Which Mini DV Camcorder to get?

[Chucky]

I've Narrowed my choices down to 2 cameras. It will be either a Panasonic PV-DV702 or a Sony DC-TRV27. Does any one have any opinions on these models? I am kinda leaning towards the Panasonic because it has a few more features for the money.

link to the sony:http://www.crutchfield.com/cgi-bin/S-qMvxavl1JnF/Prodview.asp?c=8&g=53700&I=158DCRTV27&s=0

Link to the Panasonic:http://www.crutchfield.com/cgi-bin/S-qMvxavl1JnF/Prodview.asp?c=8&g=53700&I=133PVDV702&s=0

FWIW, I will be editing the video taken with Pinnacle Studio 8 on the computer.

Any info will be appreciated.

Chris

[Martyva]

Take the Sony--the model replacing the trv27 is the trv38 at around 900 street price. (If one company made over 50% of anything, with second place around 14%, there might be a reason).

[Augie #70]

I have the panasonic and love it - you will appreciate the larger screen. I tape my daughter's bball games and when we watch them on the 55" Mits it looks as good as regular TV.

[raj2001]

I have a panny and I have a Canon XL1. For a small, single CCD camera the Panasonic is pretty good. I like Sony, but I can't justify paying extra for the brand name.

[Martyva]

The Sony has the same suggested price and adds a colored viewfinder. The battery indicates the amount of time left and the camera consumes less energy and is considered more reliable. The Sony is also more intuitive in use. The Panasonic has a better auto white and auto exposure. Trust one who's sold thousands.;)

[Chris Blount]

All I can tell you is to think about the future which is why I suggest the Sony. Here's why.

The Sony has an A/V In/Out allowing you to archive to digital video tape from any video source including a VCR or satellite receiver. From what it looks like the Panasonic does not have this. Also, the Sony has an A/V passthrough which is a big plus. This will give you the capability to plug any video source into the camera and pass it through the I-Link port to the computer.

You may or may not have the desire to archive any video to DVD's or do video editing right now but the Sony camera will give you that option when the time comes. Also, I think most Sony cameras have a widescreen anamorphic mode so you're videos will look great on any HDTV when you finally get one. I highly recommend shooting in widescreen mode as soon as you get your camera. You will thank me later when you upgrade to a 16X9 HDTV.

I purchased my Sony Digital 8 camera 2 1/2 years ago and to this day I still don't need to upgrade because it has all the features I mentioned above allowing me to do video editing, archiving from my VHS tapes and shooting in widescreen.

[Neil Derryberry]

I've got a sony TRV-330 and I love it. My only gripe is that you can't play digital8 tapes on a standalone player like you can with minidv, but since my sony has firewire (Ilink), it is the most minor of gripes. Super nightshot is pretty cool as well!

[Martyva]

There are two digital8 players from Sony. Models GVD200 and GVD800.

[marko]

Originally posted by Chris Blount
All I can tell you is to think about the future which is why I suggest the Sony. Here's why.

The Sony has an A/V In/Out allowing you to archive to digital video tape from any video source including a VCR or satellite receiver. From what it looks like the Panasonic does not have this. Also, the Sony has an A/V passthrough which is a big plus. This will give you the capability to plug any video source into the camera and pass it through the I-Link port to the computer.

You may or may not have the desire to archive any video to DVD's or do video editing right now but the Sony camera will give you that option when the time comes. Also, I think most Sony cameras have a widescreen anamorphic mode so you're videos will look great on any HDTV when you finally get one. I highly recommend shooting in widescreen mode as soon as you get your camera. You will thank me later when you upgrade to a 16X9 HDTV.

I purchased my Sony Digital 8 camera 2 1/2 years ago and to this day I still don't need to upgrade because it has all the features I mentioned above allowing me to do video editing, archiving from my VHS tapes and shooting in widescreen.

This is the exact reason (analog pass through) I am looking into a Canon ZR40 , or the newer model ZR60. You can snag a zr40 for $400, or a zr60 for $500 -- when it comes out. Gives me what I am looking for at a good price. I'm still looking around though, but so far those models seem like a good price/option combinatoin.

[Martyva]

The Canon ZRs and Sony lower priced D8s are excellent choices, if a little lower video resolution is okay and it there isn't a need for a still card or still images printed to larger than wallet size.

[Mike123abc]

I have had a sony DV camera for a long time and it works great. I would reccomend the Sony.

[firephoto]

Just saw this on TV
It's different models than mentioned in the start of this thread but it might be of use to some.

http://www.techtv.com/callforhelp/products/story/0,24330,3417012,00.html

Models mentioned are:
Sony DCR-TRV350
Canon ZR60
Panasonic PV-DV953

[raj2001]

Originally posted by Martyva
The Canon ZRs and Sony lower priced D8s are excellent choices, if a little lower video resolution is okay and it there isn't a need for a still card or still images printed to larger than wallet size.

I would stay away from D8. D8 is a proprietary format, and is not supported by many other camcorders. MiniDV tapes are coming down in price.

[Chris Blount]

Originally posted by raj2001


I would stay away from D8. D8 is a proprietary format, and is not supported by many other camcorders. MiniDV tapes are coming down in price. That may be true but D8 is great for someone who already has an extensive collection of 8mm and Hi-8 tapes from earlier camcorders. I have over 30 tapes in my collection that have home movies on them since 1987. My Sony D8 camcorder has been invaluable transferring the old 8mm analog recordings to DVD.