Advice on new camera purchase

CFong wrote on 7/2/2012, 1:22 AM
We are starting down the road to purchase a new camera for field shooting and I thought getting the group opinion on what would best suit us would be helpful, so here is what we are looking for:

Budget $2,500-3,500, maybe a bit more - less would be loverly :)

Flash Memory, no tape. Removable media a plus, but not a deal killer.

Transparent import/editing using Vegas

We will be working indoors and out under all ranges of light color and intensity (think ENG-style), although it is unlikely that we will ever need really low light capability.

End product will air on cable TV, would like at least 1920x1080 native resolution n case other markets develop.

24 fps mode cool but optional

Macro focusing down to 12" or less would be nice

Wide zoom range -

Time code generator built in (sync to GPS clock if possible)

XLR audio inputs, more than 2 channels a plus

Auto exposure, Auto focus and image stabilization, with option to manually over-ride. Built-in ND filters a plus

Not required, but would be nice to have:
GPS tagging of location/date/time
Enough mass to be stable when hand-held (It need to look like a 'real' camera)

Basically what I'd like is a lighter, digital camcorder version of the DXC-3000 we used for years, with a few new bells and whistles. We looked at the Sony HXR-NX70U but the comments on this forum got us to re-thinking our options.

Comments, suggestions, etc... please! and Thanks in advance...

Comments

CFong wrote on 7/2/2012, 1:35 AM
For those of you thinking "doesn't this sound familiar" : yes, it does.

I could not find basically the same post I made last year when I searched the forum, so re-posted a revised version of my last-year query. Back then things went awry in the budget department and now we're back on track to purchase something for a project... And I'm hoping there may be something newer/faster/better/cheaper available now.

I planned on an NAB junket this year to check out the available goodies but got sidetracked by a fire at one of our locations and am just now sorting it out.

Carla
Steve Mann wrote on 7/2/2012, 9:05 AM
You are mixing a lot of pro features with consumer bells and whistles. For the price range, you won't find a camera with all of these features.

24FPS - only if you are printing to film.
Macro Focus - most cameras will do this, but the best lenses won't. Too many compromises. Which is what keeps Century Optics in business.
Wide Zoom Range - again, this is a consumer goodie. As in macro capabilities, a wide zoom range means compromises. Usually shows up as chromeric abberations.
TimeCode - every camera generates it's own timecode, but if you are looking for timecode sync in the edit, it just doesn't happen at this level.

Tech Diver wrote on 7/2/2012, 9:38 AM
Carla, except for the GPS feature, the JVC GY-HM150 seems to meet all your requirements. I have one as well as its shoulder mount big brother the HM750 and I really like them both.

You can check it out here: http://pro.jvc.com/prof/attributes/features.jsp?model_id=MDL102117

Peter
Jerry K wrote on 7/2/2012, 9:33 PM
Check out the Sony HXR-NX5U street price $3999.00 Go to the B&H link below you can read over 200 reviews on this camera. I think this camcorder has just about everything you want including gps.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=&sku=672423&Q=&is=REG&A=details

Jerry K
videoITguy wrote on 7/2/2012, 9:41 PM
The Sony HXR-NX5u is a remarkable camera with the features requested, but it unremarkable as a video imaging system.

FOR THAT money$ in such a form factor, you would best be set up with the Canon XF300, or even better the XF305 if you want to be able to capture SDI of the imager and have access to timecode.
Baron Oz wrote on 7/3/2012, 7:22 AM
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/751649-REG/Panasonic_AGHPX170PJ_AG_HPX170_P2HD_Solid_State_Camcorder.html

Lists for $3400.

This my workhorse. Does pretty much everything you need, except for GPS. You do need P2 cards, so the media is a bit more expensive.

Ted
CFong wrote on 7/5/2012, 2:04 PM
Thanks to all who responded for the advice... It was a tough choice but I ordered the Sony NX5U today from B&H (they had a used one for about $3,400) and I'll try it for a while and see how it fits our style.

The only concern I have is that the listed horizontal resolution on the site is 1080 but the sales guy assured me it is a 1920x1080 image. We shall see.

It was also unclear whether the camera itself has a built-in time code generator or if it only accepts externally generated time code and records it with the data. I guess I'll find out when it arrives.

If the GPS data can be easily extracted then that solves the time code issue, although not exactly in SMPTE format, but we can cope.

Thanks again,

Carla
videoITguy wrote on 7/5/2012, 5:26 PM
TO CFong:
Best wishes for your camera experience. The imaging should be HD , but again, how it resolves and looks will be unique to the SONY camera sensor. You will be editing HD for sure.

Camera may record timecode - but NOT take sync, I am pretty sure.

The runtime and GPS are recorded as metadata- you may find them problematic to extract...hope camera has some utility software for you. IF YOU want some tips about extracting that - I can give you some special tips...write back if you want.
Jerry K wrote on 7/5/2012, 6:47 PM
1080 x 1920 contains only to picture size.The resolution of this camcorder under ideal lighting conditions goes up to 900 lines which is typical of most HD camcorders. If the lighting conditions drop the resolution will drop. The nx5u works very good in full auto but you must set the gain in the menu to top off at 9 or 12 db. I have my camcorder top off at 12db and video sharpness set all the way up. The other 100 or so settings work well at the factory default. I do shoot in manual most of the time but if you are shooting in a run and gun situation I Find that full auto works very good.

Jerry K