Bricks in Motion
We are a friendly filmmaking community devoted to the art of stop-motion animation using LEGO® and similar construction toys. Here, you can share your work, join our community of other brickfilmers, and participate in periodic animation contests!
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What would be the best ( and cheapest ) mini DV camera, preferable HD, on the market? I want to start live action films soon but I need a camera.
Some suggestions please.
-Daragh
That would be the Canon HV20 or HV30, the Sanyo Xacti HD1010 is also very good.
Here are some nice sample videos which might you an impression of what quality they can get:
HV20/30: http://vimeo.com/332342 , http://vimeo.com/871654
Xacti: http://vimeo.com/2027635
Do keep in mind that those most likely had color correction in them.
Something by Panasonic or Sony is usually a best bet, but most camcorders are Hard disk drive or flash based these days, so you may be limited. If you search Mini DV HD you'll probably find something, on Amazon there are 3 results:
Canon HV20
Canon HV30
Sony HDR-HC9
They're all in the £585+ range, and what with the Pound doing badly against the Euro at the moment that's probably roughly the same price you'll pay. From what I've seen, the HV's are pretty popular, and used by quite a few people on the skateboard filming forums I visit.
I actually have a tape based Camcorder from Sony.
The quality in bothe of them is amazing. But I had a look for the Canon HV30, Mini DV recorder and its € 792.00! That would take a while to save up for. If I can't find any cheaper models, I'll try and save up for that.
-Daragh
You do not need an HV30 if you are just starting out. Pick up a cheap SD camcorder, and have fun with it. Upgrade when you are ready.
But if you save up and buy an HD camera straight away rather than an SD one and then an HD one it will mean you will have saved a signficant amount of money. It depends how serious your commitment is, and if buying a HD camera is really justified. If you're just uploading footage to Youtube for people to watch it's barely worth it, but if you're producing for playback to the public on HD ready equipment and want to have the best image quality possible, then I suppose it is.
I agree, if you can, save up for an HV30, or try to find a well taken care of HV20. They're HD, and have 24p recording modes, and compared to other cameras out there with those same features, are pretty affordable.
The best looking consumer HD ones Ive seen are the HV20 and HV30.
Im just upgrading from my prehistoric Hi8 camera to a more modern basic definition MiniDV. I dont really mind as long as I get widescreen, manual focus, manual exposure and decent reliability.
Get a JVC GR-D796U I have one, its really cheap and it looks great.
Examples of the quality: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xX0MhFqomdg&fmt=18 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1nAQWGcaJ60&fmt=18
• Mini DV
• 34 x Optical Zoom
• CCD Optical Sensor
• 340 Kpix Video Resolution
• Built-in Light
• Widescreen
• Electronic Viewfinder
-LBJ
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