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Guy Gear: HD Camcorders
Panasonic HDC-HS300 - Credit: Amazon.com
Guy Gear: HD Camcorders | |
|---|---|
 | Canon VIXIA HF S10Canon’s reputation is built on cameras like this one. The VIXIA HF S10 is a robust 32GB Flash-based HD camcorder that takes fabulous footage thanks to Canon’s 8.59 total megapixels, the CMOS optical sensor and the DIGIC DV III image processor, which works in conjunction with a 10x optical zoom lens. This HD camcorder will shoot in the bleeding-edge 24p in Cinema Mode, or 30p in Progressive Mode, at up to a 24Mbps bit rate, and at up to 1920 x 1080 full HD resolution. A 2.7-inch LCD shows you what you’re shooting, even in sunlight. An HDMI port lets you watch your movies (or dailies) on an HDTV, and the SDHC memory slot gives you massively expandable recording space.Retail price: $1,299.99 (in April 2009). |
 | Sony Handycam HDR-CX100Sony’s new Handycam does 1920 x 1080 HD recording and 4MP still shooting, fits in your hand perfectly and offers a host of new and established technologies. Sony’s Face Detection feature works in both still-photo and video-capture modes, and Smile Shutter will snap a shot as soon as the subject smiles, even while shooting video. The 2.7-inch touchscreen is an easy way to access spot focusing and other features, and the 1/5-inch Exmor CMOS captures vivid footage, further sharpened by Sony’s proprietary BIONZ technology, which filters out signal noise. The 10x Carl Zeiss zoom lens keeps things nice and sharp. In sound terms, the built-in zoom mic focuses recording on the subject in front of the camera, reducing ambient noise for crisply recorded dialogue. As far as HD camcorders go, this is a lot of value for your dollar.Retail price: $599.99 (in April 2009). |
 | Flip Video MinoHDThe Flip takes a minimalist approach to HD camcorders, sacrificing advanced features for ease-of-use and a small footprint. The 720p shooting, simple operation and one-touch YouTube uploads make this the perfect HD camcorder to bring to a party, but the lack of memory expansion, HD output or optical zoom make this camera a less-than-stellar choice for amateur videographers. However, it fits nicely in your hand and it saves 60 full minutes of HD video on its 4GB internal memory (the lithium-ion battery is good for up to two hours of use). Unlike most other HD camcorders, the Flip Video MinoHD has a built-in USB connector that flips out of the chassis. It’s a thoughtful touch, and fits in perfectly with the device’s easy-peasy character.Retail price: $229.99 |
 | Panasonic HDC-HS300The features list on this HD camcorder reads like any good shooter’s secret wish-list: a touchscreen interface and an intuitive system keep operation simple, on-screen assist helps prevent overexposure and intelligent auto tech like subject detection, face detection, intelligent contrast control, optical image stabilization, and a slew of lighting features make this the camera to beat for wicked consumer-level shooting. The 3MOS sensor uses three full-HD sensors for one of the highest-resolution image qualities around, and the multi-coated Leica Dicomar lens has manual controls for focus, zoom, shutter speed, and aperture adjustment. A mini-HDMI jack makes it easy to view your images on your HDTV, and a USB enables you to zip your images over to your PC for editing or burning to DVD or Blu-ray.Retail price: $1,399.95 |
 | JVC Everio Hybrid Camera GZ-MG330AJVC’s Hybrid is a best-of-both-worlds kind of camera. An internal high-capacity 30GB hard drive stores hours and hours of video, and a slot for the popular MicroSD card gives you an industry-standard option for storing and transferring your footage. The Konica Minolta Lens offers up to 35x optical zoom (yes, you read that right), and the signal-to-noise ratio is optimized but good by the on-board Gigabrid Engine. Built-in image stabilization keeps camera-shake from ruining your shots, and the Auto Illumi.Light comes on when the light is low. Ease of use rears its pretty head in the form of one-touch backup to your PC or the optional DVD burner, as well as built-in picture titles.Retail price: $449.99 |
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Reader Comments: 2 Posts
Dear 'dirty secret',
I read something about hd on mini dv. It said that HD on mini dv tape is also compressed to mpeg2 as it is on hard drive. What then is the difference? Is it both mpeg2 compressed in a different ratio ?
I'd like to buy a HD camcorder but cannot decide since I don't seem to find a clear explanation. For me it's important to edit the footage with after effects and end-up with good quality. I hope you read his and inform me of your findings.
If you really care about video quality, you'll make sure your camera records to MiniDV (or DV) -- that's tape, people. Hard Drive or Flash camcorders compress video 16:1, and DVD cams compress it a similar amount AND have the added trouble of being a pain to edit.
MiniDV only compresses it 4:1.
Also -- every time you mess around with compressed video on a Hard Drive, you're corrupting it, further destroying the quality.
Simply put -- NO professionals rely on Hard Drive cameras... and if you care about video quality, you won't either.
What do you think?
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