[Eyenovation]

I'm thinking of getting either the Canon XL1-s (I know the XL2 is coming out) or the JVC GR-HD1 camera. Does anyone have an opinions as to which is better, and why? I will be doing mostly pure digital work under natural (outdoor) lighting conditions. The camera will be use primarily for documentary work.

I like the XL1's ability to change lenses, but am not thrilled with the lack of flip out screen. Not sure if I'd even miss it however.

Any serious video editors have an opinion either way?

[hmurchison2001]

I think you should add the Panasonic DVX-100A to your list.

It's definitely better than the XL1s and it still gives the XL2 a battle at $1495 cheaper($3495).

I'd avoid the JVC HDV camera, it's first generation and requires additional software to edit in your NLE. Plus it's only a single CCD. Sony has a 3CCD HDV camera coming either late this year or early next year for $5000 rumored.

I too like the idea of interchangable lenses but I have to question how many times I would need another lense. That's a choice each individual person will have to make.

My favorite cameras right now are

Panny GS-400 $1495 consumerish 3CCD MiniDV.

Panny DVX-100A $3495 proven MiniDV 24p cam.

Cannon XL2- $5000 24p MiniDV, Native 16x9 interchangabe lens.

[Eyenovation]

Very good point. Totally forgot about the DVX100a. Does the 24 P require inordinate amounts of light, however?

[RiSE]

i 2nd the DVX100a. Although i have yet to get my hands on one, i think if you are shooting mostly outdoor stuff you should be ok using natural night. But it never hurts to reflect a little extra on your subject.

[Axo1ot1]

The DVX-100a is a killer little camera. It has normal light requirements, and it can shoot in 60i mode if you're antsy about using 24p. I have not shot anything with it myself, but by all accounts the JVC HD camera is not really worth it. It's a single chip camera, and not especially well put together from what I've heard. Most of the film people I know would shoot on a 3 chip DV camera before shooting on the JVC.

[k_munic]

Originally posted by Eyenovation:
I'm thinking of getting either the Canon XL1-s (I know the XL2 is coming out) or the JVC GR-HD1 camera. Does anyone have an opinions as to which is better, and why? I will be doing mostly pure digital work under natural (outdoor) lighting conditions. The camera will be use primarily for documentary work.

I like the XL1's ability to change lenses, but am not thrilled with the lack of flip out screen. Not sure if I'd even miss it however.

Any serious video editors have an opinion either way?

3 chip is essential when working under low light conditions, a 3chipper offers much better pic quality than a single chip camcorder.

using different lenses: the included zoom of a camcorders is nice - many people add wide lens converters (e.g. skater videos ;-) ) or long lens converters (e.g. animal movies) - these lenses add TONS of weight to your equipment ;-)

flip out screen: using outdoors doesnt work (my experience), these flip out are not bright. on the other hand, i mentioned skater videos: a flip out screen offers a very free handling of the camcorder; some people prefer to use an external, small tft monitor for controlling the pic.

progessive shutter: nice when later transfering the video to film or extensive use of slowmo; cost millions, because just FCpro and DVDSP can handle 24/25/30p video