I'm currently an undergraduate looking to invest in my first 3-CCD camcorder, primarily, as would be assumed, for independent filmmaking. I am hoping to get this sometime between now and next September.

Now, I'm sure that this sort of question gets asked here all the time, and I apologize for the redundancy. Nevertheless, I'm pretty curious about what you all have to say about the current consumer cameras on the market. At the bottom of this post I've listed the cameras which I am currently looking at, and would love to hear some feedback on any or all of them.

Which of these do you feel is the most flexible? Which is the best deal? Which is the most intuitive to use (I'm looking for ease of manual adjustment, largely)? Which gives the most accurate color? Is the 24p of the AG-DVX100A better than the HIgh Definition of the HDR-FX1? Or is the Movie Like mode of the AG-DVC30 sufficient? Which one seems loudest or overheats most easily? Would I be better off just saving money until I can scrape enough for an XL-2, or is that just completely unnecessary thinking? Feel free to answer any of these, or really just say whatever you want about the models.

Sorry for such an exhausting post, and thanks for your help!

The models that I am seriously considering are the following, selected essentially because they fall within my price range ($1000-$1600 at A&M Photo World).

Sony HDR-FX1
Panasonic AG-DVC100A
JVC GY-DV300
Panasonic AG-DVC60
Sony DCR VX2100
Panasonic AG-DVC30
Canon GL2

*Edit* Okay so those prices are lies. Then let's pretend that my real range is $1500-$3000.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Vigilant,

i think the latest issue of Videomaker compares the XL2 to the DVX100A, but i forgot to buy it before i left the store

i'd go with the DVX100A

I have that issue of Videomaker, they said both cameras are great with the XL-2 being the winner. I love my Sony DCR-VX2000 it's a great camera and someday when i get the cash I'll get the XL-2.

quote:

Originally posted by RFranco:
i'd go with the DVX100A

I second that!

But..uh, A&M Photo World is kind of a scam site, well not kind of, but it is a scam site, there's no way you can get a legit DVX100a for $1000-1600 unless it's on the black market or grey market (and trust me, you don't want to go there).

So whats the best place to get one? Link me please.

quote:

Originally posted by Trespasser:

quote:

Originally posted by RFranco:
i'd go with the DVX100A

I second that!

But..uh, A&M Photo World is kind of a scam site, well not kind of, but it is a scam site, there's no way you can get a legit DVX100a for $1000-1600 unless it's on the black market or grey market (and trust me, you don't want to go there).

I'm not entirely sure but they might be able to sell them that cheap if they buy direct from the manufacturer in large quantities, and then do a minimal markup.

Trust me, no legit place can sell them that cheap yet. Before you even think about buying from A&M Photoworld, take a look at these sites

http://www.photo.net/neighbor/view-one-about?about=A%26M+Photo+World&id=2

http://www.resellerratings.com/seller1988-p1-s1-d2.html

http://www.consumeraffairs.com/cameras/a_and_m.html

Yeah, I figured as much since the prices were so obscenely low. I just didn't want to believe it . Thanks for the heads up.

yeah, it's a mad world out there. We got people trying to suckle as much money from the teat as possible.

A&M and others like it are absolutely bait and switch, scummy retailers. You will never receive the product unless you buy $200 worth of marked-up 'accessories' with it, and when it arrives, you'll find they charged your card $100 or more for shipping. Furthermore, nothing they sell is legitimate or carries a warranty. These places are all run from back alleys in Brooklyn, frequently selling stolen or damaged goods.