ON THIS PAGE:

Sony NXCAM
Sony PMW-EX1R
Sony DSR-PD175P
Sony HVR-Z5 and HVR-Z7
Sony PMW-EX1 and PMW-EX3
Sony HVR-S270 and HVR-Z7
Sony HVR-V1 and HVR-DR60
Panasonic AG-HMC41E
Panasonic AG-HPX301E
Panasonic AG-HPX171E and AG-HMC151E
JVC GY-HM700 and GY-HM100
JVC GY-HD251E and GY-HD201E
Canon XH G1S and XH A1S
Canon XL H1S and XL H1A

BUDGET VIDEO CAMERAS

by David Fox

To help you choose which camcorder to buy, we've put together a listing of budget professional camcorders from each manufacturer (in reverse chronological order, so the newest is first – we plan to update this section as new models are released, although we'll probably post first details on our blog – and also in reverse alphabetical order, because Sony has the most models…).

Prices range from £2,000 up to £8,000. We've mentioned prices at the low end of those we've seen from reliable dealers. Of course you may be able to find some of these cameras second hand too.

Launch dates are when we wrote about them first (they usually started shipping some months later).

SONY'S NXCAM

Sony's NXCAM is its first professional AVCHD camcorder recording to low-cost solid-state media (something Panasonic has had for a while).

The prototype NXCAM revealed by Sony in December 2009 essentially took a HVR-Z5E and replaced the recording system. Instead of the Z5's HDV tape drive (plus add-on Compact Flash card recorder) there are two Memory Stick slots and an add-on solid-state drive, which record 24Mbps AVCHD. It is intended to be first of a new, low-cost solid-state line-up, with the first cameras shipping sometime in the first half of 2010.

AVCHD (which uses an MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 Long-GoP codec), is widely used in consumer camcorders (almost always at lower bitrates) and is supported natively by some non-linear edit systems (such as Edius, Vegas and Premiere), but not yet by Apple and Avid, where transcoding is necessary, which might diminish its appeal initially.

It should cost about the same as the Z5, and will address one problem professionals have with AVCHD, its AC3 audio codec. Although this will still be included, the NXCAM will also add two-channel linear PCM audio to meet broadcast expectations.

The optional 128GB Flash memory drive will be especially appealing to anyone shooting observational documentaries or to wedding videographers, who need long recording times, as it will store up to 11 hours at maximum quality (the drive should cost less than £1,000). Users will be able to record on to it and the Memory Sticks at the same time. Memory Sticks currently come in sizes up to 32GB (costing less than a quarter of the price of Sony's new lower-priced SxS-1 cards) and the NXCAM will automatically record on the second one once the first is full.

The camera includes a GPS receiver for the first time on a professional Sony camcorder, recording the metadata in the AVCHD stream. This could be useful for future applications, whether offering a map-driven interface to online video, for retrieving archives, or for researchers shooting a recce.

It will also have HD-SDI output for the first time on a compact Sony camcorder (useful for bypassing the built-in encoder for recording at higher bitrates on external recorders, such as Convergent Design's nanoFlash .

STANDARD DEFINITION RETURNS

Sony's PMW-EX1R (about £5,000) is a revised version of the EX1, with a number of features requested by users. These include: HDMI output; a higher-resolution viewfinder; an improved LCD screen; one-push Auto Iris; an improved hand grip; one-click S&Q mode (Slow and Quick); an image inversion option (if working with 35mm lens adaptors); and up to 15 second picture cache recording.

The EX1R has also been upgraded by downgrading – having added standard definition to its recording options. This is because "a lot of people on the market were asking for it," particularly in Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Africa, explained Olivier Bovis, Sony's general manager for product marketing.

Indeed, during 2009, Sony launched its first SD-only model in a long time, recording to tape (how quaint). The DSR-PD175P (about £2,500) is a direct replacement for the popular PD170.

"From wedding and event videography, through to corporate TV production and right up to broadcast documentary production and newsgathering, the DSR-PD175P is the perfect tool for standard definition production," claimed Bill Drummond, Senior Product Marketing Manager, Sony Europe. "There is continuing demand for high quality DVCAM production tools in many of our markets and the DSR-PD175P has been developed specifically to respond to these important customers’ needs."

The PD170 was renowned for its low-light capability (1 lux), but its successor isn't quite as effective in the dark, although it isn't far off it at 1.5 lux. It does have the advantage of being 16:9 native and uses three of the same 1/3-inch Exmor ClearVid CMOS sensors found in the Z5.

The camera has a fixed 20x Sony G lens, three ND filters and independent focus, zoom and iris rings. It also has an improved high resolution LCD panel and viewfinder. To aid migration from the PD170, the PD175 also uses L series batteries, removing the need to buy new battery systems (unlike most of Sony's HDV cameras).

It can also record to flash memory, by plugging in the HVR-MRC1K Compact Flash solid state recorder, and adds a 25p progressive scan mode for a filmic look. The 25p image is recorded as an interlaced signal in two fields, for compatibility with editing and monitoring equipment that accept interlaced signals, but maintains the quality of the 25p image.

Its Smooth Slow Record function enables smooth slow-motion playback by capturing images four times faster than normal (200 fields per second). In this mode, quad-speed images are captured for six seconds, stored in the built-in buffer memory, and then recorded to tape (in either DVCAM or DV format) as slow-motion pictures lasting 24 seconds.

Z5 REPLACES Z1

The HVR-Z5E (£3,000 plus – launched late 2008) is Sony's replacement for the very popular HVR-Z1 (the standard for observational documentaries over the previous few years). The Z5 uses the same 1/3-inch ClearVid CMOS sensors as the HVR-Z7E but with a fixed 20x zoom lens.

It addresses all the main concerns about the Z1, with improved low-light sensitivity (1.5Lux – almost comparable with the PD170P).

The wide-angle zoom was developed by Sony, becoming its first G Lens (developed by optical engineers from Minolta, which Sony now owns), and promises less distortion, reduced chromatic aberration less flare, and the fastest zoom in its class.

Although the Z5 is primarily a tape-based model (HDV), it can also be used with add-on solid state or hard-disk recorders. It uses a new version of the Compact Flash recorder that comes with the Z7 and S270.

THE EX FILES

Sony's first budget solid-state camcorder was the XDCAM PMW-EX1 (launched 2007), which used a half-inch Fujinon HD lens plus three 1920x1080 full-resolution CMOS sensors. "This is the first time that we have seen native resolution 1920x1080 in a compact camcorder," claimed European product manager, Bill Drummond.

"It's raised the bar in the small camcorder market in terms of performance and workflow innovation. We got a lot of feedback [from Z1 and other users] and acted on it. We brought in key functions that people have been asking for." For example, its focus gear allows users to operate with end stops (or not) for focus, iris and zoom. The sensor works in low light, following feedback that "the low light performance of HDV camcorders wasn't sufficient for a lot of customers."

It offers variable frame rates (from one to 30p at 1080, or from one to 60p at 720) and can shoot interlaced or progressive, 4:2:0 (4:2:2 output available via HD-SDI). It also boasts many of the picture performance features found on Sony's larger, shoulder-mounted cameras, such as knee, gamma (four customisable cine gammas and four standard), white level, and skin tone detail, with all settings saved to the memory card.

It ushered in a new card format, the SxS PRO ExpressCard (developed with SanDisk) that uses the standard ExpressCard34 slot found on many laptops. The card is small, light, has a high data transfer rate (800Mbps). The camcorder can take two hot-swappable cards at a time, with two 16GB cards offering up to 140 minutes of HD at 25Mbps or at least 100 minutes at its highest 35Mbps variable bit rate. At 25Mbps (HDV mode) it records 1440x1080 (for compatibility with HDV material). If clips span two cards, Sony's clip browser software will automatically put them together again (Mac and Windows). Cards will also save camera data and metadata.

If you want interchangeable lenses, there is the PMW-EX3 (about £6,000 – launched 2008), which also adds genlock, timecode and remote control capability, to make it more usable in a low-cost HD studio. It also has a slightly different shape, which Sony describes as a "semi-shoulder design", and if you have semi shoulders, this should be perfect, otherwise you might need some sort of additional camera support.

HDV UPGRADED

The hand-held HVR-Z7E (about £5,000 - launched late 2007) and shoulder-mounted HVR-S270E (under £7,000 - launched late 2007) HDV camcorders have interchangeable lenses, native progressive recording, increased low-light sensitivity, and the ability to record to tape and solid state simultaneously. They can switch between 1080/25p and 1080/50i. The HVR-Z7E has an HDMI output, while the HVR-S270E is available with HD-SDI or SD-SDI.

"We have spent a long time gauging customer feedback about our existing professional HDV line-up to create a further enhanced and flexible line up," explained Bill Drummond, European product marketing manger, who hopes that the development will extend the appeal of HDV to a wider range of customers, including budget movie production.

The camcorders have improved versions of Sony's 1/3-inch ClearVid CMOS sensors using new analogue-to-digital conversion techniques and dual noise cancelling, for lower noise, giving them sensitivity of 1.5 lux.

They come with a 12x Carl Zeiss lens for HD video, or optional 8x wide-angle zoom, as well as taking other 1/3-inch lenses (including Sony Digital SLR lenses via an adaptor).

The hybrid recording is via a supplied unit that attaches to the back of the HVR-Z7E or the side of the HVR-S270E. It eliminates the need for cables while recording to a standard CompactFlash memory card.

WIDE PIXELS

Sony's HVR-V1 (under £2,500 – launched late 2006) was developed to fill the gap between its A1 and Z1 1080/50i HDV camcorders, but added the ability to also do native 25p (or 24/30p on the US version), to attract low-budget film makers, although the 25p is recorded as interlaced on tape or disk. It was also the first pro camcorder from Sony to have three CMOS chips.

According to Yuichi Mishima, product branding, Sony Japan, using CMOS offers the advantage of a smearless picture, lower power consumption, and a smaller package than the Z1 (although CMOS typically demonstrates rolling shutter defects, where vertical lines become skewed if you pan the camera – as they read out pictures line by line rather than all at once).

The quarter-inch CMOS sensors have 960x1080 pixels, but use a technology called ClearVid (from Clear and Vivid), which Sony claims doubles the effective horizontal resolution to 1920x1080 (using interpolation). It uses square pixels arranged in a diamond shape (similar to the honeycomb grid used by Fujifilm's Super CCD stills cameras), which allows it to have a smaller pixel pitch (because each row is effectively half the distance across from the one above), and therefore pack more pixels into a smaller chip.

A conventional sensor using a square grid design captures its highest detail at a 45-degree angle to the grid, so ClearVid takes advantage of this to ensure that its highest detail will be seen in the horizontal and vertical planes (which is where it is most noticeable). On the V1, it gives an approximate resolution of 800 lines, compared to about 650 lines on the Z1. It also boasts reasonable low-light performance for its chip size (4 Lux, thanks to using bigger pixels) and increased dynamic range.

It also improves on the Z1 in its ability to have peaking and zebra at the same time, and it takes a memory stick, so it can save settings for up to 20 camera profiles. It also has an HDMI output for use with an HD TV.

A further feature is "smooth slow recording" with three, six or 12 seconds recording at 240 frames per second on 64MB of built-in memory. However, the three second clip is recorded at 640x360 pixels, while the other two are at lower quality (512x320), which it then up-rezes to DVCAM or HDV.

Sony also introduced a hard disk drive for the V1 (it works with other models): the HVR-DR60 (about £900), recording 4.5 hours of HDV or DVCAM via FireWire. When used with the V1, you can view the hard disk status on the V1's LCD screen. It can record on disk and tape at the same time or be used in relay mode for recording on one then the other.

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PANASONIC

Panasonic's AG-HMC41E camcorder (about £2,000 – launched 2009) records AVCHD on to SD memory cards at professional bitrates (up to 24Mbps). "This camcorder demonstrates Panasonic’s commitment to making tapeless technology as accessible as possible to the broadest cross-section of professional users," said Nela Pertl, Market Intelligence Manager at Panasonic Broadcast and IT Systems. "For a minimum outlay, users can now experience the many workflow benefits that recording directly to SD and SDHC cards bring."

The AG-HMC41E can record up to 180 minutes of HD at 1920x1080 on a 32GB SDHC card at 24Mbps. It has: three 1/4.1-inch progressive MOS sensors with a total of 3.05 million pixels; a 12x Leica zoom lens; weighs less than 1kg; and captures still images at 10.6 megapixels. It includes various focus-assist functions, such as facial recognition and touch-type auto-focusing, as well as professional functions, such as waveform monitoring. Accessories include a removable grip and an optional removable XLR microphone adaptor.

10-bit 4:2:2 camcorder a "world first"

Panasonic's AG-HPX301E was claimed to be the first "affordable" 10-bit, 4:2:2 camcorder, when it was launched in early 2009. It can record HD using the AVC-Intra codec at 50 or 100Mbps, as well as DVCPRO HD (plus 50 or 25Mbps SD).

"It's a quantum leap forward for Panasonic," becoming the first of its broadcast cameras to use MOS sensors (three), said UK Marketing Manager, Marc Irwin. The rest of its range uses CCDs.

It is a multi-format and multi-region, "use anywhere for anything camera," he added. Independent filmmakers can shoot at 1080/24p or 25p and can fit 35mm primes via an adaptor, while broadcasters get "a camera that shoots HD D5 quality for under Eur10k." Street price is under £8,000 including colour viewfinder, 17x HD Fujinon lens and body.

Factoring in the cost of ownership and its five-year warranty, he claimed "it's an amazing package," and that the quality of the pictures matches anything within £10-15k. With two 64GB P2 cards it can record continuously for at least 2.5 hours.

Some broadcasters say that 1/3-inch sensors are not good enough for use on HD productions, but Irwin maintains that "the pictures will tell you" and that they will stand comparison with video from half-inch sensors. "There is not a significant amount of difference."

He doesn’t envisage a smaller version of the 301 in the near future. The HPX171 covers that area, but it doesn't shoot AVC-I because current AVC-I encoder boards take up too much space, which will have to wait for the development of smaller, integrated chips. However, the 5.9kg shoulder-mounted 301 is compact compared to Panasonic's HPX2100 or its VariCams.

The 301 features: a new 20-bit digital signal processor; Chromatic Aberration Compensation to maximize lens performance; built-in scan reverse for use with film lenses; Dynamic Range Stretch to help compensate for wide variations in lighting; a waveform and vector scope display; two focus assist functions — a picture expanding function and a focus bar; and advanced gamma functions including the Cine-Like Gamma modes found on the VariCam.

In 720p mode, a user can choose between 20 variable frame steps between 12p and 60p. Because it records images at the frame rate set in the camera, users can preview the speed effect immediately, without using a frame rate converter.

Interfaces include two HD/SD-SDI outputs, video output (down-converted SD), FireWire, USB 2.0, time code i/o, Genlock input, four-position ND optical filter controls, DC power input, colour bar switch, three XLR audio jacks (one at the front, two at the rear), wireless microphone slot (two-channel UniSlot receiver compatible) and programmable user buttons. It also has an SD memory card slot for saving or loading scene files, user settings, or proxy data.

The HPX301E can also be used as a studio camera. It is equipped with a remote control terminal for use with an optional remote control unit and some studio remote control systems.  Power consumption is 18 Watts. 

P2's COMPACT MAKEOVER

Panasonic's AG-HPX171E (under £4,000 – launched 2008) is a compact, lightweight P2 HD handheld camcorder boasting the widest-angle lens in its class.

It uses a 28mm Leica Dicomar 13x zoom lens and three 1/3-inch progressive 16:9 CCDs using a new design that is claimed to deliver "a substantially improved signal-to-noise ratio and prevents smear."

The camera also has 20-step variable frame-rate for overcrank and undercrank camera effects, a focus assist to help with HD shooting, a waveform/vectorscope display, HD/SD switchable output, and a Dynamic Range Stretcher to reduce blocked shadows and blown highlights in scenes with both bright and dark objects.

It includes: a high-performance digital signal processor with a 14-bit A/D and 19-bit processing; seven-mode gamma parameters to produce rich gradations and cine-like images; DVCPRO HD (1080i and 720p), DVCPRO 50 and DV recording; two P2 card slots; loop-record, one-shot-record and interval record functions; and four channel PCM audio recording with XLR inputs.

Its AG-HMC151E camera (under £3,000 – launched 2008) is based on the familiar design of Panasonic's popular DVX100, but with the same x13 lens as the HPX171. The weighs 1.7kg and records HD on SD or SDHC memory cards using the AVCHD (MPEG-4 AVC/H.264) codec. The 8-bit 4:2:0 format supports full-HD and variable bit rate recording (up to 24Mbps).

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JVC

An easy workflow is one of the key attractions of JVC's lightweight, shoulder-mounted GY-HM700 camcorder (about £6,000 – launched early 2009) and its tiny GY-HM100 (about £2,700 – launched early 2009). Both can record Final Cut Pro-compatible .MOV (QuickTime) files direct to cheap SDHC cards (or Sony XDCAM EX-compatible .MP4 files for other NLEs). The GY-HM700 can also record to SxS cards using an optional drive (while simultaneously recording to the SDHC card).

The HM700 gained the more flexible recording as part of an upgrade (late 2009), which also gave it a more powerful built-in DNR, producing higher picture quality.

The QT recording option means that FCP users won't have to transcode or rewrap files, but can simply drag them to the timeline. FCP is the biggest selling professional editing application, with more than half the broadcast market, so it makes sense for JVC to make it easier for FCP users adopt its cameras, although rewrapping what would otherwise be essentially XDCAM HD media doesn't usually take very long and doesn't affect picture quality.

The cameras feature an enhanced MPEG2 Long GoP encoder, supporting full 1920x1080 encoding in the HQ mode, which can be used with all the main editing systems. Both cameras can record 1080p 24/25/30 at 35Mbps, 720 24/25/30/50/60 (at 19Mbps or 35Mbps) and 1080i 50/60 (35Mbps or 25Mbps HDV).

At 35Mbps, two 32GB SD cards can record for up to six hours. JVC claims that "the per-minute cost of SDHC memory is comparable to professional video tape" making it "the first practical solid state solution for physical archiving."

The HM700 has three 1/3-inch CCDs, a 14x Canon lens (interchangeable), a high-quality Liquid Crystal on Silicon viewfinder, a large LCD display, SD downconversion via FireWire, and HD-SDI output. It can also do over- and under-cranking, in 720p only, if it is set at frame rates of 24 or 25 fps, when it can record between 10 and 60 fps.

The HM100 weighs less than 1.4kg and is claimed to be "the smallest professional format 3-CCD camcorder available". It uses three, newly-developed 1/4-inch progressive CCDs that have the red and blue pixel locations spatially off-set relative to green, to enable the sampled luminance information to be significantly increased both horizontally and vertically. It also has: a Fujinon 10:1 zoom HD lens with Electronic Beam Coating to reduce degradation caused by light reflecting off the lens surfaces; uses a single ring for manual focus and zoom to save space; and has HDMI output.

JVC ProHD

JVC's HDV-based ProHD range can be used as "an affordable HD studio camera". The GY-HD251E (about £7,500 – launched 2006) offers uncompressed HD SDI video output, including embedded audio. With the optional KA-HD250 studio adaptor, users can have full 26-pin camera control, with 12v power coming from IDX's built-in battery V-plate or the four-pin XLR input. It also has BNCs for Genlock, Time Code in/out, SDI and HD-SDI, plus a 6-pin connector for remote control. A fibre optic back is also available.

Besides 1080i/50, the HD251 can also deliver 720p/50, recording to tape and hard drive. It also has a new 14-bit A/D converter and more efficient HDV encoder, which allow it to retain the same data rate as the previous HD100, but go beyond that models 720p/25 recording. The shoulder-mounted HD200 range starts with the GY-HD201E (under £4,000) without the connectivity of the HD251.

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CANON

Canon's  XH G1S (under £6,000) and XH A1S (under £3,000) HDV 1080i camcorders were developed (late 2008) from its previous XH G1 and XH A1 following user feedback. "After listening to the opinions of existing XH-series users, Canon now offers an expanded range of customisable options and flexible recording features to low-budget moviemakers and event videographers," said Karel Poortman, European professional video specialist at Canon Europa.

Improvements include: a redesigned 20x lens for more comfortable operation (with separate focus, zoom and iris rings); enhanced audio features (including independent limiters in manual mode, simultaneous use of built-in and XLR microphones and independent XLR sensitivity settings); and an expanded range of creative shooting options (such as Cine Gamma controls). The XH G1S can also be used in multicamera applications, with HD-SDI output for uncompressed 1920x1080 4:2:2 video.

Canon’s XH G1 (still available under £4,000 – launched 2006) cuts the cost of HD studio, OB and multicam applications. It has HD SDI and SDI output, for exporting uncompressed video, plus Genlock and Timecode in/out. The XH A1 (about £2,500) doesn't have these features.

Both cameras have three 1.67-Megapixel, 1/3-inch CCD sensors with 50i or 25f frame rate settings. The cameras have an onboard microphone and come with two XLR inputs with phantom power. The 20x zoom lens starts at a wide 4.5mm. Uniquely, for this size of camcorder, it has focus, zoom and iris control rings similar to large format pro lenses, making these functions more ergonomic (its rival small camcorders usually have the iris control as a small thumbwheel).

The cameras also have an internally stored battery, which Canon claims gives it better balance and protection, including helping to keep it warmer in cold weather.

Canon also has the XL H1S (about £7,000) and the XL H1A (about £4,000) HDV camcorders (the XL H1 range launched in 2005). The XL H1S has: three 1/3-inch CCDs; 20x lens with separate focus, zoom and iris rings; HD-SDI with embedded audio; Genlock in, Time code in/out; and 2-channel XLR audio. The XL H1A lacks the broadcast connectors. Neither has true progressive capture.

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MORE HELP AND REVIEWS
ON THIS SITE:

Buying an HDV or DVCPRO camera

Guide to buying a DV or DVCAM camera

The essantial accessories for your camera kit

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David Fox © JANUARY 2010