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slipper

macrumors 68000
Original poster
Nov 19, 2003
1,561
44
ive got up to around $600 to spend (actually up to $700 but i gotta buy a memory stick also) and would appreciate any recommendations on a Mini DV cam.
 

ftaok

macrumors 603
Jan 23, 2002
6,487
1,572
East Coast
Re: Mini DV cam recommendations please

Originally posted by slipper
ive got up to around $600 to spend (actually up to $700 but i gotta buy a memory stick also) and would appreciate any recommendations on a Mini DV cam.
Well, if you're buying Memory Sticks, you'd probably want a Sony. For $600, you might want to look into a Sony TRV-22. If you can find a TRV-33 for $600, that would be better.
 

slipper

macrumors 68000
Original poster
Nov 19, 2003
1,561
44
right now im looking in the $500-$550 price range at amazon and leaning towards the canon ZR70MC. the only other camera in the price range is the sony dcrtrv19/22/30 which doesnt even seem to compare. but then i dont really know what to look for in a mini DV cam. the canon has a 22x optical zoom and the sony has a 10x. can someone help me with resolution and other things i should know? im probably gonna get the canon unless someone advises otherwise.
 

Beligerent

macrumors regular
Oct 24, 2003
204
48
Concord, NH
I've heard that the Canon ZR series blows in terms of low light picture quality. I've also heard that most mini DV cams take horrible still pictures and that if you want stills you should just get a seperate digicam to go along with the DV cam, you'd be happier with the results. Knowing this I would get the TRV19 by Sony. My buddy returned a Canon zr 65 for the TRV-19 and couldnt be happier.
 

manitoubalck

macrumors 6502a
Jul 17, 2003
815
0
Adelaide, Australia
I use Panasonic/JVC (same company) gear for all my filming and have never had any problems, they use the 'SD card 'not sony's 'memeory stick'.

Gennerally Sony are over priced and hence you get less features, compared to another product
 

ftaok

macrumors 603
Jan 23, 2002
6,487
1,572
East Coast
Slipper,

If you still haven't decided, you might want to take a look at http://www.dvspot.com.

Jeff Keller runs the site and has reviews of the ZR series as well as the TVR series.

The Canon's 18-22x zoom is the best feature of the Canon's. The only problem is that the CCD is rather small. Somewhere in the region of 340,000 pixels. The Sony 19 and 22 also use a small CCD, but the TVR33 uses a better CCD (600,000 pixels). This apparently makes a big difference. The only thing is that the TRV33 retails for about $100 more than the ZR70.

You have to weigh all the options and models to meet your own needs.
 

absolut_mac

macrumors 6502a
Oct 30, 2003
934
0
Dallas, Texas
Re: Mini DV cam recommendations please

Originally posted by slipper
ive got up to around $600 to spend (actually up to $700 but i gotta buy a memory stick also) and would appreciate any recommendations on a Mini DV cam.

Most pundits and afficionados seem to agree that Sony video cams (although not cheap) not only offer the best bang for the buck, but also superior low light photography and better build quality too.

Some people don't care for Sony's touch sceen progamming and awkward user interface, but get used to it after awhile.

http://www.pricegrabber.com pulls up a TRV38 for slightly over $600 - TRV39 offers useless extras like internet email etc for a few $$$ more.

Check out these sites to see pretty accurate descriptions of the various strengths and weaknesses of the different cams.

http://www.steves-digicams.com

http://www.dvspot.com

http://www.dpreview.com

http://www.dcresource.com

Good luck and let us know what you get :)
 
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