DVX, HV20, or XHA1?

J

jazzman

Member
Thanks for the advice, Manny. I have a question I thought I'd pose generally for everyone:

If I'm planning on purchasing a video camera now, which of the following cameras would be the best value for my dollar?

1) A new DVX-100B
2) A used DVX-100B
3) A new HV-20
4) A new XHA1

Buying used scares me since I don't know who I'm buying it from. But I'm also on a budget right now. The XHA1 would be the priciest, obviously, and it would be tough to spend that much. But if it's by far the superior camera/value for the money, then I could do the 24 months no interest plan via Amazon and make monthly payments of $300 to pay it off in a year.

Thanks.
 
I'd say the choice depends on whatever medium you're delivering to and what you're shooting. Even the DVX100a performs beautifully without being HD, and if you're releasing mainly on the internet, it fits the bill. I'd say go with the XHa1 if you're thinking about festival release. In any event the DVX is a great place to start. I shot with it for about five months before just recently making the switch to the HVX (would have gone XHA1, but the variable frame rates aren't there). I found a used HVX for the same price as an XHA1, so remember you've got that option too if you look well. You can see some of my DVX work below. Value is more a question of the filmmaker than the camera at this price point. Good luck.
 
what are you shooting exactly? Do you plan on getting a 35mm adapter? All this is very important.

You could pick up a new HV20, equip it with a 35mm adapter, lenses, follow focus, matte box, etc for the same price as a bare XH A1.
 
Obviously the XH-A1 is the most high end out of all of those, but it doesn't necessarily mean its what you'll want. The HV20 probably has the best image for the dollar out of those options, but then comes the whole professionalism. Who wants to show up at some major shoot with something like that, even if it's equipped with a lot of gear? Maybe that's something you truly don't care about, but it's something to keep in mind.
In that case, either the DVX100B or the XH-A1 would be the way to go, and I'll state my personal opinion here that the A1 would be a much better choice. I've been using them a lot for my TV class (I actually just got back from a shoot of the congressional debate where I was an operator) and I would definitely consider upgrading to one of those after my DVC30. Lots of people say that they like the panasonic layout / interface, but I really like it on the A1. The manual iris ring is really nice, and being able to dial in white balance is something that I've never seen before and it's extremely handy for a multi-camera shoot. Don't get me wrong, the DVX is a great camera, but as we all know HD opens the door to a world of more options, especially with it's increasing popularity.
 
dvx100a is very easy to learn with, i got mine and within the first week i was really getting to know the camera.
i assume the b would be easy too.

and the XH-A1 may be the highest quality, but unless youre shooting something that requires that standard of camera, it may not be worth the money.
 
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