high definition camcorders

[NuclearNed]

I'm beginning to look to replace my old Sony Digital 8 camcorder, and it seems only logical to look at high definition camcorders. These two cameras appeal to me because they use miniDV tapes instead of writing to flash memory, hard drives, or DVD:

Canon HV10

Sony HDR-HC3

Does anybody have any recommendations? Is miniDV the way to go?

 

[Vette73]

Originally posted by: NuclearNed
I'm beginning to look to replace my old Sony Digital 8 camcorder, and it seems only logical to look at high definition camcorders. These two cameras appeal to me because they use miniDV tapes instead of writing to flash memory, hard drives, or DVD:

Canon HV10

Sony HDR-HC3

Does anybody have any recommendations? Is miniDV the way to go?

Of those 2 the Canon has a higher MP rating for the Video part. The sony is only a 4mp when you use it for still photos. So don;t buy based on the sony hype machine.
Also the canon list to be lighter.
Canon has a longer warrenty. 1 year vs 90days for the sony.

Canon FTW!

 

[NuclearNed]

nobody else?

 

[drinkmorejava]

It looks like you picked those two right off of a CNET review. Anyway, I've used the sony HDR-FX1, which I'm guessing is out of your price range, although it is a very nice camera...depite no XLR, course you could always pay $4300 for the pro version which has it.

 

[Koing]

Hey marlin1975 you sure the Canon does higher res video? If I'm not mistaken it will record 1080i just like the Sony one.

NuclearNed I actually have the HDR-HC3. It is a great camera. Love it. Video from it is AMAZING even when compared to our PC120e, and that was a great dv camcorder also.

The only downer is the lack of a manual focus ring, you have a 'scroll' thing to the front left hand side near the lense. Not that I actually used the manual focusing on our PC120e 😛. The viewfinder is gimped in that it is 'set' parallel with the camera and you cant pull it out and angle it. Our PC120 you could pull it out and angle it. So you have to use the lcd monitor to frame as you can't keep the camcorder at eye level all the time. WHY didn't they just have a normal one?!

The Sony has the really cool nightshot feature. Thats always great if you have ever used it on any of the previous Sony cameras or camcorders.

The Canon wasn't out when my dad bought the HC3 though.

In the end both will be pretty much the same quality wise. Go with what handles better for you.

Yes miniDV is the way to go. The tapes are cheap so you can bring a lot with you = lots of shooting. If it was a hard disk/ solid state device you would have to download the footage to a laptop or something. Or have additional memory cards with you, which are almost certainly going to cost an arm and a leg at the moment.

Downers are real time encodes to your pc = the suck but your probably use to that with video 8.

Again HDV video's look amazing and I'm only watching it on a 720P 50" plasma screen. I've hooked it to my Dell 24" and again footage looked nothing short of stunning. Amazing quality from these camcorders and you will love it. Dads first camcorder was a Panasonic SVHS that cost £1250!!! Next the PC120e at £750 and then the HC3 at £750. Progress for you :thumbsup:

Koing

 

[91TTZ]

Originally posted by: Koing
Hey marlin1975 you sure the Canon does higher res video? If I'm not mistaken it will record 1080i just like the Sony one.

With camcorders, they have to output the number of scan lines of the TV standard, but that doesn't mean the actual captured resolution is high. You'd want to look at how many unique pixels are actually being displayed.

 

[Vette73]

Originally posted by: 91TTZ

Originally posted by: Koing
Hey marlin1975 you sure the Canon does higher res video? If I'm not mistaken it will record 1080i just like the Sony one.

With camcorders, they have to output the number of scan lines of the TV standard, but that doesn't mean the actual captured resolution is high. You'd want to look at how many unique pixels are actually being displayed.

Yep...

Sony = 2.1 total megapixels Video Resolution (CCD)

Canon = 2.96 megapixels Video Resolution (CCD)

 

[0roo0roo]

yup bit of resolution cheatin there.

 

[Tom]

I've been thinking about getting a Sanyo Xacti HD-1a. I've read lots of mixed reviews, but I've also seen some exceptionally nice sample video.

Maybe if it falls below $400..

 

[Koing]

Originally posted by: Marlin1975

Originally posted by: 91TTZ

Originally posted by: Koing
Hey marlin1975 you sure the Canon does higher res video? If I'm not mistaken it will record 1080i just like the Sony one.

With camcorders, they have to output the number of scan lines of the TV standard, but that doesn't mean the actual captured resolution is high. You'd want to look at how many unique pixels are actually being displayed.

Yep...

Sony = 2.1 total megapixels Video Resolution (CCD)

Canon = 2.96 megapixels Video Resolution (CCD)

Aight. Just checked again.

So which one will you go with?

Koing

 

[NuclearNed]

Originally posted by: Koing
Hey marlin1975 you sure the Canon does higher res video? If I'm not mistaken it will record 1080i just like the Sony one.

NuclearNed I actually have the HDR-HC3. It is a great camera. Love it. Video from it is AMAZING even when compared to our PC120e, and that was a great dv camcorder also.

The only downer is the lack of a manual focus ring, you have a 'scroll' thing to the front left hand side near the lense. Not that I actually used the manual focusing on our PC120e 😛. The viewfinder is gimped in that it is 'set' parallel with the camera and you cant pull it out and angle it. Our PC120 you could pull it out and angle it. So you have to use the lcd monitor to frame as you can't keep the camcorder at eye level all the time. WHY didn't they just have a normal one?!

The Sony has the really cool nightshot feature. Thats always great if you have ever used it on any of the previous Sony cameras or camcorders.

The Canon wasn't out when my dad bought the HC3 though.

In the end both will be pretty much the same quality wise. Go with what handles better for you.

Yes miniDV is the way to go. The tapes are cheap so you can bring a lot with you = lots of shooting. If it was a hard disk/ solid state device you would have to download the footage to a laptop or something. Or have additional memory cards with you, which are almost certainly going to cost an arm and a leg at the moment.

Downers are real time encodes to your pc = the suck but your probably use to that with video 8.

Again HDV video's look amazing and I'm only watching it on a 720P 50" plasma screen. I've hooked it to my Dell 24" and again footage looked nothing short of stunning. Amazing quality from these camcorders and you will love it. Dads first camcorder was a Panasonic SVHS that cost £1250!!! Next the PC120e at £750 and then the HC3 at £750. Progress for you :thumbsup:

Koing

Good info - thanks! How long can you record on one miniDV tape?

 

[NuclearNed]

Originally posted by: drinkmorejava
It looks like you picked those two right off of a CNET review. Anyway, I've used the sony HDR-FX1, which I'm guessing is out of your price range, although it is a very nice camera...depite no XLR, course you could always pay $4300 for the pro version which has it.

Yeah - I'm wanting to keep the price tag below $1500. Maybe if I hit the lottery I'll go with the FX1.

 

[Koing]

Originally posted by: NuclearNed
Good info - thanks! How long can you record on one miniDV tape?

60mins normal SP recording. You can stretch out 90mins using LP but I AM NOT SURE if that would work with HDV recorded footage.

Go with 60mins, plenty of footage and the tapes are CHEAP 😀

Koing