What is the best video camera between $2000 and $3000?

Question

I want to make an independent short film and I would like to know which camera would make my video look most like film and be easy to use. I would appreciate any help.

Answer 1

Don't spend your entire budget on the camera.

"Look most like film" = capture in 24p.

Canon HV20 or HV30. Or - don't buy, rent. Sony HVR-Z1U, HVR-V1U, Panasonic DVX100B, Canon XHA1... there are others, but this is a start.

Get and use a sturdy tripod.

Get and use GOOD external mics (shotgun on a boom and lavaliere clipped on). They will use XLR connectors.

Get and use an XLR adapter from juicedLink or BeachTek if the camcorder has only a 1/8" mic-in jack.

What lighting will you need?

What will you be editing on?

What will you be editing with?

Answer 2

Maybe this will help:

Which Digital Video Camera Should You Buy?

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article...

Good luck!

Answer 3

Red Scarlet all the way! It will be available in early 2009 for $3,000, but it's better than any camera under $10,000. Why? Because it shoots in higher definition than any Sony, Panasonic, Canon or JVC on the market. According to Sony, true HD (like that on its EX1) is 1920x1080. Now, the RED Scarlet shoots in full 3k resolution of 3072x1728!!! It also shoots video at up to 120frames per second (the EX1 can do a max of 60fps). And the Scarlets half the price of the EX1! The Red Scarlet also has a 2/3" Mysterium imager, which is supposed to make its footage look like that of 16mm film.

The only problem that I can see is that the Scarlet will take up lots of memory on your computer, and only works on Final Cut Pro or Avid Media Composer. You'll need to buy additional accessories in order for it to work, but it will still be a billion times cheaper than any other camer in its class (seriously: the Sony F35 is $250,000 at it only shoots in 1920x1080).

   You could also say that the media cards are pretty expensive (compared to HDV, at least), but that's how all solid state media cards are (P2 cards and SxS cards are much more expensive).

I will mosy likely be easy to use, but I don't know for sure; I have never used one, but then again, no one has :)

  It's a pocket sized camera that can shoot in full auto or manual modes, but has the functionality of a full sized 15lb shoulder-mounted camera.

So in conclusion, if you want a prosumer camera, get a Sony, if you want a professional one, get the Scarlet..

http://www.red.com/nab/scarlet

hope that helps! Best of luck!!

Answer 4

A Canon professional model.