HDV: Sony HDR-HC1 vs. HDR-FX1 vs. VHR-Z1U

[PeaceDog]

I'm looking into the future and preparing to buy up soon, and I'm wondering what the best move is for a semi-pro videographer looking to go pro on a semi-pro budget.

Any thoughts as to what the big differences are between these cameras and which one is worth picking up in the next year?

 

[PerroneFord]

My opinion is to wait. HD for consumers is just not there yet. The format isn't truly standardized, the cameras are all compromising color space, and the editing suites that can do native HD are ummm.. expensive!

The situation may improve in the next couple of years. Panasonic's new effort is pretty nice, but it's also $10k and you'll need your own tape mechanism or go straight to on-camera hard drive. You may want to grab a copy of Videography magazine for Summer 2005. Some good HD stuff in there you might enjoy reading if you don't have it yet.

 

[ScubaBob92651]

I'm looking into the future and preparing to buy up soon, and I'm wondering what the best move is for a semi-pro videographer looking to go pro on a semi-pro budget.

Any thoughts as to what the big differences are between these cameras and which one is worth picking up in the next year?

The are some good comparisons of (and a ton of conversation around) all of these cameras over at www.dvinfo.net/conf

Many of the people on that board are pro and semi-pro. All, you can check out www.sonyhdvinfo.com

Paul Wags has some great sample footage from his FX1 here: www.ningalooreefteach.com/FX1.htm