[pkjackson]

I am going to be buying a Camcorder soon, and was wondering what is the best 3-CCD camcorder out there?

[danbrew]

I've got a Sony TRV900 and am very happy with it.

danbrew

[NeoMac]

The best prosumer 3-CCD camcorder would be the Canon XL1S DV camcorder.

If you can afford it, more power to you. It's only about $4,000.

[pkjackson]

OK....the models I am looking at are the Canon GL1, Sony TRV-900, and the Sony VX-2000.

Has anyone had experience with any of these models?
I need one that will take good video in low light situations....as I will be video taping some weddings this year.

[opallaser]

For low light situations the VX-2000 is probably the pick. The PD-150A (the big brother of the VX-200) is outstanding in low light situations. The 2000 has a pop out screen which is very handy.

Im a big fan of the Canon though. I have an XL1 and the ability to swap lenses is a god send. If you don't need the versatility of removable lenses then i would suggest the VX-2000.

[wulf]

Briefly, I think the VX2000 is the best buy.

I own an XM-1 (PAL version of the GL-1) and think it's a great camera, but I've used all the 3-CCD Sonys and Canons professionally and I would definitely go for the VX2000 if you can afford it. Personally I really want a PD-150 (semi-pro DVCAM version of the VX2000) but the difference in price doesn't really justify the purchase for non-pro use. The Canon XL1S is an excellent camera, but I find it quite unwieldy to use and unless you have a real need for interchangeable lenses or 'frame' mode, the VX2000 is probably better value all-round. All the cameras mentioned are good quality, capable units, but the Sonys are better performers in low light. If the VX2000 seems a little too much for you, the TRV900 is also a really excellent unit for its price range.

One of the big differences with the VX2000 is the 1/3" CCD, as opposed to 1/4" in the GL1 and TRV, it gives you that just-noticeable notch up in resolution. The GL1 has a great lens with 20x optical zoom, as opposed to 12x in the Sonys (and, is it 16x in the XL1? I forget) - the long lens is fantastic if you are interested in videoing wildlife or suchlike. The Canons tend to be a little warmer in hue, which I find slightly more naturalistic, but the Sonys tend to look a little sharper - these are not obvious differences though, they are all high-quality cameras capable of taking great video.

I cannot stress enough that you should really try them out before you buy. I know it's difficult, because shops often don't like to let you play about with expensive kit too much, but I think its important to get a feel for the ergonomics of the camera, especially if you're going to be using it a lot.

Hope that helps,
wulf

VX-2000 only goes down to 4.0 lux. If you are talking of a good camera for prosumer look at that camera however the light issue has to be raised. I also would look at the low end pro lines as they have come down since last year. There is the JVC GY-DV500, the Panasonic AG-DVC200, and the Sony DSR-250 which all are better in the long run if you are going to make a living in this trade or make a buck.

MacZilla Rex

[Scottydog]

I've been aspiring to buying a camcorder for sports events, including on-bike footage, and the XM-1 (GL-1) caught my eye. I hadn't been intending to spend the money it demands, but have seen it for £1350, instead of £1600

Is the lack of analogue inputs a huge drawback? I have no old analogue footage to convert.

Also, it is listed as going down to only 6 lux. This doesn't compare well even to cheaper models, but how do I tell how dull 6 lux is? Would a photography light meter have this scale on it

TIA.

[opallaser]

I've compared the low light capabilities of the PD-150 to my XL1 and the Sony is superior in almost all cases. The VX-2000 shares the same optics etc so should be great in low light. I wouldn't look at higher end stuff than an XL1 or PD-150.

[vmarks]

Originally posted by Scottydog:
<STRONG>I've been aspiring to buying a camcorder for sports events, including on-bike footage, and the XM-1 (GL-1) caught my eye. I hadn't been intending to spend the money it demands, but have seen it for £1350, instead of £1600

Is the lack of analogue inputs a huge drawback? I have no old analogue footage to convert.

Also, it is listed as going down to only 6 lux. This doesn't compare well even to cheaper models, but how do I tell how dull 6 lux is? Would a photography light meter have this scale on it

TIA.</STRONG>

The North American GL-1 has analog inputs- I think the reason the XM-1 doesn't is because it avoids European taxation on devices like VCRs. You may be able to re-enable this feature through some tricky manipulation of the remote control that comes with the camera.

But as you mention, you have no analog footage to convert in any event.

As for comparing well to cheaper models, the cheaper models have been updated more recently than the GL-1 (XM-1.) The GL-1 is over a
year and a half old, nearing 2 as a product.

I can't predict when the GL-1 will be updated, unfortunately.

EDIT: I was incorrect. I haven't had to deal with a european cam in a few years. Analog in was not the problem, DV-in was the problem-

for a few years there, and it still happens,
manufacturers dodge additional taxes and sell cameras for lower prices that can only export DV footage, and not import the edited footage back from the computer to the camera.

The XM-1 isn't afflicted with this curse.

Sorry to mislead you, my mistake was, there is no cure for the analog in problem, only the digital one, which doesn't affect the XM-1 anyway.

Sorry to get your hopes up.

[ 02-24-2002: Message edited by: vmarks ]

[pkjackson]

OK....I think I am going to go with the SONY VX-2000

I have seen them priced anyware from $1595 - $2995 - why the big price variance?

Does anyone have any suggestions on a good place to order one from?

Thanks

[Mallrat]

Originally posted by pkjackson:
<STRONG>OK....I think I am going to go with the SONY VX-2000

I have seen them priced anyware from $1595 - $2995 - why the big price variance?

Does anyone have any suggestions on a good place to order one from?

Thanks</STRONG>

www.bhphoto.com is a good place to order from


of the 3 camcorders you named... get the VX-2000.... it has manual audio and sony works better with apple products.... at least that's what i've heard....but regardless get the VX-2000

[XPBlows]

I was thinking about the VX-2000 also. Any comments on the audio? The built in mic?

regards...

[Mallrat]

Originally posted by XPBlows:
<STRONG>I was thinking about the VX-2000 also. Any comments on the audio? The built in mic?

regards...</STRONG>

I've heard conflicting reports... some say the VX-2000 has a hiss problem, some say it doesn't, some say it's fixed......

but overall I've heard th most love the camera... if you can rent one or borrow one and check them all out....

also the pd-150 is the same as the VX-2000, but it has XLR inputs for better sound and the option to use DV Cam and no sound issues that I know of.

go to
www.2-pop.com

that's a start.

[Mallrat]

At www.2-pop.com people are talking about panasonic releasing a new 3 chip camcorder that might be

24 frames per second

scott billups on his web site tells people to wait and see what happens with it, if you can that is....