HMC150 or NX5U

[vegas06]

I am in the market to upgrade my FX1 cameras and have narrowed it down to the Panasonic HMC 150 or the Sony NX5U. I want video cameras not DSLRs. I have a DSLR, but for run and gun work and convenience I prefer an actual video camera. The film look is not a major deal berker for me. I just want great images with the least amount of setups for a shoot. I don't want to keep changing lenses for a shoot, as well as worry about recording limits or overheating which comes with DSLRs. I will still use my DSLRs when needed, as it's still a great tool in my toolbox.

The reason that I am considering the NX5U and not the AX2000, which is virtually the same camera, is that the NX5U is almost the same satrting price as the AX2000, but you have the option for 720/60P as well as the ability to add the SS hard drive to it.

The HMC150 also offers 720/60P as well, but only one SD card slot and no ability to add SS recorder to it, conveniently.

I can get 2 HMC150's with batteries and 8 32GB Transcend SD cards for about $6,500.
1 NX5U with the SS drive and 6 32 GB Transcend cards will be about $4,900. The reason for only 6 cards is the additional SS recorder. I already have Sony batteries.

I know that both cameras can produce great images, even clean images in low light.

My question is, if the NX5U is worth the additional cost for one camera when I can get 2 for slightly more than one NX5U kit. The only major advantages of the NX5U that I can see are the 3 manual rings on the lens barrel, SS recorder, and dual SD card slots. I like the redundancy of the additional SD card slots and SS recorder on the NX5U. but is it worth the additional expense?

 

[Mike Harvey]

I'm pretty sure you're the only person who can answer if the added redundancy is worth the cost per camera. That said, the Atomos Ninja is just coming out for $1k, so (assuming it doesn't turn out to suck), you should be able to add a recorder to the HMC150 (or NX5U) down the road if it turns out you need it. But I've never had any issues with only have one card slot. The same can't be said when I was shooting on tape.

 

[AGMedia]

You've got a complex decision that you need to make and I'm sure others will weigh in. Pros on both sides, neither of your options are total losers.

But I will say one thing that may be more important than you can imagine at this point -- if you're determined to buy Transcend brand SDHC cards, then you sure as hell better go for the dual card (redundant recording) option.

 

[vegas06]

Mike thanks for the info.
I ahd no idea that the Atomos Ninja was coming out.

Since I work in FCP, the ability to record natively to ProREsLT for me is huge.
Not t mention getting the added advantage of backup video while recording.

 

[Mike Harvey]

To kind of go along with what AG said... I've not had any issues with Transcend cards, but if you're that worried you may want to consider forking out the extra money for some higher end cards like Sandisk Extremes or Lexar Professional. Also DO NOT BUY THEM FROM EBAY. Many of the issues people have had with SDHC cards have resulted from folks trying to be cheap and unwittingly buying counterfeit cards off of Ebay. Don't skimp on media.

And as a side note, why 8 32Gig cards? That's a lot of footage (over 3 hrs per card at the highest quality setting). Are you doing long seminars or something?

 

[sewolla]

In my experience, the combination of the HMC150 and use of either Patriot or Panasonic 16GB cards has been so reliable, I really don't miss not having two cards.
There's a huge price difference between the two, ($1,100+ w/o the "flash memory unit"). That is in my opinion too much a diff to bear for what you get in return. If it were me, I'd rather have the two cams. Especially if they're HMC150's.