I'm an amateur wanting to get seriuos about my camcorder.  I've been
researching on the web and these 2 have caught my attention:
* Sony HDR-FX1 HDV Digital Camcorder
* Panasonic AG-DVX100A 3-CCD 24p Mini-DV Camcorder, NTSC, Upgraded
Version

It seems they are comparable in price but I'm not sure which one would
be the best investment for the next several years.

Any thoughts?

Thanks,
Bryce

Shoot, I just read about the Sony Handycam HDR-HC1 HDV Digital
Camcorder and it sounds great.  It's not considered a "prosumer"
camcorder though?  Why not?

Thanks,
Bryce

What technical characteristics of a camera do you feel will help you
point it at interesting subjects and make good films?

This is a serious question.  If you intend to shoot multi-camera
projects for instance certain technical facilities will be very
useful.   But generally the quality of affordable dv cameras is very
good.  What do you need that an expensive one offers?

Hi, Laurence.

I've been reading like mad and am thinking I don't need to spend $2k on
a camera.  There's so much to learn.

Basically I'm interested in a great picture (in low light too) and
great audio (what about a - forgive my ignorance of terminology - audio
leveler or cap?).  I've no interest in transferring to film.

Since I'd like to use this camcorder for everything from interviews to
my son's sporting events, I'd like it to be as versatile as possible.

As for multi-camera projects, I don't have a budget for buying more
than one anyhow so it's not a consideration for me.

I hope this information helps and I greatly appreciate your response.

Thanks,
Bryce

If you're talking about the next few years and the FX1 in the same sentence,
hang around a few more months until the Panasonic HVX200 hits the market -
that's a more fair comparison feature-wise to the FX1.

All you can really do thought if you're interested in great picture in low
light and good audio is try out the top of the line models from each
manufacturer:

Standard Def:
Sony: VX2x00 (forget which number they're up to now) - or the PD170/PDX10
Canon: XL2
Panasonic: DVX100A
JVC: Can't recall of the top of my head, but they do have a high end DV
model. There's also the GR-DX5 which is apparently quite good.

High Def (HDV, really, except the Pana)
Sony: HDR-FX1
Canon: ...still waiting... I have no doubt they'll release something but
nobody's really heard anything
Panasonic: HVX200, which certainly has me excited
JVC: Their new ProHD stuff or their smaller 'prosumer' 720p HDV camera, the
GR-HD1

With all that in hand, hop down to your nearest friendly large camera store
and see what they have in stock. Also, as previously mentioned, check out
camcorderinfo.com - they'll have reviews on pretty much anything you want to
have a look at.

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