I am looking for a new camcorder. Here are my requirements:


35x optical zoom
At least 3mp still image shots
Slim
HARD DRIVE***IMPORTANT!
Durable/Reliable
Around $1000


Optional:

High-definition 720p or greater. I am willing to pay a reasonable amount more for this

My understanding is that the 30x+ optical zooms tend to have really small sensors... Small sensors equals more noise, so keep that in mind.

Got a Canon HG10 a few days ago (hi def), and while I've only taken 16 minutes of video, am currently stunned by the image quality...

Image quality is very good with this camcorder, but I cannot get it to shoot video at 1080*1920 as advertised. The highest resolution I get at the highest bitrate is 1080*1440.

Scott

Yeah, I know, the marketing guys lie. All the reports around the internet all stated it does 1440x1080, but even as I looked at all the stuff on the box, and then on the Canon website, I wondered, are all the internet folk wrong? It really does seem like it should be 1920x1080.. But, no, Canon's marketing department lies, and the internet folk are right.

Actually, it may be better that it's 1440x1080. I, for one do not believe 1920x1080 could really be done WELL at 15MBPS anyhow... Though, I do have to say, I don't really see any compression artifacts even with fast motion when recording at 15MBPS... Again, I've taken less than 30minutes of footage at this point...

Also, the software doesn't like my PC. Everytime I try to play one of these clips on my PC with the supplied software, it crashes...

Probably just my system. I need to put together a new one (going to get a Quad Core Q6600) anyway.

Are there any HD camcorders that actually record at 1080*1920?

Should I be mad about this? I feel really misled.

Scott

There are a few. But it's definitely the minority. (Maybe one of the Panasonics, with it's 580k 3CCD sensors, and, I think the Sanyo HD1000). All reports indicate the HG10 beats them hands down...

You probably have a right to be mad. (I even knew, but was still a little annoyed). You were misled. But being mad won't really help.

I'm quickly getting over it as I look at more footage...

- Mike

P.S. The only other one I really wanted to see, but didn't have time to wait for was Toshiba's announced HD HDD cameras for 3 reasons. Indications of full 1920x1080 recording (but not really sure), wider wide-angle (36mm equiv, I think), and possibly, based on duration/HDD size of 18 or 19MBPS bitrate AVCHD recording... These are due for release in Japan in Mid November. No announced dates for the US, and my big vacation is coming up at the end of Nov.

How about this one?
http://www.amazon.com/Sony-HDR-SR7-Definition-Camcorder-Optical/dp/B000PQJGFO******pd_bbs_sr_1/104-5137297-6087944?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1193700820&sr=8-1

All consumer sonys are also 1440x1080, including the SR7 and 8.

the new Panasonic SD5 will have 1920x1080, yes 1920x1080!, but it's a flash drive version.

Yes, at a pitiful 12 (or is it 13) MBPS???

A few things to consider.

-The video format itself is the limiting factor. The prosumer HDV codec for example is not full raster 1920x1080

-A quality HD zoom lens will cost ten times more than the actual camera body. The lens matters a lot when resolving HD resolutions.

-Just because a camera says it has 1440x1080 doesn’t mean it will actually resolve that much on a resolution chart. Again the lens is a big factor.

-Most prosumer HD cameras don’t have full “on chip” resolution, and use tricks like pixel shifting and destructive sharpening to “improve” the image.

-Most prosumer HD cameras have highly compressed audio when compared to prosumer SD cameras.

If I had 1000 to spend on a new HD video cam it would probably be the Canon HV20.

Are there any HD camcorders that actually record at 1080*1920?

Should I be mad about this? I feel really misled.

Scott


The codec itself has to be full raster. HDV is 1440x1080 8-bit 4:2:0 YUV with a compression ratio of 32:1. DVC-Pro HD at 1280x1080 8-bit 4:2:2 YUV with a compression ratio of 10:1. Even the high end format HDCAM is only 1440x1080 8-bit 3:1:1 YUV 5:6:1. In comparison, a full raster format like Cineform Raw decodes to 1920x1080 10-bit 4:4:4 5:1. HD-Cam SR is another full raster codec.

Quality HD zoom lenses start at 7k (20k ideal). If you want full raster for cheap then buy the Panasonic HVX-200 and have it modified by Reel Stream (Hydra mod) for uncompressed output. It will probably not resolve full raster, but it will be at the edge of what the lens can resolve.

The codec itself has to be full raster.
Of course.

HDV does not, but AVCHD Does support 1920x1080 raster in addition to 1440x1080.

***AVCHD Does support 1920x1080 raster in addition to 1440x1080***

The only concern would be the built in zoom lens actually resolving the full avchd spec. You need a larger chip and still photography lens/PL mount to really get the most out of the format.

For the 1k range, I would think the AVCHD 1920x1080 8-bit 4:2:0 would be one of the best choices.