DVX, XL1, XH-A1, or XL2?

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Piccoevo

Active member
I am looking for a good cinema camera. Which would be the best, and which would cost the least if I got it used?

Thanks,
Piccoevo
 
Bang for the buck would be DVX.

But if you plan on making film short or narrative stuff. You might want to look into an HV20 and then get an adapter. That might be the best Cinematic value.
 
At this point, the XL2 and DVX are starting to fade, since HD is starting to becomde more popular. HV20 isnt a good idea. XHA1, thats a dif story. I'd wait till the DVX replacement comes out tho and see what the market is like then.
 
Well...the XL-1 would be the cheapest if you got it used, as it's the oldest. Then comes the DVX/XL2 and the XH-A1 would be a little higher, but not by much more. If you need a camera right now, I'd suggest the XH-A1 as it gives you HD footage with all the manual controls you'd need.

The HV20 shouldn't be written off as it produces fantastic results and with an adapter, even better results.

Personally, if you don't need a camera right now - like dory suggested, I'd wait until NAB and later this year as we have a few good cameras coming out. The "DVX replacement" is slated to be released this September, Scarlet by RED is supposed to be announced at NAB (not sure of actual production date though..) and we never know what else Sony or Canon might come up with by the end of the year.

Good luck,

Kegan
 
I agree. If you don't NEED a camera right this minute, you could end up saving a few hundred $$ by waiting until after the NAB (mid-April). Since it's rumored to be a 'camera heavy' year, many companies should unveil their "latest & greatest" which, in turn, usually brings prices down across the board (at least a little).

BUT, if you're like most of us and you're itching to get out there and film, then by all means DO IT!

Panasonic just announced a HD version of the DVX (due out in Sept)....but you could make over a dozen shorts by then (or more...).

Panasonic's DVX-100B is a great camera (I own one). It's just about one of the best SD cams out there. Also, it edits real easy (in the typical DV codec) without taxing your computer too much.

You can also get a great image out of the Canon HV-20. This would probably be (as someone already mentioned) the most bang for your buck. However, there are drawbacks to this camera. Poor Audio (well, no XLRs), poor manual controls (and an HDV codec...i think...which is a beast to edit).

My .02

Good luck
 
Research the HVX-200. I think it's the most cinematic out of the DVX, the XH-A1, and XL1 and 2.

The DVX is a brilliant camera, just not HD.

The XL1 and 2 I'm not to familiar with, but I think the XL2 is a bit more cinematic than the XL1.

Do some research, look at some test footage of different types of cameras.

Robbie
 
Yes, it shoots 16:9 HD (only way HD is shot..if you want 4:3, you have to crop in post). It also shoots 16:9 SD and 4:3 SD. Good luck finding a used XH-A1 though. There aren't that many around, but there are some.

-Kegan
 
I have two XH A1's and love them. I also have a broken DVX that Pannasonic discontinued the parts to fix it. I would buy just about anything but a DVX for this reason only. I think the DVX is a great camera but if you can't get parts you are stuck with an expensive door stopper.
 
Piccoevo said:
Do you suggest any other good cameras ? I don't want to go over $3,000.
Click to expand...

I think everyone who has chimed into your thread has named the best "cinema" camera's under $3000.
Canon HV-20, A1, XL-1, XL-2
Panasonic DVX-100 (a & b)
I'm sure JVC & Sony would offer something for you under $3K too (just not as "cinematic").

All of these cameras have their strong points and their weak points. It happens at the low end (here), it happens in the mid-range (HVX vs. EX1) and the high end (HPX, RED....).

You never even mentioned what you wanted it for. Just that you are "looking for a good cinema camera" & "under $3000". The thing about all of the aforementioned cameras is that they all do 24p.....which is your best bet for making a video camera look cinematic.

A used DVX (w/ acc batts/tapes etc..) or a HV-20 (w/adapter & lenses...and acc) will put you in the $2500-3K range (and you'd still need some sort of an external audio device, if you are serious, w/ the HV-20).

You might just want to heed William Robinette's simple advice and buy a used DVX 100 and start shooting.
 
dory_breaux said:
At this point, the XL2 and DVX are starting to fade, since HD is starting to becomde more popular. HV20 isnt a good idea. XHA1, thats a dif story. I'd wait till the DVX replacement comes out tho and see what the market is like then.
Click to expand...

The XL2 never lived up to the potential visually I think.

The DVX100 and HV20 are more than capable to get the job done. Neither are fading, despite HD's rise.
 
I'm planning on majoring in film production. I want to use this camera for that reason. I am also a very serious r/c car driver and I like to film the races. I put them on the web. I also make videos for people. I don't know if I need a cinematic camera, but it would be cool if it was. I have narrowed it down to the DVX, and the XH-A1. I am leaning to the XH-A1 because it is a newer camera, and if anything goes wrong, there are parts out there.
 
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which of these cameras would get me:
SD and HD
1. 4:3 aspect ratio
2. 16:9 aspect ratio

Does HD cams go and in hand with widescreen?

can you have a 4:3 ratio in HD?

I would like a camera that could shoot in 4:3 HD and also be able to shoot in HD if I wanted.

I would think that doing DOC work I might not need HD right now, but I would assume later down the road

please help
 
Well, doing your research would be a good idea first. You can't only go on what we say. All these specs are on the respective company's websites.

First of all, the only way to do 4:3 HD, would be to crop it in post. That's a pain and then it doesn't REALLY become HD footage. HD is widescreen.

The Canon XH-A1 shoots 16:9 HD, 16:9 SD and 4:3 SD. I'm doing doc work and shooting HD. It all depends on your deliverable and the ultimate goal for the project. That being said, you don't NEED HD for a doc - Iraq in Fragments was shot on a DVX in squeeze mode I believe.

If I were you, I'd do my research on all the cameras and perhaps wait because as said before...lots of new cameras coming out this year.

For the record, the DVX doesn't shoot HD and only shoots native 4:3 SD. It shoots widescreen in squeeze mode (good enough for when I used it, but loss of resolution). The XL2 shoots native 16:9 SD and 4:3 SD. The XL1 shouldn't even be a consideration in this price range.

Just my opinion,

Kegan
 
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