Mid to High End Camcorder Recommendations

Charley started this discussion · 6/19/2009

Can anyone suggest a near high end camcorder without the high end price? I looked at the Sony SR11 and that is the one I really wanted but it's not being made anymore. I looked at the SR12 but for the money it doesn't seem to have anything that makes it that much better than the SR11. I looked at the CX100 and the reviews were wishy washy. I need something that can be used for more than pole dance videos. I also shoot and do promotional videos (non pole related) and am looking for something that at least has a mic input and smooth zooming features. I've seen the SR12 at work and it's good but for the money and video quality I don't feel it's worth the money at all. I have always used Sony since my first day of broadcasting so if anyone can recommend something even that is not a Sony that would be great.

7 replies

Webmaster · 6/19/2009
I'm a fan of the Canon HV30 you can pick it up for $750 if you look online and its got all kinds of neat features. Full HD at 1080p, selectable framerates to 30 frames per second. It has the Canon advanced hot-shoe that you can plug any number of devices into including several fancy microphones or even an adapter for professional microphones. If you want to see some samples of work with the HV30 just go to youtube and search. Make sure to pick ones with HD because thats where you'll see its true capabilities. We're gonna start shooting StudioVeena videos with this camera once we get our new lighting. Just to put the cherry on the sundae. I had a canon GL2 which is a $2800 camera, I prefer this one by far. It has better color seperation, it's smaller, and much higher image quality. Canon uses a special prism to get the same quality as you do with a 3CCD setup out of a single CMOS sensor. In short its AWESOME!!!!
Charley · 6/19/2009
Ooh thank you so much for that!!! I will look into the Cannon. I was reading on CNET that the Cannons seem to be getting better reviews than the Sony's. I talked to the guy who directs a lot of our promos and short films and he said I definetly need mic input - I think it's cool that Cannon has that feature on their more inexpensive models it's hard to find that specific feature.
Webmaster · 6/20/2009
Here are some links to help you out. B&H photo is where I get most of my equipment, they are a huge supplier out of New York with great customer service. The camcorder http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/539289-REG/Canon_2680B001_VIXIA_HV30_HDV_High.html My favorite mic http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/201377-REG/Canon_3176A002_DM_50_Directional_Stereo_Microphone.html
Charley · 6/22/2009
the canon's are FREAKING AWESOME!!!!!! I am playing with the Sony CX100 right now (I got the restocking fee waived at Best Buy - turns out there are special rules for pole dancers!) I am thinking I will take it back - I am going to film some things at work today and see how it translates when editing in Sony SR11 shots. I wanted to stick with the same lens we are using to provide continuity. In the end though I really want the Canon. I was stunned at the clarity, picture and features of an $800 cam. For the money I think it delivers far more than Sony. We'll experiment today but that Canon looked SOOOO good. I am thinking the other guys need to sell their Sony's and we'll all go Canon. THANK YOU so much for the info!!!!!! Ever used Pinnacle? I haven't touched since I left school but the Best Buy guy said you can separate and clean up audio. This would be an awesome thing to have if it is true. Unless FCP does it - but I didn't see anything like that, I'm an audio engineer though so may have missed it.
Rouge_LAmour · 6/23/2009
Sony A1p is a good basic camera, also check out the PDX range from Sony. We usually hire the A1P for any shoots we do, it's reliable and is fine with finalcut. Used to use a PD170 until our cam op left for Canada. Minimal problems there too. Z1p is at the top of our list, along with redcams, but not quite yet...
Rouge_LAmour · 6/23/2009
FCP has audio clean up, but it's best to use FCS as it has the business. We have FCS2 and it works a treat. We use soundtrack Pro2 as it's part of the package. FCS2 talks with Logic, so that should be fine.
Charley · 6/23/2009
🙂 Thank you so much Rouge!!!! I love not relying on the guys to get info from - it's a respect pole dancer thing. We start filming our second episode of "The Real Trek" tomorrow and hopefully we'll have all we need to produce a great show. Yesterday was my first day on the cx100 and honestly I thought it lacked a lot in low light - which is typical, it performed better than most but I hate the auto focus feature because it seems like it takes forever. I haven't filmed any stage shows yet where there is a lot of movement. hopefully today I'll get some longer footage of things and get a good feel for then get home and put it together. I love Sony camera's but I've only played with Sony's - my knowledge in the video department is heavily limited to products I used in school - I went audio, couldn't have cared less about video...NOW that I have an opportunity to work in the AV field I wish I knew more about the actual equipment. I'm going to search for the AP1 - I can't think of which camera off hand that is. I can't wait to get home and play more FCP 🙂