Cameras Below 10K

[Kim Welch]

Sony HDR-FX1
-Price range: $4,000.00
-3 CCD 960x1080 sensors (uses pixelshift, Sony claims effective 1440x1080 resolution)
-Format: HDV 1080i50 or 1080i60 (1440x1080 to tape, 4:2:0 YUV long GOP MPEG-2), frame rates supported: either 50i (PAL markets) or 60i (NTSC markets)
-Lens: Fixed
-XLR Inputs: NO
-True 24p support: NO

Sony HVR-Z1U
-Price range: $5,000.00
-3 CCD 960x1080 sensors (uses pixelshift, Sony claims effective 1440x1080 resolution)
-Format: HDV (1440x1080, 4:2:0 YUV long GOP MPEG-2)
-Frame Rates supported: BOTH 1080i50 and 1080i60 in the same unit
-True 24p support: NO
-XLR Inputs: YES
-Lens: Fixed

Canon XL-H1
-Price range: $9,000.00
-3 CCD 1440x1080 sensors
-Format: HDV 1080i60, 1080i50 possible with factory/service center modification (1440x1080 to tape, 4:2:0 YUV long GOP MPEG-2)
-Lens: interchangeable
-XLR Inputs: yes
-True 24p: NO
-HD-SDI output: YES

JVC GY-HD100U
-Price range: $6,000.00
-3 CCD 1280x720 Progressive RESOLUTION
-Format: HDV 720p24, 720p30,
-Frame Rates Supported: 24p/30p/60p for HD
-True 24p mode: YES, but not natively supported by NLEs at this time, so plan carefully
-XLR Inputs: YES
-Lens: Interchangeable

Panasonic HVX-200
-Price range: $8,000.00 to $10,000.00, ($6,000.00 camera, but figure on needing at least two 8GB P2 cards at $2,000.00 each, for the PS option, or wait for the Focus Enhancements hard drive solution at $2,000.00 to make up an $8,000.00 package).
-Format: DVCPRO HD 720p24, 720p25, 720p30, 720p60, 1080p24, 1080p25, 1080p30, 1080i50, 1080i60
-Records to DV tape DV 480p/480i, but records to P2 cards for DVCPRO
-50 24p/30i, and all HD formats. Optional third party hard drive
-recorder due Feb 2006 for about $2000
-True 24p mode: YES
-XLR audio inputs: YES

 

[Lazlo]

Also in that high end category I think would be: Canon XH-A1. Which is almost the same as the H1 except only $3,500.

XH-A1

-Format: HDV
-3 1/3 inch native 16:9 CCD's (1440x1080 resolution)
-0.4 lux!
-XLR inputs: YES
-24f, 30f, 60i
-Lens: Dedicated (but still good old canon optics!)

It's not quite the H1, but pretty close, and a great camera regardless!!

 

[Gavin]

I would get the XH-A1 the only difference between that and its big brother is that it does not have the capability for broadcasting, other than that there the same camera, the hvx-200 is also another good choice i would rule out the sony its a good camera but a step behind the others

 

[Lazlo]

It's also amazing how on bhvideo, the PD-170 and the XH-A1 are the same price... When the A1 basically is better in every conceivable way.

 

[Gavin]

i believe thats because its a kit

 

[Lazlo]

Ah, yes, I missed that. But even so...