Whats a good prosumer camcorder?

Question

good video and sound quality

Answer 1

If you can spend around $1100 this is a good one:

http://www.broadwayphoto.com/ViewProduct...

Panasonic AG-DVC20

This would be considered an entry level prosumer camera.

Of course you can spend more if you have the money.

Whatever camera you get make sure you can adjust audio levels.

Answer 2

I really like Daniel K's suggestion; the Panasonic DVC20 is an excellent camera for a beginning profossional, and is at a great value, but it's not the most professional camera. It is a 3-chip camera, which is excellent, but its chips are small. It has 3 1/6" CCDs, while more professional cameras have 1/3" or 1/2" and even 2/3" CCDs (or CMOS). The bigger the better, especially for color saturation and accuracy, as well as a better, narrower depth of field. Also, the DVC20 is a standard def camera with NO XLR audio inputs, so you cannot use a professional mic for excellent sound. You do have a mini-jack, which is just ok. Here is my list of cameras I recommend (they are ranked in descending order, starting with the best)

1) JVC GY-HD200U and JVC GY-HD110U   $5,500/ $4,000

2) Canon XH-A1            $3,300

3) Sony PMW-EX1        $6,000

4)Panasonic HVX200    $5,000

5) Sony HVR-V1U           $4,000

I really love the JVC GY-HD series as well as the Canon XH-A1. If they are within your budget, it would totally be worth it. They have the capabilities and features of cameras thousands more $! Especially the JVC, which has interchangeable lenses, a huge huge plus that is not often seen in cameras in the sub-$10,000 range.

These cameras listed are all HDV and have dual XLR mic inputs for excellent sound. If you want to go standard def, which is perfectly fine, here are my recommendations:

1) Canon XL2           $3,000

2) Panasonic AG-DVX100B       $2,500

3) Sony DSR-PD170              $2,600

4) Sony DCR-VX2100         $2,200

5) Canon GL2                      $2,000

The first 3 have XLR mic inputs.

I can't decide whether I like the XL2 or the DVX better. The XL2 has interchangeable lenses, but the DVX is excellent too! They both produce excellent picture, and if it were me, I'd consider taking one of them over a pro HDV camera.

If you don't mind sacrificing some professional features, I am giving a marginal recommendation for the Sony HVR-A1U. It's $2,000, and shoots in HD! It also has XLR mic inputs. The problem is, it only has 1 chip, a CMOS sensor.

Yet another excellent option is the RED Scarlet. This camera is only $3,000, yet it probably has better picture than any other camera I have mentioned. Most high quality HD cameras shoot in 1920 x 1080, if it is true HD. Other HD cameras shoot in other variations of the 1080p or 720p modes. However, the RED Scarlet shoots in 3K, that's about 50% better than HD in 1080p. Therefore, it will have excellent footage. It is expected to come out in early 2009.

To achieve good sound quality, you'll need a mic. I recommend a shotgun, they are the best for most uses. Handheld mics and lavalier mics are good also, but only effective if they are wireless, which costs a lot more. If you get a camera with XLR connectors, I recommend:

1) Sennheiser MKH-416

2) Rode NTG1 and NTG2

3) Sennheiser ME66

If you get a camera with only mini-stereo connectors, or you don't want to shell out the big bucks for pro mics, I recommend the RODE VideoMic. It's the best mini-stereo mic, period.

Hope that helps....Good luck, and have fun

Answer 3

HV20. Look it up for now, but I'll have a better answer later so check back.