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VIDEO CAMERA OPINIONS

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asfffffffffdd
Posts: 1554 - Karma: 1,103

without taking price into accont, what do you guys think is the best camera:

Sony HVR Z1U

Sony HDR FX1

Canon XH A1

Sony HVR FX7

Oct 6 2008 8:32PM
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milkdud951
Posts: 960 - Karma: 21
For skiing I'd take the XH A1 no doubt
Oct 6 2008 8:43PM
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horner
Posts: 2439 - Karma: 1,578
A1, I'd say it's in a class above the cameras listed.
Oct 6 2008 9:09PM
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dergblerp
Posts: 1303 - Karma: 77
The A1 and Z1U are extremely similar. The Z1 is much more expensive, but you said price isn't a factor. Z1U's main advantage at least in the global market, is it's ability to shoot PAL and NTSC, but for most applications it's not useful.

I personally think the XHA1 uses a better HDV codec. (no pixel shifting) Also, if you want to shoot 24 fps, the XHA1's 24f mode (full frame) is a better system than sony's CineFrame 24. Both are interlaced signals with flags and pull down, but Canon's 24f has been accepted by the filmmaking community as being comparable if not identical in appearance to Panasonics 24p.
Oct 6 2008 9:30PM
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estaked
Posts: 7388 - Karma: 79
A1
Oct 7 2008 12:33AM
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asfffffffffdd
Posts: 1554 - Karma: 1,103
haha I totally left that camera out of the list on accident, and its the one I ended up picking!

Just ordered a V1U about 45 minutes ago!
Oct 7 2008 12:47AM
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[~_~]
Posts: 20239 - Karma: 1,273
the A1 kills all of those.
Oct 7 2008 2:52AM
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dergblerp
Posts: 1303 - Karma: 77
V1U is a good camera. I don't really know what the performance of the '3mos' cameras is like, but I hear they're worse in low light? 24p mode on the V1U is a huge step up from the Z1U's Cineframe 24, probably basically the same as Canon's. XHA1's color's are quite a bit better than sony which is surprising, because the PD170 had the best colors in its class for SD cameras. Once again though, for 60i, ski movie shooting, none of this makes much of a difference.
Oct 7 2008 4:09AM
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[~_~]
Posts: 20239 - Karma: 1,273
if by PD170 you mean DVX?
Oct 7 2008 2:41PM
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eheath
Posts: 61603 - Karma: 123,082
Well if price isn't an issue, hvx200 or hpx170.


But out of those i suppose the xha1.
Oct 7 2008 2:51PM
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eheath
Posts: 61603 - Karma: 123,082
Fact are facts.
Oct 7 2008 7:06PM
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dergblerp
Posts: 1303 - Karma: 77
I meant for colors. PD170 has by far the best colors and low light abilities out of any SD camera in its price range. This isn't based on my opinion, but actual tests.

http://www.camcorderinfo.com/content/sony-dsr-pd170-camcorder-review.htm

PD170 and DVX are great for very different applications. PD170 can shoot in DVCAM mode, which is a much better compression than normal minidv. It's a great camera for news and broadcast type filming. DVX100 is much better for making narrative films because of it's 24p modes.
Oct 7 2008 7:15PM
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[~_~]
Posts: 20239 - Karma: 1,273
hmm...I never knew that! I've never seen PD170 footage surpass DVX footage as far as colors go...
Oct 7 2008 9:23PM
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