The best choice of 1000EUR miniDV cam. today

[IvanP]

Hi,

My friend asked me for help which camcorder to buy.
Setting the maximal budged to cca 1000EUR and miniDV recording format we choose the following finalists (in ab order):

Canon MV20
Canon MV30
Panasonic NV-DS11
Panasonic NV-DS15

I'm sure that Canon is better but it is 45% more expensive than choosen Panasonic models.
Does it worth of the 450EUR more (above budget too)? All for optical image stabilisation, better color reproduction in low light cond., progresive scan CCD, maybe 30k more effective pixel on CCD?

All models above has (I hope) manual WB, manual iris, manual shutter-speed.

We was thinking about JVC GR-DVL 100, 107 and 200 models, but I haven't found any detailed info to compare them together and with other producer models. Sony TRV6 (??), TRV11 is too expensive.

I'm looking forward to any suggestion or new candidates. Please note the top reason of your choice.

thanks

Ivan

[IvanP]

Nobody? ...Hmm... Is it so stupid what I've asked for?
I was hoping that my decision will be easier.

If someone knows any links to camcorder's forums or any independent site that compares current models (like videoguys for videocards) let me know please.

Ivan

[Flying dutchman]

I've bought the MV30 after testing lots of other cameras, including the Panasonic. The image quality of the Canons is definitely a lot better. Contrast, color and sharpness is awesome!
The Panasonic NVDS 15's white balance is rather poor, under artificial light condition the image turns greenish and is not nearly as sharp as the Canon. I found it very disappointing.

My advice: Hurry, and see if you can still lay hands on a Canon MV 200! Since a few months it is no longer manufactured, but can still be found in some shops. It costs less than 1000 Euros and the image quality is comparable to the MV20 and MV30. Avoid the MV300 though, its image quality is not as good.

[This_Idiot]

MV200 gets my vote if you don't want an upright format. I bought one back in May and I still love it to death. Even the stills show up really nice on a 25" TV !

[Aryko]

Someone wanna post a quick conversion between European / North American Canon models? I have a Canon Optura, love it, but I don't know what "MV" number it is.

- Aryko

[IvanP]

Thank you all.

Chris:
Do you know if MV200 has a manual WB, iris and shutter speed? What about low-light picture quality?

Flying dutchman:
My friend is living in Netherlands now (like you I see). They was searching for the best prices. They've found MV20-3200NLG and MV30-3500NLG. Do you know the shop with the best prices?(in Utrecht or Rotterdam).

Aryko:
Elura is MV20 I suppose.Optura Pi - MV30, Ultura - MV200 ???

Ivan

[This_Idiot]

Hi Ivan,

Sorry for the delay, I read your post last week but didn't have the manual with me. I've remembered to pack it to bring up to 2nd home this week, so I'll dig it out and read it thru to give you some answers.

The reason that I can't do this off the top of my head is that I'm quite happy to use the auto settings for most of my work. This because I'm one of the worst cameramen you could evr hope to meet

[Brian Ellis]

Aryko

Having looked at cameras on both sides of the Atlantic, I've come to the conclusion that you cannot translate the designations. Apart from the obvious NTSC/PAL differences, there are usually other significant ones, with most makes. For example, the Sony D8s used to (and may still do) have much lower CCD resolution in NTSC models than in PAL (why?). AND the range of models is different, to boot, with some makes, e.g. the Panasonic NV-DX110 does not seem to have an NTSC equivalent, at all, which is a pity for our US friends as it is an excellent value 3-CCD model.

I've therefore given up trying to convert.

------------------
Brian (the terrible)

[This message has been edited by Brian Ellis (edited 26 September 2000).]

[TommyS]

What about Sony TRV 6E, here in Italy is around 1300 Euro.

[IvanP]

Thanks all for replies. My friends have bought Canon MV20 on Saturday for 2100 NLG = 953 EUR. If they'll apply for VAT refund (162EUR)...

Ivan