What is the best HD camera out now?

there is no "best"

there are specs that are better on one camera than another. and there are cameras that cost more than another one.
but "best" for any person depends on the kind of work they do. like an af100. if you were just comparing specs would appear better than an hpx170. but if youre a news or sports shooter and af100 would be a really bad choice. however if your work was primarily music videos then the af100 becomes a much better contender.

that video you posted, to me. looks like a video camera with a 35mm adapter. i would guess its an hvx200 type camera with a letus adapter and canon glass.
 
Arri Alexa.

"Best" is always subjective. Given my druthers, I choose Alexa. An ENG guy would have a completely different answer, as would a Red fanboy. Different stokes for different folks.

A more general forum might give you more useful answers than this subforum, which happens to be dedicated to a particular DSLR line.
 
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dadirector89@yahoo.com said:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wwELH4CixiU


I'm looking into buying a new camera, but I am torn between a few different ones. I am highly fond of the look from the video I posted above. Could anybody take a guess as to what kind of camera it was shot with, or maybe even a camera that could produce a similar look? I need help with this one. thanks.
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The "tone" of the video that you like is Heavy color grading. Most HD cameras can provide this same exact look. As for which camera is the best,that is to subjective. There are times where a DSLR camera has a great advantage in the way of form factor and quality. Now there are other times where in a controlled environment I would only use a Red Camera. Now for run and gun work shooting news and sports or basically any eng work I would not use a Red or Dslr but more so a camera like a Hpx500 and above.

So My point is, there is no best camera as every tool has it's time and place. More importantly if you really like the look of that video and would want better I would suggest learning how to edit , color correct and color grade as that is what brings video to life IMO.
 
dadirector89@yahoo.com said:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wwELH4CixiU


I'm looking into buying a new camera, but I am torn between a few different ones. I am highly fond of the look from the video I posted above. Could anybody take a guess as to what kind of camera it was shot with, or maybe even a camera that could produce a similar look? I need help with this one. thanks.
Click to expand...


Video was shot with a DSLR.

At :14, if you go fullscreen and look into the guys sunglasses you'll see the DP holding it (now "which one" would be the question...)
 
For the money - "With the 7D, you get 35mm movie-camera field of view and depth of field. The 7D's sensor is almost exactly the same size as a 35mm movie camera. So you'll get the same perspective, the same depth of field, the same "feel" as 35mm movies. The 5D doesn't give that, it's too shallow (as compared to movies). The 7D replicates the DOF characteristics of a motion-picture camera perfectly." - Barry Green

The longer I have this camera, going on two years now, the more I like it. Lenses last a lifetime I've learned and make the shot.

The Alexa and the Red are both exceptional camera systems.

"Best" - for what?
 
Yeah OP should ask- at what price? Because a great DP could create that kind of imagery just as well on a T3i/7D as they could on an Alexa. Just a question of how they want to do it and where they want to compromise in terms of workflow, ergonomics, codecs, etc.

Noah
 
That direct to edit feature on the Alexa is sweeeeeet, but not 80k sweet. I suggest a t2i running magic lantern to anybody that asks me about what camera to buy. You can buy refurb t2i bodies for around 500 bucks now, ML is free and powerful...the focus zoom inset feature makes it indispensable to me at this point. Its just such an insanely powerful tool for so little money I couldn't imagine spending 3x the price on a 7D for fewer features.
 
I'd say the best camera under $4k is the Panasonic GH2.
The really cool thing is that it's WAY under $4k... body only is under $1000.
 
Able to spend = Alexa
Stable income enthusiast = AF100/SF3
Most of the bunch here = any HDSLR really... comes down to personal taste. 5Dmk2 is still the king imo.

Remember, biggest cost is in glass, NOT the camera body. Yes, there's a couple funny attempts out like the nex vg-10, but if you're serious about your interest you invest as much effort researching & learning about it, as you do actual shooting. If not... just buy any HD video camera, or a 35mm adapter.

edit: RED has buttraped us all by entering the other way, now they're going high segment working down. Many still saving & dreaming about the Scarlet, personally I don't think RED will dissapoint when there is a consumer segment camera coming, but this will still be more expensive than what an AF100 currently costs. So, aim accordingly.
 
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Martin Oller said:
Able to spend = Alexa
Stable income enthusiast = AF100/SF3
Most of the bunch here = any HDSLR really... comes down to personal taste. 5Dmk2 is still the king imo.

Remember, biggest cost is in glass, NOT the camera body. Yes, there's a couple funny attempts out like the nex vg-10, but if you're serious about your interest you invest as much effort researching & learning about it, as you do actual shooting. If not... just buy any HD video camera, or a 35mm adapter.

edit: RED has buttraped us all by entering the other way, now they're going high segment working down. Many still saving & dreaming about the Scarlet, personally I don't think RED will dissapoint when there is a consumer segment camera coming, but this will still be more expensive than what an AF100 currently costs. So, aim accordingly.
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Are you saying the Af100 is better than the Red? I would simply never purchase an AF100 if I had the money. The workflow and imagery of a Canon 5d with some great lenses is king to me as well.


Now to that one poster who mentioned that Gh2 is the best, I mean that doesn't even sound rite. It's small form factor and low quality lcd screen are reasons enough, coupled with lack of third party equipment and a 1.9x-2.0x crop factor just introduces to many other problems.

Yes it is a Dslr that beats moire for the most part and provides nice sharpens, but there is something about the Canons look and field of view with support by everyone that simply cannot be denied.


The best camera does not exist these are all only opinions.
 
nicksnow said:
That direct to edit feature on the Alexa is sweeeeeet, but not 80k sweet. I suggest a t2i running magic lantern to anybody that asks me about what camera to buy. You can buy refurb t2i bodies for around 500 bucks now, ML is free and powerful...the focus zoom inset feature makes it indispensable to me at this point. Its just such an insanely powerful tool for so little money I couldn't imagine spending 3x the price on a 7D for fewer features.
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How do you monitor your video on the T2i to pull focus?
 
Anyway, are you sure the whole thing (if anything) was shot with a DSLR? The focus is pretty deep throughout...
 
vision_filmz said:
Are you saying the Af100 is better than the Red?
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Since OP is asking a pretty silly question to begin with and he hasn't exactly gotten very informative answers, I didn't see a reason to make a list of high-segment HD cameras when OP is posting topic "What is the best HD camera out now" and linking to a random music video.
 
Martin Oller said:
Since OP is asking a pretty silly question to begin with and he hasn't exactly gotten very informative answers, I didn't see a reason to make a list of high-segment HD cameras when OP is posting topic "What is the best HD camera out now" and linking to a random music video.
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+1

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