What to choose.. « Videomaker Community Forums

nobody
Member

Lately I have been heavily researching some inexpencive yet modest 1 chip camcorders. I am fairly new at videomaking, and have taken two classes, but I am really not sure what exaxtly I should expect in a camera. I will be using it for movies and recording events such as bands, plays, and things like that. I have almost decided on buying the Optura 20, but I am not 100% sure. Any suggestions, feedback, or..well.. anything!? Thanks a lot!

Posted 8 years ago #
nobody
Member

Anyone...?

Posted 8 years ago #
cfulton
Member

What's your timeframe? If you're still gathering data, our annual All Camcorder Buyer's Guide will appear in the December issue (which goes on sale 11/18). -Charles Fulton, Associate Editor, Videomaker Magazine

Posted 8 years ago #
nobody
Member

I don't have a set frametime. I'm still trying to learn about them. I'll be looking forward to that December issue, because I can't find any other place for information comparing camcorders side by side. Thanks

Posted 8 years ago #
nobody
Member

The main reason why regular posters don't answer this type of question is because we've answered it many, many times before. Although a lot of posts were lost, you can still do a search here for relelvant stuff.

Videomaker articles are available on line so you can start there for previous info. You can do a comparison study on Circuit City's web site, amongst others. Try a Google search.

Always buy the best cam you can afford. And by "best" I'm referring to chip size and number - the quality of the image. Other than manual focus, a mic input, a headphone output, analog in/out, dv (of course), most other "features" are worthless - especially special effects that are best handled in post. Still pic features should be ignored as well as digital telephoto.

Also see post just below this which is similar.

Posted 8 years ago #
nobody
Member

All right, looked around more. I was noticing the color quality of the optura 20, and its not that great. Ive decided to start researching the PV-GS70 and the DCR-TRV38. Anyone with any experience with either of these two camcorders? Thanks.

Posted 8 years ago #
nobody
Member

If your considering cameras for personal use get a DV8mm
Sony. It is cheeper and the quaility is just as good
as eney lowend DV camera. If your going into production
don't mess with eneything less than 3chips. for myself
I use both low end DV8 Sony for personal use and for pro
I use a Dsr-pd100 using Mine Dvcam tapes. The average person
can't tell the diferance. Its How there used ,and the audio that makes the diferance.

Posted 8 years ago #
nobody
Member

I am going to be going with the DCR-TRV38 MiniDV.. Thanks for the input. Yeah, DV8 may be a lot cheaper, but I found this camera for $450. 50% off.. great camera from what I hear. Thanks for the input.

Posted 8 years ago #
nobody
Member

Canon Optura Xi-
'nuff said,check it out!

:)

Posted 8 years ago #
ourmusic
Member

I have the TRV38 and it is great for what your needs are. Excellent color and very little video noise.

A bit lacking in very low light but it did quite well at a wedding I recently did with a 3 watt light mounted on it.

I only needed the light during the reception.

A 3 chip camera would be best especially if it is a Sony because of the HAD (Hole Accumulation Diode) which reduces the video noise quite a bit compared to other brands.

No I don't work for Sony, I have simply done a lot of research and this is what I found.

I wasn't happy with the TRV38 at first and left a negative review about it elswhere. Now that I have put it through the 'real' tests, (which magazine reviewers don't have time to do)I can now leave a positive review for it.

I would say that it is the best single chip camera one could get.

Danny Fye

http://www.dannyfye.com

Posted 8 years ago #