Best camcorder between $2000 & $2800 at DVinfo.net

Kenneth Maultsby · February 14th, 2013, 12:59 PM

Hello everyone I am looking for some opinions on camcorders in this price range. The one's I am looking at the following.
Sony HXR-Nx70u compact $2800
Canon XF-100 $2785
JVC GY-HMI Compact $2000
Panasonic AG-AC90 $2000
I am trying stay closer to low $2k as possible, I am not a pro but I would like to have a good second camera for special events. I own a Sony HDR-CX550 now.

Robert Young · February 15th, 2013, 12:25 AM

You might also want to look at the Sony NX 30:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/853433-REG/Sony_HXR_NX30_HD_Compact_Camcorder.html
It's at the low end of your budget, should be easy to match footage with your CX 550, and it has the removable pro audio handle that allows for shotgun mic, wireless, mic, etc. if needed.
Otherwise, you can remove the handle and it looks like and functions as an updated CX550.

Noa Put · February 15th, 2013, 02:38 AM

I"d get the ac90, you get a whole lot of camera for that price.

Scott Hutchcroft · February 18th, 2013, 07:49 AM

Although I have not used the AC90 it would be the camera I would get. I have an AC130a and I love it. What I love about Panasonic is all of the features to help you get the shot right in a run and gun scenario. Red peaking, focus assist, a trustworthy EVF, etc. It is a very reliable camera that produces good images, great for weddings and events.

Ron Evans · February 18th, 2013, 08:28 AM

The NX30 has the advantage of using the same batteries as the CX550 ( or at least the CX550 can use the same batteries as the NX30) LANC controller is the same and the NX30 has spot focus, the AC90 only has face tracking. So you can do a rack focus just by touching the LCD on the Sony's not possible with the AC90. The NX30 also has an amazing stabilizer too if you are handheld all the time.

Ron Evans

Dave Blackhurst · February 18th, 2013, 11:45 AM

Really depends on your shooting situations - the CX550 is still a fine little cam, the NX30 is two generations later, with some definite improvements, but should mix well, as would most Sonys.

Can you define your uses a little more? Any interest at all in a large sensor camera like a VG20 or a DSLR/DSLT?

On the one hand, another "Handycam" might be the easy solution, and they do the job, but perhaps you have specific goals in mind for your "upgrade"? Might help to know a bit more about the goals and shooting "style".

Sherman Bahr · May 25th, 2013, 01:53 AM

The big question here is what are you using the camera for? A lot of the camcorders in that price range have 10X lenses. Have you looked into the Canon XA10 or the forth coming XA20? Good luck with your search, do a lot of research and ask a lot of questions and you'll do fine.

Matt Sharp · May 27th, 2013, 08:05 PM

For the size/price cameras you're looking at I'd suggest the Canon HF-G30/XA20 (or G20 if you don't care about 60P or 20X lens).

I have a NX70 and run a CX700, A57, and NEX-5R as B-cams. I'm replacing the CX700 soon and am seriously looking at the HF-G30 and Sony VG30.

February 14th, 2013, 12:59 PM	#1
Kenneth Maultsby Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Pomona California Posts: 51	Best camcorder between $2000 & $2800 Hello everyone I am looking for some opinions on camcorders in this price range. The one's I am looking at the following. Sony HXR-Nx70u compact $2800 Canon XF-100 $2785 JVC GY-HMI Compact $2000 Panasonic AG-AC90 $2000 I am trying stay closer to low $2k as possible, I am not a pro but I would like to have a good second camera for special events. I own a Sony HDR-CX550 now.

February 15th, 2013, 12:25 AM	#2
Robert Young Trustee Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Coronado Island Posts: 1,472	Re: Best camcorder between $2000 & $2800 You might also want to look at the Sony NX 30: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/853433-REG/Sony_HXR_NX30_HD_Compact_Camcorder.html It's at the low end of your budget, should be easy to match footage with your CX 550, and it has the removable pro audio handle that allows for shotgun mic, wireless, mic, etc. if needed. Otherwise, you can remove the handle and it looks like and functions as an updated CX550. __________________ Bob

February 15th, 2013, 02:38 AM	#3
Noa Put Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Belgium Posts: 9,510	Re: Best camcorder between $2000 & $2800 I"d get the ac90, you get a whole lot of camera for that price.

February 18th, 2013, 07:49 AM	#4
Scott Hutchcroft New Boot Join Date: May 2012 Location: Knoxville, TN Posts: 21	Re: Best camcorder between $2000 & $2800 Although I have not used the AC90 it would be the camera I would get. I have an AC130a and I love it. What I love about Panasonic is all of the features to help you get the shot right in a run and gun scenario. Red peaking, focus assist, a trustworthy EVF, etc. It is a very reliable camera that produces good images, great for weddings and events.

February 18th, 2013, 08:28 AM	#5
Ron Evans Inner Circle Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Posts: 4,222	Re: Best camcorder between $2000 & $2800 The NX30 has the advantage of using the same batteries as the CX550 ( or at least the CX550 can use the same batteries as the NX30) LANC controller is the same and the NX30 has spot focus, the AC90 only has face tracking. So you can do a rack focus just by touching the LCD on the Sony's not possible with the AC90. The NX30 also has an amazing stabilizer too if you are handheld all the time. Ron Evans

February 18th, 2013, 11:45 AM	#6
Dave Blackhurst Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Apple Valley CA Posts: 4,874	Re: Best camcorder between $2000 & $2800 Really depends on your shooting situations - the CX550 is still a fine little cam, the NX30 is two generations later, with some definite improvements, but should mix well, as would most Sonys. Can you define your uses a little more? Any interest at all in a large sensor camera like a VG20 or a DSLR/DSLT? On the one hand, another "Handycam" might be the easy solution, and they do the job, but perhaps you have specific goals in mind for your "upgrade"? Might help to know a bit more about the goals and shooting "style".

May 25th, 2013, 01:53 AM	#7
Sherman Bahr Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Newbury Park CA Posts: 53	Re: Best camcorder between $2000 & $2800 The big question here is what are you using the camera for? A lot of the camcorders in that price range have 10X lenses. Have you looked into the Canon XA10 or the forth coming XA20? Good luck with your search, do a lot of research and ask a lot of questions and you'll do fine. __________________ Sony And Canon Prosumer And Professional Camcorder Repair www.VideoOneRepair.com

May 27th, 2013, 08:05 PM	#8
Matt Sharp Major Player Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Northridge, CA Posts: 280	Re: Best camcorder between $2000 & $2800 For the size/price cameras you're looking at I'd suggest the Canon HF-G30/XA20 (or G20 if you don't care about 60P or 20X lens). I have a NX70 and run a CX700, A57, and NEX-5R as B-cams. I'm replacing the CX700 soon and am seriously looking at the HF-G30 and Sony VG30. Last edited by Matt Sharp; May 27th, 2013 at 08:37 PM.