Recommended camcorder for best workflow (~$3000)

I've been using a Canon Vixia HV30 for a few years. It's a good quality camcorder, but I'm making the leap into professional video production and need a more robust camcorder, better quality, tapeless, more options, etc... Another important factor is importing into FCP X. I'm tired of using firewire and the lengthy time to encode footage I import.

I've read that the JVC GY-HM150U has an incredibly easy workflow into FCP since it shoots .mov format. Some people say the quality is substandard with this camcorder though and some people despise HDV. Does anyone have thoughts on this camcorder or the Panasonic AG-HVX200A? My budget is less than $3000 but I've seen the Panasonic on sale for less. Any other suggestions are welcome!

Thanks,
Bob

R.Wilkins

This camcorder looks amazing, but sadly not available until July...

Thanks,
Bob

R.Wilkins

yeah thanks Nick. I was thinking the same thing. I don't need a ton of accessories, but I'ld like the option to be able to add-on or expand. I would like to be able to switch lenses but I don't have to if the camera has enough flexibility with settings and good enough built-in lens.

I'll be doing documentaries and sports films. Mostly for web usage but some DVD or blu-ray.

At this time, I want a great quality camcorder that has good sound capability (2 xlr input) AND that has an easy workflow with FCP X. My budget is around $3000 and I have to add RAM to my imac so I don't want to go over much if possible.

Thanks,
Bob

R.Wilkins

Have you thought about the Canon XF100? Phillip Bloom gave it a good review sometime back. I use its smaller brother the XA10, same chip and lens but not as many knobs. I like its AVCHD format which runs at about 24 Mb/s. Works great with FCPX. I can edit in FCPX on my 27 in iMac without converting to an intermediate format.

I use it for web videos, but have read the XF100 will produce minimum acceptable network quality.
XA10 runs about 2k$ and the XF100 runs abut 3k$.

Jason, the reason why there's so much interest is the Blackmagic Digital Cinema Camera is that solves a lot of the DSLR issues although keeps a similar (almost point and shoot) form factor. Granted there's still the ergonomics. I'd chose it over most DSLRs for shooting video especially given the price point (and feature set).

While not XLR, it has balanced 1/4" in for audio. A simple adaptor is all you need. No need for separate recording device.
Raw recording gives you the grading potential (exploited by the included DaVinci software) otherwise ProRes or DNxHD. No AVCHD to worry about. This makes for a very fast post workflow. A big SSD gives you failrly long record times. That it's not FAT32 also means the files themselves aren't in pieces.
I suspect it's got better low light performance that a 1/3" (or smaller) cameras

Disadvantages are you're still faced with DSLR ergonomics, lack of ND filters, fighting shallow depth of field for run and gun.

It's not a replacement for run and gun but if one is doing corporate shoots and interviews, it's a breakthrough camera both in features and price.

[Jason Porthouse] "My only reason for steering the OP off that is cost. I think to get a realistically usable setup with lenses and SSD's you'd be looking at around 5k."

Although some might already own parts of the kit needed. If there's a photographer in the family, you'd probably have a bunch of lenses to play with. You can start simple with a variND filter and work your way up to rails and matt box. With balanced input you don't need second system sound like you would with a DSLR. With its built in Thunderbolt you're also saving on a Video I/O card if you want to bring in things live (as I sometimes do for live streaming).

Granted there are some costs involved but it's a lot less than with a DSLR and given its recording capabilities you save on the post workflow as well.

[Robert Wilkins] "I was originally thinking about a DSLR for video but I think the additional cost with various kits, lack of xlr inputs, shorter video capture times, and other factors are steering me away from them."

Most of those issues are solve with the Blackmagic Cinema Camera. Long record time, 1/4" balanced inputs just needs an adaptor for XLR direct in. Just add lenses and maybe rails and matte box.

thanks for this information. for the most part, the reviews look really good. do you know anything about it's workflow with a mac? i'm using FCE now but am upgrading to FCP X soon.

a lot of people have mentioned something about rattling buttons on the handle. i'm a little concerned about that too.

thanks,
Bob

R.Wilkins