[stupidboyjj]

Hello again, I'm always asking about the Sony HC90E on here at the moment but I'm also considering the Canon models mentioned in the title, does anyone have any opinions of them?

From what I can gather, they don't have firewire just USB2?

Is the 16x9 mode proper anamorphic widescreen or just cropping - the LCD isn't a widescreen one?

What's the battery life like?

Are the wide angle converter lenses (those models that have them) any good?

How do recordings from the built-in microphone sound?

Might have to have another trip to Jessops on Saturday I think..

[MarkE19]

Originally Posted by stupidboyjj

From what I can gather, they don't have firewire just USB2?

Nope firewire in & out on all models
Connections Connector Type: 1 x headphones ¦ 1 x composite video/audio (input/output) ¦ 1 x IEEE 1394 (FireWire/i.LINK) ¦ 1 x USB

Originally Posted by stupidboyjj

What's the battery life like?

As with all camcorders, IMO you need to buy an additional long life battery. The supplied battery is likely to only last around 1 hour.

Originally Posted by stupidboyjj

Are the wide angle converter lenses (those models that have them) any good?

You can buy third party wide angle converters and probably for a lot less than an origional Canon lens. Just make sure you get one with the correct lens filter thread size - the MX350i has a 34mm thread and without checking would guess the other 2 cams do also. If going to a Jessops then ask them to let you use one on the cam to see if it is any good to you.

Mark.

[ellington]

Hi
I bought the MV850i some months ago now and find it does everything I need. USB for the stills on the memory card and firewire for the video. I find the quality great for my needs. It has AV/Dv in and out.
I would agree about battery. i bought a larger capacity from Keene electronics for half the canon price and it works well. Will be buying a separate charger as well as I do not like having to charge the battery on the cam.
When you mention the converter lens I take it you mean the freebie that comes with it. It works and gives you a much better wide angle view than the standard.
Can't say about the 16:9 as I use 4:3
All in all for the price (I paid £300 at amazon but I know it can be had cheaper now) I would reccoment the 850i

ellington

[stupidboyjj]

Thanks for that - we tried the 850i in Jessops yesterday, seemed quite nice and I liked the fact you can just switch it to 16x9 or 4x3 by pressing the 'wide' button. How long does a higher capacity battery last one on of these?

We also tried the MVX40, which was also good so I'm thinking of getting the MVX45i as it has a slightly larger optical zoom. Neither of these come with a wide angle converter lens though.

Not sure about the Sony DCRHC90E any more - don't like the idea of the touchscreen LCD or the short battery life, the Canons also felt more comfortable in my hand, the Sony was a bit TOO small for my liking.

One thread had a link to dvspot which has loads of very good in depth reviews. A review of the Canon Optura 60 (is this the same as the MVX45i in th UK??) highlighted a fair amount of motor noise on the recording and was a negative in their eyes/ears. It also has a sample video which picked up a load of motor noise. Certainly too much for me and I've ruled it out. now down to the Sony HC90 or Panasonic GS250 I think.

[stupidboyjj]

Hmm, looking at the specs yes it seems this Optura 60 is the same/similar to the MVX40 series. There is a glowing-ish review on www.simplydv.co.uk which mentions the 'motorboating' noise in very quiet conditions, is it really noticeable then?

Arrgh. I thought I'd finally narrowed it down to a choice of ONE to buy!

Actually having read that review on DVspot, they don't seem to think it's too objectionable - it depends on how loud you play their example quicktime file I suppose.

Yeah they didnt mind too much but listen to the file which shows the noise levels - I didnt mind too much until I listened to the same file for the Sony. Having heard both I think I'd be listening out for it. Im in the same boat as you - wanted to like the Canon as it had all the other toys I wanted, but now....starting line (back to!).

It might be worth seeing though as it could be the 1 to get.

[stupidboyjj]

Well - finally ordered the Sony DCRHC90E. I listened to the motor noise examples and as I might be recording a lot of landscapy type things I realised it would bother me (although to be honest I'd edit the audio later anyway).

In the end my wife just said "oh just get the Sony" so I ordered it. And that's that!

Happy days. I think I might be following you on this one, the Sony seems to have most of what I want. I'd certainly be interested in any feedback you have. Happy filming

[Applespider]

I debated the GS250, the MVX45 and the HC90 a couple of months ago. I ended up going for the HC90 since the price/value/quality seemed to offer the best combination.

I've been very happy with it. The touchscreen is suprisingly usable (it was a concern of mine too) especially if you only use the camcorder occasionally. It's a lot easier to concentrate on keeping the camera still when you're still looking at the picture as you adjust things.

I would encourage you to make your own personalised menu when you first start using it though - that means you can have the thing you think you'll use most (AE Compensation, Spot Focus, Program Mode etc) on the first touchscreen rather than going through menus.

I looked at the 2 today and the Sony will get my cash too. The Panasonic looked good but was bigger and didnt feel as good to hold. The Sony felt a little more solid and the LCD was a lot nicer to look at / use. One I thing i noticed on the Panasonic is that using the telezoom i coud feel the motor working when holding, that must come across on the tape. The battery also made the Panasonic feel quite bulky. One thing anout the Pany I liked though - ability to charge the battery out of the camera.

No doubt I'll be back in a week to ask how to use the thing! Cheers

[stupidboyjj]

I wish I could say more about the Sony having bought it but I'm currently engaged in a battle with the delivery monkeys at Parcelforce who are lying about attempting to deliver twice last week (to my place of work...!) and now want to leave it at a post office on monday. At least Amazon refunded my postage.

I wonder if I'll have to assemble it myself when I get it (after it's been used as a warehouse football for a week)?