Camera Comparison – 3 Panasonics and a JVC

[Sam Vz]

You are comparing one shoulder camera with 3 handhelds. I’d personally only buy a shoulder camera when I really needed one, which I did a couple of weeks ago. I bought the Panasonic AG-HMC71E, the brother of the shoulder camera you mentioned. I really like this camera, it’s a good solid camera which films on cheap SDHC cards. The only con is that it doesn’t have a focus ring.

So, if you don’t need a shoulder cam, I’d buy the JVC GY-HM100U, because this camera captures native Final Cut Pro files, so you don’t have the convert them like AVCHD files. This is a great little camera for shooting HD material and when you work with a close deadline. You can edit the material right from the P2 card so you don’t lose any time using Log and Transfer.

—
Sam van Zoest,
Camera Operator and Editor at DeltaShock

[Bill Celnick]

Hi Mark

I have both the HMC 150 and the HMC 70, and use both on regular basis.
Before I can give you an opinion, I’d ask just what type of work you will be using the camera for?

I’m in event work, and use the HMC 70 as a third camera…had the HMC 40 been available at the time I bought the HMC 70 I would have bought that instead.

The HMC-70, of course looks like the old Panasonic SVHS line. The camera is big, and is meant to be used on your shoulder. Poor in low light, but very good outdoors, lacking somewhat in easy manual controls. I like the camera as a #3 camera, generally unmanned, automatic settings.

I played with an HMC 40 at a trade show – liked it very much, but its not quite the little brother of the HMC-150 – its not as good in low light. Still its more compact than the 70, can do everything the 70 does, and a bit more.

I have 2 cameras I consider to be my #1s – a Sony Z7U which I have had a love-hate relationship, and my HMC-150 which is mostly love – love.
The Sony has the edge in low light, and I like the fact that I can record to tape and CF, either simultaneously or individually. I hate the rolling shutter, and in certain conditions such as fluorescent lighting, the camera is not usable.

The HMC-150 is, imho a better all purpose camera, plenty of manual control and choices. I’ve had it for about a year.

[Mark Laslo]

Hi Bill,

Thanks for the quick response. Mostly the camera will be used to record interviews inside an office building with florescent lighting above (which may get turned off) and a halogen lowell light kit. I just want to make sure – the sony Z7U is the camera that you have trouble using with fluorescent light, correct? It’s other use would be outdoor interviews and general b-roll gathering. It would be our only camera on the scene. If we were to do studio work this camera would be the primary with a Sony HDV Handicam as our secondary.

The end goal for the footage is to go onto our website in a streaming media portal. Right now we’re doing everything in FLV but the goal is to move towards a higher quality medium.

Since you looked at the HMC40 – is the audio input 1/8″ or is it proprietary? Our end goal would be to get the XLR adapter but I want to make sure our Sennheiser E100 could connect with the 1/8″ cable. B&H has no reference of audio input type on the HMC40.

Also do you work with these in Final Cut Pro – if so what is your opinion of the workflow and storage needs. Right now all I have is a 1 TB Sata drive and am not really in the market for a RAID solution. If you don’t work with a SATA drive do you think it’s feasible to do without lag.

Thanks,

Mark

[Bill Celnick]

Hi Mark
Yes, the Sony camera is the one that has issues with flouresent lighting – dark bands can appear in the image in certain situations.

Panasonic does sell an optional XLR adapter with the HMC-40, so you could likely use this with the Sennheissers..you could also get something like Beachteck XLR adapters as well. I don’t remember how the HMC-40 adjusts audio levels manually, so I’m not certain you’d want to go directly into the 3.5 input with an xlr mic. Of course you can buy all sorts of xlr to mini adapters. I don’t believe its proprietary, but you can email Panasonic on this.

If budget is not a concern, go with then HMC-150, it’ll do all you need it to do without adapters. I can’t speak for the JVC, although I did look at it at B&H a few months ago. It had 2 card slots, but when I asked the salesman if it could record on 2 cards simultaneously he said no – why would I want to do that anyway…(for back-up – getting used to the idea of recording HD to something the size of a stamp for me was a scary thought)

Yes, I edit with FCP, and, for example, shooting a 4 cam graduation ceremony, I had about 8 hours of footage, to produce a 75 minute final production. Using Log and Transfer, you’re converting to Pro-Res with huge files. I edit on a Mac Book Pro and an IMAC with Firewire drives for capture and storage, as well as several portable USB drives for back-up / storage of cards. My guess is that your interviews should not be as long, and your needs should be less, so you might be okay as is.

[Mark Laslo]

Thanks Bill and Sam,

Sam I did not see your post until after I replied (something got messed up in my email). I like your point about being able to edit immediately and not have to wait for transcode times. Right now I’m stuck between the JVC GY-HM100U and the AG-HMC150. I don’t think I need shoulder mount and it’s lack of focus ring bothers me a little bit. I’m more inclined to rely on auto settings but I like to have that control when I need it.

Sam have you worked with the HM100 at all? How is the size of the camera itself. It looks like it could be a bit small but everything I have read says that they are small but not too small. Any thoughts.

Thanks,

Mark

[Bill Celnick]

Here’s a review of the JVC…

https://www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/camcorders/jvc-hm100.shtml

[Mark Laslo]

Thanks,

That was very informative. Most of the reviews I saw only gave the positives but that seemed pretty balanced. All and all it seems like a good camera for a lower price. I just feel like it may be a bit clumsy trying to adjust settings on the fly. I think either way the camera will do what I need it to do…interviews aren’t too taxing after all. I would just like the option to expand into more creative work if the company decides to go that way.

Thanks and I’ll post back and let you guys know the final decision. If you guys have any more advice or suggestions I’d love to hear it since I think the final decision is being made tomorrow.

Mark

[Bill Celnick]

I have never worried about this myself, but if you ever encounter small camera prejudice – clients who just don’t take you seriously if the camera is tiny, the HMC 150 might make a better impression.

[Sam Vz]

I guess that’s because my account still hasn’t been approved since I’m new on the Creative COW.

I never had the chance to touch the HM100, all I heard was people having a love-hate relationship with it. They were complaining that buttons are weren’t big enough and the accu would be so small that you run out of power in a few hours (this may be rumors, but like I said I never tested it).

But the fact that it’s cheap, small, films in high definition and that you don’t have to convert a file makes everything good.

—
Sam van Zoest,
Camera Operator and Editor at DeltaShock

[Mark Laslo]

Thank you Bill and Sam,

I ended up going with the HMC-150. Now I’m just hoping that we get approved for our costs…may end up with the JVC yet. All of your inputs and recommendations have been very valuable and I appreciate all of your help.

Thanks,

Mark