HELP with choosing a camcorder....

For that price range the Panasonic PV-GS300 might be the best bang for the buck, but it might be a little over 500 once it's all said and done. It's a 3CCD camera, so it should produce a nice image. From what I can tell it's well worth the extra buck to get the GS300 over the GS180. My other suggestion woud be the Canon Optrua line, but they aren't 3CCD cameras. Check the prices on Amazon.

 

Even though the Canon is only 1CCD I would still recommend it hands down over anything by Panasonic. Picture quality is still much better IMHO

 

I can't disagree on the quality of Canon's optics. Whether the 1 chip Canon offers a better image than the 3CCD Panny, I have no idea. Canon makes their own lenses, which is nice, but Leica lenses are quite sharp. I have an Optura 200MC that still impresses me and am currently shooting a short with an XL2. An Optura 50 certainly fits the bill. I'm not so sure anything below that will have a mic jack, but can't say for sure. Plus, the Optura 50 has a 16:9 chip.

Interestingly, I see a drastically reduced MiniDV line at canondv.com I wonder if they are revamping thier line to use non-tape media.

The only thing I'd worry about is the possibility of motor noise. Mine suffers from it. I get a terribly annoying buzz in quiet situations. it's a flaw in an othewise brilliant camera, but this may no longer be an issue. I understand this is not uncommon amongst many small DV cameras. Take a pair of headphones with you if you demo at a store.

I also suggest avoiding Sony. Their cameras a notorious for not playing well the our Macs.

 

Look on ebay for a cheap priced XM1/GL1, you cant beat them! 3CCD is the best!

 

i've never seen a cheap one! where are they?

 

When you say remote control, you mean just that, an IR remote with record/pause and zoom, not a wired remote zoom control (input, or LANC) to mount on a pan handle, right? The PV-GS300 doesn't appear to have a LANC input for a VariZoom (for example). LANC seems to be mostly a Canon/Sony thing, at least as far as some of the reasonable, lower end models.

I personally haven't experienced any problems with Sony camcorders not playing well with Macs, and I've captured from at least 4 different Sony camcorder models and 2 decks... I've used Avid Xpress DV and Pro for capture, however, not FCP.

Only problems I've had were with JVC MiniDV decks supposedly not being "frame accurate" for export.

camcorderinfo.com is your best bet for info.

 

If you're looking for an online dealer, try Beach Camera, as they have excellent packaged deals. (They also have discounted prices.)

 

I just bought a Canon zr700 that seems to fit the bill to a T. It has a remote, external audio (and video) inputs, and was $244 from Dell Home. This was an online coupon with a stackable $35 off $300 coupon i had to buy for $1 off of ebay. Pretty weird but I ended up saving like >$130. The video seems pretty decent and it has an option to shoot in true 16x9. I just got it so I haven't recorded with it yet but at this price I'm not demanding the world.

 

Stores like Beach Camera and Abe's of Maine deal in gray market goods and are known to have shady business practices. IMO you are better off paying a "normal" retail price from a reputable dealer.


Lethal

 

Even if there is a little motor noise...iMovies noise filter easily gets rid of it

 

It does a good job of getting rid of any sounds near the frequency range(s) of the motor noise, too.