what is the best HD video camera on the market for the money?
What is your budget?
In my opinion, "crucial features" mean:
Lens system larger than 40mm diameter.
Audio-in connection(s) AND manual audio control.
Manual zoom, Manual focus, Manual Shutter speed, Manual White Balance, and other controls on the outside of the camera and easy to get to.
Least amount of compression applied to the video stream when writing to the storage media.
The starting point that meets all four criteria is the Sony HDR-FX1000, but this is only prosumer... Pro grade starts at the Sony HVR-V1U, HVR-Z1U, HVR-Z5U, HVR-Z7U, Canon XHA1 and Panasonic AG-HVX200 and JVC GY series... And they go up from here.
In my opinion, "crucial features" mean:
Lens system larger than 40mm diameter.
Audio-in connection(s) AND manual audio control.
Manual zoom, Manual focus, Manual Shutter speed, Manual White Balance, and other controls on the outside of the camera and easy to get to.
Least amount of compression applied to the video stream when writing to the storage media.
The starting point that meets all four criteria is the Sony HDR-FX1000, but this is only prosumer... Pro grade starts at the Sony HVR-V1U, HVR-Z1U, HVR-Z5U, HVR-Z7U, Canon XHA1 and Panasonic AG-HVX200 and JVC GY series... And they go up from here.















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