Looking At High Def Cameras

If you've been looking for a high definition video camera, there are many out there for you to choose from. There are several options available in each of the different formats.

HDV

JVC, Sony, and Canon all produce HDV cameras of various stripes and abilities. The JVC HD100U shoots 720p, offers a true 24p frame rate, and provides a professional looking form factor, along with sporting the ability to change out lenses.

The two popular HDV cameras from Sony include the HDR-FX1 and the HVR-Z1U. Both of them shoot only 1080i and provide 24p. The XL h1 is Canon's entry to the HDV roundup. It provides HD SDI output and gives you the option of interchanging lenses. Like Sony, it shoots 1080i without true 24p capabilities.

All of these cameras are 3CCD models and all sport level professional XLR audio inputs, with the exception of the HDR-FX1. Sony also offers single chip HDV cameras. The consumer HC1, which is actually a miniature version of the FX1 is an excellent camera.

DVCPRO HD on the budget end of the Panasonic spectrum is the AG-HVX200. This widely hyped camera does away with tape based HD recording and will instead record HD to either memory cards or even an attached hard drive. It also offers the ability to shoot all the above mentioned HD resolutions along with 50 and DV25.

Another popular camera for Panasonic is the Varicam which shoots at 720p. A great feature with this camera is the ability to shoot at variable frame rates, which range from 4 - 60fps at 1fps intervals. These different frame rates will allow you to achieve a look similar to that of over cranking a film camera.

HDCAM Sony couples their HDCAM cameras together under the name CineAlta. They cover a broad range of prices and features, ranging from the XDCAM HD models and the F350 to the widely used and widely popular F950.

The XDCAM HD cameras record directly to Sony's professional disc media, which is physically similar to Blu-ray discs. These cameras can also record various quality levels of 1080i and 1080p, along with regular SD DVCAM. Unlike other HD cameras from Sony, the XDCAM HD supports i-Link for file access and DV output.

Near the high end of the Sony HD solutions is the F900. It captures both 1080p and 1080i at various frame rates, including 25p and 50i. This is also the most expensive camera from Sony, as it costs around 80,000$!

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