[Adamesq]

Howdy all....


I'm looking to step up from a consumer-grade camcorder. I need something that will work for live Internet/interviews (outdoor and indoor), but ALSO for filming roughly TV-quality indoor material (ie pbs/nick type material). I'm stuck on the camcorder vs DSLR issue. Camcorders have been great, easy and sturdy for running around and filming interviews (more about content for me), but I think I need a DSLR if I'm thinking about filming. On the camcorder side, I pulled up the HF20 (think that's what TWiT uses). On the DLSR side, Canon 70D. (I'd really like to stay close to the price range on those 2 (sub $1.5K). Any thoughts? Thank you.

 

[brunerww]

Hi Adamesq - the cons of the DSLR (and especially the 70D) are the 30 minute continuous recording limit (after which you have to restart the recording), the lack of a viewfinder that works while you're shooting video and the lack of a headphone jack to monitor what you're recording.


For live streaming, interviews and "TV quality" output, I recommend a camcorder.


Since you mentioned TWiT, here is a picture from their studio:





The camera in the foreground ppears to be an old Canon XL2 DV camera . You should avoid tape cameras, and get a more modern solid state camera if you can.


At the $1500 price point, I recommend the Canon XA10 Professional Camcorder with pro XLR mic inputs and dual SD card slots. This camera will give you results that look like this:



TV news piece (Dance Studio segment shot with XA10):

Documentary:

Hope this is helpful!


Bill
Hybrid Camera Revolution

 

[Adamesq]

Thank you, Bill. The TWiT picture looks like it came from their old studio, where they did have an XL2.


I just took a look at the G30. It would be nice to have XLRs, but I haven't needed it in the field.


My thought on the 70d was depth of field and it might be better for filming a pilot indoor. The MIA headphone jack is disconcerting.


I'm moving from an M30 - so anything will likely be a world of difference.

 

[jogiba]

I think Leo said they use HF G10 camcorders in the new brick house studio.

 

[brunerww]



Quote:
Originally Posted by Adamesq  /t/1517293/mixed-use-camcorder-dslr-conundrum#post_24344780


Thank you, Bill. The TWiT picture looks like it came from their old studio, where they did have an XL2.


I just took a look at the G30. It would be nice to have XLRs, but I haven't needed it in the field.


My thought on the 70d was depth of field and it might be better for filming a pilot indoor. The MIA headphone jack is disconcerting.


I'm moving from an M30 - so anything will likely be a world of difference.

If you don't need XLRs, the HF G30 is a great choice. It has now been marked down to $1399 , so it'll save you a hundred bucks compared to the XA10.


If you want shallow depth of field, a video viewfinder, hours of continuous recording time and a headphone jack, you may want to look at the Panasonic GH3 and the 14-42 and 45-175 power zoom lenses. The GH3 is as close to a camcorder as you're going to get in a large sensor, interchangeable lens camera.


Here's what this camera can do:



Indoor documentary w interviews:

Outdoor documentary:

Again, hope this is helpful!


Bill
Hybrid Camera Revolution

 

[Adamesq]

Thank you @brunerww - I took a look at the videos for the Panasonic GH3. There seems to be some concern about keeping focusing under control on this one, but the video looks great.

 

[Adamesq]



Quote:
Originally Posted by jogiba  /t/1517293/mixed-use-camcorder-dslr-conundrum#post_24344897


I think Leo said they use HF G10 camcorders in the new brick house studio.

I saw the G20 listed on the TWiT wiki, but Leo has mentioned that they have a ton of cameras in there. They must have a bunch of different models??