Canon HV20 or Sony HC7 : High Definition Video Cameras. Which Ones Best???

gfilmsuk · #11 (**permalink**) 24-03-2008, 09:39 PM

Easy solution. Hire an XL2 for a couple of days. Your confusion and frustration will disappear as if by magic and you'll shoot some amazing video.
Dave

Ukwildlifeo · #12 (**permalink**) 24-03-2008, 09:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gfilmsuk

Easy solution. Hire an XL2 for a couple of days. Your confusion and frustration will disappear as if by magic and you'll shoot some amazing video.
Dave

I know its not video but was allowed to play with a certain nice expensive popular canon DSLR and then it was cruely taken back by it owner. Been suffering camera disatisfaction with my FZ7 ever since! So be prepared to be tortured if you cant afford to get it straight away!

tigger · #13 (**permalink**) 24-03-2008, 11:19 PM

I have got a friend with a XL1 and 2... thinking of asking him if I can borrow it for an afternoon. Trouble is I know what will happen then... I will get ukwildlifeo's camera dissatisfaction syndrome!

What I need is a lottery win. Maybe I should start by buying some tickets!

RichBrew · #14 (**permalink**) 25-03-2008, 12:37 PM

Jane,

Beware of trying out cameras like this, unless you are prepared to buy. I was advised in a similar manner when I contemplated the Nikkor 200-400 f/4 lens. I was informed that it would "spoil me for life" if I didn't get one after shooting with it, as the image quality is that good. Just a thought!.

RichBrew

gfilmsuk · #15 (**permalink**) 25-03-2008, 02:27 PM

camera disatisfaction syndrome, or better known as, CDS. That's a new one for the medical dictionary's, I bet there are a lot of sufferers!

Ukwildlifeo · #16 (**permalink**) 25-03-2008, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gfilmsuk

camera disatisfaction syndrome, or better known as, CDS. That's a new one for the medical dictionary's, I bet there are a lot of sufferers!

Maybe we should forma self help group lol

kevinTheB · #17 (**permalink**) 10-08-2008, 09:59 PM

you have answered your own question. Ther canon has good manual controls. There are too many forums where someone asks for advice on buying a certain camcorder and people tell them " dont buy that spend another two grand and your filming will be wonderful!"

You want to do it now, dont you. the canon has good results. Rebel filmakers use it and if you want to you can buy an adapter to add slr lenses on it. So go for it and you can start filming and learn as you do it.

most descent editing software now allows you to edit hi def video now.

regards,

Kevin B

deer boy · #18 (**permalink**) 11-08-2008, 12:46 AM

I have a canon XL2 & would highly recommend it although only if your going to use it a lot.
If your only going to be using it now & again get something cheaper.

tigger · #19 (**permalink**) 11-08-2008, 11:46 AM

I ended up buying a second hand Canon XL1... god am I glad I did, it's brilliant. Sooo much better than my previous hand held camcorder. OK, I now have to lump around a bulky old tripod, but the film quality and stability are so much better.

Having all the manual controls is great too. I was so worried that the Sony and Canon HD's wouldn't give me what I really wanted (and looking at them again now, I really don't think I would have been happy with them). However the XL1 gives me all the flexibility I need. I think I bought mine for a bit of a bargain (camera and tripod for approx £500) but I'm sure there are other bargains out there and it is 7 years old! To be honest, having now used the XL1 I would have been happy to pay double what I did pay (it really is that good).

OK, I will stop going on... there are down points. You can't really tuck the camera into your glove compartment or suitcase when you go on holiday and I don't have HD quality film, but I'm happy to make those compromises. It does what I need it to do.