XH-A1 or Panasonic HVX200? .. ADVICE NEEDED!!

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gabriel817

Member
Hello, I am a video production student just finishing my 2nd semester on video production, I still don't have much experience but I think I know the basics for video production. I have been planing to buy a decent camera to start doing freelance video work with friends and stuff. I can't decide which camera to get between the XH-A1 and the HVX200. The type of work that I want to do is music videos (a lot of local bands in my area to work with), events and maybe weddings.etc. I was going to get me the A1 because of the price difference but the hvx200 has $400 rebate + 16GB p2 card included right now. I want to spend my money right. I have been looking a lot of different postings and everyone seems to have a different opinion. I will appreciate if you guys can give me advice on what to get for the kind of work I want to do. I am planning to buy the camera within the next couple of weeks. Thanks.
 
Both are great cameras but both have entirely different workflows. Either will work well, but if money is already a concern I'd lean towards the A1. You'll need another p2 card if you want to not have to stop shooting to offload and you'll need something to offload to and a way to archive footage.

Both cameras also have different codecs, the A1's being weaker IMO, but I've seen some fantastic looking footage come from both cameras, so I wouldnt worry too much about codecs personally.
 
Do you need the camera NOW? The new 200A might be worth waiting for if you can, mainly better low light performance. The workflow is great but the cards aren't cheap, definitely a time saver.

The A1's price for performance is amazing, considering that for 3200 you get the camera and for 1200 you can get a 35mm adapter for some very nice images. But if variable frame rates are something you would like and the p2 workflow is something you want to get learn now (good idea) then I would get the 200A.

Lots of people dont like to hear HDV but while you can run into problems with the codec, if its really that bad this wouldnt be such a good selling camera. Not to mention the footage people have posted here is still amazing.

If you need the camera now, check out the 200 forum, Spec-comm is having a sale.
 
The 200A is out now according to Spec-Comm. I use an A1 and think it produces fantastic images. They've apparently cleaned up the noise in the 200A and is selling for the same price, I believe? Don't quote me on that, but look into it for sure.

Good luck,

Kegan
 
Yes I did, but I did also read comments from other members disagreeing with that thread, so I ended up a little confused.
 
My opinion - which isn't really worth much.
It all comes down to work flow. You are going to get great images from either, and if you can't, then you need to reevaluate.
I prefer tape based workflow because I will sometimes shoot 5 hours of interviews in a day.
If I did a lot of music videos, I think I would lean towards the HVX to speed up post production.
 
gabriel817 said:
Thanks for the info....My budget is $5000. I own a Mac Pro and the camera that use on the daily basis is a Sony HC-7
Click to expand...

Gabriel,

If your a savy shopper you can pick up a used hvx off eBay with a couple P2 cars for around $1k less than your budget.

I almost sold mine to get a ex-1 and am glad I didn't...

I'm shooting a storm / tornado doc kinda like a "Planet Storm" and so far this has been the best camera for me (next to the high dollar varicam, which is too big)...

If you can swing it the hvx will give you a wider range of "looks"...
 
Hvx is a better choice because you get 720p HD not HDV , you also get many framerate choices , even though the a1 does 24f ( pretty much the same thing as 24p )
The HVX is going to give you a better picture because it has more choices to give you the look that you want.
Im thinking HVX :laugh::laugh::laugh:
 
Well I have both cameras...and in all honestly....if you dont care about the frame rate for fast or slow motion then go with the XHA1. I have had my HVX200 for less than a year and now am trying to find some to buy it off me...nothing but trouble so far...noise, grain...unusable footage. With teh XHA1 if you dont want noise or grain you simply set the gain control to 0 and perfect...you can go outside at night film under a street light the image quality is smooth no noie nothing. wiht the HVX even on a bright sunny day im getting noise...I have a million questions and no one can help me other than saying...light it more....crush teh blacks in post etc etc.....nothing owrks as well as the canon so far....just my thoughts!
 
I don't know how anyone can say the HVX gives more choices for the look you want. To the best of my knowledge, the A1 offers much more image tweaking options with custom presets.
 
For someone doing 100% narrative film or documentary work I think the HVX is about the best cam out there.

But if you're gonna mix in weddings and event gigs, then the P2 recording causes a bit of a dilema. The HVX is an awesome cam, but it wasn't really designed with the wedding/event videographer in mind. Now if you can afford to haul a bag of 64Gig P2s with you then you're all set.

I fumbled my way through this decision and ended up with the XH-A1. One major factor is that I only had enough money for the Canon :) But honestly, I really wanted the option to do wedding gigs and a couple of $4 tapes lets me shoot all day without worrying about data management, offloading, etc... So the XH-A1 was really my only choice.

And of course the money you save on the XH-A1 can be put to very good use on accessories. High quality mics, lights, boom pole, tripod, etc... will make a far greater impact on the quality of your product than any technical difference between these cams will.
 
I've been using XH-A1 since December 07 and for a variety of shoot, web videos, green and blue screen, weddings and short films and I have to say, that coupled with the Firestore, it's pretty versatile. I'm actually having a 35mm made for me and buying a second one to do 2 camera shoots like weddings. Having the Firestore is awesome and saves so much time on work-flow. NO MORE TAPES! I know some people say use the tape for backup but after so much space I do a dump to an external drive and keep going. Plus, given how easy it is to review a clip, it's so easy.

Just my 2 cents.
 
I was faced with the same dilemna last year and I had the money for the HVX, but looking ate the footage from the shooters I was so impressed by Disjecta's work that I choosed the A1 , now alsmost 100 hours of recording later I am still amazed at the quality and easyness of use.
I am not dishing the HVX , obviously it is a great cam but the Canon has proven itself for a lot less money.
 
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