Camcorders

[clv101]

After a bit of online research it seems the Panasonic HC-X900 is pretty much the best 'prosumer' camcorder out there, it's ~£600. The Canon LEGRIA HF G10 is right up there but is at least £100 more and doesn't do 1080 50/60p.

Review of Panasonic: http://www.trustedreviews.com/panasonic-hc-x900_Camcorder_review#tr-review-summary

My only question is, what of the cheaper camcorders? The next Panasonic model down, the X800 is ~£100 less but a no go as it lacks an external mic input. Going further down their line up you get to the V700. It's only around £330 and the first to ditch the three separate sensors. For a single, relatively large, sensor camcorder it seems very well regarded - feature wise the only thing it really loses over the x900 is the lens ring and viewfinder. It also has a wider lens at 28mm. Are these features and the three sensors worth almost £300 difference?

This article summaries the situation nicely: http://thewirecutter.com/reviews/panasonic-hc-v700-best-camcorder/

Any thoughts?

 

[pingu666]

I've got a tm900 and used a sd90, and the 900 series does have better video, richer colour
Interlacing sucks so your stuck with p mode, and storage is cheap now anyways
It takes OK stills but if you pixel peep its noisey

You will need a external mic if your shooting outside, and a dead cat too, on body mics on any camera pick up wind noise so easily...

 

[clv101]

For the external mic, is it better to plug one in to the camera (is wireless possible?), or use a completely independent sound recorder and combine the audio track later?

 

[pingu666]

I dont know, but one that plugs into camera is easier, and you shouldnt have sync issues, if your just going to video stuff, then a mic thats mounted on the camera is probably best, the directional sound would match the picture.

for interviews a couple of clip on mics or or the classic hairbrush? handle held style would be better

what do you plan to record with the camera anyways?

oh thought of another couple of things, 2 spare generic ex pro batteries, a battery lasts about a hours worth of recording, varies abit but they dont last too long.

and a cheapy neck strap brackety thing from 7dayshop that screws into the tripod mount, so u add a neck strap easily

 

[clv101]

After spending a while comparing output from the Panasonic FZ200 bridge camera and V700 camcorder - I've decided to go for the FZ200. It's video seems very similar and it has a bunch of interesting features to play with.