On Tue, Dec 1, 2009 at 4:55 AM, Caleb Clark <cale...@well.com> wrote: > > Oh wise list. > > I've got $2000 to spend for a university on a documentation kit (photos for > web site and printed brochures, YouTube channel videos of interviews and > talks). I'm wishing for a dSLR that has a mic port, so I can buy just one > camera, but it seems that might be a bit premature. I love Canon's FS200 > type cameras (I actually like the tiny on camera fill LED light), but would > prefer to stay away from AVCHD and just have a nice .mp4, .mov, or even .avi > file to work with on Mac or PC basic editing platforms, but that's not > crucial. I just have the feeling that AVCHD is so temporary...I don't need > HD practically, but 16x9 I would like. Xacti's come to mind, if they aren't > too wiggy with their UI and have some audio level control.
I got an Xacti HD-1010 that cost me $400 a few months back, The HD-2000 is the latest model, that's around $500 I think. Very nice cam that gives great results for the money. Yes, it has an external mic port and audio input level adjust (course low/mid/high type thing). No on-screen signal level meter though, but it has a headphone port that makes up for that (I don't use it though) Hot shoe attachment for external mic is handy. Great range of shooting options for size/quality. Nice big bright fast lens, I doubt you'll get better quality optics on any sub $1000 camcorder. The MP4's it outputs load directly into my Ulead VideoStudio package no problems. The autofocus can be a bit touchy with moving objects. The head/face tracking mode works. Works well in low light indoors environments. Forget all the talk about the UI being crap, it it perfectly fine and understandable, works more like a still camera and not like a camcorder, that's why people get confused with it. And the joystick thing works just fine. It also comes an IR remote that also operates the menus. I expect the worst after the reviews, but I've had no problems with it at all. Forget internal LED lights, they are all but useless, little more than a gimmick. If you need external lighting, get good quality external lighting and attach to the hot-shoe. See my blog for examples: http://www.eevblog.com Dave.
