HMC40 vs NEX-VG20

TheFarmer said:
...looking to get a new camera for my event/doc videos and these two cameras are in the same price range but I can't seem to decide. I know that these cameras are very different, but can anyone compare the two....I am shooting events (swim teams, festivals, ect.) short YouTube videos, and short docs (interview & b-roll)...
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I have shot lots of documentary material with the AG-DVX100p, essentially a standard-def version of the HMC40. Have also shot documentary material with the EOS 7D. I am looking at a similar decision.

The big advantage of the VG20 is the big sensor and shallow depth of field. In a competitive market, your material will immediately stand out from the crowd. Deep DOF looks common and video-like, shallow DOF looks cinematic.

Shallow DOF is a big help during interviews. With a normal small-sensor camera, it is a constant pain to find non-distracting backgrounds during on-site interviews.

The shallow DOF gives compositional options that are otherwise difficult. E.g, racking focus between subjects to indicate awareness or underscore the narration.

Of course a DSLR can do all that, but isn't optimal for hand held "run and gun" shooting. They typically don't have good video optical stabilization, nor good on-board sound, nor good video autofocus, nor earphone jack. You can address most of those, except optical stabilization. At a minimum you normally would need a hot shoe mic, magnifying loupe for focusing, and a shoulder brace.

Both VG20 and DSLR would need neutral density filters for outdoor shooting, and possibly an XLR adapter for external audio.

The HMC40 is a well-developed, ready-to-go solution, capable of shooting high quality documentary material. You could supplement it with DSLR (or large-sensor mirrorless camera) video material for interviews. You could get an HMC40 plus a Sony NEX-5N for the same price as a VG20.

OTOH the VG20 is a ready-to-go, single camera solution, with good on-board audio.
 
+1 on the $1429 HMC-40 (w a $290 XLR adapter) & a $600 NEX-5N (with some inexpensive old Nikon lenses and an adapter). We use the HMC-40 where I work & it's a great pro camera. And the 5N will give you shallow DOF, good low light capability & interchangeable lenses if you really need them - with the same still/video image quality and for about the same price as the $2200 VG20.

I've rented the VG20, and I liked its low light performance & still/video image quality, but it has no XLR inputs, no power zoom and no in-camera control of color, contrast or sharpness - so, for me, it was a fail for event/doc/run & gun video.

Cheers and good luck with your decision,

Bill
 
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