Canon XM2 or Sony VX2100? Need opinions ASAP please...thx ;)

[Mysticpuma]

I have a chance of getting either camera for a great price but need to know user pros and cons?

Currently I like the Canon, as I understand the lens quality is superb (important to me), it can be upgrades to XLS inputs and generally it's a pretty good all-rounder.

The Sony has larger CCD chips, very good in low-light, and apparently very good reliabilty? It also comes with a Rode Mic.

Now I can get them both at the same price, so which would be;

a) The greater bargain

b) The best for home-grown documentary (it's my max budget of £1000 for the camera)

c) Robustness and lens quality.

I appreciate any answers that I can get before Saturday mid-day (and of course any afrter...but may be too late!)

Cheers, MP.

[senu]

Have a read
XM1 or XM2???
Ive got the VX2100 and used the XM2 more than a few times
Reliability is luck of the draw
The Canon is lighter and has more Zoom and the Sony simply has the best low light .. ever
Even the FX1 is not better
If you get a bonus, Get the XH A1

[chrishull3]

Having owned the 2100 and used the xm2 i would go for the canon now as its smaller and lighter and as said wins on zoom + shutterspeed etc but not low light, but if i had a bonus it would be the sony fx1000 its great,if only they would bring out a smaller edition.

[Mysticpuma]

Gents, I thank you for your replies.

In the end, I managaed to get the XM2 for just £650. The VX2100 would have been £950.

I now have £300 spare in the kitty.

The XM2 came with:

* Jessops wired remote controller which is a useful (and now de-listed) item.
* Jessops UV Filter
* KOOD revolving polarising filter
* 6x Sony MiniDV 60min (still sealed)
* 7x Fuji MiniDV 60min (still sealed)
* Canon Cleaning tape (DVM-CL) - used once.
* 16MB SD card (for stills)
* All cables, manuals. software, orginal box.
* Extra battery 3100mAh Jessops in addition to the standard 1500mAh

I have at home an Edirol R-09 HR, which I use with a tie-clip microphone for interviewing people.

So, my question if you would indulge me is, what would you buy for the XM2 with the £300 I have left over?

I'd probably get another battery, but maye a Wide-Angle convertor? Rain Cover?

What would XM2 users suggest?

Cheers, MP

[chrishull3]

Best of luck with your cam,i would love canon to bring out an hdv version but i doubt they ever will.I would get a rode external mike either the video or stereo mike which i have and like and a wide angle lens is a another option as you say with a rain cover.

[senu]

Originally Posted by chrishull3

Best of luck with your cam,i would love canon to bring out an hdv version but i doubt they ever will.I would get a rode external mike either the video or stereo mike which i have and like and a wide angle lens is a another option as you say with a rain cover.

They have Chris its called the XH A1
Which Canon are trying to replace with the XH A1 s ... no doubt at a cost
My only advice to the OP would be to use one sort of tape or another but try not to use different brands
Also in additional to a proper ( non tie clip) Mic.. Do you have decent editing software,, ect?

[chrishull3]

Originally Posted by senu

They have Chris its called the XH A1
Which Canon are trying to replace with the XH A1 s ... no doubt at a cost
My only advice to the OP would be to use one sort of tape or another but try not to use different brands
Also in additional to a proper ( non tie clip) Mic.. Do you have decent editing software,, ect?

You are joking now senu i said XM 2 HDV version the XH A1 is much bigger,i rarely use my FX7 now because of its size,i have said i would love a FX1000 but would also need a caddy with that on long hikes

[senu]

Originally Posted by chrishull3

You are joking now senu i said XM 2 HDV version the XH A1 is much bigger,i rarely use my FX7 now because of its size,i have said i would love a FX1000 but would also need a caddy with that on long hikes

Yes .. I do love to have a laugh..
The XH A1 is about the same size as the FX1 or VX2100
I think the compact size if th XM2 was an inspired design...

[Mysticpuma]

Hi Senu and Chris.

I currently work as a Press Photographer and have met so many interesting people in my job that I wanted to carry a Video camera to record some of them.

My main interest in WW2, so any vets I get to meet, I want to video some of there memories being re-told.

I use CS3 complete, so I have After Effects CS3 and Premiere Pro CS3, which I have used since 4.2 (Premiere that is).

The Edirol has produced some superb results with the clip mic, so that is why I use that for my audio recording, but an upgraded Mic on the camera would be a good call. I see Rode Mics start (shotgun style) at £80.

What about Wide Angle convertors. I'd have about £200 left?

Lastly, any favourite DV tapes out there for final quality results?

Thanks for your input, cheers, MP.

BTW, I have a Manfrotto Tripod which has a really solid build, and I also have a Manfrotto Clamp, which I can attach the Cam to and then clamp to any surface that the grip fits around.

So editing is covered, and stability, suggestions on tapes, convertors, Mic and maybe an on-camera (self-powered) light?

Thanks again.

[senu]

Originally Posted by Mysticpuma

Hi Senu and Chris.

I currently work as a Press Photographer and have met so many interesting people in my job that I wanted to carry a Video camera to record some of them.


So editing is covered, and stability, suggestions on tapes, convertors, Mic and maybe an on-camera (self-powered) light?

Thanks again.

Hi MP
The Microphones are the Rode Videomic ( mono is OK), Sony Premium tapes are fine . Converters . I have the Rode Stereo VideoMic . Love it
Sennheiser make some excellent Mics but they are a little costlier ( I forget model no)
. The XM2 lens wide angle is fine AFAIK although Canon will sell you a wide angle adaptor if you want oneYou shouldn't need one
On camera light.. Any will do but ..What do I know..
However there is THIS
Suggested by another poster

[Mysticpuma]

That's pretty cool. Add a little bit of diffusion to it and that is a pretty cheap work-around.

I'll check out the Rode Stereo VideoMic. Is it this one:

Rode Stereo VideoMic Stereo XY Condenser Microphone on eBay, also Wireless Microphones, Microphones, Pro Audio Equipment, Musical Instruments (end time 29-Dec-08 20:03:00 GMT)

Thanks again, MP

[A n d r e w]

Also this one here: Keene Electronics

[chrishull3]

Originally Posted by Mysticpuma

That's pretty cool. Add a little bit of diffusion to it and that is a pretty cheap work-around.

I'll check out the Rode Stereo VideoMic. Is it this one:

Rode Stereo VideoMic Stereo XY Condenser Microphone on eBay, also Wireless Microphones, Microphones, Pro Audio Equipment, Musical Instruments (end time 29-Dec-08 20:03:00 GMT)

Thanks again, MP

Yes you may find it cheaper i am not sure,great mike,i would consider the wide angle lens as well if you have spare cash.

[nigelbb]

I just bought this little lamp from Keene which is nice & powerful witha rechargeable battery. Keene Electronics

BTW Keene are a really excellent source for all sorts of AV stuff & will on request send you a lovely free catalogue to browse through. They also deliver very quickly & have superb customer service. I have been ordering from them for several years & have always been delighted with the service that I have received.

[nigelbb]

The Rode VideoMic is excellent. There is a video where the inventor (Mt Rode I presume) explains all about it here in a great Aussie accent. When we compared some stuff we had shot with & without this microphone the footage on the camcorder's built-in mike sounded like it was recorded in a bucket by comparision.