DVX100B or HVX200 for NEW user?

[grahammcp]

Hello. I am brand new to professional videography. I am trying to decide between the DVX100B and the HVX200.

How would you a compare the learning curve between these cameras?
Would you steer a new user away from one for any particular reason?

Any suggestions will be very useful? Thanks!

[puredrifting]

You say professional. That term would denote you are going to shoot projects to get paid. It's simple, do your potential clients need SD or HD footage? If you are only shootimg material for YouTube, the DVX is smaller, lighter and much cheaper. If you are delivering broadcast, theatrical, DVD, or most other forms of delivery, SD is almost dead.

I own both, FWIW, operationally, they are both similar to use, but for a newbie, if you can deliver SD, the DVX is easier to use because it is faster (ASA 640 @ 24FPS @ 180 degree shutter) versus (ASA 320 @ 24fps @ 180 degree shutter) for the HVX200. Faster means you can shoot with a smaller lighting package as most newbies would have or have access to. To make the HVX look good, you need to light it at pretty decent levels, whereas to make the DVX100 look good, you can use smaller and fewer lighting instruments, which most newbies find easier and simpler.

Dan