The gigantic "which camera should I buy" thread!

Lee Sze Yong · November 22nd, 2005, 11:17 PM

dear all

just been selected to take part in a 5 day film-making challenge in singapore

http://www.phoenixinwonderland.com/s...e5guerilla.php

the challenge does not allow 3CCD cameras [quite glad that they did that, or i might have plonk down money for a VX2100]

i'm looking at the Panasonic GS35, but i don't really want to rely just on a camcorderinfo review

any other suggestions?

hopefully, the camcorder has
1. headphone out
2. mic input
3. manual controls
4. hotshoe [GS35 doesn't have this]
5. top-loading tape mechanism

i could throw a curve ball and buy a Sony HDR-HC1 [its a 1-CMOS sensor], but don't think i should spend so much on my 1st camcorder...

thanx in advance to all for your suggestions

Noah Hayes · November 22nd, 2005, 11:32 PM

I have an Optura 50, looks great. It has a RGB color filter so it will (in good light) give you color similar to that of a 3chip. The Optura 60 fufills your other desire for a hotshoe('bout 100 bucks more). Also the HC1 has a bottom loader...so its a pain in the butt to take off a beachtek adapter, and also makes "quick release" plates not so quick (first hand experience...if you need to swap out tapes quick and use a tripod...dont get and HC1)
Also you'll probably have to search for the other model names because you need the pal versions...good luck!

Lee Sze Yong · November 23rd, 2005, 01:48 AM

thanx for the recommendation, now looking thru some of the reviews
the PAL version is MVX40i [10x] or MVX45i [14x]
however, there seems to be a handling flaw, as the LCD screen, if tilted, will block the function key...

Noah Hayes · November 24th, 2005, 11:20 AM

You would think that would be a problem, but it really helps in my opinion...you're finger won't be in the way of the LCD. It takes a little bit of getting used to, but in the end of it all unless you need to constantly keep switching between the function button and the menu button, it doesnt bother me.

Lee Sze Yong · November 27th, 2005, 05:08 AM

thanx for your comments

in the end, i got a panasonic gs25 at a computer show

$749 singapore dollars
came with
6 DV tapes
2 extra batteries
tripod
256MB SD card
semi-soft case
lens cleaning kit

Michael Best · December 5th, 2005, 05:55 PM

Hi - Got a friend who asked me what to get in the $500-$800 range. I've never researched that price range, would anyone have a suggestion? They'd prefer new but obviously a better camera could be had if used. No film type stuff just a decent camera with some optical zoom and good optical stabilization, won't be using a tripod much. Thanks for any input.

Bob Costa · December 5th, 2005, 09:30 PM

I can't speak to a specific model since they change so fast. But he should make a list of what features are important to him and then pick one.

If I wanted a consumercam for a friend, I would have them look at:

1. Optical zoom range 10x okay but some are 20x or more...
2. MiniDV format (most likely, but maybe HDD or DVD is better for their needs
3. Physical size of the camera
4. Nightshot capability
5. Brand (Sony, Panny, or Canon)
6. Firewire port

For me, I also want

good manual controls for focus, iris, & WB
top loading
mic and headphone jacks

Unless he REALLY wants still pics & video in one unit, he should know that two cams are usually better than one.

Michael Best · December 5th, 2005, 09:58 PM

Thanks Bob - Nice area, my parents just retired there, may be down over the winter.

Craig Bellaire · December 6th, 2005, 01:36 PM

this is a nice camera for the money... 3 chip, mic input... BUT it has 1/6 inch chips I think which means needs more light..

Georg Liigand · December 6th, 2005, 02:06 PM

I think it performs similarily to GS400 which has 1/4.7" CCDs.

Bob Costa · December 6th, 2005, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michael Best

Thanks Bob - Nice area, my parents just retired there, may be down over the winter.

Let me know if you are coming down. We will go shoot something. :)

Michael Best · December 6th, 2005, 05:00 PM

You're darn right we will Bob - Happy Holidays

Mathieu Ghekiere · December 7th, 2005, 11:14 AM

1/4.7 chips are going to be better in low light then 1/6 chips, no doubt about it. I have the GS200, and my nephew has the GS400. Needless to say, the GS400 performs better then the GS200, but it's more expensive too.
The GS200 is a good cam for it's money, though. 3CCD, manual controls, including manual focus ring,...

Michael Best · December 7th, 2005, 05:08 PM

Really appreciate all your replies, I am enlightening my friend with all your input. Thanks again

Philip Williams · December 7th, 2005, 07:43 PM

Optura 60 is my top pick in this bracket. Next up for me would be the Pana GS400, but its quite a bit more.

November 22nd, 2005, 11:17 PM	#961
Lee Sze Yong New Boot Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Singapore Posts: 6	best 1CCD hobbyist camcorder? dear all just been selected to take part in a 5 day film-making challenge in singapore http://www.phoenixinwonderland.com/s...e5guerilla.php the challenge does not allow 3CCD cameras [quite glad that they did that, or i might have plonk down money for a VX2100] i'm looking at the Panasonic GS35, but i don't really want to rely just on a camcorderinfo review any other suggestions? hopefully, the camcorder has 1. headphone out 2. mic input 3. manual controls 4. hotshoe [GS35 doesn't have this] 5. top-loading tape mechanism i could throw a curve ball and buy a Sony HDR-HC1 [its a 1-CMOS sensor], but don't think i should spend so much on my 1st camcorder... thanx in advance to all for your suggestions __________________ http://otbp.blogspot.com http://opsw.blogspot.com

November 23rd, 2005, 01:48 AM	#963
Lee Sze Yong New Boot Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Singapore Posts: 6	thanx for the recommendation, now looking thru some of the reviews the PAL version is MVX40i [10x] or MVX45i [14x] however, there seems to be a handling flaw, as the LCD screen, if tilted, will block the function key... __________________ http://otbp.blogspot.com http://opsw.blogspot.com

November 27th, 2005, 05:08 AM	#965
Lee Sze Yong New Boot Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Singapore Posts: 6	thanx for your comments in the end, i got a panasonic gs25 at a computer show $749 singapore dollars came with 6 DV tapes 2 extra batteries tripod 256MB SD card semi-soft case lens cleaning kit __________________ http://otbp.blogspot.com http://opsw.blogspot.com

December 5th, 2005, 05:55 PM	#966
Michael Best Major Player Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Oceanside Harbor, CA Posts: 446	$700 Camera Hi - Got a friend who asked me what to get in the $500-$800 range. I've never researched that price range, would anyone have a suggestion? They'd prefer new but obviously a better camera could be had if used. No film type stuff just a decent camera with some optical zoom and good optical stabilization, won't be using a tripod much. Thanks for any input.

December 5th, 2005, 09:30 PM	#967
Bob Costa Major Player Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Venice, FL Posts: 850	I can't speak to a specific model since they change so fast. But he should make a list of what features are important to him and then pick one. If I wanted a consumercam for a friend, I would have them look at: 1. Optical zoom range 10x okay but some are 20x or more... 2. MiniDV format (most likely, but maybe HDD or DVD is better for their needs 3. Physical size of the camera 4. Nightshot capability 5. Brand (Sony, Panny, or Canon) 6. Firewire port For me, I also want good manual controls for focus, iris, & WB top loading mic and headphone jacks Unless he REALLY wants still pics & video in one unit, he should know that two cams are usually better than one. __________________ You are either growing or dying.

November 22nd, 2005, 11:32 PM	#962
Noah Hayes Major Player Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Sterling, Virginia Posts: 226	I have an Optura 50, looks great. It has a RGB color filter so it will (in good light) give you color similar to that of a 3chip. The Optura 60 fufills your other desire for a hotshoe('bout 100 bucks more). Also the HC1 has a bottom loader...so its a pain in the butt to take off a beachtek adapter, and also makes "quick release" plates not so quick (first hand experience...if you need to swap out tapes quick and use a tripod...dont get and HC1) Also you'll probably have to search for the other model names because you need the pal versions...good luck!

November 24th, 2005, 11:20 AM	#964
Noah Hayes Major Player Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Sterling, Virginia Posts: 226	You would think that would be a problem, but it really helps in my opinion...you're finger won't be in the way of the LCD. It takes a little bit of getting used to, but in the end of it all unless you need to constantly keep switching between the function button and the menu button, it doesnt bother me.

December 5th, 2005, 09:58 PM	#968
Michael Best Major Player Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Oceanside Harbor, CA Posts: 446	Thanks Bob - Nice area, my parents just retired there, may be down over the winter.

December 6th, 2005, 01:36 PM	#969
Craig Bellaire Major Player Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 422	Panasonic GS 250 this is a nice camera for the money... 3 chip, mic input... BUT it has 1/6 inch chips I think which means needs more light.. __________________ Craig Bellaire www.VerticalVideoSolutions.com

December 6th, 2005, 02:06 PM	#970
Georg Liigand Major Player Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Estonia Posts: 214	I think it performs similarily to GS400 which has 1/4.7" CCDs.

December 6th, 2005, 05:00 PM	#972
Michael Best Major Player Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Oceanside Harbor, CA Posts: 446	You're darn right we will Bob - Happy Holidays

December 7th, 2005, 11:14 AM	#973
Mathieu Ghekiere Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Belgium Posts: 2,195	1/4.7 chips are going to be better in low light then 1/6 chips, no doubt about it. I have the GS200, and my nephew has the GS400. Needless to say, the GS400 performs better then the GS200, but it's more expensive too. The GS200 is a good cam for it's money, though. 3CCD, manual controls, including manual focus ring,...

December 7th, 2005, 05:08 PM	#974
Michael Best Major Player Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Oceanside Harbor, CA Posts: 446	Really appreciate all your replies, I am enlightening my friend with all your input. Thanks again

December 7th, 2005, 07:43 PM	#975
Philip Williams Major Player Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Snellville, Georgia Posts: 614	Optura 60 is my top pick in this bracket. Next up for me would be the Pana GS400, but its quite a bit more.