I need a new video camera, which is the best format for my use?

Mr. Cob

Howdy All,

My Cannon GL1, just burnt out:cry I need to replace it within the next few days before heading to Death Valley. I use my video camera in conjunction with a helmet cam so I need A/V in-puts and a LANC port, the ability to be powered from a 12 volt DC source is very important. I am limited in funds from around $600.00 up to $900.00. I need a camera that is small yet rugged and will take a good movie, still shot capability is not important.

I am not familiar with the new technologies that use a memory card or the DVD to store the movie, I have seen some video taken by the small Samsung that comes with its own helmet cam and was not impressed with the picture quality, do all of the memory card video cameras produce such low quality video? Would the DVD type camera hold up to vibration or would it skip?

Any advise as to camera brand, model, and format would be most appreciated. Thank you.

wxwax

Bump for a good man.

Flash memory cards are coming on strong, MR. Cob. Not sure I'd trust a DVD, but I have no experience with them.

I do have experience with mini-DV, and like it quite a lot. It's been about three years since I last did any research. I got a palm-size Sony and it's held up extremely well.

illuminati919

Yea all of the memory card cameras will have poor quality like that. One camera you might want to look into is the Panasonic pvgs300, which has 3 ccd technology, lieca dicomar lens and was rated one of the best quality cameras in its price range.

ziggy53

illuminati919 wrote:

Yea all of the memory card cameras will have poor quality like that. One camera you might want to look into is the Panasonic pvgs300, which has 3 ccd technology, lieca dicomar lens and was rated one of the best quality cameras in its price range.

I don't see that the [SIZE=-1][SIZE=-1][SIZE=-1][SIZE=-1][SIZE=-1][SIZE=-1]Panasonic PV-GS500[/SIZE][/SIZE][/SIZE][/SIZE][/SIZE][/SIZE] has LANC/Control L.

ziggy53

ziggy53

For LANC/Control L remote control operation, it's best to stay with Sony or Canon.

My first recommendation would be for a used Sony TRV-950. I found one on E***, but it's from a source I am not familiar with, and costs a bit more than you wish to spend. I am also unsure if this particular dealer includes the proper cables for analog input. (It kinda looks like it might in one of the pictures.)

http://cgi.ebay.com/Sony-TRV-950-TRV950-Digital-Camcorder-w-Case-More_W0QQitemZ280070327666QQihZ018QQcategoryZ20333QQcmdZViewItem

http://www.camcorderinfo.com/content/sony_dcrtrv950_camcorder_review.htm
http://www.camcorderinfo.com/content/sony_dcrtrv950_camcorder_review_2.htm


I own the TRV-900, and it's a great camera, and I think the TRV-950 has the features you're looking for, as well as pretty good durability.

Then again, maybe another GL-1?

http://cgi.ebay.com/GL-1-Canon-Mini-DV_W0QQitemZ180075728612QQihZ008QQcategoryZ107936QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item180075728612

ziggy53

Mr. Cob

ziggy53 wrote:

For LANC/Control L remote control operation, it's best to stay with Sony or Canon.

My first recommendation would be for a used Sony TRV-950. I found one on E***, but it's from a source I am not familiar with, and costs a bit more than you wish to spend. I am also unsure if this particular dealer includes the proper cables for analog input. (It kinda looks like it might in one of the pictures.)

http://cgi.ebay.com/Sony-TRV-950-TRV950-Digital-Camcorder-w-Case-More_W0QQitemZ280070327666QQihZ018QQcategoryZ20333QQcmdZViewItem

http://www.camcorderinfo.com/content/sony_dcrtrv950_camcorder_review.htm
http://www.camcorderinfo.com/content/sony_dcrtrv950_camcorder_review_2.htm


I own the TRV-900, and it's a great camera, and I think the TRV-950 has the features you're looking for, as well as pretty good durability.

Then again, maybe another GL-1?

http://cgi.ebay.com/GL-1-Canon-Mini-DV_W0QQitemZ180075728612QQihZ008QQcategoryZ107936QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item180075728612

ziggy53

Howdy Ziggy53,

Thank you for the links and information.