I'm currently looking to purchase several cameras and I'm currently looking at either Sony HXR-MC2000 or Panasonic AG-AC8 or JVC GY-HM70. I know there are better cameras then these, but I'm wanting something in this price range.

Just wondering if anyone has any thoughts on which is the best out of the three?

Thanks
Matt

Out of those three, I'd choose the AC8.

From what I've seen, it has the best picture quality. It also has the best lens, with a zoom range of 21x.

The Sony is getting a bit old now and doesn't do 1080p50, if that's important to you.

The one interesting thing about the JVC is the slowmo, but the picture quality deteriorates badly when using it.

I owned a Sony MC2000, basically a low end consumer camera stuck into a shoulder mounted form factor, I didn't like it much, it wasn't good in low light either.

I dont have any experience of the other cameras mentioned.

Thanks for the replies.

Yeah, I was looking through the reviews of the MC2000 and JVC this afternoon and decided against them, still not convinced in the AG-AC8 either though, not much footage around.

Do many places allow you to buy and try it out and return if it won't work for what you need it for?

I owned a Sony MC2000, basically a low end consumer camera stuck into a shoulder mounted form factor, I didn't like it much, it wasn't good in low light either.
I think similar could be said of them all - I'm afraid it's a case of you get what you pay for..........

A friend of mine has just bought an AC-8 and seems pretty pleased with it...it's probably got the most up to date sensor but again you must not expect it to perform the same as a $10K camera ... they give a lot of bang for buck but you will have to use a light in dingy places.

If you can up your budget the AC-90 is maybe somewhat better with backlit chips and also very clean gain and still under $2000

Chris

I may indeed get a AC-90 along with a AC8 for B-Roll/2nd Camera for Events.

I already own a DSLR (550D with ML installed) and they don't do it for me for shooting events, as I need a good Zoom, less shallow DOF, to perform well handheld and the occasional good in semi-low light situations. I only ever use my DSLR as a Static camera shooting a wider shot, when shooting an event.

Edit.
Just a thought, how well would the AC8 and AC90 cut together, that's one of the reasons I was wanting to purchase two cameras as for events, I hate being able to tell that the two cameras were different when shooting an event.

Edit.
I'd be happy with an AC8 if it performed as good or better then my Sony Z1, getting tired of tapes, really need to go completely tapeless this year, haha. I'm really open to suggestions of what cameras I could think about, as I'm not that familar with anything other then the DSLRs and "Cinematic" ranges. Ideally, I'm looking for something that has a similar form factor as the Z1 (or bigger ie. Shoulder Mount) and that is card based.

Hi Matt

The AC-8 is the cheaper camera..why not buy one and give it a try and if at worst you hate it, stick it on eBay!!

Personally I find shoulder mount cams the best for events ..I do mostly weddings and bear in mind that the AC-90 is NOT shoulder mount ... I prefer identical cameras!

LED on camera lights are really cheap and good nowdays ..even TV studios have them as a permanent fixture on their ENG cameras so get used to using one when the light fades ... the PowerLED lights are excellent and most of the time you are simply using the light as a fill as all are now dimmable.

Chris

I'm tempted to get two AC-90 but the NTSC models that are in stock in the UK as there around £400 - £500 cheaper here, but I know I'd be limited to 60, 30 and 24fps but I believe all DVDs players play 30fps nowadays don't they?

The low light on the AC-90 looks a lot better then the AC8 which would be more helpful for me.

Matt??

I would definitely stick with a PAL model!! Global Media Pro sell them for GBP 1080.

You will have big hassles filming under 50Hz lighting with a machine designed for 60Hz lighting ... stuff like strip lighting alone with cause issues!!

Chris

Yeah, I will go for a PAL model, thinking about the Panasonic AC90 now though, cheapest I can find a PAL model for this is £1,494.00 from ProAV

Hi Matt

My list price from Global Media Pro (I have bought lots from them) is 1080 BUT that's without shipping and I assume if you get a camera from overseas you will have to pay VAT???

The reason I never went for AC-90's last year was mainly the fact that there is NO auto control on the XLR channels and at events like weddings the audio levels change so much that trying to do manual audio would be a nightmare. That was a BIG problem for me so I jumped ship to Sony and the EA-50's but they are double the price of the AC-90! Overall, after being a Panasonic user for over 20 years, the AC series just didn't impress me at all! I had two AC-130's after my HMC series cameras and quickly sold them within 3 months.

Before you make a decision, what exactly are you proposing to film?? Maybe a DSLR will do the job for your needs.. they are tough to use handheld but on a tripod they do a good job and there are plenty within your price range too!! I'm a huge fan of shoulder mount cameras and don't think I could shoot successfully with anything else after all this time, but that's just me! If I had bought AC-90's I would have had to buy a complex rig to make it shoulder mount.

Chris

I already have a Canon 550D (bit dated now granted) but they don't suit me when shooting any live events handheld, I'm also not keen on how the handle focusing. I prefer to use DSLR for shoots where you have time to plan your shot and re-do it if needs be.

I'm currently shooting any event work that requires handheld with my Sony Z1 and a Canon 550D as a wide static shot, but I've had enough with tapes.

Edit.
Do you have a link for Global Media Pro? When I go on it, It doesn't seem to work correctly.

Thanks

Do you have a link for Global Media Pro? When I go on it, It doesn't seem to work correctly.


Global Media Pro don't list the AC8, only the AC90 (PAL)

Panasonic AG-AC90 AVCHD Camcorder PAL (AG-AC90E AG-AC90EJ, AG-AC90EN, AG-AC90P, AG-AC90PJ) (http://www.globalmediapro.com/dp/A2HAD0/Panasonic-AG-AC90-AVCHD-Camcorder-PAL/)

And they don't list that here in the UK by the looks.

Sorry guys the PAL version of the AC-8 is called the MDH2 in PAL land !!

Forgot about that!! The AC90, 130 and 160 kept their model numbers but for some reason they changed the AC-8 .... The PAL AC-7 camera was called the MDH1 and I remember my good ole AVC20 cameras were called MD10000's here.

Chris

I think I may get the AC90 as I'm not convinced that the AC8 will be usuable in any sort of lower lighting conditions.

I own two of the AG-AC8's. They are great all around cameras, I use them for Conventions, Corporate, and Weddings. Great picture quality, up to 28meg per sec at 60p, the new sensor is good in low light, better then our 3 Chip HMC-80. 3 chip is not really a concern anymore, there are lots of pro cams out there that are single chip with great quality picture.

The main thing for me is not what the Techno Geeks say, it's what my customers say, and they love the quality of their end product, and the Pro look on the job.

You can see my review on B&H Photo at
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=NavBar&A=getItemDetail&Q=&sku=1007127&is=REG&si=rev#costumerReview
along with a picture comparing the two cameras.

Hi Kurt

Sadly we tend to become obsessed with the highest specs and the ability to be able to shoot at the best possible bitrate and quality. All that really matters is that the client loves it! I think we tend to "pixel peep" and worry about stupid things that most people don't really see! With weddings, does the brides carefully examine the footage to see if any noise is there or if the resolution is up to par? Of course not! She is more interested in whether her and her wedding party look stunning and pretty. As long as you have sharp focus and the pink bridesmaid's dresses are not orange then she will be overjoyed!

I have a mate here with the PAL version of the AC-8 and he is happy with it. If the camera struggles in low light then simply add a light!! Shucks with my big Sony's when all the lights are turned down when the dancing starts I also have to add a light so that's no big deal!

The only thing the AC-8 doesn't have is XLR audio channels and a simple splitter plugged in (or if you REALLY need XLR's a BeachTek box is all you need.

I would actually in the price range still choose the AC-8 over the AC-90 simply cos for events you will get better stability with a shoulder mount camera and at events often a tripod is impractical!!

Good choice for a budget camera !! I did many many weddings on my old DVC-20's with only SD recording to tape and tiny 1/6" chips and never had a bridal complaint!!

Chris

Kurt, how's the manual controls of the AG-AC8? The fact it as only one ring that cotnrols focus, iris and zoom worries me slightly.

Do you have any low light examples?

Also, the AC90 offers numerous shooting styles (not sure what there actually called picture profiles?) with one that's quite flat, is there these on the AC8? Only ask as I'm planning to shoot mutli-cam with a DSLR as a wider static shot so would need something that I could grade to match.

I know that I could add light, but for the odd occasion it's not possible, so I can of need something that can handle both. My main worry about the AC8, it looked like it adds alot of motion blur in low light. Is there a Gain setting like 0DB, 3DB etc or is it all automatic?

I've been tempted to get a Ac8 and AC90 (one of each) to be able to compare the two and then get a second of the camera I prefer at a later date, but can't make up my mind if that be a waste of money.

I have had the JVC GY-HM70. Not bad in low light but not great either. I have now the panasonic HC-X920 I use for filming events (I use the 25x IA zoom) because my sony NEX-EA50 has only 11x zoom.

To use the nex-ea50 as shoulder cam you need a heavy counter weight. I have that but I prefer it was better balanced.

So I'm still interest in this one for 3rd camcorder. Any low light footage?