best HD video camera for $2-3K (pic)

**Intrinsic** · 07-24-2011, 12:22 PM

Best HD camcorders
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(Updated July 19, 2011 9:30 AM PDT)
Lori Grunin
Senior editor
HD's higher resolution, broader color space, and advanced compression algorithms have opened the door for a substantial improvement in video quality, even for the most prosaic of home movies. Though prices for consumer models hover well above the budgets of many wanna-haves, as more units trickle into the market in 2007 we expect the prices to drop into mainstream territory. And pros need HD capabilities to stay competitive: even if you're not quite ready to go HD-only, some of the entry-level pro models are priced reasonably enough to merit an educational investment.
Canon Vixia HF G10
While it's got a great shooter feature set and good video quality, the Canon Vixia HF G10 still feels a bit expensive for what it offers.

Price: $1,299.95 - $1,499.99 (check prices)

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Canon Vixia HF S21
Though they're an excellent trio of camcorders, the Vixia HF S21, HF S20, and HF S200 are significantly more expensive than their respective competitors, especially since the S20 and S200 lack electronic viewfinders. If you can forgo some of the subtleties of the manual controls, you can probably get what you need with a cheaper camcorder.

**rock-reed** · 07-24-2011, 12:29 PM

I agree--- Canon Vixia HF G10 is the camera we've been watching also.

**DBS.US** · 07-24-2011, 12:35 PM

http://cnettv.cnet.com/canon-vixia-h...-50104041.html

**PornoMonster** · 07-24-2011, 12:40 PM

Good for POV????

**Spike D** · 07-24-2011, 03:07 PM

Canon XA10

**rock-reed** · 07-24-2011, 04:48 PM

Canon XA10 HD and Canon Vixia HF G10 are very similar... Besides the XLR on the XA10, what else does it have over the HF G10?

**dyna mo** · 07-24-2011, 04:55 PM

Originally posted by rock-reed

Canon XA10 HD and Canon Vixia HF G10 are very similar... Besides the XLR on the XA10, what else does it have over the HF G10?

$800 more, 2 more pounds and an inferioror is?

i went with the pana tm900 over the g10, i didn't care for canon low-pixal approach to increasing light sensitivity. i also take stills with the tm900 and can't do that as well with the g10.

**rock-reed** · 07-24-2011, 04:59 PM

This one?

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...tion_3MOS.html

**candyflip** · 07-24-2011, 05:13 PM

For that money, you could build a nice Canon 5D mkII rig...if you look in the right places and are willing to piece stuff together.

The next step up would be this. I get mine in December and am chomping at the bit while having to wait.

**DBS.US** · 07-24-2011, 07:54 PM

Canon XA10 HD Professional Camcorder
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...Camcorder.html

**BiggleJones** · 07-24-2011, 09:29 PM

Originally posted by candyflip

For that money, you could build a nice Canon 5D mkII rig...if you look in the right places and are willing to piece stuff together.

Agreed. Best video quality for the price, hands down. Can't go wrong with the 5D Mark II.

**waltgator** · 07-24-2011, 09:45 PM

Originally posted by BiggleJones

Agreed. Best video quality for the price, hands down. Can't go wrong with the 5D Mark II.

worked with a few producers, the camera is nice & the images awesome! but complaints of awkwardness to use, but like anything takes some getting used to in order to learn the camera...still a good rig though...

**Cherry7** · 07-25-2011, 12:51 AM

Originally posted by BiggleJones

Agreed. Best video quality for the price, hands down. Can't go wrong with the 5D Mark II.

Unless you pan, or film something like a brick wall or with patterns....

The Sony FS100 will change everything....

**Chosen** · 07-25-2011, 01:18 AM

Originally posted by johnny o

post away. also, i'm looking for real world experience, not some cut and paste bullshit.

Beautiful pic

**mafia_man** · 07-25-2011, 02:36 AM

Originally posted by Cherry7

Unless you pan, or film something like a brick wall or with patterns....

The Sony FS100 will change everything....

Who pans in porn?

**Cherry7** · 07-25-2011, 02:49 AM

Originally posted by mafia_man

Who pans in porn?

Then you don't need a good camera at all.

**candyflip** · 07-25-2011, 03:03 AM

Originally posted by Cherry7

The Sony FS100 will change everything....

Requoting, just to drive home the point again.

**pornguy** · 07-25-2011, 04:22 AM

Dont know much about the cameras but the shot and girl are HOT

**MaDalton** · 07-25-2011, 06:02 AM

Originally posted by candyflip

Requoting, just to drive home the point again.

this looks like what i need...

but i still haven't found out if via adapter also canon lenses can be used

**candyflip** · 07-25-2011, 06:08 AM

Originally posted by MaDalton

this looks like what i need...

but i still haven't found out if via adapter also canon lenses can be used

Yes. There are/will be adapters for all ranges of Canon lenses.

**Grapesoda** · 07-25-2011, 06:12 AM

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...tion_3MOS.html

I use the Sony equivalent to this cam.

**MaDalton** · 07-25-2011, 06:27 AM

Originally posted by candyflip

Yes. There are/will be adapters for all ranges of Canon lenses.

yeah - just found it - "dumb" adapters already and more intelligent ones coming up... nice

**johnny o** · 07-25-2011, 11:36 AM

thanks for the headsup

that canon DSLR seems incredibly awkard. also, the body alone is $2500. all of those add-ons shown can't be cheap either.

**Lykos** · 07-25-2011, 12:10 PM

Last i used to used was Sony FX1,did pretty good job always

**Cherry7** · 07-25-2011, 01:55 PM

The Sony FS 100 near cinema quality will need more attention to focus, exposure,make up etc, changing lens etc needs bigger crews to exploit increase in quality, will this reverse the trend of quantity over quality?

**djroof** · 07-25-2011, 02:00 PM

hottieeeeeeeee

**Gonzodave** · 07-25-2011, 04:10 PM

The Canon Vixia HF G10 certainly is a beautiful little camera and would be a beauty for POV. I use a a Sony HDR-X7...but is way too big for POV.

**candyflip** · 07-25-2011, 04:17 PM

Originally posted by johnny o

thanks for the headsup

that canon DSLR seems incredibly awkard. also, the body alone is $2500. all of those add-ons shown can't be cheap either.

You can find the camera used for under $1000. I just sniped one on Ebay last week for just over $800. Might keep it, might flip it.

I'm building a Red Rock Cinema rig, the total for that is just over $2000.

So, if you play your cards right and piece things together, while having no aversion to used gear...you can build yourself a kickass set up in the price range you have set.

**Diomed** · 07-25-2011, 04:28 PM

Lets not get sidetracked,

we are looking for ideal bang for your buck in the very cheap end of the spectrum, $2-3k.

**candyflip** · 07-25-2011, 04:44 PM

Originally posted by Diomed

Lets not get sidetracked,

we are looking for ideal bang for your buck in the very cheap end of the spectrum, $2-3k.

While not ideal for the situation, the DSLRs really are the most bang for the buck in that price range.

**dyna mo** · 07-25-2011, 04:51 PM

i've rented from these guys, they have an indie rig for the 5d

http://www.bestbetcamera.com/cameras....html?sef=hcfp

**candyflip** · 07-25-2011, 05:23 PM

Originally posted by dyna mo

i've rented from these guys, they have an indie rig for the 5d

http://www.bestbetcamera.com/cameras....html?sef=hcfp

Yeah, this setup you can put together for around $1600.

best HD video camera for $2-3K (pic)

best HD video camera for $2-3K (pic)

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