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Tom Baker1 Author

Level 3

613 points

Recommendations for a good mini-DV camcorder?

I'm using FCP 5 on a G5 Mac (made in 2005), shooting my video with a little Canon Elura 100 mini-DV camcorder (made in 2006) -- I'm rather stuck in the past I guess.

I know mini-DV is obsolete, and modern camcorders are capturing their video to internal flash drives, but I still have lots of mini-DV tapes (I bought a batch of 50 and have only used a few) so I guess I'll stick with tape for a while yet. (I don't think FCP 5 can import today's flash-based video anyway, can it?)

Anyway, the little old Elura is getting tired, so I'm going to replace it with another mini-DV camera, even if I buy a used one, and I thought I'd step up to a bigger and better mini-DV camcorder. I don't really need HD, either (the old G5 and FCP 5 may not be able to handle HD anyway).

Any recommendations for a high-quality Mini-DV camcorder?

Thanks!

Tom

Mac OS X (10.5.8), 8 GB of RAM

Posted on May 14, 2012 6:39 PM

33 replies

May 24, 2012 8:57 AM in response to Jim Cookman

Apparently that camera doesn't have a headphone socket either, so you can control the audio but can't hear it?.

Stockholm

Level 1

124 points

May 24, 2012 9:34 AM in response to Jim Cookman

Well... sometimes you might need XLR, then use it.

But to say that is the only way to get good audio is pure nonsense.

I used to shoot with the GS400 and I only had Rode Videomic and the result was excellent audio.

May 24, 2012 9:38 AM in response to Stockholm

The dependability and durability of the connections is just not gonna be as good without xlr and on a used camera? You're really asking for problems.

Tom Baker1 Author

Level 3

613 points

May 29, 2012 8:22 PM in response to Michael Grenadier

XLR I don't know. If I knew what it was, I'd probably want it. Ignorance is bliss.

Anyway I did some reading at camcorderinfo.com, and while they rated the Panasonic PV-GS500 as a mediocre camera, they just loved its predecessor, the PVGS-400. Apparently the two are very different camcorders--Panasonic dropped a lot of the good features of the 400 when it came out with the 500.

And of course, even though they are both obsolete camcorders, and can only be bought used, the 400 costs a lot more than the newer 500.

I am watching Canon Vixia HV40s sell on Ebay for around $400. These have HD capability. I have never seen HD video, though I have edited many hours of SD in Final Cut. Is HD all that much better than SD?

Tom

poconorm

Level 1

95 points

May 29, 2012 9:19 PM in response to Tom Baker1

I've got a pvgs-400 I can sell cheap - $450. Hardly used in great condition. Comes with a 0.6 Canon W/A lens, three batteries, charger and carrying case.

Tom Baker1 Author

Level 3

613 points

May 29, 2012 9:25 PM in response to poconorm

Thanks. I'm leaning toward the Vixia for its HD capability, but send me some pix of your camera and accessories; I may change my mind. tbaker@nmia.com.

Stockholm

Level 1

124 points

May 29, 2012 9:55 PM in response to Tom Baker1

You are doing the right thing HD is A LOT better

Buy a Canon HV40 or You can also have a look at the Sony HC9 it is also a tape HDcam.

They are both good cameras

BH Photo sells the Canon HV40 for 599 US

Cheers

Hans

poconorm

Level 1

95 points

May 29, 2012 10:09 PM in response to Stockholm

HD is the way to go but since you said you were interested in the gs400 here it is.

I can also sell you a DVX100b w/ accessories that although is SD will shoot better images than a cheap HD. $750.00

Anyway, here's the pics:

May 30, 2012 2:31 AM in response to poconorm

Good grief, is this the FCS forum or E Bay?

Stockholm

Level 1

124 points

May 30, 2012 6:27 AM in response to poconorm

This is not a place for you to try to dump your old SD stuff.

DVX100 was a nice 4:3 camera it did not shoot 16:9 and no it will not look better than cheap HD cam

Tom Baker1 Author

Level 3

613 points

May 30, 2012 7:52 AM in response to David Mclaine

Well, you have to shoot the footage with something before you can import it into Final Cut, so I don't think talking about videocams and where to get them is out of line, and I appreciate the offers. And I'm still stuck in the world of tape, with FCP 5 and a G5.

I'm still leaning toward the Vixia HV40 to get HD, though.

May 30, 2012 9:35 AM in response to Tom Baker1

For sale: Jaguar "S" Type, never raced or rallied. All reasonable offers considered. (shoots HD)

poconorm

Level 1

95 points

May 30, 2012 9:43 AM in response to David Mclaine

Gimme a break. The op was specifically asking for recommendations on tape based cameras.

The gs400 was a great little camera back in the day but hard to find now. I was giving him options and he asked to see some pics.

I didn't just thow the stuff on here trying to make a sale.

Jim Cookman

Level 7

23,447 points

May 30, 2012 10:05 AM in response to Stockholm

I got some great 16x9 footage from my DVX.

poconorm

Level 1

95 points

May 30, 2012 10:16 AM in response to Jim Cookman

Me too and uprezzed through compressor the footage looked better than the garish images you get from an older cheap HD cam. The new HV40 probably beats it though. I haven't seen.

Recommendations for a good mini-DV camcorder?