Looking for Camcorder/ HD + HDD/ NTSC+Pal Recording Option+Good low light performance

Mysticpuma · 09-09-2008, 6:46 PM

Well I liked the look of the SONY HDR-SR11, but it appears from the details that it only records NTSC or PAL

I'm looking for a camcorder to carry for general purpose shooting, just portraits and a some lowish-light.

I don't care about Digital zooms, I would rather have a wide to medium telephoto lens...but I know we start moving into the Pro market with that request.

Just a good image quality, sharp optic with good low-light (not Nightvision) noise quality.

So are there any £500-750 Camcorder that fit the criteria that anyone would/could recommend?

Cheers, MP.

*A n d r e w* · 10-09-2008, 6:35 AM

Why do you need NTSC & PAL? There's no dual format sub-£750 camcorder. Best idea is to get a 50Hz ("PAL") camcorder and do conversions in software if you have clients / family who need NTSC copies. As for low light, anything in this price range is going to be at least a little noisy, but word has it that the SR11/12 is among the best at this level.

Andrew.

**senu** · 10-09-2008, 7:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Courtaj

Why do you need NTSC & PAL? There's no dual format sub-£750 camcorder. Best idea is to get a 50Hz ("PAL") camcorder and do conversions in software if you have clients / family who need NTSC copies. As for low light, anything in this price range is going to be at least a little noisy, but word has it that the SR11/12 is among the best at this level.

Andrew.

Is the right answer.

I dont think there is a sub £2000 dual format camcorder actually , and even than you are thinking of HDV ( tape). That is one of the differnces between the FX1 ( I have) and the Z1

In conversion : Anecdotally, PAL to NTSC is better than NTSC to PAL ( although this is also software dependent up to a point)
So buy in the Format you will be using the most and it really only matters for Standard def DVDs as PC playback and Hi def are not really TV system dependent

Mysticpuma · 10-09-2008, 1:19 PM

Why both formats?

Well I'm working on a non-funded documentary at the moment, about a particular group of US pilots.

I have travelled to America and borrowed a friends camcorder while there to record a few interviews, but was thinking of getting a multi-format for future trips.

I will be using it mainly in the UK, so I may just opt for PAL and use Premiere to sync the footage together, but I was sure that while I was in the US, my friends (who had a cheapish camera) was using a Sony, and when he flicked an option he got the choice of PAL or NTSC.

I will ask him for the model and report back.

Cheers, MP.

**senu** · 10-09-2008, 1:36 PM

That may have been a Model mainly for the US market or indeed not but He was able to source it
But as said for Hi def it shouldnt matter.

*A n d r e w* · 10-09-2008, 1:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mysticpuma

while I was in the US, my friend (who had a cheapish camera) was using a Sony, and when he flicked an option he got the choice of PAL or NTSC. I will ask him for the model and report back.

Would be interesting. I know that there are camcorders that are 50/60 switchable for in-camera playback (but not output or recording) but I'm pretty sure there are no consumer level cameras that do this (or can record in either format at the flick of a switch). Always happy to stand corrected, though!