Yeah, you're probably right, Mike. Although here's an AG-EZ30 going for $400...
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...e=STRK:MEWA:IT

...and here's an AG-EZ1 (PV-DV1000) for $500, unbid on...
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...sPageName=WDVW

...a VX700 for $480...
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...834599217&rd=1

those aren't the same cams I mentioned, but they would be better than most of the new ones you could get for $500. Keep looking for deals online, specifically on Ebay and you should find something worthwhile...

PS - I wasn't trying to be sarcastic by saying you're right, Mike, and then listing Ebay auctions to try to prove otherwise. You are mostly right about those models, but there are a couple of VX1000's that look like they may stay around $500 on there right now. Ebay is a world of "who knows" if you look long enough (I got my PV-DV851 brand new on there for $200).

Thanks for the info Bill. Certainly lot's to check out. Anyone else??

When you say low light, if you mean light that is low enough that you have a hard time reading, then the Sony PD170 is about the only camera for you. Not a removable lens but it does have the audio you want and it is hammer-rugged.

Thanks Cory, Mike, Jesse

Your advice was very helpful and gave me things to check into. Unfortunately once the bidding gets advanced, I'm being priced out of the TRV900.

What about the Sony VX700 as a stepping stone camera?

Celia I think that cam would be great to get started. Hell its better than my ZR60. Also on a site I read it has a 1/2 chip, which is pretty darn good. Id say go for it.

The VX700 was a single-chip version of the VX-1000 and not at all popular. Not popular is not the same thing as not good.

If it had controlable audio, it would be an OK choice. \

You might think about shooting with S-VHS. A Panasonic 456 is down around your ballpark.

There are very good Hi-8 cameras out there but unfortunately, Sony stopped making the extremely good tape and dropouts can be a problem with the second-best tape from Fuji.

I used to work for a huntin show too...I agree with Mike as far as the PD-170 goes, I just got one the other day, but I do have issues with the lense, I don't think that you'll have enough zoom for hunting type applications. It would do well if your subject is close in, but that's not always the case. As far as low light, it is great.

I would go for the XL-2, because of the 20x zoom and the interchangable lens..

But that's just my opinion..........Happy Huntin...

Hi - What did you end up getting?

Never made a choice
 

We decided to hold off for the time being. For 80% of our clients to date, we haven't needed the new camera. When we have needed the higher-end camera we've rented.

Never made a choice
 

We decided to hold off for the time being. For 80% of our clients to date, we haven't needed the new camera. When we have needed the higher-end camera we've rented.

stay with the xl1
 

Why not stay with your xl1 and buy a mini35? You can then rent film lenses as needed per shoot. This not only gives YOU great picture images but it will give the CLIENT a very high tech professional "image" Look around on some of the other threads for pictures of the xl1 with mini35 setups. There is no way a client is going to think that doesn't look profesional.

Where can I go to compare a Sony DSR390 vs a Panasonic DVC200? I'm now looking for a higher end camera. At this point I'm looking to spend less than $10,000. Don't worry about accesseries such as lights/mics/batteries/tripods/etc.

Is one better than the other?? Also, what's the difference between DV and DVCAM tape, since the DVC200 is DV and the DSR390 is DVCAM?

The DVC200 is a proper $10k system, a 390 system will cost more, given everything you need.

DVCAM runs at a higher speed and uses 50% more of the space than DV, but the image quality should be the same. You rarely hear of any dropouts with DVCAM cameras. But, as noted, the 390 costs significantly more than the DVC200. I'm not sure it's worth the difference in cost for most people.

What are the differences between the DVC200 and the DSR390?