£500 for a video camera

[Jordan97]

After being told that £300 won't get me much for my money, I've got another £200 to spend. So it needs to be 1080p (or more! ) and be able to focus well on background/foreground.

What can I get for £500, or is that still not enough?

 

[whitecrook]

A camera is just a means to an end - what are you wanting to do with the footage ?

 

[Jordan97]

I'm going to be making a film and so it will hopefully go to film festivals and things like that.

 

[Ksanti]

Lumix GH1 + Hacked f/w?

 

[Lunawolfy]

AFAIK There are Nikon DLSRs which record in 1080p and retain Autofocus (something the Canons cannot)

Hook up a couple decent microphones and you got a darn good recorder and a camera for those candid moments

(DRTV record their youtube videos in this manner and the quality is exceptional)

 

[ringo747]

For a little over your budget I'd recommend a Canon HV40.

 

[Sirrel Squirrel]

Panasonic TM900 can be had for £650, absolutely brilliant camera for the price, also does 1080/50p recording for slow mo.

 

[albert]

Maybe i can save you some money. I've just bought a Sony HDR CX115E for £200 and it's the best HD camcorder i have ever owned. In low light this camera films perfect!.
I bought this camera because i am filming my Sister-In-Laws Wedding in May.

Maybe check out the reviews here ..

http://reviews.cnet.co.uk/camcorders/sony-handycam-hdr-cx115e-review-50000941/
http://www.expertreviews.co.uk/camcorders/277600/sony-hdr-cx115e

Trust me mate , i done a lot of research and this camera will not disappoint...

 

[Jordan97]

Just had a look at some test footage from a Nikon 3100 and it looked amazing!

Albert, I had a look at the camera you suggested, and there was a really big difference in the quality compared to the higher end ones.

Is there any other cameras I should have a look at?

 

[ashatron]

Lumix GH1 + Hacked f/w?

This.
You can't get better pure sharpness and detail. It's even quite a bit better than the canon DSLRs for video. however the problem with these DSLR types is that they lack in built noise filters which are often present on video cams.

 

[ashatron]

Also for amateur run and gun shooting the DSLRs like the d3100 / d5100 and canon 1100d / 550d / 600d aren't great due to the poor live view system. They just aren't built to focus whilst looking at the rear LCD, which means very slow focus times during video mode.

The Sony slt a33 / a35 / a55 however have the best focus speed during video of almost any camera and the quality of it is equal to that of the canon DSLR range, they just lack manual video control.

Don't get me wrong the nikons and canons give great video, it's just not perfect for people who like to press a button and get good footage, particularly whilst the camera is moving.