OverDrive Media Group

This guide was last updated in July 2009, and the list of recommended cameras and pricing information on camera types may now be outdated.

To make any video you obviously need a camera, but there are so many different cameras available on the market today that it can be overwhelming and the sheer number of different models and types can make reaching a decision difficult. In this article I will include a glossary of a few technical terms used by camera manufacturers and I will explain the different types of cameras with examples of each type, to help point you make your purchase.

4:3 - The traditional "square" aspect ratio for TVs, a ratio of 4 units horizontally by 3 units vertically. This aspect ratio has been now been abandoned and TVs with the 4:3 aspect ratio are no longer being mass produced.

16:9 - The current, newer "widescreen" aspect ratio found in almost all TVs sold today, especially HDTVs. This ratio stands for 16 units of horizontal distance by 9 units of vertical distance. Standard 4:3 footage can be converted to 16:9 footage by using an anamorphic adaptor or by a process called 'letterboxing' in which the top and bottom sections of the footage are cut off to end up with the 16:9 ratio.

AVCHD - A video compression format (codec) most commonly found in consumer cameras (although some prosumer cameras are starting to adopt it) which records to hard disk drives (HDDs) and solid state media. AVC is a powerful yet complicated codec, which means it needs a considerable amount of computer power to work with easily and efficiently when compared to other formats. The advantage is that the file sizes are very small compared to other HD content.

CCD - Stands for Charge Coupled Device. The chip used to measure light (and colour by means of a filter) in video cameras. CCDs are now mostly found in higher-end prosumer and professional cameras, as most manufacturers have switched to cheaper CMOS senors in their consumer cameras.

3CCD / 3CMOS - Refers to cameras which use three CCD or CMOS chips - one to measure each of the primary colours. A prism in the lens of the camera splits the image into red, green, and blue segments. This enables cameras to record with enhanced colour compared to typical cameras using only a single CCD or CMOS chip.

CMOS - An alternative to CCD chips, CMOS sensors use the Complimentary Metal Oxide Semiconductor process to measure light. CMOS chips are smaller (more pixels can be fitted into a smaller space than with CCD chips), consume less power, and are cheaper than CCD chips, but there is a slight decrease in picture quality (slightly more noise which decreases low-light performance, rolling shutter, slightly less dynamic range). Most consumer cameras are now fitted with CMOS sensors for cost reasons, and they are constantly being improved.

SD - (1) Standard definition, referring to 625 lines of pixels at 50fps interlaced (frames per second) for the PAL format (used in Europe, Africa, Australia, and many parts of Asia) or 480 lines of pixels at 60fps interlaced for the NTSC format (used in the USA, Canada, and Japan). Standard definition is the standard format used in televisions today for both disc media and broadcasts, although HD formats are slowly taking over.
        (2) SD can also refer to SD Cards (short for Secure Digital), which are small flash-based memory cards commonly used in a wide range of electronic equipment, and are used as a recording medium on some cameras. SD Cards can be read by card readers, which are now found on most PCs.  

HD - High definition, referring to either 720 horizontal lines of pixels (called HD 720) or 1080 horizontal lines of pixels (called HD 1080 or Full HD) at either 24fps progressive, 25fps progressive, 30fps progressive, 50fps interlaced (used in all the countries using the PAL format), or 60fps interlaced (used in all the countries using the NTSC format). High definition offers a very significant video quality advantage over standard definition and enables more editing to be done with footage by allowing more headroom. High definition media is becoming more popular both in disc media (Blu-Ray) and broadcasts, but a high-definition TV and other HD-specific hardware is required to view HD footage. Footage shot in high definition can easily be transferred to standard definition in post production. We highly recommend purchasing a high definition camera if possible, as video quality is usully still much higher even compared to a more expensive standard definition camera, and standard definition video is slowly being phased out over the world. Almost all HD cameras can record in standard definition too, and most can record in either 16:9 or 4:3 aspect ratios, making them very versatile and great value for money.

HDV - The cheapest and most common recording format for prosumer and some professional camcorders, using the MPEG2 compression format to record footage onto Mini-DV tapes.

Lux - Unit of measurement of illumination for video cameras, starting at 0 Lux (complete darkness) and increasing.

i - One of two suffixes used at the end of a video format (for example 1080i or 480i) to show that the footage is interlaced. This means that footage is recorded and viewed using two horizontal fields that scan seperately 1/50th (PAL) or 1/60th (NTSC) of a second apart to produce an image. There are some drawbacks to interlaced footage - motion stills and slow motion shots can reveal rows of lines (which are the two seperately scanned fields) in the footage, and the quality of interlaced footage is typically not as high as that of progressive footage. TV broadcasts are still shot in interlaced today, but old CRT TVs are the only screens that can still display interlaced footage properly - all modern LCD and plasma displays display progressive footage (see below), and have to convert the interlaced footage to progressive before it can be displayed.

p - The second suffix used at the end of the a format (for example 720p or 1080p) to show that the footage is progressive. This means that footage is recorded and viewed progressively from side-to-side and top-to-bottom to create an image. As all the footage is scanned at once, progressive footage does not suffer from the drawbacks that interlaced footage does, and is considered to be a superior format than the interlaced method of recording and viewing.

24p - Standing for 24fps progressive footage. 24fps is neither PAL (25fps) or NTSC (30fps), but rather is the standard for the film industry. Cameras that record at 24fps help give a film-like appearance to your footage, although some motion blur occurs due to the low number of frames recorded per second.  

50i / 60i - The typical frame rate for consumer cameras meaning 50fps or 60fps of interlaced footage. 50i is currenly found in cameras sold in countries using the PAL format, whilst cameras using 60i are sold in countries using the NTSC format.

fThere are many different types of video camera, designed for specific uses, price ranges, and more. There are many types of media that cameras can use to record their footage. This section will generally cover the 4 main different types of cameras and the different recording media, each with approximate price ranges (all prices in US Dollars). All the recording media have their own advantages and disadvantages, which we will also list below.

HDV / DV Tape - Until recently, HDV / DV Tape was the dominating recording medium in consumer cameras. Today, consumer cameras using tape are getting harder to find, although HDV and DV Tape formats are still used in prosumer and professional cameras for their reliability and high image quality. The HDV / DV tape medium is very robust and reliable, and the tapes can be used for archiving after the footage has been transferred to a computer. There are two different types of tapes for different cameras - HDV tapes for high definition cameras, and DV tapes for standard definition cameras. Tapes are inexpensive and readily available in almost all electronics stores. They usually store 60 minutes of footage, and are available in different types for different applications. Tapes use the MPEG2 codec to compress the footage, which is much less compressed than AVCHD and other similar codecs used in other types of cameras (such as Hard Disk Drive, DVD, and Flash Memory cameras), and therefore results in better image quality. This lower compression ratio also means that footage is easier to edit on a computer as less decoding has to be done. One of the disadvantages of HDV tapes specifically is that they only record at 1440 x 1080 pixels, which is not quite the full HD standard of 1920 x 1080 pixels. Transferring footage to a computer is also very time-consuming, which is the main reason why consumer cameras now mainly use more convinient formats. HDV / DV cameras have to be connected to a computer (usually via USB or FireWire), and the footage has to be played back from the camera to the computer in real time. Playing back footage on the camera is also time-consuming as the tape has to be rewound and the right playback spot found. HDV / DV cameras have been around for a long time, so they are cheaper than most other camera formats available today.

Advantages: Robust, reliable medium
                     Tapes can be used for archiving after footage has been transferred to computer
                     Inexpensive and easily obtainable
                     Less compression than other types of media, better image quality
                     One of the cheapest camera recording mediums

Disadvantages: HDV Tapes not full HD resolution (only 1440 x 1080)
                          Footage transfer to computer is time-consuming
                          Playing back footage on camera requires rewinding

Price Range - $300 - $800 for consumer cameras (SD)
                       $700 - $1,000 for consumer cameras (HD)
                       $2,000+ for prosumer cameras

Hard Disk Drive (HDD) - HDD cameras are very popular in the consumer market for their convinience. Hard drives ranging from 40GB up to 240GB can be found on cameras, which means that the larger sizes can store days of high definition footage. The clips are stored individually on the hard disk, making playback, editing, and transferring footage to a computer very simple. Transferring is done via a USB cable, and transfer times usually range from seconds to a few minutes depending on the amount being transferred. HDD cameras do suffer from a few drawbacks though. On consumer cameras, the footage is usually compressed using the AVCHD codec (a form of H.264), which has quite a high compression ratio. Although this means smaller file sizes, it means that video quality is not as high as on HDV / DV cameras and editing requires much more computer resources as a large amount of decoding has to be done to play the footage back. Hard Disks are fragile devices, and signifiant vibration or shocks can wipe the footage from a disk (although the disk is not usually permenantly damaged and new footage can be recorded onto it). Some cameras now have Free Fall Sensors built-in, which detect when the camera is being dropped and shut down the hard disk automotically, helping to prevent disk damage or failure. Hard disks are also larger than tapes or flash memory sticks, which therefore means that the camcorders are also slightly larger. Some cameras now have 'Hybrid' recording modes, meaning they can also record to flash memory sticks, meaning that you get all the advantages of hard disks and flash memory together. However, HDD cameras are typically the most expensive type of cameras.

Advantages: Can store days of high definition or standard definition footage
                     Footage playback on-camera is very simple
                     Footage transfer to computer is quick and easy
                     High definition cameras can record in full HD (1920 x 1080)
                     Some cameras with 'Hybrid' recording feature for best of HDDs and flash memory sticks

Disadvantages: Fragile
                          AVCHD compression means image quality not as good as HDV / DV
                          Typically most expensive cameras
                          Cameras are slightly larger and bulkier than HDV / DV or Flash Memory-based cameras

Price Range - $400 - $600 for consumer cameras (SD)
                       $750 - $1,600 for consumer cameras (HD)

Flash / Solid State Memory - Flash memory-based cameras are the newest type of video cameras to hit the market. They use flash-based memory to store data, either on built-in memory (almost all flash memory cameras have 4-32GB of built-in memory) or on removable flash-based memory sticks such as SD cards or Sony Memory Stick PRO Duo cards. Flash memory has no moving parts at all, making it the most robust out of all the recording mediums used in video cameras. Flash memory is also small and light, which means that the cameras themselves are noticably smaller and lighter than other type of camera. Removable memory sticks are very easy to find and are availabe in many different types and sizes (ranging from just 16MB all the way to 32GB for SD cards and from 1GB to 32GB for Memory Stick PRO Duo cards). The footage is organised seperately, the same way as on HDD cameras (mentioned above), so playing back footage works the same way as on HDD cameras. Transferring footage to a computer is as simple as removing the card from its slot and placing it in a computer card reader (many PCs are now equipped with these as standard, and all can read SD, Memory Stick PRO Duo, and CF cards, the 3 most popular types of memory cards). Most cameras also have the option of transferring the footage via a USB cable if your PC does not have a card reader or you have a Mac. The disadvantages to flash memory-based cameras is that the memory cards themselves are quite expensive, especially when you need a few of them, and although the cameras with built-in memory do not need a memory card to run this makes them highly impractical to use. The cameras themselves are cheaper than most other types of cameras on the market, although they usually do not include the price of a memory card. Flash memory cameras also suffer from the same AVCHD drawbacks as HDD cameras (mentioned above).

Advantages: Extremely robust and durable medium
                     Footage playback on-camera is very simple
                     Footage transfer to computer is quick and easy
                     High definition cameras can record in full HD (1920 x 1080)
                     Cameras are very compact and light
 
Disadvantages: Memory sticks are expensive compared to tapes or DVDs
                          AVCHD compression means image quality not as good as HDV / DV

Price Range - $250 - $450 for consumer cameras (SD)
                       $500 - $1,200 for consumer cameras (HD)
                       $2,500+ for prosumer cameras (HD)

  
DVD - DVD cameras sparked a large interest from consumers when they first came out around 2003-2004, but have almost become extinct now after HDD and flash memory cameras were introduced to the market. DVD cameras record to 8cm DVDs, which are slightly smaller than standard 12cm DVDs. Each DVD can hold 20-30 minutes of standard definition footage (DVD cameras to do not support high definition) on a single-layer disk, and DVDs are available in Read-only, Re-Writable and Double Layer versions. Some are also double sided, so when one side is full you simply open the DVD cover can flip the DVD over. DVDs are harder to find that tapes or memory cards, and cost around the same. As on HDD and flash memory cameras, the clips are stored individually on the disk so playback is the same on all three types of camera. Transferring footage to a computer is via a USB cable, or by finalizing the disk from the camera and putting it in your conventional-style computer DVD drive (this will NOT work with slot load drives, the same applies to DVD players). DVD camcorders were not originally designed for footage to be edited on a computer, but rather for convinience so that the DVD could be finalized, put in a DVD player and played on a TV straight away with no fuss. Finalizing the DVD is a 2-10 minute process from the camera and is a neccessary step to enable the DVD to be read by DVD players or computers. DVDs also suffer from the same AVCHD drawbacks as HDD and flash memory cameras (mentiond above). Also, DVD cameras are typically the largest cameras as the DVD and reader mechanism take up more space than other mediums. As with HDDs, DVDs are fragile and can get easily scratched or broken. Some DVD cameras now come with a 'Hybrid' recording mode, where the camera has a slot for a flash memory card (either SD or Memory Stick PRO Duo) like on some HDD cameras to try and outweigh the disadvantages. DVD cameras were very expensive when they were first introduced, but are now relatively cheap as demand is low.

We do not recommend purchasing a DVD camera unless you want to play back footage onto a TV directly. Editing on a computer becomes much more time-consuming than with other formats and DVDs are becoming harder to find.

There are many different things to look out for when choosing a camera, especially since manufacturers all use different standards and names for the features and accessories on their camereas. Whilst a camera will not neccessarily be better than another just for these reasons, here is a list of good things to look out for:

Filter / Aperture Size - The filter size refers to the diameter of the circular threaded area at the front of the camera used to mount accessories (such as wide angle lens, lens hoods, 35mm adaptors, and much more). Different cameras have different filter sizes, ranging from 30mm on smaller cameras to over 72mm on large prosumer cameras. A large filter size usually means a larger aperture, which means more light can get into the camera, and ultimately means better colours and higher quality footage, especially during low-light filming. Different accessories are made for specific filter sizes so check to see if everything is compatible.

Sensor Size and Number - Larger sensors allow more light to hit them which (similar to filter size) results in better colours and higher quality footage, especially during low-light filming. We will show the sensor size of each of the cameras we mention in this article. Cameras with 3 sensors (one for each primary colour, either branded as 3CCD or 3CMOS depending on sensor type used) will produce much richer colours than single-sensor cameras. Cameras with multiple sensors are usually more expensive and slightly larger than their counterparts though, and manufacturers often have to cut out some features in the camera to make room for the 3 sensors.

Manual Settings - Manual settings are a great thing to look out for on any camera, as you will appreciate the control you have over the footage when you get more experienced at filming. Most consumer ccameras offer manual focus, exposure, and white balance, and some of the more expensive cameras and all prosumer cameras have manually adjustable shutter speed, which is an indespensable tool for experienced videographers.

Extension Shoes - Extension shoes are used to mount external microphones, lights, portable recorders, flashes, and much more. There are two types of shoe - hot shoes and cold shoes. Hot shoes enable the camera to provide power to the attached device and enable the device to connect to the camera without using a cable to connect it to one of the camera's inputs. Cold shoes are physically the same size as hot shoes, but they are only for mounting external equipment and do no provide any kind of power or interface, so a microphone for example must be connected with a cable to the microphone input on the camera (note that microphones which use a cold shoe and a cable to conenct to the camera often provde much higher quality audio that microphones using a hot shoe). An extension shoe is a great thing to look out for on a camera, as it allows you to ugrade as you go along and customize the accessories on your camera to your needs. Thankfully, many cameras nowadays are fitted with a shoe, and some procusmer cameras can be fitted with 2 or even 3 shoes. Beware that some manufacturers use proprietry shoe designs to make you only buy their own accessories. Both Canon and Sony use proprietry shoes on their cameras. Sony has a hot shoe called the Active Interface Shoe (AIS) which is fitted to all their consumer products (not their prosumer cameras) and is slightly smaller than standard extension shoes. Only Sony accessories fit onto their AIS shoe, but adaptors are availabe to convert the AIS to a standard cold shoe (there is no way extend the AIS interface from the Sony shoe to the larger standard shoe. Canon use their own proprietry shoe on some of their consumer camcorders, which is similar to the Sony AIS shoe.

Zoom - Cameras with larger zooms are more versatile and offer more possibilities for filming. Standard difinition consumer cameras can have up to 60x optical zooms, whilst higher definition cameras with larger sensors usually have around 12x zooms, although 3-sensor consumer cameras often have less. Manufacuturers also provide digital zooms on their consumer cameras, which can be anything from 50x to 1000x. This is just a marketing gimmick however, and digital zooming should NEVER be used for filming anything whatsoever, as it seriously degrades picture quality. The type of lens used is also important for picture quality.

Inputs and Outputs - Cameras come with many different inputs and outputs, depening on price range and type of camera. Most consumer cameras have a microphone input using a stereo mini jack, and some prosumer cameras provide 2 or more XLR inputs for using professional-grade microphones and added features for level control. Most consumer cameras have a USB interface to transfer footage to a computer, depending on the medium used. Component and A/V video outputs are standard on most camcorders and are used for connecting to a TV screen to view your footage, either live during filming or for reviewing at home. High definition camcorders onften have an HDMI output for viewing on HDTVs, which is much higher quality than component or A/V connections. Prosumer cameras often have a FireWire output which is used for transferring footage to a computer or for recording directly to a computer live using special software, and some also have a LANC terminal which is used to connect a proprietry wired remote to a camera to control almost all its features.

Here is my own list of suggested cameras, all of which would be suitable for filming action sports and anything else you could think of. The list includes everything from inexpensive beginner cameras to high-end prosumer cameras, and covers all the different recording mediums with examples of high definition and standard definiion cameras. All the important details about the cameras are listed, along with pricing (in US Dollars).

High Definition
Consumer Cameras

Almost all the HD cameras in this list can record in standard definition too, and most can record in either 16:9 or 4:3 aspect ratios, making them very versatile and great value for money.

Canon Vivia HV-40
MSRP - $750

The Canon Vixia HV40 is rapidly becoming one of the most popular consumer cameras available today, and chances are you've seen a number of videos shot with one. The HV line of cameras are known for their versatility, and can produce image quality that rivals those of prosumer cameras triple the price. The HV-40 is the latest in the line of HV cameras (the successor to the HV-30 and HV-20) and records to HDV tape. It also supports a number of recording formats, including 24p (the format used in cinemas for feature films), and boasts a host of manual features for more experienced videographers to use (although it has a great Auto mode so anyone can use it and achieve great results). The colours this camera produces are extraordinary, but performance in low light environments is lacking (as with all cameras with sensors this size).

Sensor Size & Type: 1/2.7" CMOS
Minimum Illumination: 2 Lux (normal), 0.2 Lux (Night Mode)
Recording Medium: HDV / DV Tape
Frame Rates: 50i/60i, 24pA, 30p
Filter Diameter: 43mm
Zoom (Optical): 10x
LCD Screen: 2.7" Widescreen
Microphone Recoding Mode: Stereo
Inputs: Microphone (3.5mm Stereo Mini Jack)
Outputs: USB, Component, Composite, HDMI Mini, Headphones (3.5mm Stereo Mini Jack)
Accessory Shoe: Canon Advanced Accessory Shoe (AAS) x 1
Weight (Including Battery and Media): 615g
Manual Settings: Shutter Speed, Exposure, Focus, White Balance
Other Features: SuperRange Optical Image Stabilization (OIS), Colour Viewfinder, Preset white balance modes, 3.1MP Still Photos, Custom / Assignable Button, Night Mode, Flash

Sony HDR-XR500V
MSRP - $1,300

The Sony HDR-XR500V is the newest in the line of consumer HDR products, and is the successor to the cameras that we used to film our own movies at OverDrive Media Group. The new XR series (replacing the SR series) comes with a few upgrades and new features, and has had a minor cosmetic redesign. The XR500V records to a 120GB Hard Disk Drive (HDD) which can store over 15 hours of full HD footage. The 500V has a Hybrid recording mode, meaning that it has a slot for Sony Memory Stick PRO Duo flash memory cards to offer many of the advantages of Flash Memory cameras. This cameras is packed full of features, including a GPS Reciever and Sony's Super NightShot Plus for shooting in almost complete darkness. The colours are good, but like all cameras with sensors its size, low light performance is lacking.

Sensor Size & Type: 1/2.88" CMOS
Minimum Illumination: 11 Lux (normal), 3 Lux (Low Lux Mode), 0.2 Lux (Super NightShot Plus Mode)
Recording Medium: 120GB Hard Disk Drive (HDD), Memory Stick PRO Duo
Frame Rates: 50i/60i, 240fps (Smooth Slow Record)
Filter Diameter: 37mm
Zoom (Optical): 12x
LCD Screen: 3.2" Widescreen (Touch Sensitive)
Microphone Recoding Mode: 5.1 Surround, Stereo (with Zoom Feature)
Inputs: Microphone (3.5mm Stereo Mini Jack), Sony Remote Control Input
Outputs: USB, Component, Composite, S-Video, HDMI Mini, Headphones (3.5mm Stereo Mini Jack)
Accessory Shoe: Sony Active Interface Shoe (AIS) x 1
Weight (Including Battery and Media): 580g
Manual Settings: Exposure, Focus, White Balance
Other Features: Optical SteadyShot Optical Image Stabilization (OIS), Colour Viewfinder, Preset white balance modes, 12MP Still Photos, Custom / Assignable Dial, Super NightShot Plus, Face Detection, Smile Shutter, Quick Power On, Dual Record, Smooth Slow Record (240fps), xvYCC Colour, Film Roll Index, Face Index, Dynamic Range Optimizer, Easy Mode, Flash, Wireless Remote Control

Panasonic HDC-SD9-8GB
MSRP - $700

The Panasonic HDC-SD9-8GB is the only 3CCD HD consumer camera in this list (meaning it has 3 sensors instead of one), and records to SD / SDHC Memory Cards (an 8GB SDHC card is included with the camera). The HDC is capable of producing excellent colours, although its low-light performance is sightly lacking. It is exceptionally light (weighing less than half the weight of both the HV40 and the HDR-XR500V) and compact in size, and like the HV40 has the ability to film in 24p. It does not have as many features as the other two cameras though, and lacks any input ports or an accessory shoe.

Sensor Size & Type: 3 x 1/6" CCD
Minimum Illumination: 5 Lux (Low Light Mode), 1 Lux (Magic Pix Mode)
Recording Medium: SD / SDHC Memory Card
Frame Rates: 50i/60i, 24p
Filter Diameter: 37mm
Zoom (Optical): 10x
LCD Screen: 2.7" Widescreen
Microphone Recoding Mode: 5.1 Surround (with Zoom Feature)
Inputs: None
Outputs: USB, Component, Composite, S-Video, HDMI Mini
Accessory Shoe: None
Weight (Including Battery and Media): 280g
Manual Settings: Exposure, Focus, White Balance
Other Features: Optical Image Stabilization (OIS), Colour Viewfinder, Preset white balance modes, 12MP Still Photos, Custom / Assignable Button, Magic Pix Mode, Face Detection, Quick Power On, Easy Mode, Flash

High Definition
Prosumer / Professional Cameras

Prosumer / Professional cameras, as their name suggests, are designed to be used by people with a fair amount knowledge about filming, video settings, etc. They are larger and heavier than consumer cameras and therefore are harder to transport in-the-field, but they offer a host of features that consumer cameras don't, including 3 sensors, larger filter diameters, larger LCD screens, longer optical zooms, more manual controls, and also record video of a much higher quality.  

Sony HDR-FX7
MSRP - $2,000

The Sony HDR-FX7 is the entry-level model in Sony's 'prosumer' line of cameras, and is cheaper than many other cameras of its type. Like many cameras of this type, it records 1440 x 1080 HD to HDV tape. The FX7 has been used to shoot a number of more professional mountain biking videos, and is used by advanced amateur and semi-professional videographers the world over. Manual settings, as with most professional cameras, can be controlled by rings along the body of the camera which are much more precise and easy to use than the small knobs on consumer cameras. The FX7 produces breathtaking colours and shoots well in low-light situations due to its larger sensors and filter size, and is a great first step in the professional camera market. However, due to the fact that it is marketed as a 'prosumer' camera, it lacks support for professional audio equipment.

Sensor Size & Type: 3 x 1/4" CMOS
Minimum Illumination: 4 Lux
Recording Medium: HDV / DV Tape, Memory Stick PRO Duo (Photos Only)
Frame Rates: 50i/60i, 24p
Filter Diameter: 62mm
Zoom (Optical): 20x
LCD Screen: 3.5" Widescreen
Microphone Recoding Mode: Stereo
Inputs: Microphone (3.5mm Stereo Mini Jack), FireWire
Outputs: USB, Component, Composite, S-Video, HDMI, FireWire, LANC Terminal (3.5mm Stereo Mini Jack), Headphones (3.5mm Stereo Mini Jack)
Accessory Shoe: Cold Shoe
Weight (Including Battery and Media): 1,600g
Manual Settings: Shutter Speed, Exposure, Focus, White Balance
Other Features: Optical SteadyShot Optical Image Stabilization (OIS), Colour Viewfinder, Preset white balance modes, 1.2MP Still Photos, 6 Assignable Buttons, Dual Record, Smooth Slow Record (240fps), xvYCC Colour, Manual Zoom and Focus Rings, Picture Profile, Shot Transition, Digital Extender

Sony HDR-FX1000
MSRP - $3,200

The big brother to the HDR-FX7, the new FX1000 replaces the FX1, which is a popular camera around the world. The HDR-FX1000 has a few added features over the FX7, including a Wide-Angle to Telephoto lens, better low-light performance, 3 built-in netral density filters, and larger sensors. Like the FX7, it records to HDV tape, and is used extensively in amateur and professional films. The HDR-FX1000 is also considered a prosumer camera however, so it also lacks XLR ports and Phantom Power for professional audio equipment. The HDR-FX7 is great for those who have a little more to spend and want a versatle camera that produces stunning images.

Sensor Size & Type: 3 x 1/3" CMOS
Minimum Illumination: 1.5 Lux
Recording Medium: HDV / DV Tape, Memory Stick PRO Duo (Photos Only)
Frame Rates: 50i/60i, 24p, 30p
Filter Diameter: 72mm
Zoom (Optical): 20x
LCD Screen: 3.2" Widescreen
Microphone Recoding Mode: Stereo
Inputs: Microphone (3.5mm Stereo Mini Jack), FireWire
Outputs: USB, Component, Composite, S-Video, HDMI, FireWire, LANC Terminal (3.5mm Stereo Mini Jack), Headphones (3.5mm Stereo Mini Jack)
Accessory Shoe: Cold Shoe
Weight (Including Battery and Media): 2,100g
Manual Settings: Shutter Speed, Exposure, Focus, Gain, White Balance
Other Features: Optical SteadyShot Optical Image Stabilization (OIS), Colour Viewfinder, Preset white balance modes, 1.2MP Still Photos, 6 Assignable Buttons, Dual Record, xvYCC Colour, Manual Zoom and Focus and Iris Rings, Picture Profile, Shot Transition, Digital Extender, CinemaTone Colour, CinemaTone Gamma, 3 Built-In Neutral Density Filters, Histogram Display, Colour Bars

Canon XH A1S
MSRP - $4,000

Canon's XH A1S is a very popular camera, which can record in a wide variety of frame rates and comes with a number of features. As usual, it records to HDV tape. It features two professional-grade XLR audio inputs with switchable Line / Mic modes as well as a 3.5mm stereo mini jack input for connection of consumer microphones. A shotgun microphone bracket is also included. The A1S is considered to have better manual controls than some cameras twice its price, and is perfect for those who want a large amount of control and freedom over their camera without spending $5,000+ on the higher-end cameras in this list.

Sensor Size & Type: 3 x 1/3" CCD
Minimum Illumination: 0.3 Lux
Recording Medium: HDV / DV Tape, SD / SDHC Memory Card (Photos Only)
Frame Rates: 50i/60i, 24f, 30f
Filter Diameter: 72mm
Zoom (Optical): 20x
LCD Screen: 2.8" Widescreen
Microphone Recoding Mode: Stereo
Inputs: Microphone (3.5mm Stereo Mini Jack), 2x XLR Line / Mic, FireWire
Outputs: USB, Component, Composite, FireWire, Headphones (3.5mm Stereo Mini Jack)
Accessory Shoe: Cold Shoe
Weight (Including Battery and Media): 2,400g
Manual Settings: Shutter Speed, Exposure, Focus, Gain, White Balance, AE Response, High-Speed Zoom Setting, Focus Ring Response, Ring / Dial Operation Direction Settings, Subject Distance Unit, Remote Control Codes, Tall Lamp Settings, Audio Levels
Other Features: SuperRange Optical Image Stabilization (OIS), 2 Built-In Neutral Density Filters, Colour Bars, HyperGain, 1.2MP Still Photos, Colour Viewfinder, Shotgun Microphone Bracket

Panasonic AG-HMC150
MSRP - $4,000

The AG-HMC150 by Panasonic, unlike the other prosumer / professional cameras in this list, records to Class 4 or Class 6 (High-Speed) SDHC cards in the AVCHD format (most commonly used in consumer cameras). This means that the camera is slightly lighter than its brother - the Panasonic DVX, as well as its other HDV counterparts. It can record in many different 1080 and 720 HD modes (including 720/60p, 720/30p, and 720/24p), and up to 3 hours of highest-quality footage can be stored on a single 32GB SDHC card. The HMC's sensors record in slightly lower resolution than normal, then the camera uses pixel shifting technology to upshift the footage into full HD quality. The advantage to this is that footage shot in low-light conditions is crisp and clean, rather than being noisy and grainy like on most other cameras. The camera features a wide-angle lens, meaning that filming in conditions where space is an issue becomes much easier and poduces better results (it also means that you won't have to buy an addition wide angle lens). One of the disadvantages to this camera, however, is that it only has a single SDHC card slot, which means that you have to stop filming to slot in another card when the card is full (as opposed to most other professional SDHC cameras which have two slots meaning that when one card is full, the camera can switch to the other card and you don't have to stop filming to remove the first, full card and slot an empty one in. This is called hot-swapping). The AG-HMC150 is a great camera overall however, and produces clean, crisp colours similar to its DVX brother. The fact that it records to solid state memory gives it the capability to record in full 1920 x 1080 high definition, and the 720/60p recording mode allows footage to be overcranked for smooth slow motion shots in 30p. And like the XH A1S, the HMC features 2 XLR ports and +48V Phantom Power for professional mics, as well as a bracket for shotgun microphones (the shotgun microphone shown in the picture above is not included as standard).

Sensor Size & Type: 3 x 1/3" CCD
Minimum Illumination: 3 Lux
Recording Medium: SD / SDHC Memory Card
Frame Rates: 1080/60i or 1080/50i, 1080/30p, 1080/24p, 720/60p, 720/30p, 720/24p
Filter Diameter: 72mm
Zoom (Optical): 13x
LCD Screen: 3.5" Widescreen
Microphone Recoding Mode: Stereo
Inputs: 2x XLR Line / Mic and Phantom Power, FireWire
Outputs: USB, Component, Composite, HDMI, FireWire, Headphones (3.5mm Stereo Mini Jack), Zoom and Focus LANC Connectors
Accessory Shoe: Cold Shoe
Weight (Including Battery and Media): 1,700g
Manual Settings: Shutter Speed, Exposure, Focus, Gain, White Balance, Audio Levels
Other Features: Optical Image Stabilization (OIS), Built-In Neutral Density Filter, Colour Bars, 1.2MP Still Photos, Colour Viewfinder, Wireless Remote Control, Shotgun Microphone Bracket

Panasonic AG-HVX200A
MSRP - $6,310

The AG-HVX200A is the brother to the HMC150 above, and shares the same sensor block as the HMC. The major difference between the two is that it records to PCMCIA P2 flash cards in Panasonic's DVCPROHD codec, which allows for a very fast and smooth workflow in editing (as opposed to the AVCHD format which requires a lot of computer power to play and edit, at the benefit of small file sizes). The HVX can record in all the frame rates and formats that the HMC150 can, with the addition of having the ability to record in standard definition to DV tape. One of the major drawbacks of this, and all other P2 cameras, however, is the price. The MSRP for this camera is over $2,000 more than the HMC150, excluding the price of P2 cards which can cost up to $1,000 each. Added to that, a free transcoder from Panasonic is available to convert the AVCHD footage from the HMC150 to DVCPROHD, bringing all the benefits of faster editing and rendering (albeit at the cost of larger file sizes). The HVX200A does come with a few added features over the HMC though, and picture quality is better than its brother.

Sensor Size & Type: 3 x 1/3" CCD
Minimum Illumination: 3 Lux
Recording Medium: PCMCIA P2 Memory Card, DV Tape
Frame Rates: 1080/60i or 1080/50i, 1080/30p, 1080/24p, 720/60p, 720/30p, 720/24p, 480i, 24pA
Filter Diameter: 82mm
Zoom (Optical): 13x
LCD Screen: 3.5" Widescreen
Microphone Recoding Mode: Stereo
Inputs: 2x XLR Line / Mic with Phantom Power, FireWire
Outputs: USB, Component, Composite, HDMI, FireWire, Headphones (3.5mm Stereo Mini Jack), Zoom and Focus LANC Connectors
Accessory Shoe: Cold Shoe
Weight (Including Battery and Media): 2,360g
Manual Settings: Shutter Speed, Exposure, Focus, Gain, White Balance, Audio Levels
Other Features: Optical Image Stabilization (OIS), Built-In Neutral Density Filter, Colour Bars, 1.2MP Still Photos, Colour Viewfinder, Wireless Remote Control

Sony PMW-EX1R
MSRP - $7,800

The Sony PMW-EX1R is the last - and most expensive - camera in this list. It is the entry-level model in Sony's professional XDCAM EX line, and records to SxS flash cards (shown above) using a highly advanced form of the MPEG2 codec. The Sony is packed with features, and arguably produces the best image of any of the cameras in this list. The EX1 can record in all major frame rates in 1080i, 1080p, and 720p, with capabilities for both over-cranking (slow motion) and under-cranking (fast motion). Its sensors are larger than most cameras its size and price range, and it also features two SxS card slots for hot-swappability (meaning continuous filming is possible), amongst other things.

Sensor Size & Type: 3 x 1/2" CCD
Minimum Illumination: 3 Lux
Recording Medium: SxS Memory Card
Frame Rates: 1080/60i or 1080/50i, 1080/30p, 1080/24p, 720/60p, 720/30p, 720/24p
Filter Diameter: 82mm
Zoom (Optical): 14x
LCD Screen: 3.5" Widescreen
Microphone Recoding Mode: Stereo
Inputs: 2x XLR Line / Mic with Phantom Power, FireWire
Outputs: USB, Component, HDMI, FireWire, Headphones (3.5mm Stereo Mini Jack), HD-SDI
Accessory Shoe: Cold Shoe
Weight (Including Battery and Media): 2,800g
Manual Settings: Shutter Speed, Exposure, Focus, Gain, White Balance, Audio Levels, Shutter Angle
Other Features: Optical Image Stabilization (OIS), 2 Built-In Neutral Density Filters, Colour Bars, Colour Viewfinder, Picture Profile, DOF Display, Histogram Display, 4 Assignable Buttons

Standard Definition
Consumer Cameras

 Standard definition cameras are slowly becoming obsolete, which is why we do not recommend spending too much on a standard definition camera. I have included a few examples of SD consumer cameras in this list for those on a tight budget, but for those who can stretch their budget enough for an entry-level high definition camera will be better value for money, especially considering that most HD cameras can record in standard definition too. Standard definition footage can be edited on almost any computer (needs much less computer resources than HD does) using any software, and their lower price mean they are perfect for the beginner filmer who wants to see if film-making is for them. Shown below are two entry-level to mid-range Sony models (Sony make some very nice consumer cameras with great value for money).

Sony DCR-SR67
MSRP - $450

The DCR-SR67 by Sony is a very cost-friendly camera, and has many useful features for starting out. The SR67 records to an 80GB HDD which can store up to 57 hours of standard definition footage (low-quality mode). A Memory Stick PRO Duo slot is also present, making this a true 'Hybrid' camera as footage can be recorded directly onto the memory stick. The DCR-SR67 comes with a staggeringly-long 60x optical zoom lens (over 3 times longer zoom than any of the HD cameras in this list; this is because standard definition cameras usually have smaller sensors so there is more space for a larger zoom), which makes it suitable for shooting things from very far away (although a tripod is required). This camera produces very good footage considering its price, with colours on the slightly cold side.

Sensor Size & Type: 1/8" CMOS
Minimum Illumination: 5 Lux (Low Light Mode)
Recording Medium: 80GB Hard Disk Drive (HDD), Memory Stick PRO Duo
Frame Rates: 50i/60i
Filter Diameter: 30mm
Zoom (Optical): 60x
LCD Screen: 2.8" Widescreen (Touch Sensitive)
Microphone Recoding Mode: 5.1 Surround, Stereo (with Zoom Feature)
Inputs: Microphone (3.5mm Stereo Mini Jack), Sony Remote Control Input
Outputs: USB, Component, Composite, S-Video
Accessory Shoe: None
Weight (Including Battery and Media): 300g
Manual Settings: Exposure, Focus, White Balance
Other Features: SteadyShot Image Stabilization, Preset white balance modes, 4MP Still Photos, Face Detection, Smile Shutter, Quick Power On, Film Roll Index, Face Index, Easy Mode

Sony DCR-SX40
MSRP - $270

Sony's DCR-SX40 is their entry-level consumer camera, and is the cheapest in this list. It records to Memory Stick PRO Duo cards, and also has 4GB of built-in memory. The SX40 is available in Red, Silver, and Blue, and is a very compact and light camera with all the basic features you will need to start making videos. The DCR-SX40 shares the same large 60x zoom as its larger brother the DCR-SR67, making it a very convinient camera. The picture and sound quality of the camera is comparable to the SR67 above, as they share the same sensor and lens.

Sensor Size & Type: 1/8" CMOS
Minimum Illumination: 6 Lux (Low Light Mode)
Recording Medium: Memory Stick PRO Duo, 4GB Built-In Memory
Frame Rates: 50i/60i
Filter Diameter: 30mm
Zoom (Optical): 60x
LCD Screen: 2.8" Widescreen (Touch Sensitive)
Microphone Recoding Mode: Stereo (with Zoom Feature)
Inputs: Microphone (3.5mm Stereo Mini Jack), Sony Remote Control Input
Outputs: USB, Component, Composite, S-Video
Accessory Shoe: None
Weight (Including Battery and Media): 290g
Manual Settings: Exposure, Focus, White Balance
Other Features: SteadyShot Image Stabilization, Preset white balance modes, 4MP Still Photos, Face Detection, Quick Power On, Film Roll Index, Face Index, Easy Mode

Written by Felix van Oost

Insprired and based on the article "Video Camera Information" by JSoule on PinkBike Forums