Need help!! Which to buy?? Canon XH-A1 or Panasonic AG-HVX200

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MageMan

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Hello all, I'm seeking help on which camera to buy. These are the two I'm considering, but if someone can recommend a better one for a reasonable price I'm all ears. Nothing above 5k, so far I'm torn between these two.
Canon XH A1


And the Panasonic AG-HVX200

I'm new to all of this but both cameras are similarly priced, the Canon is newer but from the reviews I've read the Panasonic can do things that others cannot. Any help is much appreciated! Thanks!
 
The HVX is far superior. The Canon shoots in HDV and can't do 720p. The Canon also costs $2K less than the HVX. You might want to look into the HMC150 if you're considering the Canon.
 
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Hey thanks for the response. Obviously they're many factors when deciding which to buy, looking to the pros for advice!! But if the HVX200 is superior to both of these cameras I think I know which to pick now.
 
It really depends on what your using it for. I own both. If your using it for long for stuff like performances and weddings, hands down get the A1. I love it and if you put the right preset on it everything looks great. But HDV falls apart when doing color corretion. If your doing music video's and short films ect. then get the HVX200a or HPX170. You'd probably want the 170 over the 200a just for the built in waveform monitor.

I actually like my A1 more than the HVX, only the HVX has variable frame rates and better codec.
 
Saying something is "far superior" is highly subjective... You can search the forums to find thread battles just about which is better. In the right hands, image quality can really go both ways. In terms of capabilities however, Yes, the HVX does have more. I wouldn't really consider the HVX to be a $3600 (used), or $5000 new camcorder. Its more like a $4600 - $6000 camcoder once you buy the P2 cards. The A1 is a $3000 (new) camcorder. HDV tapes cost $5, and can be stored as archive. So, ultimately, its how much are you willing to spend. I would suggest the HMC-150. Cheap, cheap SDHC cards. Cost $3200 at BandH. 3hr record time on 1 32gb SDHC card... Pretty awesome.
 
Forget the long black line. it is thing of the past. another vote for 150. Soon tape will be out of fashion.
 
Go with the 150... If you are considering the used HVX. I sold my HVX after having the 150 and HVX both for 6 weeks. I was about to buy a 170 when I shot with that and decided to save the bucks and stick with the 150.. and haven't regretted it at all..
 
You didn't say what you are going to use it for. The HPX170 has everything the HVX200 has except for the SD tape...that is, there really isn't a good reason to get an HVX200.

Next, are you up to P2 cards? They are rugged, and they are expensive. The HMC150 will pretty much match the HPX170, giving up a few features. It records to inexpensive SDHC.

And you didn't say what your budget is. Did it include a tripod and head, filters, microphones?

Then, the HVX200 should be superceded by the HPX200 and probably HMC200. The former will have AVC Intra and both will have a 1080p x 3 CMOS sensors. The current cameras have 960x540x3 undersampled sensors, although CCD without rolling shutters.

Then, you may even find a GH-1 with its oversampled 8Mp CMOS sensor and interchangable lenses best.

The Canons are pretty old technology. Most likely we will see replacements within a month or so.
 
I shoot on an HVX but I got to play around with an HMC150 for a bit the other day. Very impressed by the built in wave form in the viewfinder. SDHC cards seemed slow to offload and require the latest version of final cut or they crash the app on log and transfer. Don't like the lack of variable frame rates or the single card slot in the back, but the controls are laid out nicely. The video that comes off is compressed. That's got it's ups and downs. A lot more storage on a cheap card, but compressed footage. All in all, seemed like a good camera for the money.

DavidNJ is right. It really depends on what you're using it for. I can see this being a great corporate video or indifilm cam, but not so hot for weddings. (Well, maybe it wouldn't be so bad with the amount of video you can cram on that SDHC card)

Just one mans opinion.
 
I'm looking to shoot my first short film, around ten minutes in length. So the camera will be for films and at the moment I have a 5 thousand dollar budget and want to buy something that will last me. The P2 cards are quite expensive but it's still an option. And again, it's what do you need it for but by specs I'm looking for the best camera for my buck.
 
Video cameras become obsolete very quickly. These will all be 'obsolete' in 1 month. However, one look at this shows great footage: http://vimeo.com/3552294.

My rule of thumb: the camera should be no more than 20% of your equipment budget. Tripod, matte box, filters, audio, filters, lights, grip equipment will add up to more. Then their is video editing software, script software, budgeting and production management software (although some is in Movie Magic Screenwriter). I like Frame Forge 3D for storyboards because it both forces you and allows you to deal with the real world FOV from your camera. This turns out to be a significant constraint, especially indoors.

In the end, a $1000 camera may work just as well. And a $10k camera won't work if the script, locations, actors, etc are off. For your application if you have a summer shooting schedule I would look at a GH-1.
 
These will all be 'obsolete' in 1 month.
Click to expand...

Websters ==> Obsolete: no longer in use or no longer useful.

To suggest that the HVX200 is either of those things is a huge overstatement. It is a great piece of equipment. I use it and I get great results.

But of course, there are ultimately numerous other factors which play a more crucial role in the quality of the production than the camera itself.

Personally, as between the A1 and the HVX (which is the choice the originator of this thread posed), I would take the HVX simply because tape can be such an immense hassle and time waster.

My $0.02.
 
A good 2003 DV camera is quite usable...in fact, I use one. Never saw the need for the HD cameras (and didn't like any of them enough to part with the required investment, which is a bit more than the camera itself).

All the DVX, HVX, HPX, and HMC cameras are good tools. And as the owner of a '38 Buick I wouldn't throw it away because it is old.

However, we are talking about a new purchase. And the HVX is at its end-of-life as a new product. In this high technology area, the changes are huge. In this case the sensor has 4x the number of photo sites, the recording mechanism has a dramatic improvement (DVCProHD to AVC Intra) and undoubtly a host of other stuff.

Unless this indie film buyer's $5k camera budget is part of a much larger total budget, none of these cameras make sense. He would probably have a lot more fun and a better product with a used DVX100B or a GH-1.
 
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