Recommendations for Semi-Pro/Pro Camcorders

[Inevitz]

Hi all,
I have a budget of about 4-5k and im looking to get a semi-pro/pro camcorder for events / wedding / family outings.
and i need it to be compatible with a Macbook Pro and Premier Pro CS5.5 as i would require to edit videos on the go.
I've been looking around at Canon's XF100 and some others by Sony etc and would really need a expert opinion on which is better to get.

Also would anyone know if purchasing from, for eg. Hong Kong or USA be cheaper like the DSLR market?

 

[blackmidnight]

Hi, maybe you could consider

Panasonic ag-ac130en or Panasonic ag-ac160en

Sony Hxr-nx70p

sony hxr-mc50p

 

[Inevitz]

The Sony Hxr-nx70 really seems not bad ... anyone else got any other reccomendations for my situation?

 

[Bamboopictures]

I have been using the NX70 for a month now and here's my take. The image quality is very good even in low light but autofocusing is a little slow. Using it in manual mode is not a good idea because it is just too small for fiddling controls without shaking or wobbling the camera. The controls are kind of circuitous; you first have to switch a dial to select how you want to use manual servo ring. THEN NEXT, you have to press either the activate iris or activate focus button to actually start using the servo ring. I thought the extra step and selection button was pretty counter-intuitive. For slow-zooming, you can forget about using the rocker. A slight push and it goes to maximum speed. That leaves only the LCD touchscreen for zooming or the LANC remote control. On the positive side, the auto mode is very reliable and intelligent. In good light, focusing can be done faster by just touching the subject rather than fiddling with the servo ring. There really is no reason to go manual. The wide-angle is a joy to have and Sony is promising a firmware early next year to solve the zoom rocker issue and add a 720p mode.

If you are a die-hard manual mode user, this is definitely not the camera for you. But if you're open to the wonders of new technology like face detection, touchscreen focus, NX70 is quite a dependable little fella.

If you can wait, maybe the new JVC HM150U might give NX70 a run for the money.

 

[BESTFOTO]

i am using canon xf100 great camera....if u get one u may call me at +6-012-5887719..can share some tips......