Equipment Review
I looked into a lot of cameras when I first decided to branch out from screenwriting to actually making my own films. I'm going to be using a Canon HG10 for my first film and then picking up an HG 20 soon after, , but I wanted to list a few other option for filmmakers out there. Depending on your budget one of these could be a great fit. I’ve included the product details/technical specs and a review posted at amazon.com for ech. Here’s some of what I’ve found in my research.
Canon's XL-1s
Product Features
Professional-quality MiniDV camcorder and still camera with 3 CCD lens
16x optical zoom lens (digital zoom to 320x) and image stabilizer
Interchangeable lens system--can use Canon EOS lenses with optional adapter
Three shooting modes: Normal Movie, Digital Photo Mode, and the cinema-like Frame Movie Mode and shoot in 16:9
Record for up to 90 minutes on one battery charge
Technical Details
Video format: MiniDV
Progressive scan CCD: Yes
Flying erase heads: No
Audio: 16/12 bit PCM digital stereo
Maximum CCD resolution: 3 x 270,000 pixels
CCD size: 3 x 0.3 inches
Eyepiece viewfinder: Yes
LCD screen size: N/A
LCD swivel: N/A
Aperture: F/1.6 to 2.6
Filter diameter: 72 millimeters
Optical zoom: 16x
Digital zoom: 32x
Focusing system: TTL autofocus, manual focusing possible
Maximum shutter speed: 1/15,000 sec
Lens mount: XL interchangeable lens system (supplied: f/1.6-2.6, 5.5-88mm)
Programmed exposure modes: Shutter priority, aperture priority, spotlight, manual, full auto, auto, computer shooting
Autolight: No
Hot shoe for external light: Yes
Black and white: Yes
Solarized: No
Image stabilization: Yes, optical
Infrared capability: No
Remote included: Yes
Digital camera capability: Yes
Included still memory: N/A
Preset titles: No
Custom titling: No
Programmed recording: Normal video, digital photo mode, frame movie mode
Tape speed: SP: 3/4 ips (18.81 mm/sec.), LP: 1/2 ips (12.56 mm/sec.
Fade options: Black
Motion sensor: No
Audio sensor: No
Other special features: Interchangeable lens system, magnesium alloy body, pixel shift technology, color bars, interval recording, audio dubbing, zebra pattern, reduced power consumption
IEEE1394 output: Yes
Television system: EIA standard (525 lines, 60 fields) NTSC color signal
Video recording system: 2 rotary heads, helical scanning systemDV system (Consumer digital VCR SD system)Digital component recording
Connections: IEEE1394, S-Video, RCA
S-Video output: Yes
Battery type: Lithium ion
Included in box: XL1S, 16x zoom lens, BP-930 battery pack, CA-910 compact power adapter, DC-900 DC coupler, SS-1000 shoulder strap, WL-D32000 wireless controller, SP-100 shoulder pad, S-150 S-video cable, STV-150 stereo video cable, MiniDV videocassette, lens hood
Power supply (rated): 7.2 V DC
Width: 8.75 inches
Height: 8.5 inches
Depth: 16.3 inches
Weight: 6.25 pounds
Warranty labor: 1 year
Warranty parts: 1 year
Review
Best DV Camcorder If You Are Serious
The picture quality of the XL1s is outstanding and it is known to be the industry's leading pro-sumer camcorder. It is also an extremely versatile camera, allowing you to change lenses, vary your audio options (such as connecting to professional audio sound systems), and film in both frame and wide-screen formats. The only drawbacks are that it is quite a leap in complexity and it doesn't have a pop-out viewfinder, which means you're stuck looking throught the eye-piece or have to buy an attachable view-finder.
It isn't for your average videographer who wants to just take video of family and vacations. It is actually being used to film documentaries and for professional services such as filming events such as weddings (which is what I use it for).
Due to its size, weight, complexity, and cost (especially when you add the optional accessories such as filters, additional lenses and microphones, etc.), you had better be very serious about videography before you invest in the XL1s. If you are, you will be thrilled with this camera.
Panasonic Pro AG-DVX100B 3-CCD MiniDV Proline Camcorder w/10x Optical Zoom
Product Features
Allows synchronous setting of time code values among multiple cameras
3 CCD image system; 24P/30P cinema mode; manual operation
Wide-angle zoom lens perfect for small-room shooting, close-ups, and self-recorded interviews
High-sensitivity slow shutter (in cumulative) function
Professional digital video camera
Technical Details
Supply Voltage: DC 7.2/7.9 V
Power Consumption: 6.8 W (when viewfinder is used)
: 7.2 W (when LCD monitor is used)
: 9.8 W (maximum)
Operating Temperature: 32 degrees F to +104 degrees F (0 degrees C to +40 degrees C)
Operating Humidity: 10% to 85% (no condensation)
Weight: 3.75 pounds (1.7 kilograms)
: 4.19 pounds (1.9 kilograms) with battery and cassette
Dimensions (W x H x D): 5-1/2 x 6-5/16 x 14-3/8 inches (139 x 160 x 364 millimeters)
Pick-up device: 1/3-inch interline transfer type CCD x 3 (progressive modes supported)
Picture elements: Total: 410,000 pixels
Effective: 380,000 pixels (horizontal pixel shift system)
Lens: Leica DICOMAR lens with optical image stabilizer, motorized/manual mode switching, 10x zoom; F 1.6 (f = 4.5 to 45 millimeters) (35 millimeters equivalent: 32.5 to 325 millimeters)
Filter diameter: 72 millimeters
Optical color separation: Prism system
Optical filter: ND Filters, 1/8ND, 1/64ND
Shooting mode: 60i (525i) interlaced fields; Progressive mode (30P, 24P or 24P advance)
Gain selection: 60i mode: 0, +3, +6, +9, +12, +18 dB
: 30P, 24P, 24P (ADV) mode: 0,+3,+6,+9,+12 dB
: (0dB fixed, when slow shutter mode )
Preset shutter speeds: 60i mode: 1/60 (OFF), 1/100, 1/120, 1/250, 1/500, 1/1000, 1/2000 second
: 30P mode: 1/30, 1/50 (OFF), 1/60, 1/120, 1/250, 1/500,1/1000 second
: 24P, 24P (ADV) mode: 1/24, 1/50 (OFF), 1/60, 1/120, 1/250, 1/500, 1/1000 second
Synchro scan shutter speeds: 60i mode: 1/60.3 to 1/250 second
: 30P mode: 1/30.1 to 1/250 second
: 24P, 24P (ADV) mode: 1/24.1 to 1/250 second
Slow shutter speeds: 60i mode: 1/4, 1/8, 1/15, 1/30 second
: 30P mode: 1/4, 1/8, 1/15 second
: 24P, 24P (ADV) mode: 1/6, 1/12 second
Sensitivity: f11.0 at 2000 lux
Minimum luminance: 3 lux (F 1.6, 18 dB gain, 50 IRE video output)
Tape used: 6.35 millimeters wide metal tape (mini DV cassette)
Recorded audio signals: PCM digital recording; 16 bits: 48 kHz/2 channels, 12 bits: 32 kHz/4 channels
Recording tracks: Digital video, audio signals: helical track
Time code: helical track (sub-code area)
Tape speed: SP mode: 18.812 millimeters/second, LP mode: 12.555 millimeters/second
Recording time: SP mode: 60 minutes,
LP mode: 90 minutes (when AY-DVM63 is used)
FF/rew time: Approximately 140 second (when AY-DVM63 is used)
Sampling frequencies: Y: 13.5 MHz, PB/PR: 3.375 MHz
Quantizing: 8 bits
Video compression system: DCT + variable length code
Error correction: Reed-Solomon product code
Sampling frequency: 48 kHz/32 kHz
Quantizing: 16 bits/12 bits
Frequency characteristics: 20 Hz to 20 kHz
Wow & flutter: Below measurable limits
Video in/out: RCA x 1, analog composite input/output, 1.0 Vp-p, 75O (input/output automatically switched)
S-Video in/out: DIN 4pin x 1, Y/C separate signal input/output, Y: 1.0 Vp-p, C: 0.286 Vp-p, 75O (input/output
automatically switched)
Audio in/out: RCA x 2 (CH1, CH2)
Input: 316 mV, high impedance
Output: 316 mV, 600O (input/output automatically switched)
DV: 4-pin, digital input/output, IEEE 1394 standard
Mic/line input: XLR (3 pins) x 2 (CH1, CH2); LINE/MIC switching, high impedance
Line: 0 dBu, MIC: -50 dBu/-60 dBu (menu selection)
DC input: 7.9 V
Phones: Stereo (3.5 millimeters diameter), 100O
Cam remote: Zoom S/S: Mini jack (2.5 millimeters diameter)
Focus iris: Mini jack (3.5 millimeters diameter)
LCD Monitor: 3.5-inch LCD color monitor, 210,000 pixels
Viewfinder: 0.44-inch LCD color viewfinder, 235,000 pixels
Internal microphone: Stereo microphone
Internal speaker: 28mm round shape, volume - or +
Power source: 110/120/220/240 V AC, 50/60 Hz
Power consumption: 18 W
Weight: 0.35 pounds (0.16 kilograms)
Dimensions (W x H x D): 2-13/16 x 1-13/16 x 4-5/8 inches (70 x 44.5 x 116 millimeters)
*Notes: The specifications given above were measured by playing back tapes recorded by the AG-DVX100B on standard VTRs. Weight and dimensions shown are approximate. Specifications are subject to change without notice.
Review
great video camera
I was torn between Sony and Panasonic (the Canons seemed to have many recurring complaints especially with the decks), and after reading several reviews became gradually partial to the Panasonic, before ever having used one, based on customer loyalty and consistently glowing testimonials.
Well I've never used the comparable Sony's, JVC's, or the Canon XL2 (some limited experience with the GL2), but as best I can tell without personal comparison this camera does in fact deserve all the great reviews.
The image quality is excellent and in many cases looks about as good as broadcast TV video (nonHD), and the camera allows a tremendous amount of image control--manual focus ring, aperture (iris), gain adjustment, shutter speed, zebra control for overexposure, white AND black balance adjusting, daylight filters, etc. The electronic viewfinder can even be focused via simple diopter. There are six preprogrammed, but customizable, settings for image control so the user can simply dial in whatever setting they need based on the shooting/lighting conditions. So, for example, you shoot occasionally under weak flourescents lights--you adjust the white balance and the gain and the detail level accordingly, save it as a particular "scene file"; whenever you return to that same location or a similar shooting environment, you can click over to the saved settings in an instant and start recording. The first four are factory set for video 60 frames; the last two are 24 fps for a more film-like quality, which this camera handles beautifully.
What actually sold me on the camera, in terms of hardware, were the two XLR jacks--comparably priced models didn't seem to offer this. The XLR jacks allow the user to attach professional shotgun mics and bypass the mediocre factory one, taking fuller advantage of 16bit 48khz stereo recording. I use a fairly inexpensive AZDEN mic and the improvement in sound quality is tremendous. If you were willing to invest in finer mics the audio quality would be better still. Having two XLR inputs means that in addition to recording live audio (like a mic) you can also mix in input from another pre-recorded source--all in the camera!
The lens by Leica is also impressive--it is a bit wide and is not interchangeable (although I believe there is an adaptive telephoto for $$$). I prefer shooting wide but if you have need a wide selection of lenses or don't enjoy the look of wide angle look to Canon.
The drawbacks are minor--the camera is rather cumbersome--and would certainly be tiresome for handheld use as it isn't designed for shoulder-mounted use. I shoot almost exclusively indoors with a tripod and so neither of these issues are relevant for me. Also irrelevant for me are reviews I've read which have indicated lackluster battery performance--again shooting indoors I always have it plugged in and thus haven't noticed any battery problems. The little menu joystick control button used to toggle the menu screens, as well as the VCR playback options, can be frustrating when you're tired, but that is an extremely trivial concern really.
This camera is expensive, even in the $1500+ prosumer class it tends more to professional range, but I feel it is a great value considering what a fine piece of equipment it is and the wealth of features it offers. It is much much more than enough camera for the consumer and probably a little more than I need actually--I've used mine for a few months and I'm still learning how to wring better and better shooting from it. Once you've used it for a while it becomes clear why this particular model maintains a devoted following. If I have to replace this camera--provided I can afford to--the next camera would definitely be a Panasonic and probably be its big HD brother the HVX.
Canon HV20
Product Features
HDV camcorder with 1/2.7-inch CMOS image sensor; 24p Cinema Mode
High-definition 10x optical zoom lens; super-range optical image stabilizer
Advanced photo features: up to 3-megapixel stills, histogram display, built-in flash, and more
2.7-inch color widescreen LCD; color viewfinder
HDMI terminal; advanced accessory shoe
Technical Details
Brand Name: Canon
Model: HV20
media_type: Mini DV (HDV)
Lens Type: Zoom lens
Optical zoom: 10
maximum_aperture_range: F/1.8-3.0
Shooting Modes: Digital photo mode
Video Input: Camcorder
Display Size: 2.7 inches
Optical Sensor Resolution: 2.96 MP
optical_sensor_technology: CMOS
optical_sensor_size: 1/2.7"
Viewfinder Type: LCD
Audio Input: Microphone
microphone_operation_mode: Stereo
Height: 3.2 inches
Weight: 2.0 pounds
Depth: 5.4 inches
Width: 3.5 inches
Review
Excellent value, image quality, features, manual controls
The HV-20 is Canon's "flagship" camcorder, and received CamcorderInfo.com's "2007 Camcorder of the Year" award. It has the best low-light image quality in it's class (in 24p mode, using 1/48th second shutter speed), and CCI says that it has the overall best image quality of all comparable models.
What I like about the HV-20:
1. High definition 1440x1080i video image, using MPEG-2 compression. The similar Canon HG-10 outputs the full 1920x1080i resolution, but since it uses the more aggressive MPEG-4 compression scheme, it's low light performance suffers. Another advantage of the HV-20 is that MPEG-2 is easier to edit than MPEG-4.
2. Manual focus control that is relatively easy to access. The focus control consists of a button and wheel placed just behind the lens on the left side. The button toggles between manual and auto focus and the wheel effects the actual focussing. A lens-mounted ring would be a lot better, but these have gone by the way side on consumer priced camcorders - you have to spend $2500 or more on a semi-pro model to get a focus ring nowadays. WHY MANUAL FOCUS IS IMPORTANT: Digital cameras in general often have trouble focusing in low light or low contrast situations, for example shooting seascapes on a foggy day where everything is shades of gray and outlines are blurry and dim. On auto focus, the camera will "hunt" back and forth trying to lock focus, or will lose lock and start hunting in the middle of a shot, ruining that take. You will get better results if you use manual focus in these conditions.
3. Stereo Microphone jack, mounted on the side instead of the front. If you buy any MiniDV camcorder, you will eventually want to use an external shotgun or lavalier microphone. The built-in mic on almost any MiniDV tape drive camcorder is going to pick up the whine from the tape drive and lens zoom motors; an external mic will eliminate this problem. NOTE: The HV-20's mic jack is a stereo input, so that you can use two separate mics with a y-cable, or a single mic with a Mono-to-Stereo adapter. Radio Shack sells a suitable one for $3.00, their part number is 274-374. I use it with the ATR-55 shotgun and ATR-35 lavalier mics I bought for use with the HV-20. If you don't use this type of adapter, a mono microphone will only give a signal to the left audio channel on the HV-20 camcorder, leaving the right channel silent. The adapter will split the signal from the mic equally to both channels, which sounds better. Canon sells a shotgun mic for this camera that is stereo, and uses the camera's hot shoe, but at $150 it was three time the price of the ATR-55 shotgun, so I passed on it.
4. Ability to do "pass-through" Analog-to-digital transcoding. For example, if you have old family videos shot on VHS or 8mm analog videotape, you can use the "pass-through" capability of the HV-20 to convert the analog video to 720x480i digital video that can then be edited on a computer. You connect a VCR or your old Hi-8 camcorder to the HV-20 with component video cables (that's the red, white, and yellow cables that come with the HV-20), then connect the HV-20 to your computer with a firewire cable. Start the capture software on the computer, then play the analog tape - the HV-20 will transcode the analog video to digital video and pass it to the computer. You can then perform whatever type of image clean-up your video software supports, and output your old wedding or baby videos to DVD! Not every camcorder supports this, so it was a bonus feature that drew me to the HV-20.
5. Decent ergonomics. The camera feels pretty good in the hand and the controls are pretty good, with a few exceptions, most notably the zoom rocker, which is very poor compared to the EXCELLENT zoom rocker on Canon's own HG-10. What a shame that the HV-20 doesn't share this zoom rocker with the HG-10! Sony's camcorders generally have better "feel" in the hand than the HV-20, but I wanted the best image quality possible, so ergonomics was secondary in my priorities.
6. Well thought out layout of controls and I/O jacks. Some camcorders place I/O jacks UNDER THE BATTERY, requiring you to remove the battery to use them, meaning that you MUST power the camera with the AC adapter to use these jacks. STUPID! What if you are in the field, and don't have access to any power source other than the camera's battery? Thankfully, the HV-20 doesn't seem to suffer from any bone-head design bloopers like that. I also liked the fact that the HV-20 is fully self-contained, compared to a certain Sony model that does not have a firewire jack on the camera itself: you have to use a "docking station" to download this camera to a computer (another dumb design IMO).
7. 24P shooting mode: This is one of the "key" features on the Canon HV-20 and HG-10, and is really one of the primary features that would lead someone to choose one of these Canon's over a Sony, Panasonic, or JVC high-def camcorder. The primary benefit of 24P seems to be that it substantially improves the camera's low light capability, generally this is because 24p uses 1/48 second shutter speed instead of 1/60th second. In CamcorderInfo.com's 4-way "shootout" between the 4 top brands of High def camcorders, the HV-20 won the low-light image quality test hands-down. The HG-10 happens to use the same sensor, lens, and DIVIC processing chip as the HV-20, but it's low light capability suffers from compression noise caused by the MPEG-4 (AVCHD) compression algorithm. If the best possible low-light image quality is something you will need from your camcorder, avoid any model using AVCHD compression - this includes all current (2007) high-def camcorders that store to DVD, Hard disc, and Flash memory cards.
8. Audio (microphone) input level can be manually controlled. This feature is not available on many other camcorders. However, at highly boosted gain levels, the audio recorded from this camera gets pretty "noisy" - use a low impedance (600 ohm) microphone to get best results.
ADVANTAGES OF MINI-DV TAPE: It's cheap and widely available, costing about $3.00 per one hour of video storage capacity. It's easier to edit HDV video than AVCHD video, and HDV offers better image quality in low light. The tape itself is your archival media, and should last at least 10~15 years if you store it in a suitable container that protects it from moisture, dust, and temperature extremes. NOTE: It takes 3 single-sided DVD's to hold the video from one Mini-DV tape if you want to use DVD's as your back-up archival media.
ADVANTAGES OF HARD DRIVE CAMERAS (Canon HG-10 especially): Stores the full 1920 x 1080i high def video; MiniDV tape cameras using HDV compression actually record only 1440 x 1080i (non-square pixels), requiring a resampling of the video in post-production to get 1920 x 1080i. Lots of storage capacity: Up to 5 hours on the 40 megabyte drive in the Canon HG-10. Fast and easy video transfer to your computer via USB; you don't need to install a firewire port if your PC doesn't have one already. Transferring an hour's worth of video from an HG-10 to a computer takes a lot less time than the same transfer on an HV-20. Less motor "whine" in the audio track than you have with tape drive cameras. Less sensitivity to environmental problems like dust and moisture.
DIDADVANTAGES OF HARD DRIVE CAMERAS: A little more expensive purchase price, about $100 more for the Canon HG-10 compared to the HV-20. The big disadvantage currently is the AVCHD compression: compared to HDV compression used in MiniDV tape cameras, it's harder to edit in post-processing software, and requires a more powerful computer. AVCHD video shows a LOT more noise and compression artifacts in low-light shots than you get with HDV video.
ADVANTAGES OF DVD CAMCORDERS: Only one really, and that's the ability to put the disc into a DVD player and view it, or transfer it to computer. Transfer of video to computer same as HDD (via US
so faster than Tape drive. Hitachi recently came out with a high def camcorder that stores to Mini-BlueRay discs. I don't know for sure what the blank discs would cost, but you can bet they're way more expensive than regular 8cm DVD-RW's (Standard size blank BlueRay discs at Fry's cost $20 PER UNIT (December 2007))!
ADVANTAGES OF FLASH CARD CAMCORDERS: No moving parts in the storage media. This should mean longer service life and greater reliability. If flash memory continues to grow in capacity while dropping in cost, this type of camcorder could eventually bury Tape, HDD, and DVD. Easy transfer of video to PC over USB bus.
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