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Which top of the line camcorder to buy? (7 posts)

hi, i need a video camera that takes absolutely top quality video for advertising my horses I have been considering something from the Canon HFS range - HFS 10, 11, 20, 21

Or sony HDR CX 550

or JVC GZ HM 550 or HM1

All specs must be top of the line such as 24 Mbps, 30 frames per second, at least 8 MP stills And a really big sensor - 1. 1/2 " Also must have good image stabilisation as i have to walk around a bit while shooting

Must have good optical zoom as horses move very fast

Must be able to be edited into high quality video clips easily - thats why panasonic isnt on the list as i have heard its harder to edit - is this correct?

Also i need to be able to take photos from the frame by frame video footage or 'captures' to use as photos for prospective buyers of my horses and that can also be published in magazines

Can you tell me if i am looking at the right cameras - or do you have another suggestion?

I dont want a fully professional big camera, just a high end consumer model

i am not worried about spending $2000 or so either, as its how i make my living

Any help would be appreciated

Paulamc

i have a canon hf s10 before and they produce sharp video on 24mbps. they also have instant autofocus w/c other competing brand dont. problem is there stabilization is bad, tripod is a must all the time. indoor too is bad, to much video noise.

Sony's latest range of camcorders have very good optical image stabilisers -- it almost looks like you're using a steadycam. The top-end one has a 1/2.8in Exmor R CMOS Sensor and comes with decent still photo capabilities (over 12 megapixels). Check out Sony's website for more info: I think the top0of-the-range one is around $2000.

hi, thanks for that. Yes i have read that the Canon HFS 10 has bad image stabilisation, and as i am always walking or running around after the horses i think i need that feature

i would also like an EVF, i hate having to follow rapidly moving objects with that damn screen in full sunlight, i cant see a thing half the time.

Problem with Sony is that the image quality is not as good as Canon, and its only the very latest model that has 24mbps - the 550 i think it is. All the others are 17mbps

Does anyone know about the JVC HM1 or the 500? All the reviews say that Canon is way ahead of the others in image quality

Maybe i will have to lash out for the Canon HFS 21, i have been trying to find the HFS 11 but no luck, except overseas and i am not sure about the NTSC stuff.

If i have an NTSC camera and burn a disc on the computer for someone to play on their TV, will they be able to do so if its been recorded on NTSC and not PAL?

I am really not sure about that side of it, i would hate to spend all that money and then not have everything right

Paulamc

Digital camcorders

I went through the whole exercise myself and settled on the Sony, HDR-SR12E to be precise. Picture quality was the best, better than Canon too. Has image stabilizing (optical method, which is best), takes high quality photos while still recording, built-in flash, the works. Also has 50fps. Even has face recognition. Forget the confusing reviews, go to a good store and try them out in person. Also forget about the recording bit-rate. It all comes down to the quality of the sensors and the encoding format. Sony is by far the best. Have had mine now for 18 months, never looked back. No such thing as a PAL or NTSC camera - that relates to the tv signal. Just as there are no PAl or NTSC computers. The recordings are all digital.

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Start your search online with a reputable search engine. Visit various stores and consumer review sites for information. In the consumer, industrial, and professional worlds, HD formats include 1080p, 1080i, 720p, and 720i. At the professional level, there are even 2K and 4K HD formats.

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