Dropped and broke HMC-40 today, bummed

[jeff9329]

Well, I dropped and broke the HMC-40 today, just a stupid accident. It was super low hour and perfect condition until this. The battery tangs in the camera housing broke out looks fixable, but very difficult.

So now a quick search shows the HMC-40 is discontinued an there is no compact replacement. The 90 looks to be a 40 but full size, is that right?

So, what do I replace the 40 with that has a more compact form factor?

Thanks

[Alex H.]

The AC-90A is only slightly larger than the HMC-40. Not enough difference to be of concern.

It's the HMC-80 that's a full(er)-sized, shoulder-mount version of the HMC-40

[jeff9329]

So is the 130 and 160 bigger than the 90?

[Alex H.]

So is the 130 and 160 bigger than the 90?

A bit, yes. The AC130a and AC160a both measure 7"x7.69"x17.25" and weigh 5.3lb without battery. The AC90a measures 6.3x7.68x13.78, weighing 3.9lb.

[jeff9329]

AC130 is: Dimensions (WxHxD) 7 x 7.69 x 17.25" (18 x 19.5 x 43.8 cm) excluding protrusions
AC90 is: Dimensions (WxHxD) 6.30 x 7.68 x 13.78" (16.0 x 19.5 x 35.0 cm) excluding protrusions
HMC40 is: Dimensions (WxHxD) 5.3 x 5.3 x 11.9" (13.6 x 13.5 x 30.4cm)
Cut and paste from the B&H website

[jeff9329]

I guess I am going to have to explore other manufacturers to see who has a smaller size pro camera. Could just get a 130 while the $400 rebate is in effect, but I enjoy having one more compact camera in the kit.

[Alex H.]

AC130 is: Dimensions (WxHxD) 7 x 7.69 x 17.25" (18 x 19.5 x 43.8 cm) excluding protrusions
AC90 is: Dimensions (WxHxD) 6.30 x 7.68 x 13.78" (16.0 x 19.5 x 35.0 cm) excluding protrusions
HMC40 is: Dimensions (WxHxD) 5.3 x 5.3 x 11.9" (13.6 x 13.5 x 30.4cm)
Cut and paste from the B&H website

You pretty much reiterated my points made above: the AC-90a is only slightly larger than the HMC-40, and the AC-130/160 are considerably larger than both the AC-90a and the HMC-40. NONE of these is considered a full-sized camera. They are all compact camcorders, and the difference between the HMC-40 and the AC-90a is pretty marginal once you get your hands on them.

If you want very small, look at the Canon XA10/20/30. The downside there, in my opinion, is that you'd be shooting with a Canon prosumer camcorder. I have never been a big fan of their prosumer camcorders, going all the way back to the GL-1. You'll also lose much of the tactile control features the AC-90a would offer, especially with control rings behind the lens.

[jeff9329]

Is the Sony PXW-X70 a small unit on par with the HMC-40?

[Speedster159]

If you want something smaller than the AC90, then you might want to consider the HC-X1000.

[jeff9329]

That is a really interesting camera. Except for a lot of hi-res formats that I wont use, its very cool.

AC130 is: Dimensions (WxHxD) 7 x 7.69 x 17.25" (18 x 19.5 x 43.8 cm) excluding protrusions
AC90 is: Dimensions (WxHxD) 6.30 x 7.68 x 13.78" (16.0 x 19.5 x 35.0 cm) excluding protrusions

HCX1000 Dimensions (WxHxD)

6.3 x 6.7 x 12.4" / 160.0 x 170.0 x 315.0 mm

HMC40 is: Dimensions (WxHxD) 5.3 x 5.3 x 11.9" (13.6 x 13.5 x 30.4cm)
PXW-X70 5 1/4 x 7 1/8 x 11 3/8 inches (with lens hood, eyecup, and XLR handle unit) (excluding grip belt and including projecting parts)

A quick look at the HCX-1000 reviews say its terrible in indoor light. I think that's out.