What's the Best/Cheapest HD Camcorder?

Question

I want a nice HD camera, but I don't want to go in debt buying one. I'm looking to use it for short films, so I need something decent.

Answer 1

That's a great question! You have many options, but I don't think you can find a good HD camcorder for under $700. Here are some of my favorites ranked starting with the best:

Entry Level:

1) Sony HDR-HC3 [or the step-up, the HC9]

2) Canon HV20 [or the step up, the HV30]

Both cameras are excellent for point-and-shoot filming, but don't quite pass for the serious filmmaker as they lack quality manual controls. Also, neither are true true HD, but they are probably the closest you can get in a consumer camcorder .Both camcorders are HDV, meaning they record to miniDV tapes. Many people do not like them, but I highly recommend them over Hard Disk camcorders and especially flash memory and DVD camcorders. HDV compresses its footage the least, so you have the best resolution. They are also much much easier to edit; you have much more good options to choose from as far as editing programs.

If you feel you have the extra money to go for a prosumer/ professional camcorder, here are my recommendations:

1) Sony PMW-EX1

2) JVC GY-HD200U

3) Panasonic AG-HVX200

4) Canon XH-A1

5) Sony HVR-V1U

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/

Any of these camcorders would be excellent choices should you decide to go the traditional route, but I believe the best option, as well as one of the cheaper, is the relatively unknown camera, The RED Scarlet. The Red Scarlet is still in development, but scheduled for release in 2009. According to RED, this camera is a, "pocket, professional camcorder" designed for anyone, "from soccer moms to independant filmmakers". It is expected to go for under $3,000! For a professional camera, that's a total steal!!! But what makes the Scarlet so much better than the rest? Well, most HD cameras don't shoot in true HD, as mentioned previously. Standard HD has a screen resolution of 1920x1080 lines. The only prosumer camera that shoots in true 1920x1080 is the Sony EX1, and that costs over $6,000. The RED Scarlet, however, records footage in 3K resolution, which is about 150% the resolution of the EX1!!! All that for $3,000. Apart from that, I don't know all that much about the RED Scarlet, but it's definately something worth looking into..

The RED Scarlet is more than decent, and would be perfect for short films. It's also cheaper than any other HD professional camcoder; the only one that comes close is the Canon XH-A1, and that's $3,300

http://www.red.com/

I apologize if this isn't the budget you had in mind...Good luck