Dj Lab Rat
I'm lookin to buy a panasonic 3 ccd camcorder. can anyone recommend a good model. Preferably not priced very high. Also how would you rate the GS 500 vs. GS 400. And how would you rate the GS 180
Answer
I would recommend buying the PV-GS500, or PV-GS400, depending on what you plan to use it for.
Ratings-
PV-GS500: 7.5/10
PV-GS400: 8/10
I rated the 400 higher because it has more manual controls, and for me, that is really important. But if you don't plan on using manual controls as much, than the 500 would be better for you.
PV-GS400:
Pros: Excellent manual control for a consumer camcorder, 3CCD, great video, wireless remote, wired remote (with zoom button, mic, and record), Optical Image Stabilizer, pop up flash, 3'' LCD screen, Manual Focus/Zoom ring, top loading tape.
Cons- Low light filming, portability
PV-GS500:
Pros- Manual Zoom ring, flash, 3CCD, excellent video, true widescreen, Optical Image Stabilizer, top loading tape, wireless remote.
Cons: Small LCD screen for shooting 4:3, Low light filming, portability.
So here is where you make the decision. I would recommend the PV-GS400 if you what to have superior manual control and great video. But, i would recommend the PV-GS500 if you would rather have slightly better video quality. Also, the 400 is hard to find these days. You can get a 500 for as cheap as $449 online. The PV-GS400, however, is hard to find under $900. Either way, these camcorders are both fantastic and you would be happy with either of them.
P.S.
I would rate the PV-GS180: 6/10
Its video isn't as sharp as the previously discussed camcorders. It has no focus or zoom ring. However, it is a very good cam for its price.
I would recommend buying the PV-GS500, or PV-GS400, depending on what you plan to use it for.
Ratings-
PV-GS500: 7.5/10
PV-GS400: 8/10
I rated the 400 higher because it has more manual controls, and for me, that is really important. But if you don't plan on using manual controls as much, than the 500 would be better for you.
PV-GS400:
Pros: Excellent manual control for a consumer camcorder, 3CCD, great video, wireless remote, wired remote (with zoom button, mic, and record), Optical Image Stabilizer, pop up flash, 3'' LCD screen, Manual Focus/Zoom ring, top loading tape.
Cons- Low light filming, portability
PV-GS500:
Pros- Manual Zoom ring, flash, 3CCD, excellent video, true widescreen, Optical Image Stabilizer, top loading tape, wireless remote.
Cons: Small LCD screen for shooting 4:3, Low light filming, portability.
So here is where you make the decision. I would recommend the PV-GS400 if you what to have superior manual control and great video. But, i would recommend the PV-GS500 if you would rather have slightly better video quality. Also, the 400 is hard to find these days. You can get a 500 for as cheap as $449 online. The PV-GS400, however, is hard to find under $900. Either way, these camcorders are both fantastic and you would be happy with either of them.
P.S.
I would rate the PV-GS180: 6/10
Its video isn't as sharp as the previously discussed camcorders. It has no focus or zoom ring. However, it is a very good cam for its price.
How to get pro camcorder for cheap?
Zachary
Hello,
I am a 13 year old video enthusiast who dreams of one day becoming a director and want to try and buy a pro camcorder XH A1S for example. Problem is I don't have $4,000...is there a time of the year or a place to buy it cheaper. Thank you :)
Answer
The best way to get a great camcorder, cheap, is to look back a generation of cameras.
Yea, the XH is a great camera. You might be able to find a good one used for between $1000 and $2500. Myself, if I went this route I'd go the lower end, and then send it to Canon for a thorough cleaning and tune-up. Also, plan on nearly $100 for batteries and make sure you have the computer and software to deal with high quality video bitrates.
If this is still too high, consider standard def DV cameras like the GL or XL series. Both were top of the line for video quality and STILL GET A BETTER DATA RATE than any consumer HD camcorder. In fact, unless you have the ability to author Blu-ray disks, the XL and GLs will vastly surpass what you need to create a DVD.
GL and XLs are well under $1000 now. Many people got these for a single trip or event such as a wedding. As with the XH A1S, it would not be a bad idea to immediately send a camera off to Canon for cleaning and tuning. Even if nothing is wrong, simply using a different brand of MiniDv tapes than the previous owner can cause tape transport issues.
And keep in mind all these firewire cameras can fully avoid tapes with an external hard drive, or flash drive video recorder.
Fact of the matter, bluntly, is that if you can not create a good video with a GL, a better (newer) camera is not going to help.
Find a $500-$750 GL-2 and go nuts! Be smug in the fact you have a $2600 camera that remains a solid workhorse.
The best way to get a great camcorder, cheap, is to look back a generation of cameras.
Yea, the XH is a great camera. You might be able to find a good one used for between $1000 and $2500. Myself, if I went this route I'd go the lower end, and then send it to Canon for a thorough cleaning and tune-up. Also, plan on nearly $100 for batteries and make sure you have the computer and software to deal with high quality video bitrates.
If this is still too high, consider standard def DV cameras like the GL or XL series. Both were top of the line for video quality and STILL GET A BETTER DATA RATE than any consumer HD camcorder. In fact, unless you have the ability to author Blu-ray disks, the XL and GLs will vastly surpass what you need to create a DVD.
GL and XLs are well under $1000 now. Many people got these for a single trip or event such as a wedding. As with the XH A1S, it would not be a bad idea to immediately send a camera off to Canon for cleaning and tuning. Even if nothing is wrong, simply using a different brand of MiniDv tapes than the previous owner can cause tape transport issues.
And keep in mind all these firewire cameras can fully avoid tapes with an external hard drive, or flash drive video recorder.
Fact of the matter, bluntly, is that if you can not create a good video with a GL, a better (newer) camera is not going to help.
Find a $500-$750 GL-2 and go nuts! Be smug in the fact you have a $2600 camera that remains a solid workhorse.
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