Anyone use the Canon GL2?

Check out the Panasonic DVX 100-a, I worked in film for 2 years and every film nerd got all giddy when talking about it.

I didn't like the GL2

Purchased one a while ago, but didn't like it, especially the autofocus, auto WB and colour quality. Shopping at the same price point and comparable specs we got a Sony VX-2100 cameras that has worked well for us. That was almost 2 years ago, though, and there are probably better choices on the market. Check the latest choices from Panasonic. I also use the Canon XL-2, which is a very versatile camera, but by the time you have everything you need for it you're triple the cost.

A couple hints in the $2000 price range:

- Make sure that whatever you choose has at least an option to record straight DV. Lots of new camcorders targeting the high end of the consumer market ONLY save compressed video. That's fine for home use, but less than ideal for content production.

- Very few camcorders come with the wide angle lens you need to shoot typical content.

-Amy

Good info. Thanks!

i have used the gl2 for shooting snowboard video several times, and the camera is sick. i've never had a chance to actually put the sony to use, but i have fiddled around with it a bit and it looks nice also. although everyone i've ever discussed the differences with seemed to side with the canon. i'm not an expert on lenses and such, but i'm told the canon has a high quality lens. to me though, they both appear to do wonders for approx the same price. i think it mostly depends where your brandname loyalty lies on this one. i'm a big fan of canon's new d-slr digital cameras too, so maybe i'm swayed abit. i'd have to say the gl2 would be my number one choice for video...

It seems to me that at this time buying anything that doesn't shoot HD (at least 720) is not a good investment.

You can shoot standard definition now (SD), but have it there for HD when you are ready.

A quick look at ebay and I see new GL2 packages in the $2300 to $2600 range, but for another few hundred you have the same package in a Sony FX-1 that will do the same quality (or better) in SD, and does HD too!

Or, for less $ you have the HC1 (discontinued recently, replaced by HVR-A1 with better inputs for sound and DVCAM)

Jimmy

Id go with the vx2100 over the gl2. The vx2100 uses 1/3rd inch CCDs whereas the gl2 used 1/4th inch CCD's.

vx2100 = better audio, better low light performance, crisper image, etc.

I pretty much agree here, if you can find one that you can swing in your budget I would go with it. I would suggest going with the fx-1 as a good start. You can get the smaller form factor sony cmos chip based hdv cams, and bhvideo.com has one hvr-a1u in their used section for 1,850 which gives you the xlr and more importantly timecode so you can use it in conjunction with one of the bigger sony's later when you upgrade, but my only reservation with the little cmos cams is they fall off a bit more in low light situations, so if you aren't running really great lights it might be less then ideal, depending on how you like your shoot to look.

One other thing, a lot of shooters are upgrading with all these new hd choices, so I would look to pick up a deal on a good condition used sd camera if I can't swing the hd cam I want right now.