The HMC150 is a great camera from a quality perspective. It feels like professional equipment when you are using it and everything about it is solid. I wish that it came with an XLR mic, which is a $250 add-on.

The camera also has a feature where you can select and modify a number of different ‘Scene Files’ to adjust and tweak the image you are filming. I wish the camera came preloaded with more than it does and I would like to see the customization of these files a little more intuitive.

I’ve also noticed that while shooting in 24p the auto focus is just about unusable, which can be a drag depending on the type of event you are shooting. Basically 30 or 60i is the way the camera really shines. Outdoor footage has been unbelievable, and indoor as well.

My first project with the camera was shooting a concert video in New York City. (More on this in future posts). This was really a great opportunity to test the camera’s low light capabilities. It passed with terrific results. The blacks are pretty true right out of the camera and with minimal adjustment the image looks perfect. For the shoot we also used Panasonic HPX170s, which are about 2k more expensive than the 150, and the footage can be used interchangeably without any noticeable drop in quality.

My biggest problem with the camera is working with AVCHD in post. It is a pain in the neck and is in many cases downright terrible. My computer is quad core 2.8 ghz with 6 gb of ram, and it definitely can do the job, but not as smoothly as with other HD formats that I’ve worked with. Also it is annoying how the footage is buried in a mess of folders and sub folders. I would very much like to just see the clips on the memory card right out of the camera, but instead have to do some digging to retrieve them. Also, the clips are not watchable from a stand alone player such as quicktime (yet) which makes viewing them some what of a process.

Overall, amazing quality and solid unit to work with on location, but the limitations in post are somewhat of a problem.

• It does not shoot HD
• Lacks XLR audio inputs
• Does not offer alternate frame rates
• And its doesn’t have the ability to imitate 24P / film look

The VX2000 does have broadcast quality color and is a true hero shooting in low light situations.

But it is time for an upgrade.

THE CONTENDERS

Panasonic AG-HMC150

The HMC150 definitely can capture some good looking images. It records in AVCHD, which means you need a really high performance machine in order to edit it. This camera has an impressive array of recording modes and the AVCHD format lets you achieve long record times.

JVC GY-HM100U

This is an amazing camera. It is small but powerful. The major flaw to this camera is that is has 1/4″ CCDs instead of 1/3″, which the Sony Z5U has. This means it might not work as well in low light situations. I like how this camera can shed the XLR inputs and become a more compact unit for less pro situations. It also only records to SD memory cards, which are cheap. That also makes it light because it isn’t bogged down with a tape deck and all the moving parts that go along with one.

Sony HVR-Z5U

Sony’s offering is pretty solid. It has the recording formats that I need, has the ability to record to tape or SD, and has a really good lens. It also offers a 1/3″ CCDs which makes it a pretty solid choice. It is a much bigger camera than the other two, but it records to tape which could end up being the movst convenient way to shoot video and store backups of footage. Tapes are pretty cheap and more reliale than SD cards.

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I haven’t made a final decision yet on which camera I am going with. Some will say that my list isn’t complete without a Canon, but I’ve used Canon in the past and really don’t like the footage they shoot. Canon images lack a real solid depth of color. Also something I noticed in my research was that any of these cameras can create great results if they are being used by someone who knows what they’re doing. Overall the camera that I think most closely summarizes what I am looking for is the JVC, although it is a leap of faith- if I end up not liking the tapeless workflow it would be a terrible mistake.

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Trip to the Lake

Trip to the City