I’ve been shooting standard definition prosumer video for a few years, often doing greenscreen and other special effect. I’ve been wondering what would be the best camcorder to get me into Hi Def. The conventinal wisdom is that special effects (especially green screen) benefits from these camcorder features:
1. Low compression color encoding. Like 4:2:2, not 4:1:1 or 4:2:0.
2. "True" progressive scan
3. 3 image sensors (CCD or CMOS).
Unfortunately, to get all that is going to be expensive. The Panasonic HVX200 seems to be the least expensive ($5200 street price) way to get all that. Some argue that just going to hi def makes the other factors not so important. They might have a point…. I haven’t shot in HD yet. Assuming that you don’t really need all 3 of the above features, here is my list of affordable HD camcorders to consider:
Canon HV20
Panasonic AG-HSC1U Pro
Sony HDR-FX7
Sony HVR-A1U
If you want a shoulder-mount camcorder (good for impromptu interviews):
Sony HVR-1000U (to be released in November?)
Of all the above, I think the FX7 would be my pick, with the A1U a close 2nd. But if your allowed budget should increase, be sure to look at:
Sony HVR-V1U
Sony PMW-EX1
Panasonic AG-HVX200
Ah, if only I had the money…. the wonderful toys I could buy! X-D
Ken Hull
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