hi def under $700

[Mack V]

Looking to purchase a hi def cam corder for under 700.00. I would rather stay away from tape as I already have one. It is about 5 years old but wanted to try a different format. I am not crazy about just having a h.d. for storage so I think something like the Canon HF200 would be good. Can anyone suggest something better? I see alot of people say that the Canon uses up the battery at a fast rate along w/ poor low light quality.

I don't plan to do much editing to the video.

[tkbslc]

I've been doing a ton of research on this lately, too. The ones I keep coming back to are the Sony CX100 and the Canon HF200. THe samples I watched from the Panasonics looked a bit jerky with motion (like a flip video), and JVC doesn't give you IS on any of their cheaper cameras. I am probably leaning toward the Sony right now even though I hate their memory cards.

I have also been looking at the Sony HDR-TG1 which is a tiny little thing and about half off at B&H right now, but I wonder about the form factor.

[wrangler]

I just bought the HF200 for my wife a week ago. Right now Canon has an instant rebate on it for $150. That brings it down to around $599. We have just started to play with it and so far no complaints.

[Trey T]

here's a review of sony HDR-SR11 by Tom Guillmette. He's big on Sony products.
http://vimeo.com/3234014

[davidfig]

Since at that price, you are talking tiny sensor camcorder.

I would shop around for a 60p model. Like the Sanyo FH1. Reason is that as a photographer you are going to want to experiment. If you have 60p, then you can get some slo-mo in.

[Trey T]

under $30,000 camcorder, you get tiny sensor(s). if you want a true cinema sensor at affordable price, 5DII is the choice. there are other solution for DoF if that's what you're worrying about.

http://rebelsguide.com/dl/sensorSizes_06_cheatSheet.png

[kevindar]

I own both canon hf100, and canon 5dII. yes, the 5d2 video is a lot better, by I have been over all very happy with the hf 100

[c2thew]

+1 for sony. it's just a joy to use, much like the comparison of a 40d to a 5d.

[canonnoob]

your looking at 600 to just even get into HD video.. I agree the sony is a great choice.. if you can expand your budget by about 100 dollars it opens up some great gear.

any video camera battery is going to be drawn out fast as they only last for about an hour and half of shooting before they die...

[samsen]

Another vote for Sony SR-11 or 12.

I got mine for well under your proposed price and can't be happier with it anymore except my power mac G5 2.6GHz quad (Non intel) can't handle the HD processing in imovie 09 and the soft ware that makes it compatible takes more that 5 days and night to convert the 60GB hard drive of camcorder to be ready for further processing...

So be ready as to how you want to handle your 1080p before moving too far.