The Best, the Worst and the Meh' sub-$10k cameras of 2008
The Winners:
1. HVR-Z7U
The 2008 camera.
Sony's HVR-Z7U is the best bang for your buck. The workflow you have in use today, the Z7U fits in. The workflow you would like to use in the future, the Z7U fits in. The Z7 fits into your current blank media budget. The Z7 fits into your archival system. The Z7 fits into 2008. (It also fits into the overhead compartment or under the seat in front of you on an airplane.)
It shoots on cheap and easy to find miniDV tapes AND/OR Compact Flash cards. It has the ability to record HD and SD at the same time. Tapes mean easy, cheap, reliable storage of raw footage. CF cards mean the effortless quick import of footage into your NLE. Great stock lens for the price, standard lens mount for easy third party lenses / adapters, ability to shoot in 120fps bursts, shoots interlaced and progressive, operates in less light than most HDV cameras... ... ...
I really could go on and on about why I think the Z7 is the great camera or 2008 (and probably the most over looked camera of 2008), but since it all really comes down to cost and workflow: The Z7U comes in at an affordable price point and is flexible enough to work wherever it it needed.
End of story.
2. PMW-EX1
If you know anything about the HVX200, you two things:
1. It was a completely ground-breaking-mind-blowing-exciting camera that showed us the future of video cameras.
2. It had a lot of valid problems that held the camera back from true greatness.
The EX1 is (for all intensive purposes) the Panasonic AG-HVX200, minus 90% of the above noted problems.
I really cannot toss enough insults at Panasonic after the release of the EX1. Panny had paved the way to the future, they then either fell asleep at the wheel or thought they never had to do any real work again. It will be interesting to see how Panasonic responds in 2009 after Sony blew them out of the water in 2008.
(The critics of the EX1 will point out the truthful downsides to the XDCAM EX's codec. The hypocritical part of those attacks is that the native resolution of the HVX chips are so embarrassing that Panasonic tries to never mention the specs. It is kind of like someone driving on 4 flat tires critizing at a car with squeaky brakes.)
When you factor in the cost of the camera, the SxS cards and hard drive back up storage, you come in thousands less than if you went with the HVX. Add to that, the full raster chips and XDCAM EX resolution of 1920x1080 vs DVCPro HD's 1280x1080, plus SDI and the best built-in lens on a video camera to date, the EX1 rocks and rocks hard.
Except if you need standard def video, then the only time the EX1 doesn't rock at all. Although, this probably is a non-issue to many people because if you're purchasing an EX1, you probably have a computer that can easily down convert the edited video to any format you need.
3. PMW-EX3
The biggest difference between the EX1 and EX3 is that you can swap the lens on the EX3. Granted, new glass costs more than many new cars, but well worth it if you have the cash. If you're tight on money, then the extra dough for an option you won't use, isn't worth it.
The introduction of the EX3 so close on the heels of the EX1 not only opened up the targeted customer base, but also gave Sony a chance to show they are willing to improve upon the little details that are a big deal to buyers.
4. AG-HMC150
A budget HVX with fewer headaches.
Yes, this camera doesn't have nearly as many features as the HVX, but it has what is needed most. Since the HMC150 records onto SD cards instead of P2, it means that you can shop for extras at a corner drug store with pocket change instead of a high end camera store with two months rent.
The only major downside is that you will need a newer NLE system to handle the processor intensive AVCHD codecs. The cost of MSRP + SD cards + back up hard drive storage makes the HMC150 the cheapest professional camera that is built for tomorrow's workflow.
5. HF-100 / HF-10/ HF-11
The baby cameras of tomorrow, today.
Canon has the lock on the best small consumer camcorders on sale today since the introduction of the HV20. Canon has been out performing Sony, Panasonic and JVC at the consumer level. So much so that the Canon HV20 has earned the reputation of the best non-professional camera that can shoot side-by-side a professional camera.
For years hard drive, miniDVD and flash media camcorders have been on the market, but none of them have been able to match the picture quality of tape based cameras, until now.
The HF series builds beyond the HV20's success by moving from HDV's MPEG-2 compression to AVCHD with full raster 1920x1080 resolution. Canon continues to be generous with great manual controls (well, for as much of what you can expect in a baby camera) and a standard mic input. This camera has what it needs for the pro & for the home camcorder crowd.
No comments:
Post a Comment