Juan
Im no professional but would like a camcorder with near professional features and quality i know there are many good ones but i'm on a budget of under $1000 ive been doing research and found a canon vixia hfs20 but it has mixed reviews and i truely want something GREAT thanks for the help
Answer
First, let's define professional camcorder:
Lens filter diameter 70mm or larger.
3CCD or 3CMOS imaging chip system - 1/4" or larger.
XLR audio-in connections.
Records to low compression (HDV, DVCPRO HD or XDCAM/HDCAM) video formats.
When you find a camcorder with the above, all the other stuff like separate manual focus and zoom rings, manual audio control and all the other manual controls on the outside of the camcorder will be included.
You already know that there is no "professional" camera made (new, anyway) that is under $1,000. Since you are doing interviews, I presume that means you get to control the environment - specifically, lighting.
Under good lighting conditions, ANY camcorder can provide good video. You just need to know what that camcorder's requirements are for "good lighting conditions". That leaves low compression applied to the digital video stream and audio.
Audio first. Consumer grade camcorders - if they even have a mic jack - use a 1/8", (3.5mm) stereo plug. Your mic selection will be a bit limited, but the NRG SA-568 and RODE video mic are worthy of investigation. Just because a consumer camcorder has a mic jack does not mean it has manual audio control - so be careful. Download the camcorder's manual form the manufacturer's web site to be sure.
Video compression: AVCHD is a LOT of compression to MTS files. This continues to be a large reason why professionals do not use AVCHD. This is a bigger deal if there is fast action. I can't imagine interviews with models being "fast action".
The Canon HF S series *should* be OK for you IF YOU TURN ON THE LIGHTS so they are bright enough to meet the camcorder's "good lighting" requirements. I prefer the HF S100. Learn about three point lighting and four point lighting. Learn about use of makeup in a HD video environment. high definition video sees EVERYTHING.
That said, given a choice, use of a miniDV tape based camcorder is preferred for a LOT of reasons... The Canon HV40 and Sony HDR-HC9 should be investigated - but only if your computer has a firewire port or you can add one (this is the only way to get the video from the camcorder to the computer for editing).
First, let's define professional camcorder:
Lens filter diameter 70mm or larger.
3CCD or 3CMOS imaging chip system - 1/4" or larger.
XLR audio-in connections.
Records to low compression (HDV, DVCPRO HD or XDCAM/HDCAM) video formats.
When you find a camcorder with the above, all the other stuff like separate manual focus and zoom rings, manual audio control and all the other manual controls on the outside of the camcorder will be included.
You already know that there is no "professional" camera made (new, anyway) that is under $1,000. Since you are doing interviews, I presume that means you get to control the environment - specifically, lighting.
Under good lighting conditions, ANY camcorder can provide good video. You just need to know what that camcorder's requirements are for "good lighting conditions". That leaves low compression applied to the digital video stream and audio.
Audio first. Consumer grade camcorders - if they even have a mic jack - use a 1/8", (3.5mm) stereo plug. Your mic selection will be a bit limited, but the NRG SA-568 and RODE video mic are worthy of investigation. Just because a consumer camcorder has a mic jack does not mean it has manual audio control - so be careful. Download the camcorder's manual form the manufacturer's web site to be sure.
Video compression: AVCHD is a LOT of compression to MTS files. This continues to be a large reason why professionals do not use AVCHD. This is a bigger deal if there is fast action. I can't imagine interviews with models being "fast action".
The Canon HF S series *should* be OK for you IF YOU TURN ON THE LIGHTS so they are bright enough to meet the camcorder's "good lighting" requirements. I prefer the HF S100. Learn about three point lighting and four point lighting. Learn about use of makeup in a HD video environment. high definition video sees EVERYTHING.
That said, given a choice, use of a miniDV tape based camcorder is preferred for a LOT of reasons... The Canon HV40 and Sony HDR-HC9 should be investigated - but only if your computer has a firewire port or you can add one (this is the only way to get the video from the camcorder to the computer for editing).
what is the Best HD Camcorder?
Banshee
What i want is the Best of the best camcorders in the market today. just camcorders not proffesional video camera.
hd,camcorder. simple as that.
Answer
Your question does not make sense to me.
A "camcorder" defined:
"A camcorder (video CAMera reCORDER) is an electronic device that combines a video camera and a video recorder into one unit.
In order to differentiate it from other devices that are capable of recording video, like cell phones and compact digital cameras, a camcorder is generally identified as a portable device primarily designed for video capture and recording."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camcorder
If you want the "best of the best" then you want a professional grade camcorder. Barring that, you will not be looking at the "best of the best". The step down from professional-grade would be "prosumer". But lets define professional grade, first... In my opinion, pro grade camcorders:
1) have lenses larger than 60mm diameter - usually 72mm.
2) have imaging chips larger than 1/4" - usually 3-chip array and more typically 1/3". Can be 3-CCD or 3-CMOS.
3) have XLR audio-in connectors.
4) record to DV or HDV or some other low-compression format (not AVCHD/MTS).
Deviate from any one of these and the grade of the camcorder drops to "prosumer".
Depending on your specific requirements, those worth investigating:
Sony HDR-FX7, HDR-FX1000, HVR-HD1000, HVR-A1.
Canon GL2
In the higher-end consumer grade area:
Canon HV40, HF and HF S series.
Sony HDR-CX500 series.
No consumer internal hard disc drives camcorders (knowm problems with vibration and altitude prevents recording video). No consumer DVD based camcorders.
Your question does not make sense to me.
A "camcorder" defined:
"A camcorder (video CAMera reCORDER) is an electronic device that combines a video camera and a video recorder into one unit.
In order to differentiate it from other devices that are capable of recording video, like cell phones and compact digital cameras, a camcorder is generally identified as a portable device primarily designed for video capture and recording."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camcorder
If you want the "best of the best" then you want a professional grade camcorder. Barring that, you will not be looking at the "best of the best". The step down from professional-grade would be "prosumer". But lets define professional grade, first... In my opinion, pro grade camcorders:
1) have lenses larger than 60mm diameter - usually 72mm.
2) have imaging chips larger than 1/4" - usually 3-chip array and more typically 1/3". Can be 3-CCD or 3-CMOS.
3) have XLR audio-in connectors.
4) record to DV or HDV or some other low-compression format (not AVCHD/MTS).
Deviate from any one of these and the grade of the camcorder drops to "prosumer".
Depending on your specific requirements, those worth investigating:
Sony HDR-FX7, HDR-FX1000, HVR-HD1000, HVR-A1.
Canon GL2
In the higher-end consumer grade area:
Canon HV40, HF and HF S series.
Sony HDR-CX500 series.
No consumer internal hard disc drives camcorders (knowm problems with vibration and altitude prevents recording video). No consumer DVD based camcorders.
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