if you guys had the chance to get any camera you wanted (nothing extreme, such as a film or HD cam) in the 5 thousand dollar or less range, which would you choose?

I'm thinking about getting the panasonic agdvx100...i've been told that has really good quality and it shoots 24P.

what camera would you get and why?

i also want to know which cams out there have the best picture quality and the best features...im still talking about the 5 thousand dollar or less range...thanks

I'd probably grab the Sony PD150. It comes with built in XLR inputs, a shotgun mic, it shoots in digital 16:9, and has major room for accessories, like follow focuses and that sort of thing.

Sony TRV950

I'm no expert, but i've heard great things and met pro's who use the panasonic, 24p sounds great. I'm also a cannon fan, i like the Gl-2. However, the xl 1s doesn't have a view screen, wich detracts from it alot

DVX100 without a doubt. Id like to tack $20,000 on to that budget and buy its big brother though when it comes out, but I am very pleased with this cam. I was a die hard XL1 user before it came out, now I couldnt bare to shoot a short on one. It is worth every penny. (I got mine for under $3,000 BTW)
R. Michael

"Luck, is when opportunity, meets preperation." "There are 3 sides to every story. Yours, mine, and the truth, and none of us are lying" -Robert Evans

1st place-AGDVX100
2nd place-Sony PD150
3rd place-GL2

don't laugh, but a $1500 pro. 3ccd hi 8 camera a $3000 dvcam vtr, and a sennheiser me66/k9 shotgun mic.

i foggot to add... all of this gear will be pal, and also maybe a colour corrector, but with avid you wouldn't need it anyway

Alright, i have decided to save up and get the DVX100. Three questions.

1. Can I import and edit footage from this camera with Final Cut Pro 3 and possibly 4?

2. Tizzy, what big brother are you talking about?

3. Does the AG-DVX100 have better picture quality than the XL1?

No the DVX-100 does alot better picture quality then the XL1S. The Cannon XL1S is over rated. I suggest that you get the GL-2 because in produces the same amount of picture quality then the DVX-100 and with the GL-2 you wont be screwing yourself over. What i mean by this is that the GL-2 uses and mini jack for audio so you can just buy and extra adapter so you can us both XLR and mini jack mics. But with the DVX-100 you will have to use XLR because they dont make any XLR to mini adapters, so you will have to send up to $500-$800 dollars for some lapel mics (thats if you plan to use those) or up to $400 for a shotgun mic that is XLR. But hey if you have the money go for the DVX-100. But i stll say the GL-2

quote:

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Originally posted by Camera Man:
with the DVX-100 you will have to use XLR because they dont make any XLR to mini adapters, so you will have to send up to $500-$800 dollars for some lapel mics (thats if you plan to use those) or up to $400 for a shotgun mic that is XLR.

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Nope! It's $12.50 at Equipment Emporium. Probably even cheaper at Radio Shack or Fry's.

Plus, if the camera has built in XLRs, you don't have to ever got to unbalanced connectors like you do with the external adapters when you do want to use a QUALITY microphones.

Alright, well if you do go to that link it shows a XLR (fe) to mini (male). But the problem is is that they dont make any such adapter to for mini (fe)to XLR(male). That is what you would need bud!. Plus if you just have common since you would obviously not make the mistake of useing un-matched immpedences. And if you do that you wont have a prob with QUALITLY audio. Plus all i was trying to say is hey if you have the money to use all XLR audio equipment then go right ahead but if you want to save money but it will be more of a hasal you can use the GL-2 and just get an adapter.

And yes i do realize i did make the mistake of saying XLR to mini, but i meant mini to XLR. (This was in the post post that i made the mistake)

I can't believe I'm making this point, but

"XLR m to mini $12.50" is on the web page.

Plus, all you need to do is connects an XLR barrel to your 'fe' to make it male. Heck, using a ballanced wire pigtail, you could make your own if you wanted.

Hey mickey mouse I private messaged you with a question:
http://forums.studentfilms.com/eve/forums?a=tpc&s=2086066451&f=3486066451&m=8696074904

OK once again what you need is a mini (FEMLAE) to XLR (MALE) and plus more adapters the less quality you will have. And im not hear to get in cock fight with you, im hear to try and help the people that need help not to hear you post just because you want to and your ego is getting in the way.

quote:

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Originally posted by Camera Man:
more adapters the less quality you will have.

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Wouldn't going through mini at all result in less quality?

Not that he needs me to defend him, but I don't think Joren is trying to get into a cock fight with you. He's trying to help people (Same as you) by pointing out what he sees as a flaw in your advice. You wouldn't want people to spend $2000+ on flawed advice would you?

Nota "Is never wrong " Mono

Well thats the thing it isnt flawed advice, i already corrected myself a number of times, and no not really the only reason videographers use XLR is so they can have there shotgun mic travel longer distantces witout any resctants

Peace, brother. I'm sorry we have differing views, but I'm glad you spoke up about it. This is what makes a comunity. This will be my last post on this topic. Feel free to have the final word if you wish.

The point I understood you to take was that connecting a mini-plug mic was impossible on the VX100 and you would have to use quality (more expensive) balanced microphones. I wanted to correct that it was possible to do this connection, although it won't sound as good as a balanced mic. With that said, I believe it's not gonna sound any worse than going directly into a camera that only has miniplug, in general (there are exeptions).

The longer run of a unbalanced signal wire, the more degraded the signal. That's why the converter boxes connect at the camera and not the microphone side of the cable. That's also why, IMHO, the beachtek converter with a 6" unbalanced pigtail is better than the studio one with a 5' pigtail.

I am a champion of quality sound in micro-budget film and always encourage people to invest as much time and money into sound as they do to picture. I don't own a camera right now (exept for one to log and capture with), but have shoot with most of the popular prosumer DV25s. I am of the opinion the VX100 is the best bang for the buck out there. With any of these cameras, it's really personal preference. Some may swear that you will never use any more features than the GL-2 and it doesn't make sense spending more money. Others may want or like the other features the the xl1s or vx100 have. Some may just like the erginomics of a peticular camera and that is the dertimining factor. At the end of the day, it's only a tool and can only help you as far as you know how to use it creatively. This is why I try to stay out of these 'what's the best camera' questions.

Yes i agree with Joren about the camera idea it is best to keep your own i deas and just share them not argue about them, and dont take this as im a last owrd freak im just agreeing with joren. I have just worked with audio equipment and i have just shared what i know and obviously joren knows more so i wont argue about whos better or worse just thank you for correcting me Joren

BTW: Has anyone taken a look at This camera ??
Based on the reviews I've seen in VideoSytems it's looking really good.
Here's another review that includes frame grabs.

Personally, I'm holding off on buying a camera until this one has some more competition to pick from, but it sure does looks promising.

(BTW: It comes with XLR jacks )

Have fun.