Matty.
Active member
Summer is coming up and I realized that a lot of people are going to want to start making movies next year, and some people just don't know which equipment to buy, so here is a guide for you up and coming film makers who want to know the basic facts about these 5 video cameras. I also added some HD cameras to put into consideration if you have the money. Also, these aren't the ONLY cameras to consider buying but they are the most popular in our industry.
3CCD Camera's
Sony VX1000
Pros:
This is the camera that started it all, it revolutionized digital filming. Even though it was released in the mid 90's some skateboard and action sports filmers use this camera to this day. Easier to get a very good image than most 3 chip cameras. Excellent microphone. Century Optics MKI Fisheye.
Cons:
Doesn't perform well in low light situations so a light might be necessary. No LCD screen. Old, hard to find the parts for it if it needs repairs.
See it in: Newman Admin's Content
Price Range:
$800-1100 Used
My Rating:
7.5/10
Sony VX2000/2100
Pros:
A lot like the VX1000. Very good in low light situations if you want to be shooting a lot of urban. Although it may be hard to attain a perfect image, it is totally possible to get this camera looking similar to film if you mess with the settings enough. The colours on this camera perform very well. Catches the blue tones quite nicely.
Cons:
A little bit of a digital look to it. No 24P modes.
Price Range:
$1300-1500 Used
$2000 New
See it in: Stept's Blueprints, Theory 3 movies, Offtrail's First Light and 11th Hour(a bit), Enhanced Media's Jibopoly
My Rating:
8/10
Panasonic DVX100, DVX100a, DVX100b
Pros:
This is the king of 3CCD standard definition cameras. I don't think you can buy a camera that shoots onto a normal MiniDV tape that films better than this thing. It captures a look really close to 16mm film and has so many settings that the possibilities to do with this camera are endless. Different frame rates: 24P, 30P, 60i.
Cons:
Heavy, image stabilization system needs improvements.
Price Range:
$2000 Used
$2600-3500 New
See it in: Theory 3's [Photo]Play, Offtrail's 11th Hour, Enhanced Media's Jibopoly, Newway Productions' Snowy Delight
My Rating:
9.5/10
Canon GL2
Pros:
Catches green and red tones nice. If shooting in ideal conditions it will look a lot like film. Light.
Cons:
Microphone needs improvements. It is too expensive for what you are getting.
Price Range:
$1500-2000 Used
$1800-2300 New
See it in: Newman Admin's Content
My Rating:
7/10
CCD Camera's
Canon Optura 10/20
Pros:
This is probably the only 1-chip camera that I would consider buying. It has a lot of manual features and you will get a pretty good image for what you pay for. Overall decent cam if shooting on a low budget and just can't raise the money to get a 3-chip camera.
Cons:
You get what you pay for...it's a 1-chip camera, just doesn't look as nice.
Price Range:
$200 Used
$400-600 New
See it in: WBP's EST (melvs' movie)
My Rating:
5.5/10
High Definition
I have zero experience shooting high definition, but from what I have read, the HVX200 and the HDR-FX1 are good cameras to buy if you have the $$$ and want to produce an HD ski movie.
Just some pics:
Panasonic HVX200
Sony HDR-FX1
See it in: OFS Media's Witness, Level 1's Shanghai Six and Long Story Short (i'm not 100% that it was used in Long Story Short)
Also if anyone wants to add any review to this thread feel more than welcome, I think you should try and stick with the format I chose to make things more simple for people to compare.
Format:
Company Name and Model
Picture!
Pros:
Cons:
Price Range:
See it in: (if possible)
Your Rating:
3CCD Camera's
Sony VX1000
Pros:
This is the camera that started it all, it revolutionized digital filming. Even though it was released in the mid 90's some skateboard and action sports filmers use this camera to this day. Easier to get a very good image than most 3 chip cameras. Excellent microphone. Century Optics MKI Fisheye.
Cons:
Doesn't perform well in low light situations so a light might be necessary. No LCD screen. Old, hard to find the parts for it if it needs repairs.
See it in: Newman Admin's Content
Price Range:
$800-1100 Used
My Rating:
7.5/10
Sony VX2000/2100
Pros:
A lot like the VX1000. Very good in low light situations if you want to be shooting a lot of urban. Although it may be hard to attain a perfect image, it is totally possible to get this camera looking similar to film if you mess with the settings enough. The colours on this camera perform very well. Catches the blue tones quite nicely.
Cons:
A little bit of a digital look to it. No 24P modes.
Price Range:
$1300-1500 Used
$2000 New
See it in: Stept's Blueprints, Theory 3 movies, Offtrail's First Light and 11th Hour(a bit), Enhanced Media's Jibopoly
My Rating:
8/10
Panasonic DVX100, DVX100a, DVX100b
Pros:
This is the king of 3CCD standard definition cameras. I don't think you can buy a camera that shoots onto a normal MiniDV tape that films better than this thing. It captures a look really close to 16mm film and has so many settings that the possibilities to do with this camera are endless. Different frame rates: 24P, 30P, 60i.
Cons:
Heavy, image stabilization system needs improvements.
Price Range:
$2000 Used
$2600-3500 New
See it in: Theory 3's [Photo]Play, Offtrail's 11th Hour, Enhanced Media's Jibopoly, Newway Productions' Snowy Delight
My Rating:
9.5/10
Canon GL2
Pros:
Catches green and red tones nice. If shooting in ideal conditions it will look a lot like film. Light.
Cons:
Microphone needs improvements. It is too expensive for what you are getting.
Price Range:
$1500-2000 Used
$1800-2300 New
See it in: Newman Admin's Content
My Rating:
7/10
CCD Camera's
Canon Optura 10/20
Pros:
This is probably the only 1-chip camera that I would consider buying. It has a lot of manual features and you will get a pretty good image for what you pay for. Overall decent cam if shooting on a low budget and just can't raise the money to get a 3-chip camera.
Cons:
You get what you pay for...it's a 1-chip camera, just doesn't look as nice.
Price Range:
$200 Used
$400-600 New
See it in: WBP's EST (melvs' movie)
My Rating:
5.5/10
High Definition
I have zero experience shooting high definition, but from what I have read, the HVX200 and the HDR-FX1 are good cameras to buy if you have the $$$ and want to produce an HD ski movie.
Just some pics:
Panasonic HVX200
Sony HDR-FX1
See it in: OFS Media's Witness, Level 1's Shanghai Six and Long Story Short (i'm not 100% that it was used in Long Story Short)
Also if anyone wants to add any review to this thread feel more than welcome, I think you should try and stick with the format I chose to make things more simple for people to compare.
Format:
Company Name and Model
Picture!
Pros:
Cons:
Price Range:
See it in: (if possible)
Your Rating:
