Best handheld broadcast quality camcorder is?

What is the best handheld broadcast quality camcorder, one that offer broadcast quality in terms of recording video, it has to be be small and compact, which do you recommend if any?

Panasonic HDC-SD5 - with 3ccd or a equivalent Sony model?

[redsox_mark]

This is hard to answer, as both "broadcast quality" and "small" are ambiguous terms.

Video cameras generally used for broadcast don't tend to be small. But different broadcasters have different requirements; I know small HDV camcorders are sometimes used.

If by "broadcast quality" you mean a professional or prosumer model... probably the smallest is the Sony HVR-A1. It is at least "Sony's smallest, lightest yet professional HDVcamcorder"

http://www.sonybiz.net/biz/view/Show...=HDVCamcorders

Originally Posted by redsox_mark

This is hard to answer, as both "broadcast quality" and "small" are ambiguous terms.

Video cameras generally used for broadcast don't tend to be small. But different broadcasters have different requirements; I know small HDV camcorders are sometimes used.

If by "broadcast quality" you mean a professional or prosumer model... probably the smallest is the Sony HVR-A1. It is at least "Sony's smallest, lightest yet professional HDVcamcorder"

http://www.sonybiz.net/biz/view/Show...=HDVCamcorders

what about the sony avchd cams, these reord in 1080i resolution, whats the difference with the
http://www.sonybiz.net/biz/view/Show...=HDVCamcorders[/QUOTE]

over any other camcorder for home use that records in 1080i, is HDV better that AVCHD?

[senu]

Broadcast quality is very loose term. "Pro" Grade maybe less so in terms of lines of resolution. I believe a certain minimum no of lines are expected due to the way in which video is compressed for transmission
Sonys "Professional Division as well as Canon Panasonic and JVC all do such models
As such you'll come across terms like DVC Pro, HDCAM, Digital Betacam, DV CAM XDCAM ect.
These are all different "broadcast" standard formats
I have played a few of with them ( not used them) at the yearly Video forums at Earls Court suffice to say that they all have high grade lenses, larger than Prosumer and "Semi Pro" sensors and none is small and compact

The very smallest I've seen are the 1080i HD models which are at least the size of the Sony HC1 which is longer than most current consumer models

They are the A1, the V1 and they are not that small or compact (IMHO) though not as large as their more mainstream brethen

High end Prosumer ( like the FX1) is not Pro but is very high quality 3CCD HDV. It has a 3CMOS smaller version, the FX7 which is still not "small and compact ", although comparatively it is smaller than most of the "broadcast" models you will see.

[senu]

Originally Posted by jimmy73

what about the sony avchd cams, these reord in 1080i resolution, whats the difference with the
http://www.sonybiz.net/biz/view/Show...=HDVCamcorders

over any other camcorder for home use that records in 1080i, is HDV better that AVCHD?

AVCHD is not yet Broadcast.. it is firmly Prosumer..

Not only because of the limitations of the format, but for Pro /Semi Pro camcorders there are
Manual features
High lens quality considerations at the very least
That no AVCHD camcorders have
If you wish for higher grade than the prosumer models look around the "Semi Pro" tape models
HDV Semi Pro models exist that have "broadcast quality" aspirations but at similar price point HDV and AVCHD quality are broadly similar.

PS:I notice your edited First post now has the Panasonic HDC-SD5: It is said to be better than Sonys CX6/7 but neither is Semi Pro/ or Broadcast quality even if they are well regarded as Consumer models

[redsox_mark]

Senu has said it all well.
It comes down again to what you mean by "broadcast quality" and why it has to be that. The HDC-SD5 is by all accounts very good (though if similar to the SD7 not so great in low light). But it is clearly not a professional model which would be commonly used for broadcast.

What I meant by broadcast quality cams that are good for movie making where you can see flesh tones, which other cams would not pick up and that would by good to put onto dvds or offer at least dvd quality footage?

[redsox_mark]

The HDC-SD5 will do that (as long as the lighting is good). Another very small alternative in this class is the Sony CX6.

[senu]

Originally Posted by jimmy73

What I meant by broadcast quality cams that are good for movie making where you can see flesh tones, which other cams would not pick up and that would by good to put onto dvds or offer at least dvd quality footage?

Essential you wish for a good quality camcorder. It is the lens, sensor and electronics that all contribute to the flesh tones you refer to.
As stated above, All camcorders do better in good lighting and colour reproduction seems pleasing when you go mid range ( whether the sensor is CMOS or CCD, single or 3 )
This applies too whether you are talking of tape, HDD or Flash card, Standard definition or Hi def models

The costlier camcorders allow you to get good quality in shooting situations where the less costly ones might struggle .Manual controls may help you get more realistic colours and brightness in challenging shooting conditions

Also Prosumer camcorders have shrunk in size to the point where format is not so relevant but the Flash card models are the smallest, Quality is all great all round but that is a matter of degree..

Regarding your examples ,although the Panasonic has had an edge in reviews over the Sony. I don't think they are so far apart in quality

Originally Posted by redsox_mark

The HDC-SD5 will do that (as long as the lighting is good). Another very small alternative in this class is the Sony CX6.

the sony cx6 is not 3ccd, which the panasonic i think is

[senu]

Originally Posted by jimmy73

the sony cx6 is not 3ccd, which the panasonic i think is

May not matter...

Originally Posted by senu

Also Prosumer camcorders have shrunk in size to the point where format is not so relevant but the Flash card models are the smallest, Quality is all great all round but that is a matter of degree..

Regarding your examples ,although the Panasonic has had an edge in reviews over the Sony. I don't think they are so far apart in quality

which Prosumer camcorder would be the best?

[redsox_mark]

3 sensors isn't neccessarily better than one. In this case (which is usually the case in a given price range) the single CMOS Sony has a large sensor; the Panasonic 3 small ones. Whilst 3 CCDs does help with colour accuracy, you are splitting the light 3 ways which impacts low light performace... you combine that with smaller sensors and that further impacts low light performance.

I've not personally used either of these; in the recent "Practical Digital Video" mag they reviewed both and gave the edge to the Panasonic, by a nose.

What is best? Between these 2, it's close. In general? Depends on your budget, how small it needs to be, if you have any issues with tape etc. Canon HV20 (HDV tape) is probably still the best all around performer under £1000.

[senu]

Originally Posted by jimmy73

which Prosumer camcorder would be the best?

It would depend on which format you wish for

For Hi def HDD the Canon HG1O seems to be "wowing"the reviewers
For HDV Canon HV20 is justifiably popular
For AVCHD with Flash cards :The Panasonic or Sony are a very small group and to say one is "best" would perhaps be stretching the truth. They are both capable and there arent that many comparative reviews

For Standard definition tape, because all HDV camcorders can record SD, or downconvert.. that would still be the Canon HV10, 20 or Sony HC7
There really is no "best"
JVCs HD7 has great paper specs but the reality is a little less inspiring

As such All the above examples would give great video . it depends on your aspirations of size and format (Recording and media format )
They are all 2006/2007 models..
Maybe there will be more later this year

PS: Mark and I often seem to play speed typing "games"

[chrishull3]

Originally Posted by senu

It would depend on which format you wish for

For Hi def HDD the Canon HG1O seems to be "wowing"the reviewers
For HDV Canon HV20 is justifiably popular
For AVCHD with Flash cards :The Panasonic or Sony are a very small group and to say one is "best" would perhaps be stretching the truth. They are both capable and there arent that many comparative reviews

For Standard definition tape, because all HDV camcorders can record SD, or downconvert.. that would still be the Canon HV10, 20 or Sony HC7
There really is no "best"
JVCs HD7 has great paper specs but the reality is a little less inspiring

As such All the above examples would give great video . it depends on your aspirations of size and format (Recording and media format )
They are all 2006/2007 models..
Maybe there will be more later this year

PS: Mark and I often seem to play speed typing "games"

i have noticed the typing bit are you guys on extra bonus nowadays.ho ho.
going back to the subject it depends what you call broadcast some of the news stuff on tv is ---p qual,but for any decent level i think a camera, broadcast that is needs to be more than a point and shooter and have a fair amount of hands on controls .chris