hvx200 or dvx100b?
- Thread starter ki8
- Start date
cinemakinoeye
Well-known member
This is a long standing discussion on this board, simply do a search and you'll get miles and miles of discussion on this topic.
I'll add one thing though... I would say that the HVX200 is the best HD camera for the money under $10K (US) hands down. The DVX100 is the best SD camera for the money under $4K (US) hands down. Reading the the discussions on this board will lead you to this conclusion.
The HVX200 gives you the versatility of shooting SD to MiniDV, so it's a very versatile option, however, if you don't need HD right now, you might consider saving the difference and getting the DVX. The images the DVX produces are stunning. Even if you can afford the HVX, sometimes it's better to make some investments in audio gear rather than blow everything on a video camera. If you don't NEED HD right now, saving the money or getting some good audio gear might be a prudent option.
That said, if you're budget is very, very tight, and you want to shoot HD, you might consider (dare I say it) the soon to be shipping Sony V1 or the Canon A1. The competition out there is getting very hot in the prosumer HD space.
Then again, after seening several films shot on the DVX recently at a variety of film festivals this summer and fall, I was reminded once again that a new or used DVX is a good, solid option (when you don't have the budget for an HVX) that will save you money and deliver images that project well and make for excellent DVD release too. The DVX look is unmistakable, again and again I pick out the DVX films from all the other films at these film festivals.
I'll add one thing though... I would say that the HVX200 is the best HD camera for the money under $10K (US) hands down. The DVX100 is the best SD camera for the money under $4K (US) hands down. Reading the the discussions on this board will lead you to this conclusion.
The HVX200 gives you the versatility of shooting SD to MiniDV, so it's a very versatile option, however, if you don't need HD right now, you might consider saving the difference and getting the DVX. The images the DVX produces are stunning. Even if you can afford the HVX, sometimes it's better to make some investments in audio gear rather than blow everything on a video camera. If you don't NEED HD right now, saving the money or getting some good audio gear might be a prudent option.
That said, if you're budget is very, very tight, and you want to shoot HD, you might consider (dare I say it) the soon to be shipping Sony V1 or the Canon A1. The competition out there is getting very hot in the prosumer HD space.
Then again, after seening several films shot on the DVX recently at a variety of film festivals this summer and fall, I was reminded once again that a new or used DVX is a good, solid option (when you don't have the budget for an HVX) that will save you money and deliver images that project well and make for excellent DVD release too. The DVX look is unmistakable, again and again I pick out the DVX films from all the other films at these film festivals.
Barry_Green
Moderator
There's nothing "bad" about running it on miniDV, it's a spectacular miniDV camcorder with native 16:9, true 24p and 30p, etc.ki8 said:
But keep in mind that if you buy it from a Panasonic authorized dealer, you'll get a free 8GB card too. So you won't be spending extra for cards, you'll get one free, and you can still use it in miniDV if you want. And some dealers are under $5,000 now.
mainstreetprod
Veteran
Studio Exchange in California. Authorized dealer. I purchased from them and got a US (not grey market) camera with no problems for $4995 w/P2 rebate and book.
Barry_Green
Moderator
Try AVS, they were also supposed to be offering $4995.
I'm going to throw something else out....
I know this is a panasonic friendly board and I've been the benefactor of a lot of good imformation here, but I was faced with a VERY similiar dilema not long ago and at the last minute, I went with the Sony HDR-FX1's and AM VERY happy in hindsight I did so.
At this point, if you are considering spending $5000 on an HVX200 (no doubt a good camera), why not consider the new Canon A1 for $4,000. Solid built camera with excellent lenses, 16X9 native, XLR, and it records in a standard High Def format, HDV. After using these and some of the Sony Z1 camera's as well, I'm sold on HDV. I can edit this format in realtime with Vegas 7 software on my PC as well without the need of an intermediary codec.
Jon
I know this is a panasonic friendly board and I've been the benefactor of a lot of good imformation here, but I was faced with a VERY similiar dilema not long ago and at the last minute, I went with the Sony HDR-FX1's and AM VERY happy in hindsight I did so.
At this point, if you are considering spending $5000 on an HVX200 (no doubt a good camera), why not consider the new Canon A1 for $4,000. Solid built camera with excellent lenses, 16X9 native, XLR, and it records in a standard High Def format, HDV. After using these and some of the Sony Z1 camera's as well, I'm sold on HDV. I can edit this format in realtime with Vegas 7 software on my PC as well without the need of an intermediary codec.
Jon
Hey Barry,
I went searching for the AVS website and under the authorized dealers section of the DVX100 general forum it is listed as www.avs.com but I go to that and it is a data analysis website. Is the URL mistaken or am I just looking at the wrong links? Gratsi
I went searching for the AVS website and under the authorized dealers section of the DVX100 general forum it is listed as www.avs.com but I go to that and it is a data analysis website. Is the URL mistaken or am I just looking at the wrong links? Gratsi
Barry_Green
Moderator
Barry_Green said:
Keep in mind, too, that upon release, an HVX and two 4GB cards cost almost $10,000. You're getting the equivalent for $5000.
drdobs said:
All valid points (except HDV being "standard"; there are least three different, incompatible flavors of it) -- but an HVX with an 8GB card is easily worth the extra $1000 over the A1.