Which camera is the best?

Question

I'm looking for a 3 CCD professional "camcorder" for making films/movies. But, there are just too many. I've been told that the Canon xl2, xl1(xls1), XH A1, and XH G1 are the best, but then I hear about JVC. I'm looking for something that's easy to use, and easy to learn. Help?

Answer 1

JVC Everio GZHD7 3CCD 60GB Hard Disk Drive High Definition Camcorder with 10x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom

Price : $1,551.78

reference : http://astore.amazon.com/hot-new-release...

Canon XH A1 1.67MP 3CCD High-Definition Camcorder with 20x Optical Zoom

Price : $3,299.88

reference : http://astore.amazon.com/hot-new-release...

Sony Professional HVR-Z1U 3CCD High Definition Camcorder with 12x Optical Zoom

Price : $4,289.95

reference : http://astore.amazon.com/hot-new-release...

Canon XL-H1A 3CCD HDV High Definition Professional Camcorder with 20x HD Video Zoom Lens III

Price : $5,999.00

reference : http://astore.amazon.com/hot-new-release...

Answer 2

If you are looking at a budget of around $3,000 (which is the price of the XL2), I would DEFINATELY get:

-----the RED Scarlet----- $3,000--coming in early 2009

THE best camera under $17,499. I'd go much further except RED has another camera at $17,500, the RED One.

Why Scarlet totally owns:

    -it's a professional camera. not consumer. not even prosumer.

    -RESOLUTION: most HD cameras don't shoot true HD. The Sony EX1 is the only prosumer one that does, and its $6,000. The EX1 has a true 1920x1080 resolution. Now, the Scarlet. Now, the Scarlet isn't fit to be called an HD camera. I'd call it, "Ultra High Definition". Why? Cuz it shoots in RAW 3K. Now what is 3K? Well, 3K simply describes the horizontal resolution of the camera. so 3K is a bit more than 3,000 horizontal lines. Looking at the EX1, it has 1920 horizontal lines. you do the math. That's about 90% more than HD!!! wow!! Scarlet also records up to 120frames per second! The EX1 and any other prosumer camera can do a max of 60fps. However, the Scarlet is not an easy camera to understand--it gets a bit complicated. After all, the workflow is more similar to film than digital. So in that case, here are some simpler cameras:

in HD:

1) Sony PMW-EX1    ($6,000)

2) Panasonic HVX200  ($5,200)

3) JVC GY-HD200UB   ($5,000)

The EX1 is arguably the best one (for now, at least). This is because it shoots in full 1920x1080 resolution. HDV cameras (HD on miniDV tapes) can't do that because they compress so much. The HVX can't do that either, though it can record onto P2 memory cards (which are slightly better than HDV) because they must go through considerable upressing to get to the full resolution. They don't record it natively. So the EX1 has the best resolution (until Scarlet comes). It also has 3 CMOS (similar to 3 CCD) sensors that are quite large at 1/2". No other camera in its class has 'em this big (the others have 1/3" ones). Bigger image sensors means better depth of field. With a 1/2" sensor, you can get that cool narrow depth of focus seen on movies (you know, when the subject is in sharp focus, but the background is blurred).

the HVX is also excellent for an filmmaker, such as yourself, but it does not have quite as good resolution, and it does not have the advantage of a large image sensor. It has three 1/3" CCDs.

The JVC GY-HD110U or HD200U (very similar) can't really compete with the HVX or EX1 as far as true HD imagery, the main reason is that it is an HDV camera (uses miniDV tapes). Another is that it does not shoot in full HD. Period. It does NOT have a 1080i mode, which is the highest resolution of HD. Instead, it only has a 720p mode,which is slightly less resolution. This is fine, however, cuz it can record 60fps at 720p, in a Progressive mode. 720p is still awesome quality--you'll find that you use it more than 1080i, because in 720p, you can shoot up to 60fps Progressive (versus interlaced), while 1080i you can only shoot in 30fps progressive (which blurs more) or 60fps in Interlaced (Interlaced is not as good as Progressive for filmmakers). Also, the HD110U has some totally awesome features that make it really stand out:

     -Interchangeable lenses: You aren't limited to the built-in lens

     -there are also other neat little suprises in the HD110U: you can even set focal points and pull focus and everything. It has some pretty professional tools.

____________________

now for standard definition

1) Panasonic DVX100B

2) Canon XL2

The DVX110B is an awesome camera. It used to be an indie filmmaker favorite--before HD of course. It's very professional, and somewhat cheaper than the XL2. Now, the XL2 is also a great filmmaker's camera. It's a bit more expensive than the DVX, but it offers interchangeable lenses, which is nice if that's what you're looking for. I have found I like the feel of the DVX a bit more, but the XL2 is pretty awesome too.  

Now, the XH-A1, as you have mentioned, is a nice HD camera for a decent price, but I would not recommend it to you specifically for the following reasons:

--No 24p. Since you want a camera to make movies specifically, you'll want 24p. It is a must for the indie filmmakers. Why? Because it makes your footage look more like film.

--No 720p mode. Only has a 1080i mode. Like I said before, 720p is many times more valuable to a filmmaker than 1080i. Although the extra resolution in 1080i is nice, you can't record in progressive at high frame rates. The XH-A1 can't record Progressive at all for that matter...just something to consider.

The XH-G1 is basically the same camera as the XH-A1, but for twice the price. It's a total rip off. It does have a professional Jackpack, which is nice for multi-camera shoots, but apart from that, its a rip off.

As far as something easy to use, you probably be better off without something fancy like the EX1 or HVX. The HD110U might be a nice camera for you if you are loking for something HD. Or if you don't care, the DVX100B is an excellent standard def camera for a filmmaker, such as yourself.

If you are up to the challenge, (and the wait), however, the RED Scarlet would be totally awesome. With the resolution it can record, you could get full big screen movie quality! Of course, the files are a bit more complicated to work with though...and it requires a powerful computer with a powerful editing platform (Final Cut Studio is prefered). All well.

So, I hope that helped a bit, and sorry if it was too confusing--Anyways, good luck and happy filmmaking!!!