Which 3ccd HD camcorder to go for...?

[Pete at 96]

I want to upgrade from my old trusty Panasonic DX100s mini dv camcorders to an sd model of some sort... don't want a hard disk. I like panasonics but would be prepared to look at others (except Sony, which I have always had trouble with). I'd prefer to keep it under £600 but will go to more if there is a good reason. Your suggestions will be gratefully received.
Thanks in advance,
Pete

[ajex]

I think in your budget you can get 3 MOS camcorder which is Panasonic HDC-SD100 or HDC-SD9 which 3 ccd one..

Ajex

[A n d r e w]

Any reason you need a 3-CCD camcorder? There are plenty of good CMOS models on the market now. Canon's HF200 might come in under your budget: a good camcorder. The SD9 and SD100 are discontinued, and both have smaller sensors than the HF200's 1/4-inch CMOS.

[rogs]

The current crop of consumer HD cameras are going to be quite a bit different from your NV-DX100.

Firstly, as the others have commented, most of todays camcorders use CMOS sensors, not CCD. And for less than £600 you're not going to find a camera with anything like the size of sensor (3 X 0.25" CCDs) you have in your existing camera. So be prepared for a hit on low light capability.
Secondly, as Andrew asks, do you really need CCD sensors? If you are intending to shoot footage where a lot of vibration (from cars, power boats etc) might be encountered than yes, you probably do. The 'rolling shutter' effects that come with CMOS sensors can be a problem in that area. (See here for a description : CMOS Rolling Shutter)

If not, then no problem - CMOS sensors are fine for everyday shooting.

Many of todays cameras (again particularly sub £600) no longer have viewfinders -is that likely to be a problem for you?

Actually, when you look at the price of the NV DX100 all those years ago (about £2000 , IIRC) then the real equivalent model (allowing for inflation) is probably the Panasonic AG-HMC151E - with 3 xCCD decent sized sensors (so good low light) and all the manual features you had on your DX100 (and more!).

But I suspect you're probably not wanting to go that far!

The 'top end' Panasonic consumer cam, the TM300: Camcorders - HD Camcorders - HDC-TM300 - Awards & Test Results - UK & Ireland, does have a viewfinder and comprehensive manual controls, plus a decent sized 3 x CMOS sensor. That's likely to set you back about £800.

Perhaps that's more like the spec you were thinking of?

Although if you do want to stay with CCD sensors, and Panasonic, then it's either the SD9 (discontinued model, no viewfinder) or the HMC 151 (semi pro, expensive).

They don't make this easy, do they ?

[chrishull3]

Originally Posted by Pete at 96

I want to upgrade from my old trusty Panasonic DX100s mini dv camcorders to an sd model of some sort... don't want a hard disk. I like panasonics but would be prepared to look at others (except Sony, which I have always had trouble with). I'd prefer to keep it under £600 but will go to more if there is a good reason. Your suggestions will be gratefully received.
Thanks in advance,
Pete

Yes i had a DX100 is was a great mini dv cam, i take it you meen to upgrade to a hd model of some sort, i cant see you saying it has to be ccd chipped cam, or whether you want to stay with tape , i went to avchd but have gone back to hdv tape and a Canon HV30 which is a great cam for the price, it is the HV40 now and you may have to pay 150£ at least more than your target price, by the way low light recording on my canon is far superior to the dx100 i had.

[A n d r e w]

Originally Posted by chrishull3

i cant see you saying it has to be ccd chipped cam, or whether you want to stay with tape

It's in the thread title, young man:

Which 3ccd HD camcorder to go for...?

And this in the OP, which I read to mean he's after a memory-card-based machine:

Originally Posted by Pete at 96

. . . to an sd model of some sort . . .

[chrishull3]

Originally Posted by A n d r e w

It's in the thread title, young man:And this in the OP, which I read to mean he's after a memory-card-based machine:

about the ccd but hd meens high def to me so i missed the point of him wanting hard drive

[Pete at 96]

Thanks to everybody who responded to my query, and I'm going to look up all the models you have suggested.

But to try and clarify, I'm afraid it shows my complete ignorance that I don't know the difference between CCD and CMOS... I haven't kept up with the latest technology! So the reason I wanted 3xCCD was because it gave great pics on the DX100, but maybe I don't need it and some other configuration will do.

However, I do want it HD capable, and right, I mean high def, and I don't want a hard drive, just SD cards.

Any further comments will be most valuable.

Cheers,
Pete

[chrishull3]

Originally Posted by Pete at 96

Thanks to everybody who responded to my query, and I'm going to look up all the models you have suggested.

But to try and clarify, I'm afraid it shows my complete ignorance that I don't know the difference between CCD and CMOS... I haven't kept up with the latest technology! So the reason I wanted 3xCCD was because it gave great pics on the DX100, but maybe I don't need it and some other configuration will do.

However, I do want it HD capable, and right, I mean high def, and I don't want a hard drive, just SD cards.

Any further comments will be most valuable.

Cheers,
Pete

As the dx100 is tape and you have a tape collection i suggest the canon HV30/40s but if you are determined to go card there many consumer models but if you want a more up market card cam the panasonic HMC-150 is a vey good cam.

[Pete at 96]

Originally Posted by chrishull3

As the dx100 is tape and you have a tape collection i suggest the canon HV30/40s but if you are determined to go card there many consumer models but if you want a more up market card cam the panasonic HMC-150 is a vey good cam.

Thanks for that, Chris, but I fear that the HMC-150 is well beyond my budget, which is up to £1000. I don't need mini-dv as I have cameras to play my existing tapes, so that is why I am looking at card cameras.
Cheers,
Pete

[chrishull3]

Originally Posted by Pete at 96

Thanks for that, Chris, but I fear that the HMC-150 is well beyond my budget, which is up to £1000. I don't need mini-dv as I have cameras to play my existing tapes, so that is why I am looking at card cameras.
Cheers,
Pete

why has it got to be card only ,sony and canons avchd top of the range consumer cams are hd and card ,

[Pete at 96]

Originally Posted by chrishull3

why has it got to be card only ,sony and canons avchd top of the range consumer cams are hd and card ,

Mainly because the hard drive has got to add to the cost, and with just the SD (or flash memory) there are no moving parts, and I just don't see the need for it.... if I am mistaken please tell me.
Cheers
Pete

[A n d r e w]

If you're willing to spend up to £1000, it's worth looking at the Canon HFS100. Hard drives don't add much to the overall cost as they're pretty cheap. Sony's HDRXR520 is a great camcorder, excellent in low light, and has a hard drive - but don't overlook it just because of the hard drive. Then there's the Panasonic TM300 which Rogs has mentioned. They're pretty much the pick of the bunch for the money you're talking.