HVX-200 vs HVX-200A vs HVX-205A

K

Kit_L

Active member
Can someone explain the differences? I am aware of the differences between the original model, the 200, and the 200A (slightly improved chipset, better low light performance, less noise) and some other changes---but want about the model HVX-205A?

What is this, exactly, and where does it sit re. the other two?

TIA, kl
 
205A is just an Asian market model of the 200A (perhaps in Australia as well?).

I assume you already understand the differences between the 200 and 200A?

D
 
puredrifting; yes, thank you (I read both of Barry Green's analyses, and a bunch of others). There are a number of 205As on ebay right now, and the crazy thing is that the seller is advertising the 205s at about $700 less than the 200s (same seller). Hence the question.

There seems to be no doubt that the 200/205A is a better camera, as far I can see, so I am not sure why the seller is offering the 205As so much cheaper.

I will research more and report back. cheers, kl
 
Is the 205A a 50Hz/59.94Hz switchable camera or is it NSTC/HD only?

Dan

CINEWERKS said:
I bought the HVX-205A from a retailer. I'm not sure if it is an authroized retailer, but I check to see if they were legit and they were. The box it came in had Panasonic AGHVX-205A printed on the sides and the top. The menu settings are for English and Japanise. The retailer had it advertised on there web site as HVX-200A/HVX-205A camcorder for sale. They really didn't specify the difference. I saved about a $1,299.95. instead of buying the HVX-200 with a P2 Card from a business like B&H Photo Video. I recieved the HVX-200A maunal within the camera package.

I also recieved the following:
• Camcorder Battery
• AC Adapter and Battery Charger
• Accessory Microphone Holder
• Component Video Cable
• 3 x RCA to BNC Adapter Ends
• Remote Control
• Shoulder Strap
• CD-ROM with PCMCIA Driver for Mac/PC and P2 Viewer
• 1 Year Warranty

I also purchased an extended warranty for my camera. The warranty is through a third party authorized camera repair company.

I did not buy any P2 Cards seperate from the camera as of yet. Some of my production partners already have them and a firestore, so I can use them at anytime I would like. So far we have used the firestore and a set of P2 cards five times and I have not had any problems. We even used the Red Rock 35MM Adapter and Lenses with the camera. The pictures and shots are fantasitc.

From my research I can say, "HVX-205A is the Japanese version of the North American version of the HVX-200A, but if you buy it from a legit business who gives a 1 year warranty with an authorized camera repair buisness. Your in safe hands as long as you buy an extended warranty as I did, plus you will save up to $1,299.95 on the camera alone. Mine was $3,700.00 with the extended warranty and shipping. You can by the HVX-200A at an Authorized reseller such as, B&H Photo Video for $4,999.95 with a 16 G P2 Card included. I am planning to buy a 16 G P2 Card, which is $829.95 (B&H Photo Video rate) I will still save about $470.00. It is well worth the buy and savings. I do know we want to add a second camera and possibly a third within the year, so we will be looking at purchasing those additions the same way. We are also sending myself and another one of our partners to a bunch of training classes to get certified as a Panasonic Autorized Repair Technician, so we will not have to purchase a warranty and repair the cameras ourselves." Our goal is to purchase more cameras for the rental side of our production company and also do camera repairs in-house and as a service for other panasonic owners."
Click to expand...
 
I would not recommend buying from a gray market camera vendor, or any camera that is not meant to be a US camera. Yes it sounds as thought the savings might be there but if you have a problem here in the US, the fact is you have handicapped at least half of the solution and that is Panasonic Broadcast. Not a desireable position to be in.

Part of this business is to learn that you are not in a one-man band. You develop relationships that grow into back-up positions. I have seen the down side of Grey Market and the stress that comes out of unfavorable resolutions. I have also tried to buy cameras at bargain basements prices and have been thwarted with the story that they are backordered.

I mean I just won a Nikon AF105 lens last night on eBay and this morning after I paid for it, it is not available. Disconcerting? You bet. They have my credit card info.

Buy from someone you can go back to and has a direct link to Panaosnic Broadcast.

Best,

jan
 
Perfect case in point, Jan's recent solution for those of us who purchased the first batch of HPX170s. Jan formulated a fix pretty quickly, had it implemented at the assembly line and had our cameras repaired almost immediately.

With your gray market camera, even though you have some sort of warranty, even if your warranty provider might have someday, somehow been able to implement the fix, you might have had to lived with the lens wobble for months with no fix or had to have sent your 205A back to Japan for the fix.

Gray market is one thing if you are a hobbyist but if you do this professionally, and have paying clients and deadlines, you are awfully vulnerable to being without your camera and having to pay large sums to have it repaired in a timely manner and for paying large sums to rent other cams while your warranty provider is attempting to fix your camera.

Jan, can non-authorized dealers even purchase parts from Panasonic? It's one thing if they can repair your camera but if the repair requires parts, what if they cannot even buy the parts from Panasonic?

Dan
 
Hvx205a

Hvx205a

Hi,

Other than having no warranty (which is huge), is there anything physically wrong / different with the HVX205A as compared to the HVX200A?

I purchased an HVX200A "used" from B&H Photo Video (an authorized retailer for Panasonic) and was surprised to have received an HVX205A instead.

I'm going to return it and ask for the HVX200A that they advertised -- but I'm just curious if there are any major issues with the 205A?
 
Actually the HVX200A here in the states comes with a 16GB card and Barry's book. Other than that the cameras work the same.

Best,

Jan
 
jdmarlow said:
Hi,

Other than having no warranty (which is huge), is there anything physically wrong / different with the HVX205A as compared to the HVX200A?

I purchased an HVX200A "used" from B&H Photo Video (an authorized retailer for Panasonic) and was surprised to have received an HVX205A instead.

I'm going to return it and ask for the HVX200A that they advertised -- but I'm just curious if there are any major issues with the 205A?
Click to expand...

This just happened to me at the BHPhotovideo used store. I guess they're still doing the same bait & switch! Everything on their site led me to believe i was purchasing a 200A, even their original receipt said so. But then once it went to their warehouse, I found out it was a 205A that was being shipped. I immediately contacted them and asked what was going on. The reply: it is the same exact camcorder, the 205A is the original." I'm peeved!
 
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