Camcorders I Use & Like

Thanks. Continuing researching for my new video camera I came upon two lists:

Top Five Camcorders Under $2000

http://www.camcorderinfo.com/Features/Buying-Guide-for-Budget-Filmmakers.htm

and

Top Camcorders From $2000 - $6000

http://www.camcorderinfo.com/Features/Indie-Filmmaker-Buying-Guide-Best-Camcorde rs-Under-6000.htm

The Canon HF G10 was on these lists -- yet so many other reviews to consider but

What feels difficult is not just selecting a video camera but selecting one that works with FCP.

So knowing any first hand experiences of using a video camera on the Mac -- and knowing what that camera is that you've been using - is very much appreciated.

I don't even care about "old" but more about "it works" on the Mac with FCP and you know because it's what you use...um, and the image quality is a-okay.

Doing more reasearch, I found this link for

Final Cut Pro X Supported Cameras

at: http://help.apple.com/finalcutpro/cameras/en/index.html?

The camera I was interested in is on this list...so that resolves my personal search

Tom,

I happen to post discovering the link I was looking for....which this thread indicated you posted 2 minutes earlier -- Many thanks for providing the the info I was looking for; you get my "solved' click.

True, too, what you say about needing this info updated.

Right now, though, the Canon XH A1 is on the list, got good reviews, is in my price range...so now that I'm sure it will work with FCP I'm "good to go."

Thanks again. I've noticed and profited from some of your many other useful post. Keep up the good work.

Tom,

What your last post (above) confirms for me is: Tape is dead. & AVCHD is a-okay.

Thanks for clarrifying that!

Now I see I have options, like the

Panasonic AG-HMC40 AVCCAM HD Camcorder

which is AVCHD format onto a SD card -- and on the compatibility list.

That led to discovering the Panasonic GH2 which looks like a DSLR but had most amazing positive reviews at B&H (and is SD card and AVCHD).

Both in my price range, in fact less, around $2K

If you have an upgrade suggestion, fire away.

MEMO TO OTHERS, ESPECIALLY AMATURES WHO ARE DOING VIDEO WITH FCP.

This has been on my mind for awhile...as a pro prosumer; as someone who's gotten paid to do video.

The initial camcorder suggested in this thread cost about $500. & that triggered these thoughts:

If you're filming only for your friends and family events, okay but if you ever think of filming for others (like weddings, sporting events, theater, special lectures or presentations, industrial training, promo for a business idea, etc.) -- you got to show up with a camera/camcorder better than 'the average Joe or Jane". (and good to have a backup camera)...a have a camera beigger than size of an IPhone.

Those events (above) are the type of events I've filmed for. Three chips and XLR sound more or less bottom line for a camcorder. The bigger the size of the photo chips the better.

And...the quality of the lens counts. An iPhone camera lens maybe be okay for home or YouTube but there's a reason photographers pay $Thousands for a good lens. Quality reasons.

I LIKED the level of video production I got into, btw. It's been a nice way to get 'behind the scenes' and going to many events -- lots of fine wedding banquets --- and a few $Hundred bucks every weekend.

If you want to film for broadcast...I'm clueless but people here would know. And, although clueless I know I'd have to research broadcast formats and standards and expect to pay $4K to 6K minimum.

If anyone knows more, please feel free to contribute.

And if you just want to film for friends and family -- that's great too! Uh..."but you can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear," as they say.

Lots of research to do, for sure. A big worldwide camera/camcorder show takes place every year in Sept., so I was also going to see what they had, at photokina | Home

It, of course, would be nice to hear from 'happy users,' who have gear and thus we'd know what they actual use and that it actually works.

I just found out yesterday, for example, that the DSLR Panasonic G2 will not allow previewing of clip in FCP until all files are converted -- or something like that; that's what scares me and in lieu of first hand user reports of what works it's hard to be sure.

Re: I did discover what would be my dream camera, I think but way over my initial budget of 3K±, the

Panasonic AG-HPX250PJ, sells for $5.5K at B&H --- but then again the problem is trying to make judgements based upon press releases; but this is as 'professional' as I could get in the next few years; sounds sweet.

Humm...I like to compare reviews from Amazon ratings & comments, B&H photo, and dpreview.

Anybody got any other favorite camera/camcorder review sites they like?

FIVE MONTHS LATER/UPDATE.

I agree with you. It seems like the current Panasonic HMC-40PJ and Canon XA-10 are my best choices in price range around $2K -- work with FC, good reviews and user comments.

What I like: FORMAT is AVCHD (as Tom also pointed out is good) - and they record onto SD or SDXC cards.

I'm glad I finally got it down to two good choices...it seems the Canon has even the best, ultimate HD format 1080/60p -- I'll have to pour over the specs and probably post when I got one of 'em on hand.

For $1K less than my $2K budget, for those in that price range, I heard good talk about the Panasonic HC-X900M, the Sony Nex-VG20, and Canon Vixia HF-G20

For $1.5K to $2K more than my $2K budget the Panasonic AG-HPX 170PJ sounded good but some complain of expense of P2 cards and files maybe not being read by FC? -- there is also the Sony HDR-AX200.

At least these models should put anyone interested on the right track.

For my $2K I'll be getting what I want and be able to do what I intend. Amen. Good filming to us all!

Eeek! -- So I purchased the Panasonic AG-AC90 -- Love it!