Best Handheld camcorder for short film making?

Question

I'm looking into buying a inexpensive (meaning, under $1000) video camera to record a short film, and eventually even a full-length feature. I can't afford any high priced camera like that Panasonic AG-DVC30 or a DVX-100. So, I've been looking at a much smaller (and cheaper) alternative. I think both the Canon HG10 and HV30 look great, especially in 24p mode. What is the difference between MiniDV and recording to hard drive in terms of quality? It would be much easier for me to get the (cheaper) HG10, record everything directly to hard drive, and edit directly from that. But, I've heard that MiniDV is the best format, but I can't tell much of a difference, personally.

Again, I don't have a ton of money, otherwise I'd splurge on a nice $3000 camera--but I can't. Do these handhelds really produce good quality, or are they better suited for filming the dog?

Any help will be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Answer 1

Someone with skill, training and experience can use an inexpensive, non-professional camcorder and create great content.

Someone with no skill, no training and no experience can have the best camcorder made and create poor content.

When you use a hard drive based camcorder, it does seem faster to transfer the video because all you are doing is copying the files. When the transfer is done, the files on the camcorder are deleted so you have room to record the next set of video. When the project is done, all the files from the camcorder and the computer are deleted. If you did not make a back up archive of all that vide (recording onto another hard drive, or perhaps optical discs), then the video is gone forever. No going back for a directors cut. No going back for certain clips you might want to re-use for another project.

With miniDV tape, once you fill the tape (or start another project), take the tape out and lock it. The tape is your archive. Do not re0-use the tape. HDV is compressed a LOT less than the AVCHD compression used in the hard drive and flash memory cameras.

Look at what the pros use:

http://bssc.sel.sony.com/BroadcastandBus...

http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/contro...

No AVCHD... it is fine for the LAST step in production as the high def BluRay DVDs are burned - but as the first step in the acquisition process? Not a good idea.