would love to have a 953 but they are a bit hard to find....anythoughts...

You'll probably run into high mileage concerns with the fragile tape assembly but judging by Bill's comments below it sounds decent for the age.

I've actually still use a pvdv1000 which is just the black version of the agez1u. It doesn't have firewire out, so you need either another dv camcorder or a dv deck to transfer the dv files into your computer. As far as footage quality goes, it's almost on par with a vx2000. Does good in low light ( I believe it has 1/3 chips) and good manuel controls. The on board mic (at least mine) isn't great.There's only the mini mic plug and you don't have any controll over audio levels. It doesn't have a flip out lcd, but the viewfinder is about the best one I've ever seen for a mini dv camcorder. It is an old model though, but I've held onto mine for 4 years now cause I'm still satisfied with the qaulity of the footage(I've also got a dvc30). I do notice mine is a little quirky with tape brands, panasonic tapes work with out a problem, but jvc tapes give error codes on ocasion( this could just be my camera),so I'd buy panasonic tapes just to be safe. Battery life sucks- about 50 minutes, so make sure you've got extra batteries or at least some of the extended runtime batteries.

- Bill Jernigan
Oct 13, 2004

Craig,

Sorry to be a little off topic, but where did you find the agez1 for sale?

I haven't really found one YET... but am really considering my options before trying buy a camera...I'm not even sure what the resolution is on these cameras verses the GS200 1/6 inch chips... just maybe it's not worth it and I should just buy a new pani and get it over with.. Also I personally believe the EZ1 has a better tape transport and the build quality is better on the EZ1. And that's why I'm looking at it... maybe even a DV1000 which is the same camera. If you have one let me know…. anyway hope that helps...