What is the difference?

[D10S]

I'm looking at an upgrade to HD. I currently have a DVX100a. I've compared the Sony HVR-Z7U to the HVX200. I'm leaning toward Sony because of the ability to record to MiniDV at HD. It is great for archiving in HD.

I am confused on a couple things. Can you record to a standard MiniDV or do you have to record to a MiniDV HD tape?

I've heard varying info on the capture card prices. What type of capture card and what are the prices of the cards compared to the P2 cards the Panasonic uses?

 

[Dick Campbell]

Biggest difference is the Sony is HDV, and the 200/a is HD (DVCPro-HD), and the colorspace is different. The HVX only records SD to miniDV tape. you need the P2 cards to record HD.

you have a lot of reading to do.

 

[wgzn]

the Sony is HDV, and the 200/a is HD (DVCPro-HD)

they are BOTH HD, just different flavors. i call them both "budget HD"
the sonys format is HDV and panasonics is DVCProHD. they each have their good and bad points but in my experience HDV's longGOP format is ill suited to fast camera or subject movement. so if you plan to shoot anything sports related the HDV camera will have judder even in 60i mode.

and although the manufacturers want you to think you need "HD" mini-dv tapes. thats not the case. any miniDV will record HD in the SONY camera.