Auscam 46 by Australian Videocamera

AUSCAM

The camera magazine for broadcast, film, professional, enthusiast and beginner

AUSTRALIA’S ONLY DEDICATED VIDEO CAMERA MAGAZINE

Issue #45

$8.95

Quick Guide to Accessories You Want

Buying Your Next Camcorder The Best Training DVDs It’s a Wrap

EVERY camcorder listed!

write | light | shoot |edit | distribute

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EDIUS features the revolutionary HQX codec for 10-bit video support. The Ninjatechnology, by-passes in-camera compression recordthe your prisDesigned with scalable this innovative codectooffers highest straight from HDMIplatform with image qualitytine, anduncompressed performanceimages available in any HDthe editing connector yourHQX DSLRcodec or camcorder directly to Apple ProRes support for alpha channel.ofThe not only provides superior luma you’re and chroma while sampling of recording! HD video, but features an adjustable bit rate for increased video quality when capturing and encoding on high-performance Now there’s no need for capture cardsvideo of I/O from boxesother systems. By using HQX, you can also export graphic Final Cut Pro users can just go straight lens to software withfrom alpha channel in 10-bit. timeline! New Features in EDIUS 6 EDIUS 6 offers more than 100 new features, such as 4K, 2K, and free size project support, advanced timeline workflow improvements, 16 ISO multicam support, new source browser, free shape mask filter, track matte keyer, and AVCHD exporter to name just a few. inc GST The editing engine has been tuned for better real-time performance,

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CONTENTS 2.... From David’s desk 3....News and new products 5....Toshiba Camileo X200 6....Samsung HMXF80BP - Panasonic HX-DC2 7.... Panasonic HCV100 - Toshiba Camileo X400 8.... Sony HDRCX190 9.... Samsung HMX-QF20BP - Panasonic HCV10 10.. Panasonic HCV500 - Panasonic HX-WA2 11.. JVC GC-XA1 - Canon HFR36 12.. Sony HDR PJ200 - JVC GZ-E10B 13.. Canon HFR38 - JVC GZ-EX255B 14.. Sony HDR-XR260V - Canon HFM52 15.. Sony HDR PJ260VE - JVC GZ-VX77B 16.. JVC GZ-GX3B - Sony HXR-MC1500P 17.. Panasonic HCX-900 - Sony HDR PJ760VE 18.. Canon HFG10 - Canon XA10 19.. Sony NEX-VG30 - Panasonic AC-AG90EN 20.. Panasonic AG-HMC82EN - Sony NEX-VG900 21.. Sony HXR-NX70P 22.. Sony HXR-NX5P - Sony PMW100 23.. Panasonic AG-AC130AEN - Panasonic AG-AF9102EN 24.. Panasonic AG-AC160AEN - Sony PMW150 25.. Canon XF300 - Canon XF305 27.. JVC GY-HM600E - Sony PMW200 28.. JVC GY-HM650E 29.. Sony NEX-FS700 - Canon C300 30.. Sony HXR-MC1500P - Canon XF100/XF105 32.. Panasonic AG-AC160EN 33.. KaiserBaasMini Camera - KaiserBaas Sport camera 34.. GoPro Hero White - GoPro Hero Silver 35.. GoPro Hero Black - Sony Action Cam 37.. Glossary 38.. Camcorder Accessories 40.. Buying a new camera 42.. Auscam subscriptions 43.. Training material 44.. It’s a wrap

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AUSCAM | Issue 45

From David’s desk From the Publisher Welcome to this 45th edition of Auscam, and I can say with all honesty, it has been the hardest one I have ever put together due to the sheer amount of data to get hold of to complete the magazine.

AUSCAM Publisher and managing editor

David Hague Contributors

In a large operation, a bunch of people can be called on to help out, but at Auscam I don’t have that luxury sadly (or thankfully depending on your point of view). So for those that assisted – Jenni, Ben and Steve, thanks for the help!

Stephen Turner Dr Frank McLeod Ben Longden David Smith

There has to be lots of fact and error checking too and without doubt, there will be things missed and mistakes made, so up front, if you find something, please forgive me and please let me know so I can correct the records held on file. Many thanks in advance!

Design and layout

I hope you find this issue of use; if you are looking at buying a new camcorder, it will give you a huge leg up to choosing the right model. If you are simply browsing the way that say, you might read an exotic car magazine and dribble over Astons, Lambos and Ferraris, there are a lot of very desirable models here!

Stephen Turner

www.stephen-turner.com.au Photography

Ross Gibb

www.rossgibbphotos.com.au

In other news, things have also been busy on the electronic side with a new Facebook page (search Auscam Online), brand new on-line forums (www.auscam-forums.com) and of course the App for the iPad / iPhone (check the iTunes for Auscam) and our Twitter Feed (@auscamonline).

Advertising

As always, I love getting feedback (via david@auscamonline. com) no matter good or bad as it all makes the magazine better. And again as always, thanks for the continued support, it is much appreciated.

Auscam is published by : VBtheDog Productions Pty (ACN 128231 247) 4 Cox Place Echuca VIC 3564

David Hague Editor/Publisher

David Hague

david@auscamonline.com

0499 089 034

Ph : 08 9467 5922 0499 089 034 auscamonline.com david@auscamonline.com Printed in Australia

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News and new products RØDE announces RYCOTE collaboration and releases all new VIDEOMIC RØDE Microphones today announced a strategic alliance with UK-based audio accessory maker Rycote into a wide range of microphones and accessories, commencing with its popularVideoMic on-camera microphone. Rycote’s Lyre is a non-elasticated suspension structure composed of a hard-wearing thermoplastic, and is markedly more effective at acoustically decoupling microphones from unwanted vibrations, handling and cable-borne noise than elasticated suspensions. Remaining effective at a wide range of temperatures between -35 and +40°C, the Lyre is virtually indestructible. It will never wear out, sag, snap or require any rethreading to maintain its effectiveness. Under the details of the agreement, RØDE will have access to implement the Lyre suspension element across a wide range of microphones and accessories, on both an external and internal level.

“The Rycote Lyre is absolutely the world’s best microphone shock-mounting solution,” Peter Freedman, RØDE’s President and Founder, explained. “Working closely with Rycote is an incredible opportunity for both companies to push the boundaries of product innovation and extend our reach into the consumer and professional audio markets.” “Our core strategy has always been the design and production of performance-enhancing products for the professional microphone user,” Rycote’s Managing Director, Simon Davies, added.

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“When the opportunity arose to work closely with one of the most respected microphone manufacturers in the world, we welcomed it. We are looking forward to working with RØDE for many years, helping to provide their customers with the best microphone suspension technology available.” The RØDE VideoMic with Lyre onboard marks the debut product of the RØDE Rycote relationship. Its new form factor using the integrated Lyre suspension, gives the microphone a lower profile and also features an upgraded all metal cold-shoe mount for increased rigidity. “This is a great example of how RØDE is planning to push innovation with the Lyre technology, integrating the suspension with the body of the microphone itself to provide unparalleled isolation” Mr Freedman continued. “This is the first of many exciting products from RØDE featuring Lyre onboard, that will combine our expertise in product design and manufacturing to bring industry-leading products to market at the excellent value that RØDE is famous for.”

Matrox MXO2 Mini MAX Offered at a New Low Price of $749 Matrox® Video Products Group has announced the immediate availability of Matrox MXO2 Mini MAX at the new low prices of $749 AU$ (Inc GST) for the versions with PCIe and ExpressCard/34 connectivity and $899 AU$ (Inc GST) for the version with Thunderbolt connectivity. Matrox MXO2 Mini MAX provides affordable HDMI and analog video and audio input and output for leading editing apps from Adobe, Apple and

AUSCAM | Issue 45

Avid. It also turbocharges H.264 encoding for creation of video files for the web, mobile devices, and Blu-ray – all in a convenient, portable breakout box. “Content creators today need to deliver material in resolutions ranging from HD to iPod and H.264 has become their codec of choice due to its high-quality and low bandwidth requirement” said Wayne Andrews, product manager at Matrox. “With Matrox MAX technology, we are providinvg our customers with the extra productivity boost they need to profit from today’s most popular workflows on laptops as well as towers at the most affordable price to date. Matrox MXO2 Mini MAX is ideal for mobile editors who need to take their toolboxes with them wherever they go – in the studio, on set, and on the road.” RØDE announces SMARTLAV LAVALIER microphoneforiOSdevices RØDE Microphones has announced the release of the smartLav, a new lapel microphone that connects directly to the headset jack of Apple iOS devices. Compatible with the iPhone, iPad and iPod touch, smartLav delivers premium quality audio capture in a compact and accessible form factor. The smartLav is a professional-grade wearable microphone designed for use in a wide range of fi lm, television and broadcast scenarios, or wherever professional quality audio is required in a discreet, portable format without the complication and expense of additional wireless equipment, particularly where multiple talent is involved. With the smartLav the user simply mounts the microphone on the talent, connects it to the iOS device’s headset jack and records via the RØDE Rec or RØDE Rec LE apps. By employing a high quality omni-directional condenser capsule the smartLav captures sound in a forgiving 360 degrees, allowing

AUSCAM | Issue 45

News and new products for versatility when mounting and ensuring a high degree of user-friendly operation. “The smartLav is an exciting solution that makes professional quality audio available to anyone with access to an Apple iOS device,” explained Damien Wilson, RØDE’s Marketing and Sales Director. “For filmmakers or wedding videographers that have struggled to simultaneously record multiple talent this product truly is an incredibly simple and cost effective solution.” A foam pop shield is included to minimise wind noise and vocal plosives (hard ‘b’, ‘t’ and ‘p’ sounds), as well as a durable mounting clip with in-built cable management. The smartLav has been designed to pair perfectly with the RØDE Rec app for Apple iOS devices, and is also compatible with any iOS audio app that accepts input from the headset connection. RØDE Rec turns the user’s iOS device into a fully-featured field recorder, with a wide range of equalisation pre-sets to suit various recording situations, in addition to professional editing functions and the ability to publish to SoundCloud and Dropbox directly from the app. “Both the smartLav and the recently announced RØDE iXY stereo microphone showcase the possibilities of the RØDE Rec app as more than an isolated piece of software,” Mr Wilson explained, “but also as a platform and hub for a range of professional grade audio devices. This platform leverages the portability and popularity of Apple’s iOS devices to make content creation easier than ever.”

SDI output overlay for EF compat

Blackmagic Design Announces Blackmagic Cinema Camera 1.2 Software Update Blackmagic Design has announced a new software update version 1.2 for the Blackmagic Cinema Camera which adds new features including time lapse recording, aperture indicator when using compatible EF lenses, as well as ExFAT formatting for SSD disks. The Blackmagic Cinema Camera has now been certified by Intel for capture and playback with Thunderbolt computer hardware operating under Windows. Blackmagic Cinema Camera 1.2 software update is available to download now free of charge from the Blackmagic Design Website. The new time-lapse recording feature allows customers to capture time-lapse video in CinemaDNGRAW 2.5K, Apple ProRes or AvidDNxHD. Customers have an extremely wide selection of capture rates with this new time lapse recording feature as they can select from every second frame all the way up to one frame per 10 minutes. The addition of the new aperture indicator on the status strip and

ible lenses allows customers to easily check F stop settings on the LCD display screen! With the addition of Windows for Thunderbolt, users with certified Thunderbolt hardware will now be able to use a wide range of Windows based software as well as Blackmagic Design’s UltraScope and Media Express software over Thunderbolt with the Blackmagic Cinema Camera. Support for Windows formatted ExFAT SSD disk adds flexibility for customers to use either HFS+ or ExFAT formats. ExFAT is a Windows based operating file system that features state of the art technology, including large sized disk and file support, wide compatibility and high performance. In addition, Mac OS X also supports ExFAT disks, so ExFAT formatted disks can be plugged into both Windows and Mac OS X machines without any third party software required. Simply insert the formatted disk and the camera will automatically detect format, ready for recording!

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h Toshiba Camileo X200

AUSCAM | Issue 45

If you want an inexpensive camcorder, throw away the smartphone for one of these. Pros : External mic port Cons : Supplied software is Windows only.

Manufacturer Model Number Storage Format(s) eg SD, CF, Memory Stick HDD etc Sensor Recording format(s) eg MPEG2, AVCHD LCD Monitor Focus Ring Audio in (Yes / No) Headphone out (Yes/No) Terminals Other features Website of vendor RRP

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Toshiba Camileo X200 SD/SDHC card 8MP CMOS sensor [2D] AVCHD, MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 3â&#x20AC;? LCDh No Yes No

HDMI/USB Smile detection, face tracking, motion detection http://www.mytoshiba.com.au/products/camcorders/xseries/pa3973a-1c0k/specifications $299

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Samsung HMX-F80BP Samsung’s entry level camcorder Pros : Can be used by both left and right hand people with its switch grip technology Cons : Hasn’t been tested as yet.

Samsung HMX-Q10BP SD/SDHC card ¼” BSI CMOS [2D] AVCHD, MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 2.7” LCD No No No HDMI /USB A/V, IEEE1394, SDI / XLR Switch grip allows left or right hand shooting http://www.samsung.com/au/consumer/cameracamcorder/camcorder/hd-camcorders/HMX-Q10BP/XSA $329

Panasonic HX-DC2 A small lightweight no frills camera, perfect for the budding beginner. Pros : Fully auto for new users Cons : No headphone jack, no HDMI cable supplied

Manufacturer Model Number Storage Format(s) eg SD, CF, Memory Stick HDD etc Sensor Recording format(s) eg MPEG2, AVCHD Recording specs LCD screen size Audio in (Yes / No) Headphone out (Yes/No) Terminals Dimensions Weight Website of vendor RRP

Panasonic HX-DC2 Built in memory plus SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory Card ½.33 type MOS JPEG [16:9] 2 (1920 x 1080), 0.9 (1280 x 720) [4:3] 0.3 (640 x 480) 7.5 mm wide, 16:9) No No HDMI /USB A/V 86.2 x 120.8 x 38.1 162Body only http://www.panasonic.com.au/Products/Camcorders /Vertical+Full-HD+camcorders/HX-DC2/Overview $249.00

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AUSCAM | Issue 45

Panasonic HCV100 A small lightweight no frills camera, perfect for the budding beginner. Pros : Fully auto for new users Cons : No headphone jack, no HDMI cable supplied

Manufacturer Model Number Storage Format(s) eg SD, CF, Memory Stick HDD etc Sensor Recording format(s) eg MOEG2, AVCHD Recording specs

LCD screen size Audio in (Yes / No) Headphone out (Yes/No) Terminals Dimensions Weight Website of vendor RRP

Panasonic HCV100 SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory Card 1/5.8 type High Sensitivity MOS MPEG-4 AVC / H.264 HA (17Mbps / VBR), (1920 x 1080) HG (13Mbps / VBR), (1920 x 1080) HX (9Mbps / VBR), (1920 x 1080) iFrame (28Mbps / VBR), (960 x 540) 6.7mm wide, 16:9) No No HDMI / USB A/V 51.5 x 59.5 x 112.5mm 181 Body only http://www.panasonic.com.au/Products/Camcorders/1MOS+FullHD+camcorders/HC-V100/Specifications $399.00

Toshiba Camileo X400 Excellent value for money camcorder Pros : On screen video trimming Cons : No HDMI cable supplied.

Manufacturer Model Number Storage Format(s) eg SD, CF, Memory Stick HDD etc Recording format(s) eg MPEG2, AVCHD LCD Monitor Focus Ring Audio in (Yes / No) Headphone out (Yes/No) Terminals Other features Website of vendor RRP

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Toshiba Camileo X400 SD/SDHC card [2D] AVCHD, MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 3â&#x20AC;? LCD No Yes No

HDMI/USB Smile detection, face tracking, motion detection http://www.mytoshiba.com $349

AUSCAM | Issue 45

Sony HDRCX190 A great starter camera

Pros : Great value for money, full HD (1920 * 1080), lightweight Cons : Only 5 megapixel stills, no HDMI cable supplied, no viewfinder

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Samsung HMX-QF20BP

AUSCAM | Issue 45

Samsung’s entry level camcorder Pros : Built in WiFi, can be used by both left and right hand people with its switch grip technology Cons : Hasn’t been tested as yet.

Samsung HMX-QF20BP SD/SDHC card ¼” BSI CMOS [2D] AVCHD, MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 2.7” LCD No No No USB A/V, Built in WiFi, Switch grip allows left or right hand shooting http://www.samsung.com/au/consumer/cameracamcorder/camcorder/hd-camcorders/HMX-QF20BP/XSA $349

Panasonic HCV10 Panasonic’s entry level camcorder. Pros : Price Cons : No headphone jack, no HDMI cable supplied

Manufacturer Model Number Storage Format(s) eg SD, CF, Memory Stick HDD etc Sensor Recording format(s) eg MPEG2, AVCHD Recording specs

LCD screen size Audio in (Yes / No) Headphone out (Yes/No) Terminals Dimensions Weight Website of vendor RRP

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Panasonic HCV10 SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory Card 1/5.8 type High Sensitivity MOS MPEG-4 AVC / H.264 HA (17Mbps / VBR), (1920 x 1080) HG (13Mbps / VBR), (1920 x 1080) HX (9Mbps / VBR), (1920 x 1080) iFrame (28Mbps / VBR), (960 x 540) 6.7mm wide, 16:9) No No HDMI / USB A/V 55 x 64.5 x 109.5 212 Body only http://www.panasonic.com.au/Products/Camcorders/1 MOS+HD+camcorders/HC-V10/Specifications $299.00

AUSCAM | Issue 45

Panasonic HCV500

16GB inbuilt memory plus use of SD cards increases flexibility. Pros : Wide angle lens Cons : No headphone jack, no HDMI cable supplied

Panasonic HCV500 Built in 16GM memory Plus SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory Card 1/5.8 type High Sensitivity MOS MPEG-4 AVC / H.264 16:9] 3 (2304 x 1296), 2.1 (1920 x 1080) [4:3] 2.6 (1856 x 1392), 0.3 (640 x 480) [3:2] 2.8 (2064 x 1376) 7.6mm wide, 16:9) No No HDMI / USB A/V 55 x 64.5 x 109.5 228Body only http://www.panasonic.com.au/Products/Camcorders/ 1MOS+Full-HD+camcorders/HC-V500M/Specifications $599.00

Panasonic HX-WA2 Being fully waterproof to 3 metres makes this a great camcorder for outdoors. Pros : Waterproofing, rotating LCD screen Cons : Pistol grip takes some getting used to

Panasonic HX-WA2 Built in 16GM memory Plus SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory Card Â˝.33 type MOS JPEG [16:9] 2 (1920 x 1080), 0.9 (1280 x 720) [4:3] 0.3 (640 x 480) 6.7mm wide, 16:9) No No HDMI /USB A/V 93.1 x 125.6 x 44.1 238Body only http://www.panasonic.com.au/Products/Camcorders/Ve rtical+Full-HD+camcorders/HX-WA2/Specifications $399.00

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AUSCAM | Issue 45

JVC GC-XA1 Pocket sized and lightweiioght Pros : Waterproof to 5 metres, wifi capable Cons : Very small LCD screen.

JVC JVC GC-A1 32GB internal + SD/SDHC card [2D] AVCHD, MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 1.5â&#x20AC;? LCD No No No

HDMI/USB A/V, Shockprrof from 2 metres, dustproof http://www.jvc.com.au/actioncamera $429

Canon HFR36

The HFR36 is a low cost camcorder that boasts WiFi allowing you to upload to social media sites. It will make an ideal first camcorder Pros : WiFi, Light weight, 42x optical zoom, pre-record facility Cons : No viewfinder, no headphone or external mic port.

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AUSCAM | Issue 45

Sony HDR PJ200 PaPanasonic HCV100

Lets you shoot hi-def video and also playback with its inbuilt projector. Pros : Inbuilt projector, HDMI cable (mini) supplied, value for money Cons : No viewfinder, low megapixel count for stills

Manufacturer Model Number Storage Format(s) eg SD, CF, Memory Stick HDD etc Sensor Processor Recording format(s) eg MOEG2, AVCHD Pixels Optical Zoom Image stabilizer type (optical or digital) LCD screen size Audio in (Yes / No) Website of vendor RRP

SONY HDR-PJ200 Memory Stick PRO Duo (Mark2) / PRO-HG Duo / SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory Card 1/5.8" "Exmor R" CMOS Sensor BIONZ™ HD: MPEG4-AVC/H.264 SD: MPEG4-AVC/H.264 5.3 Mega Pixels (3072 x 1728, 16:9) 25x Electrical SteadyShot (Active mode - Wide to Tele) 2.7" Clear Photo LCD display (230K dots / Wide 16:9) No http://www.sony.com.au/product/hdr-pj200e $499

JVC GZ E10B PaPanasonic HCV100 Excellent budget camcorder Pros : Value for money Cons : No viewfinder

JVC GZ-E10B SD/SDHC card Super LoLux with Back-illuminated CMOS Sensor [2D] AVCHD, MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 2.7” LCD No No No HDMI/USB A/V, Face detection, time lapse http://www.jvc.com.au/cameras/everio-videocameras/gz-e10b $399

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AUSCAM | Issue 45

Canon HFR38

The HFR38 is a low cost camcorder that boasts WiFi allowing you to upload to social media sites. It will make an ideal first camcorder. Pros : WiFi, Light weight, 32x optical zoom, pre-record facility Cons : No viewfinder, no headphone or external mic port.

Manufacturer Model Number Storage Format(s) eg SD, CF, Memory Stick HDD etc Sensor Processor Recording format(s) eg MOEG2, AVCHD Pixels Optical Zoom Focal Length Image stabilizer type (optical or digital) Recording specs Minimum illumination (LUX) LCD screen size Website of vendor RRP

Canon Legria HFR38 Dual Flash Memory (32GB internal + SD / SDHC / SDXC Single Card Slot) 1/4.85-inch Canon Full HD CMOS sensor DiG!C DV III AVCHD 1080/50i. 1080/25P (Maximum AVCHD 24Mbps). MP4 720/25P Total Pixels 3.28 Megapixels Effective Pixels 2.07 (Movie) / 2.41 Megapixels in 4:3 mode (Photos)

32x

2.8 - 89.6 mm Optical Image Stabilizer (Intelligent IS) MXP 24Mbps / FXP 17Mbps / XP+ 12Mbps / SP 7Mbps / LP 5Mbps. MP4 (9Mbps / 4Mbps) 0.4 Lux (Low Light Mode) Widescreen 3.0" Touch TFT / 230,000 dot

http://www.canon.com.au/For-You/Digital-VideoCameras/HFR38 $529

JVC GZ-EX255B Can be remote controlled by iPhone and Android phones Pros : Built in WiFi Cons :Hasn’t been tested as yet.

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JVC GZ-EX255B 16GB internal + SD/SDHC card Super LoLux with Back-illuminated CMOS Sensor [2D] AVCHD, MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 3.0” LCD No No No HDMI/USB A/V, Face detection, Auto “Illumni” light http://www.jvc.com.au/cameras/everio-videocameras/gz-e10b $549

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Sony HDR-XR260V

Excellent in low light, typically excellent lens, good 30x optical zoom Pros : Flexibility, large hard disk drive, value for money Cons : No viewfinder

Manufacturer Model Number Storage Format(s) eg SD, CF, Memory Stick HDD etc

Sensor Processor Recording format(s) eg MOEG2, AVCHD Pixels Optical Zoom Image stabilizer type (optical or digital) LCD screen size Audio in (Yes / No) Website of vendor RRP

SONY HDR-XR260V Memory Stick PRO Duo (Mark2) / PRO-HG Duo / SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory Card Movie Recording on Memory Stick and SD/SDHC Memory Card (160GB HDD) 1/3.91" "Exmor R" CMOS Sensor BIONZ™ HD: MPEG4-AVC/H.264 SD: MPEG2-PS 8.9 Mega Pixels (3984 x 2240, 16:9) 30x Optical SteadyShot™ (Active mode - Wide to Tele) 3.0" Clear Photo LCD display (230K dots / Wide 16:9) Stereo minijack http://www.sony.com.au/product/hdr-xr260ve $799.00

Canon HFM52

The HFM52 has a larger sensor developed for Canon’s professional cameras. WiFi gives you connectivity to social media sites. Pros : WiFi, large sensor, low light capability Cons : No viewfinder, low optical zoom.

Cannon Legria HFM52 Dual Flash Memory (32GB internal + SD / SDHC / SDXC Single Card Slot) 1/3-inch, total pixels 2.37 MP Canon HD CMOS PRO sensor, DiG!C DV II AVCHD 1080/50i. 1080/25P (Maximum AVCHD 24Mbps). MP4 720/25P Total Pixels / Effective Pixels 2.37 Megapixels / 2.07 Megapixels (Movie and Photos)

10x

6.1 - 61 mm

Optical

MXP 24Mbps / FXP 17Mbps / XP+ 12Mbps / SP 7Mbps / LP 5Mbps MP4 (9Mbps / 4Mbps) 0.1 Lux (Low Light Mode) Widescreen 3.0" Touch TFT / 230,000 Wide View Angle & Wide colour range

http://www.canon.com.au/For-You/Digital-VideoCameras/HFM52 $799

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Sony HDR PJ260VE

Comes with a fabulous 29.8mm lens, built in projector (up to 100”) and optical stabilisation. Excellent enthusiasts camcorder. Pros : Lens, built in flash memory and SD/Memory Stick slots slo-mo recording, external mic port Cons : No viewfinder

Manufacturer Model Number Storage Format(s) eg SD, CF, Memory Stick HDD etc

Sensor Processor Recording format(s) eg MOEG2, AVCHD Pixels Optical Zoom Image stabilizer type (optical or digital) Audio in (Yes / No) Headphone out (Yes/No) Website of vendor RRP

SONY HDR-PJ260V Flash Memory Stick PRO Duo (Mark2) / PRO-HG Duo / SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory Card Movie Recording on Memory Stick and SD/SDHC Memory Card (16GB Built-in Flash Memory) 1/3.91" "Exmor R" CMOS Sensor BIONZ™ HD: MPEG4-AVC/H.264 SD: MPEG2-PS 8.9 Mega Pixels (3984 x 2240, 16:9) 30x Optical SteadyShot™ (Active mode - Wide to Tele) Stereo minijack No http://www.sony.com.au/product/hdr-pj260ve $899.00

JVC GZ-VX77B Can be remote controlled by iPhone and Android phones Pros : Built in WiFi, compact design Cons :Hasn’t been tested as yet.

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JVC GZ-VX77B 32GB internal + SD/SDHC card Super LoLux with Back-illuminated CMOS Sensor [2D] AVCHD, MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 3.0” LCD No No No HDMI/USB A/V, Face detection, smile detection, pet detection, Auto “Illumni” light http://www.jvc.com.au/cameras/everio-videocameras/gz-vx775b $899

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JVC GZ-GX3B Can be remote controlled by iPhone and Android phones. Pros : 29mm wide angle lens, OIS plus enhanced advamced IS, built in flash Cons : Hasn’t been tested as yet.

JVC GZ-GX3BB 32GB internal + SD/SDHC card Super LoLux with Back-illuminated CMOS Sensor [2D] AVCHD, MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 3.0” LCD No Yes Yes HDMI/USB A/V, Face detection, smile detection, pet detection, Auto “Illumni” light http://www.jvc.com.au/cameras/everio-videocameras/gz-gx3b $1099

Website of vendor RRP

Sony HXR-MC1500P We had a play with the HXR-MC1500P and liked it. A lot! Pros : Value for money Cons : None evident

Manufacturer Model Number Storage Format(s) eg SD, CF, Memory Stick HDD etc Sensor Recording format(s) eg MOEG2, AVCHD Pixels Optical Zoom Focal Length Recording specs

LCD screen size Audio in (Yes / No) Website of vendor RRP

SONY HXR-MC1500P built-in 32GB flash memory, Memory Stick or SD card 1/4-inch type Exmor R CMOS with ClearVid pixel array HD: MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 (AVCHD) SD: MPEG-2 PS 16:9 video mode: Approx. 2650K pixels 16:9 photo mode: Approx. 2650K pixels 12x 16:9 video mode:29.8 to 357.6mm 4:3 video mode:36.5 to 438mm 16:9 photo mode: 29.8 to 357.6mm 4:3 photo mode: 27.4 to 328.8mm AVCHD FX(24 Mbps) 1920x1080/50i 16:9 AVCHD FH(17 Mbps) 1920x1080/50i 16:9 AVCHD HQ(9 Mbps) 1440x1080/50i 16:9 AVCHD LP(5 Mbps) 1440x1080/50i 16:9 MPEG2 SD HQ(9 Mbps) 720x576/50i 16:9, 4:3 2.7-inch type, Clear Photo LCD plus, approx. 230,400 dots, 16:9 aspect ratio Stereo mini jack (x1) φ3.5mm http://pro.sony.com.au/product/hxr-mc1500p $4191

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AUSCAM | Issue 45

Panasonic HCX-900 A top shelf camcorder that is also 3D ready

Pros : Brilliant 39mm lens, 3 CMOS, has proper viewfinder Cons : 3D can take a while to master and needs extra add-on lens

Manufacturer Model Number Storage Format(s) eg SD, CF, Memory Stick HDD etc

Panasonic HCX-900 Built in memory plus SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory Card Âź.1 x 3 MOS [2D] MPEG-4 AVC / H.264 [3D] MPEG-4 MVC / H.264 14.7 (5120 x 2880), 8.3 (3840 x 2160), 2.1 (1920 x 1080) [3D] [16:9] 2.1 (1920 x 1080) 8.8mm wide, 16:9) Yes Yes HDMI /USB A/V http://www.panasonic.com.au/Products/Camcorders/ 3MOS+Full-HD+camcorders/HC-X900M/Overview $1799.00

Sensor Recording format(s) eg MPEG2, AVCHD Recording specs LCD screen size Audio in (Yes / No) Headphone out (Yes/No) Terminals Website of vendor RRP

Sony HDR PJ760VE

The Sony HDR760V is the flagship of the projector range and comes with a massive 24 megapixel count and 96GB of internal flash memory as well as SD/MemoryStick slots. Pros : Viewfinder, built in flash memory, balanced optical stabilisation Cons : Bit pricey for some.

Manufacturer Model Number Storage Format(s) eg SD, CF, Memory Stick HDD etc

Sensor Recording format(s) eg MOEG2, AVCHD Pixels Optical Zoom Image stabilizer type (optical or digital) Viewfinder LCD screen size Website of vendor Phone number of vendor RRP

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SONY HDRPJ760V Flash Memory Stick PRO Duo (Mark2) / PRO-HG Duo / SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory Card Movie Recording on Memory Stick and SD/SDHC Memory Card (96GB Built-in Flash Memory) 1/2.88" "Exmoor R" CMOS HD: MPEG4-AVC/H.264 SD: MPEG2-PS 24.1 Mega Pixels (6544 x 3680, 16:9) 10x Balanced Optical SteadyShot (Active mode - Wide to Tele) Yes 3.0" Xtra Fine LCD display (921K dots / Wide 16:9 http://www.sony.com.au/product/hdr-pj760ve $1899.00

AUSCAM | Issue 45

Canon HFG10

The HFG10 has lots of manual controls and excellent low light capability from a sensor also used in Canon’s professional cameras. Pros : 8 blade iris, wide dynamic range, 30mm wide lens, manual controls Cons : No viewfinder.

Manufacturer Model Number Storage Format(s) eg SD, CF, Memory Stick HDD etc Sensor Processor Recording format(s) eg MPEG2, AVCHD Pixels Optical Zoom Close up distance Image stabilizer type (optical or digital) Recording specs Viewfinder size LCD screen size Website of vendor RRP

Canon Legria HFG10 Dual Flash Memory (32GB internal + SD / SDHC / SDXC Dual Card Slot) 1/3-inch, total pixels 2.37 MP Canon HD CMOS PRO sensor, pixel size 2.75µm DiG!C DV III AVCHD 1080/50i. 1080/25P (Maximum AVCHD 24Mbps) Total Pixels 2.37 Megapixels Effective Pixels 2.07 Megapixels (Movie and Photos) 10x 20mm (Wide), 60cm (Tele) Optical Image Stabiliser (Powered IS and Dynamic IS) MXP 24Mbps / FXP 17Mbps / XP+ 12Mbps / SP 7Mbps / LP 5Mbps 0.24" / 260,000 Widescreen 3.5" Touch TFT / 920,000 Wide View Angle & Wide colour range http://www.canon.com.au/For-You/Digital-VideoCameras/HFG10 $1899

Canon XA10 Auscam’s 2010 COTY.Says it all. Pros : Bang for buck. Cons : Nothing evident.

Canon XA10 64GB internal + SD/SDHC card 1/3” CMOS [2D] AVCHD, MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 8.8cm LCD Yes Yes Yes HDMI/USB A/V / XLR http://www.canon.com.au/For-You/Digital-VideoCameras/Professional-Video-Cameras/XA10 $2265

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AUSCAM | Issue 45

Sony NEX-VG30 At the forefront of the interchangeable lens camcorders, the NEX VG30 has lots going for it for the video enthusiast Pros : Interchangeable lenses on E-Mount, value for money Cons : Lens “creep” if zoom lens not locked

Manufacturer Model Number Storage Format(s) eg SD, CF, Memory Stick HDD etc Sensor Processor Recording format(s) eg MPEG2, AVCHD Pixels Optical Zoom Recording specs Viewfinder size Audio in (Yes / No) Weight Website of vendor RRP

Sony NEX-VG30 SD, SDHC,SDXC, Memory stick Exmor APS HD CMOS 23.5 x 15.6mm BIONZ Video; AVCHD Stills; JPEG 16.7Mp Uses E Mount interchangeable lens HD PS 28Mbps to std HQ 9mbps 13mm with diopter adjustment Yes. 3.5mm stereo minijack only 650g inc battery www.pro.sony.com.au $2999

Panasonic AC-AG90EN Designed for ENG work

Pros : Great low light sensitivity, 3 manual rings. Cons : A built in light would have rounded out the package

RRP

www.auscamonline.com

Panasonic AC-AG90EN SD/SDHC cards (slots) 3 * 1/4” CMOS [2D] AVCHD, MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 / 3.5cm LCD Yes (3 of) Yes Yes USB A/V / XLR, HDMI 3 year warranty http://www.panasonic.com.au/Products/ Professional+video/Camcorders/AG-AC90EN/ Overview $2444

AUSCAM | Issue 45

Panasonic AG-HMC82EN Panasonic’s “entry level” broadcast pro camcorder Pros : 3 CMOS, shoulder mount style Cons : Not tested

Manufacturer Model Number Storage Format(s) eg SD, CF, Memory Stick HDD etc Sensor Recording format(s) eg MPEG2, AVCHD Recording specs LCD screen size Focus Ring Audio in (Yes / No) Headphone out (Yes/No) Terminals Website of vendor RRP

Panasonic AG-HMC82EN 32GB SD card ¼.1 x 3 MOS [2D] AVCCAM, MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 14.7 (5120 x 2880), 8.3 (3840 x 2160), 2.1 (1920 x 1080) [3D] [16:9] 2.1 (1920 x 1080) 8.8mm wide, 16:9) Yes Yes Yes HDMI /USB A/V http://www.panasonic.com.au/Products/Professional+v ideo/AVCCAM+products/AG-HMC82EN/Overview $2709.00

Sony NEX-VG900 Massive sensor equates to 35mm still camera Pros : E-Mount interchangeable lens Cons : None evident

Manufacturer Model Number Storage Format(s) eg SD, CF, Memory Stick HDD etc

Sensor Processor Recording format(s) eg MOEG2, AVCHD Optical Zoom Image stabilizer type (optical or digital) LCD screen size Audio in (Yes / No) Headphone out (Yes/No) Terminals Dimensions Weight Website of vendor RRP

SONY NEX-VG900 Memory Stick PRO Duo (Mark2) / PRO-HG Duo / SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory Card Movie Recording on Memory Stick and SD/SDHC Memory Card 35mm “Exmor R" CMOS Sensor BIONZ™ HD: MPEG4-AVC/H.264 SD: MPEG2-PS 20x Optical SteadyShot™ (Active mode - Wide to Tele) 3.0 Xtra Fine LCD™ 270 degree swivel display Stereo minijack No HDMI, USB 105 x 130 x 227mm Approx. 825g excluding battery http://www.sony.com.au/product/nex-vg900e $3699.00

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AUSCAM | Issue 45

Sony HXR-NX70P

The HXR NX70P is a great camera for electronic news gatherers being rain and dust proof and its super compactness. Pros : Rain and dust proofing, compactness, zoom, focus and aperture ring(s) Cons : Some may baulk at small size.

Manufacturer Model Number Storage Format(s) eg SD, CF, Memory Stick HDD etc Sensor Recording format(s) eg MOEG2, AVCHD

Optical Zoom Focal Length Image stabilizer type (optical or digital) Recording specs

Viewfinder size LCD screen size Website of vendor RRP

www.auscamonline.com

SONY HXR-NX70P 96 GB internal memory; Memory Stick PRO Duo (Mark2), Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo, Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo HX, SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory Card*3 *3: Class 4 or faster 1/2.88 type ExmorR CMOS with ClearVid pixel array Pixel Gross: Approx.6648 K, Video Actual: Approx.6140 K (16:9) Video Format:HD:HD:MPEG4-AVC/H.264 AVCHD format compatible (1080/50p: original format), STD: MPEG-2 PS, Audio Format:HD:Linear PCM/Dolby Digital 2ch,16 bit,48 kHz, STD: Dolby Digital 2ch, 16bit, 48kHz 10x f = 3.8 mm - 38 mm (equivalent to 26.3 mm - 263 mm (16:9), 32.2 mm - 322 mm (4:3) on 35 mm lens) Optical SteadyShot(TM) image stabilization w/ Active mode (Wide to Tele) HD PS(28Mbps)1920x1080/50p, HD FX(24Mbps)1920x1080/50i or 25p, HD FH(17Mbps) 1920x1080/50i or 25p, HD HQ(9Mbps)1440x1080/50i, HD LP(5Mbps)1440x1080/50i, SD/STD HQ(9Mbps) 720x576/50i 1.1 cm (0.45 type, aspect ratio 16:9), 1 226 880 dots equivalent (852 x 3 [RGB] x 480) 3.5" touch-screen XtraFine(TM) LCD display (921k)8.8 cm (3.5 type, aspect ratio 16:9), 921 600 dots (1920 x 480) http://pro.sony.com.au/product/hxr-nx70p $3200

AUSCAM | Issue 45

Sony HXR-NX5P

Having 3 sensors gives the HXR NX5P fabulous image quality and low light capability. Pros : 3 CMOS sensors, lots of connectors inc SDI Cons : Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d think at this level an HDMI cable would be supplied

Manufacturer Model Number Storage Format(s) eg SD, CF, Memory Stick HDD etc Sensor Recording format(s) eg MOEG2, AVCHD Pixels Optical Zoom Focal Length

Filter Diameter Image stabilizer type (optical or digital) Recording specs

Website of vendor

Sony PMW100

SONY HXR-NX5P Memory Stick or SD media 3-chip 1/3-inch type Exmor CMOS with ClearVid pixel array HD - MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 (AVCHD) SD - MPEG-2 PS Approx. 1,037,000 pixels with ClearVid array 20x f = 4.1 to 82.0 mm (equivalent to f = 29.5 to 590 mm at 16:9 mode, f = 36.1 to 722 mm at 4:3 mode on 35 mm lens)*2 (*2 The focal length is when SteadyShot mode is in SteadyShot or Off.) 72 mm Active Steady Shot AVCHD FX (24Mbps) 1920 x 1080/50i AVCHD FH (17Mbps) 1920 x 1080/50i AVCHD HQ (9Mbps) 1440 x 1080/50i AVCHD LP (5Mbps) 1440 x 1080/50i AVCHD FX (24Mbps) 1920 x 1080/25p AVCHD FH (17Mbps) 1920 x 1080/25 http://pro.sony.com.au/product/hxr-nx5p

The PW100 is a lightweight and flexible camcorder recording to SxS cards as well as Memory Stick and SD cards. Pros : HD422 codec, HD/SD/SDI output Cons : None evident

Manufacturer Model Number Storage Format(s) eg SD, CF, Memory Stick HDD etc Sensor Recording specs

Website of vendor RRP

SONY PMW-100 ExpressCard/34 slot (x2) 1/2.9-inch type Single-chip Exmor CMOS UDF) HD422 Mode: MPEG-2 422P@HL, 50Mbps/ CBR 1920x1080/ 59.94i, 50i, 29.97p, 25p, 23.98p 1280x720/ 59.94p, 50p, 29.97p, 25p, 23.98p (UDF) HD420 Mode: MPEG-2 MP@HL, 35Mbps/ VBR 1440x1080/ 59.94i, 50i, 29.97p, 25p, 23.98p 1280x720/ 59.94p, 50p, 23.98p (UDF) DVCAM Mode 720x480/ 59.94i, 29.97PsF 720x576/ 50i, 25PsF (FAT) HQ 1920 Mode: MPEG-2 MP@HL, 35Mbps/ VBR 1920x1080/ 59.94i, 50i, 29.97p, 25p, 23.98p (FAT) HQ 1440 Mode: MPEG-2 MP@HL, 35Mbps/ VBR 1440x1080/ 59.94i, 50i, 29.97p, 25p, 23.98p (FAT) HQ 1280 Mode: MPEG-2 MP@HL, 35Mbps/ VBR 1280x720/ 59.94p, 50p, 29.97p, 25p, 23.98p (FAT) SP 1440 Mode: MPEG-2 MP@H-14, 25Mbps/ CBR 1440x1080/ 59.94i, 50i, 23.98p (2-3 pull down) (FAT) DVCAM Mode 720x480/ 59.94i, 29.97PsF 720x576/ 50i, 25PsF http://pro.sony.com.au/product/pmw-100 $4,700

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Panasonic AG-AC130AEN

AUSCAM | Issue 45

A small lightweight no frills camera, perfect for the budding beginner. Pros : Fully auto for new users Cons : No headphone jack, no HDMI cable supplied

Manufacturer Model Number Storage Format(s) eg SD, CF, Memory Stick HDD etc Sensor Recording format(s) eg MPEG2, AVCHD LCD screen size Focus Ring Audio in (Yes / No) Headphone out (Yes/No) Terminals Other features Website of vendor RRP

Panasonic AG-AC130AEN 64GB SD card 1/3” x 3 MOS [2D] AVCHD, MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 3 ¼”, 16:9) Yes x 3 (zoom and iris) Yes XLR Yes HDMI /USB A/V, IEEE1394 Waveform, vectorscope, focus assist, face detection, SMTPE timecode generator http://www.panasonic.com.au/Products/Professional+v ideo/AVCCAM+products/AG-AC130AEN/Overview $4614.00

Panasonic AG-AF9102EN Can attain depth of field similar to 35mm motion picture camera Pros : Monstrous sensor, bang for buck, interchangeable lenses Cons : Hasn’t been tested as yet.

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Panasonic AG-F9102EN P2 4/3” [2D] AVCHD, MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 3.45” widescreen Yes x 3 (zoom and iris) Yes XLR Yes HDMI /USB A/V, IEEE1394, SDI / XLR Waveform, vectorscope, focus assist, face detection, SMTPE timecode generator http://www.panasonic.com.au/Products/Profes sional+video/AVCCAM+products/AGAF102AEN/Overview $5691 (body only)

AUSCAM | Issue 45

Panasonic AG-AC160AEN Excellent camera for news crews in the field Pros : Pre-record and interval recording, SDI Cons : Hasn’t been tested as yet.

Manufacturer Model Number Storage Format(s) eg SD, CF, Memory Stick HDD etc Sensor Recording format(s) eg MPEG2, AVCHD LCD viewfinder LCD Monitor Focus Ring Audio in (Yes / No) Headphone out (Yes/No) Terminals Other features

Panasonic AG-AC160AEN 64GB SD card 1/3” x 3 MOS [2D] AVCHD, MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 1,2626,000 pixel 3.45” widescreen Yes x 3 (zoom and iris) Yes XLR Yes HDMI /USB A/V, IEEE1394, SDI Waveform, vectorscope, focus assist, face detection, SMTPE timecode generator http://www.panasonic.com.au/Products/Professio nal+video/AVCCAM+products/AGAC130AEN/Overview $5600

Website of vendor RRP

Sony PMW150

The 1/3” 2CMOS chip sensor in the PW-150 guarantees exceptional image and low light quality. Pros : HD422 codec, HD/SD/SDI output/ WiFi remote control Cons : Might need the upgraded BP-U60 4 hour battery for some applications. Manufacturer Model Number Storage Format(s) eg SD, CF, Memory Stick HDD etc Sensor Recording format(s) eg MOEG2, AVCHD

SONY

Optical Zoom Focal Length Filter Diameter Image stabilizer type (optical or digital) Minimum illumination (LUX)

20x

LCD screen size RRP

PMW-150 ExpressCard/34 slot (x2) 3-chip 1/3-inch type "Exmor" Full HD CMOS UDF HD422 mode: CBR, maximum bit rate: 50 Mbps, MPEG-2 422P@HL HD420 mode: VBR, 35 Mbps, MPEG-2 MP@HL DVCAM Mode: DVCAM FAT HQ 1920 mode: VBR, 35 Mbps, MPEG-2 MP@HL HQ 1440 mode: VBR, 35Mbps, MPEG-2 MP@HL HQ 1280 mode: VBR, 35 Mbps, MPEG-2 MP@HL SP 1440 mode: CBR, 25 Mbps, MPEG2 MP@H-14 DVCAM Mode: DVCAM f = 4.1 - 82.0 mm (equivalent to 29.5-590 mm on 35 mm lens M72 mm, pitch 0.75mm ON/OFF selectable, shift lens 0.10 lx (typical) (1920 x 1080/50i mode, F1.6, +18 dB gain, with 64frame accumulation, Gamma off, 100% video level) 0.02 lx (typical) (1920 x 1080/50i mode, F1.6, +18 dB gain, with 64frame accumulation, Gamma on, 50% video level) 3.5-inch type color LCD monitor: 852 (H) x 3 (RGB) x 480 (V), 16:9

$5700.00

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AUSCAM | Issue 45

Canon XF300

The XF300 is designed for event and news gathering videographers who also need the ability to be fully automatic or as manual as you wish. Pros : Absolute control over all aspects of shooting, portable, excellent image quality Cons : Requires CF cards for full performance. Manufacturer Model Number Storage Format(s) eg SD, CF, Memory Stick HDD Sensor Recording format(s) eg MOEG2, AVCHD Pixels Optical Zoom Focal Length Image stabilizer type (optical or digital) Recording specs

Viewfinder size LCD screen size Dimensions Website of vendor RRP

Canon XF300

Movies: CF Card Type I only (2 Slots) 1/3 inch 3CMOS MPEG-2 Long GOP 4:2:2 (50 Mbps); MXF 1920 x 1080

18x

4.1 . 73.8mm Optical system (lens shift system adopted/Super range system support) 50 Mbps CBR (4:2:2) [422P@HL] 1920 x 1080 PAL . 50i / 25P 1280 x 720 PAL . 50P / 25P 35 Mbps VBR (4:2:0) [MP@HL] 1920 x 1080 PAL . 50i / 25P 1280 x 720 PAL . 50P / 25P 25 Mbps CBR (4:2:0) [MP@H14] 1440 x 1080 PAL . 50i / 25P 0.52 inch 16:9 ratio wide screen LCD screen (1,555,000 dots), 4.0 inch 16:9 ratio wide screen LCD screen (1,230,000 dots), 153 x 236 x 382mm

http://www.canon.com.au/For-You/Digital-VideoCameras/XF300 $7795

Canon XF305

The XF305 is designed for event and news gathering videographers who also need the ability to be fully automatic or as manual as you wish. Is same as XF300 + SDI capability Pros : Absolute control over all aspects of shooting, portable, excellent image quality, SDI Cons : Requires CF cards for full performance.

Manufacturer Model Number Storage Format(s) eg SD, CF, Memory Stick HDD etc Sensor Recording format(s) eg MPEG2, AVCHD Pixels Optical Zoom Image stabilizer type (optical or digital) Recording specs

Minimum illumination (LUX) Headphone out (Yes/No) Website of vendor RRP

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Canon XF305

Movies: CF Card Type I only (2 Slots), UDMA4 recommended Stills: SDHC/SD Cards 1/3 inch 3CMOS MPEG-2 Long GOP 4:2:2 (50 Mbps); MXF 1920 x 1080 18x Optical system (lens shift system adopted/Super range system support) 50 Mbps CBR (4:2:2) [422P@HL] 1920 x 1080 PAL . 50i / 25P 1280 x 720 PAL . 50P / 25P 35 Mbps VBR (4:2:0) [MP@HL] 1920 x 1080 PAL . 50i / 25P 1280 x 720 PAL . 50P / 25P 25 Mbps CBR (4:2:0) [MP@H14] 1440 x 1080 PAL . 50i / 25P 3.8 Lux (shutter speed 1/50 sec), 0.05 Lux (shutter speed 1/3 sec) Yes http://www.canon.com.au/For-You/Digital-VideoCameras/XF305 $8095

Meet your new Best Mate: With 1/2" sensors, 50mbs & 4:2:2 – it’s got it all!

The start of a new Bromance. The PMW-200 has been designed to be your perfect camera for fast and efficient broadcast quality production. Three ½” sensors together with 4:2:2 50Mbps recording deliver the low light performance, image quality and flexibility in post that you have been wishing for. Compatible with all major editing systems, the PMW-200 fits straight into the well-established XDCAM ecosystem. Make the PMW-200 your new work partner for your next documentary, corporate spot or TV production. Call your Sony dealer or visit our website to find out more.

SO12701/C&T

pro.sony.com.au

The new PMW-200 XDCAM.

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“SONY” and “make.believe” are trademarks of Sony Corporation. “XDCAM” and are trademarks of Sony Corporation.

AUSCAM | Issue 45

JVC GY-HM600E Supplied with genuine Fujinon 23x Auto lens Pros : Excellent feature set. Cons : Perhaps a little expensive compared to competitiors?

JVC GY-HM600E SD/SDHC cards (slots) 3 * 1/3” CMOS [2D] AVCHD, MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 / XDCAM 3.5cm LCD Yes Yes Yes USB A/V / XLR 3 position ND filter, 23x Fujinon lens, pre-record http://www.jvc.com.au/professional/cameras/pro-hdcameras/gy-hm600e $5939

Sony PMW200

The 1/2” 3CMOS is a step up over the PMW-150 on the PMW-200. Pros : HD422 codec, HD/SD/SDI output/ WiFi remote control Cons : None evident although battery life may need to be checked a la PMW150 Manufacturer Model Number Storage Format(s) eg SD, CF, Memory Stick HDD etc Sensor Optical Zoom Focal Length Recording specs

Website of vendor RRP

www.auscamonline.com

SONY PMW-200 ExpressCard/34 slot (x2) 3-chip 1/2-inch type "Exmor" Full HD CMOS 14x f = 5.8 - 81.2 mm (equivalent to 31.4-439 mm on 35 mm lens) (UDF) HD422 Mode: MPEG-2 422P@HL, 50Mbps/ CBR 1920x1080/ 59.94i, 50i, 29.97p, 25p, 23.98p 1280x720/ 59.94p, 50p, 29.97p, 25p, 23.98p (UDF) HD420 Mode: MPEG-2 MP@HL, 35Mbps/ VBR 1440x1080/ 59.94i, 50i, 29.97p, 25p, 23.98p 1280x720/ 59.94p, 50p, 23.98p (UDF) DVCAM Mode 720x480/ 59.94i, 29.97PsF 720x576/ 50i, 25PsF (FAT) HQ 1920 Mode: MPEG-2 MP@HL, 35Mbps/ VBR 1920x1080/ 59.94i, 50i, 29.97p, 25p, 23.98p (FAT) HQ 1440 Mode: MPEG-2 MP@HL, 35Mbps/ VBR 1440x1080/ 59.94i, 50i, 29.97p, 25p, 23.98p (FAT) HQ 1280 Mode: MPEG-2 MP@HL, 35Mbps/ VBR 1280x720/ 59.94p, 50p, 29.97p, 25p, 23.98p (FAT) SP 1440 Mode: MPEG-2 MP@H-14, 25Mbps/ CBR 1440x1080/ 59.94i, 50i, 23.98p (2-3 pull down) (FAT) DVCAM Mode 720x480/ 59.94i, 29.97PsF 720x576/ 50i, 25PsF http://pro.sony.com.au/product/pmw-200 $7400.00

AUSCAM | Issue 45

JVC GY-HM650E Can shoot two codecs simultaneously Pros : Brilliant for ENG work and superb low light capability. Cons : Strangely remote control is not wifi but you can use an Android phone?

JVC GY-HM650E SD/SDHC cards (slots) 3 * 1/3â&#x20AC;? CMOS [2D] AVCHD, MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 / XDCAM 3.5cm LCD Yes Yes Yes USB A/V / XLR, HDMI, SDI 3 position ND filter, 23x zoom lens, pre-record http://www.jvc.com.au/professional/cameras/pro-hdcameras/gy-hm650e $7699

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AUSCAM | Issue 45

Sony NEX-FS700

Get future proofed with the NEX-FS700. Pros : 4K compatible Cons : It’s a high price at this stage, unless you absolutely, must have a 4K camera Manufacturer Model Number Storage Format(s) eg SD, CF, Memory Stick HDD etc Sensor Recording format(s) eg MOEG2, AVCHD Pixels Recording specs

LCD screen size Audio in (Yes / No) Website of vendor RRP

SONY NEX-FS700 Flash Memory Unit (HXR-FMU128), MS PRO Duo (Mark2 only), MS PRO-HG Duo, SD/SDHC/SDXC Class4 and higher Exmor Super35 CMOS HD MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 AVCHD Ver.2.0 / SD MPEG-2 PS Total pixels approx. 11.6M Effective pixels in movie shooting (16:9) approx. 8.3M Effective pixels in still picture shooting (16:9) approx. 8.4M (3:2) approx. 7.1M HD (PS) max 28 Mbps, 1920 × 1080/60p, 50p, 16:9 HD (FX) max 24 Mbps, 1920 × 1080/60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p, 16:9 1280 × 720/60p, 50p, 16:9 HD (FH) approx. 17 Mbps (ave), 1920 × 1080/60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p, 16:9 1280 × 720/60p, 50p, 16:9 HD (HQ) approx. 9 Mbps (ave), 1440 × 1080/60i, 50i, 16:9 HD (LP) approx. 5 Mbps (ave), 1440 × 1080/60i, 50i, 16:9 SD HQ approx. 9 Mbps (ave), 720 × 480/60i, 720 × 576/50i, 16:9, 4:3 8.8 cm (3.5type, 16:9) XLR 3-pin (Female) ×2, LINE/MIC/MIC +48V selectable http://pro.sony.com.au/product/nex-fs700 $9300.00

Canon C300

The C300 uses an 8.3Megapixel Super 35mm CMOS sensor and is aimed at the filmmaker on location and in-studio. Pros : Image detail, robust, interchangeable lenses, wireless control Cons : None noticed but is not for everyone

Manufacturer Model Number Storage Format(s) eg SD, CF, Memory Stick Sensor Processor Rings available (Focus, Zoom, Aperture etc) Audio in (Yes / No) Headphone out (Yes/No) Dimensions

Canon EOS C300 CF Card

Weight

EOS C300 Body: Approx. 1430g (Grip: Approx. 230 g) EOS C300 PL Body: Approx. 1630g (Handle Unit: Approx. 180g)

Website of vendor RRP

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CMOS (single-panel), equivalent to Super 35mm DiG!C DV III Iris Ring

Yes Yes EOS C300 (Body plus Thumb Rest): Approx. 133 x 179 x 171mm EOS C300 (Body plus Grip): Approx. 174 x 179 x 171mm EOS C300 PL (Body plus Thumb Rest): Approx. 133 x 179 x 177mm EOS C300 PL (Body plus Grip): Approx. 174 x 179 x 177mm EOS C300 + Monitor Unit: Approx. 185 x 249 x 187mm EOS C300 + Handle Unit + Monitor Unit: Approx. 185 x 284 x 301mm

http://www.canon.com.au/For-You/Digital-Video-Cameras/EOSC300-Camera $7795

AUSCAM | Issue 45

Sony HXR-MC1500P

We had a play with the HXR-MC1500P and liked it. A lot! Pros : Value for money Cons : None evident

Manufacturer Model Number Storage Format(s) eg SD, CF, Memory Stick HDD etc Sensor Recording format(s) eg MOEG2, AVCHD Pixels Optical Zoom Focal Length Recording specs

LCD screen size Website of vendor RRP

Canon XF100/XF105

The XF100 has all the features and is ideal for the short filmmaker or docco maker. The 105 version also has genlock Pros : Value for money Cons : None noticed Manufacturer Canon Model Number XF100 Storage Format(s) eg SD, CF, Memory Stick HDD etc Movies: CF Card Type I only (2 Slots), UDMA4 recommended Stills: SDHC/SD Cards Sensor 1/3 inch CMOS Processor DiG!C DV III Recording format(s) eg MOEG2, AVCHD MPEG-2 Long GOP 4:2:2 (50 Mbps); MXF Pixels 1920 x 1080 Optical Zoom 10x Focal Length 4.25 - 42.5mm Filter Diameter 58 mm Close up distance 60cm (over entire zoom range), 20 mm at wide macro setting Image stabilizer type (optical or digital) Optical system (lens shift system adopted/Super range system support) Recording specs 50 Mbps CBR (4:2:2) [422P@HL] 1920 x 1080 PAL - 50i / 25P 1280 x 720 PAL - 50P / 25P 35 Mbps VBR (4:2:0) [MP@HL] 1920 x 1080 PAL - 50i / 25P 1280 x 720 PAL - 50P / 25P 25 Mbps CBR (4:2:0) [MP@H14] 1440 x 1080 PAL - 50i / 25P Minimum illumination (LUX) 3.8 Lux (shutter speed 1/50 sec), 0.05 Lux (shutter speed 1/3 sec) - I cannot confirm Price XF100 $3377 XF105 $4443

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Bring out your

AUSCAM | Issue 45

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AUSCAM | Issue 45

Panasonic AG-AC160AEN Excellent camera for news crews in the field Pros : Pre-record and interval recording, SDI Cons : Hasn’t been tested as yet.

Manufacturer Model Number Storage Format(s) eg SD, CF, Memory Stick HDD etc Sensor Recording format(s) eg MPEG2, AVCHD LCD Monitor Audio in (Yes / No) Headphone out (Yes/No) Terminals Website of vendor RRP

Panasonic AG-AC160N P2 1/3”Progressive MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 3.45” widescreen Yes XLR Yes HDMI /USB A/V, IEEE1394, SDI / XLR http://www.panasonic.com.au/Products/Professio nal+video/AVCCAM+products/AGAF102AEN/Overview $5691 (body only)

Auscam Online Don’t forget to keep up to date with all the latest developments in the world of filmaking. Visit : www.auscamonline.com Auscam online has all the latest news plus feature articles, camera tests and videos.

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KaiserBaas Mini Camera

AUSCAM | Issue 45

Use to record outdoors or favourite leisure pursuits Pros : Value for money. Cons : Narrow field of view

Kaiser Baas Mounted HD Portable Camera microSD up to 16GB 2 megapixel CMOS [2D] AVI up to 1600 * 1200 30 fps No No Built in mic No

USB Continual capture option of 10 sec, 1min, 5mm, 10mm Water resistant (with included case) 62 degree view http://www.kaiserbaas.com/cameras/mini-camera $99.95

KaiserBaas Sports Camera Suitable for cyclicts, abseilers, rock clibers, horse riders, surfers, divers, kayakers, fisherman, SCUBA or snorklers Pros : Value for money. Cons : Has to connect to a monitor to setup

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Kaiser Baas Mounted HD Portable Camera microSD up to 32GB 5.0 megapixel CMOS [2D] AVI up to 1280 * 720 30 fps No No No No

USB Continual capture option of 10 sec, 1min, 5mm, 10mm Waterproof 30 metres 120 degree view http://www.kaiserbaas.com/cameras/sports-camera $99.95

AUSCAM | Issue 45

GoPro Hero White The sports camera that started it all arguably Pros : Value for money. Cons : Need to spend more on accessories to get full benefit

GoPro Hero White microSD up to 64GB 5 megapixel CMOS [2D] AVI up to 1080p/60fps, 960p/30fps, 720p/60fps Yo No Built in mic No USB Lots and lots of accessories, wifi remote http://gopro.com/hd-hero3-cameras $199.95

GoPro Hero Silver Middle of the range of the Hero family Pros : Better CMOS sensor than the “White”. Cons : Need to spend more on accessories to get full benefit

GoPro Hero Silver microSD up to 64GB 11 megapixel CMOS [2D] AVI up to 1080p/60fps, 960p/30fps, 720p/60fps No No Built in mic No USB Lots and lots of accessories, wifi remote http://gopro.com/hd-hero3-cameras $299.95

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GoPro Hero Black

AUSCAM | Issue 45

Top of the range of the Hero family

Pros : Good low light performance. Cons : Price is getting up there once accessories added

GoPro Hero Black microSD up to 64GB 12 megapixel CMOS [2D] AVI up to 1080p/60fps, 960p/30fps, 720p/60fpsWVGA 240fps No No Built in mic No USB Lots and lots of accessories, built in wifi, wifi remote http://gopro.com/hd-hero3-cameras $399.95

Sony Action Cam Flexible with lots of accessories supplied Pros : Full 1080 * 1920 HD. Cons : No dedicated wifi remote

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Sony Action Cam microSD up to 64GB 16MP Exmor R CMOS [2D] Full 1080 * 1920 HD inc 120fps slo-mo Use Smartphone No Built in mic No USB Built in wifi, use Smartphone as wi-fi remote http://www.sony.com.au/productcategory/camaction-cam $399.95

Glossary

AUSCAM | Issue 45

Many people new to video can become very confused over the swag of acronyms that exist and more experienced players throw about with gay abandon. This can cause folk to think “this game is all too hard and I’ll never understand it”. I’ve seen the issue compounded in video stores when someone is trying to buy a new camcorder and the sales staff – for whatever reason - seem to delight in either trying to show off how much they know or deliberately try and bamboozle people (in both cases they are invariably wrong in my experience). So here at Auscam Central, we decided to end this edition with a glossary of common terms to help bring you up to speed and demystify things. It is not a 100% complete beast as we just don’t have that much room, but if you want to look further, there are plenty on the web. A listing of URLs is below.

AGC

On a video camera, AGC is a circuit that automatically adjusts the sensitivity of the pickup to render the most pleasing image. Aperture The light gathering area of a lens, controlled by the iris. Attenuation This refers to signal loss in a transmission system Audio S/N Ratio Signal-To-Noise Ratio is the ratio of pure audio signal versus noise. Automatic Iris A lens that adjusts automatically to allow the right amount of light to fall on the imaging device. There is a tiny motor and amplifier built in which receives a control signal from the camera to maintain a constant one volt peak to peak Balanced Signal A video signal is converted to a balanced signal to enable it to be transmitted along a 'twisted pair' cable. Used in situations where the cabling distance is too great. Bandwidth The range of signal frequencies that a piece of audio or video equipment can encode or decode; the difference between the limiting frequencies of a continuous frequency band.Video uses higher frequency that audio, thus requires a wider bandwidth Brightness In colour video, the characteristics that makes pictures appear to be most intense, created by luminosity; also the quality of being filled with light. Chroma Short for chrominance. Chroma is the colour component of the video signal Convergence Three colours-red, blue, and green-are used in television to produce all colours. These separate scanning beams (one for each colour) must strike their targeted phosphors (screen's internal coating) with precise accuracy. If the beams are out of alignment, then the image and colours appear muddied. Decibel (dB) A unit of power measurement. A 6 dB rise in signal strength represents a 100-percent increase (or doubling) in power. Depth of Field The area in which all objects picked-up by the camera lens appear in focus.Depth of field depends on subject-to-camera distance, focal length of the lens and f-stop. Field One-half of a video field, comprising the odd or even scan lines. There are 60 fields in one second of video. Gen-Lock Alignment of the sync generators of one or several sources to main sync source. Used in multi camera shoots or editing. Luminance The term used to denote the brightness or black-and-white picture of a video image. Lux A measurement of illumination.The metric equivalent of footcandle. Macro-Focus Some zoom lenses include this feature, which allows you to get as close as one or two inches to your subject. This is a great feature for shooting small objects such as coins, stamps, or insects. Pan Tilt Zoom A device that can be remotely controlled to provide both vertical and horizontal movement for a camera, with zoom. Saturation The strength or amount of a certain colour present in a television picture; saturation is expressed as the purity of the colour. White Balance Assures the correct balance of red, green, and blue. Because these colours are used to create all other colours in television, white balancing a camera enables you to bring the colours in line for the existing lighting conditions. Also refers to a camera control that accurately sets light levels on a white surface. Wide Angle The wide-angle position of a lens enables the lens to capture a wider area of view. Be careful when shooting people with a wide-angle lens at close range.

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AUSCAM | Issue 45

Camcorder Accessories To get the best out of your camcorder, whether you are a first time user or an experienced professional, there are some accessories to make life easier, improve the quality of your footage, make for better audio (this is VERY important) or simply to store your equipment safely.

Microphones The quality of your audio is very important and often underrated. By way of example, we can live with a less than perfect TV picture, but if the audio is out of synch, or is dropping in out and we go nuts! The inbuilt mics in many cameras are adequate only in most cases. Throw in some wind, background noise or have people talking from a distance or in a crowd and the quality of that audio drops off rapidly. This is where adding an external mic comes in (and why it is important to have a camcorder with a mic in port!) For general purpose use, a top mounted shotgun mic is probably the best option. These usually come with a “fluffy” (also known as “dead cat” or “dead wombat”) or neoprene cover to mask out wind noise. You can expect to pay between $200 - $500 depending on type and quality. The RØDE Videomic is a good example of the type as is the Sennheiser MKE600. For interview work, a handheld the speaker can hold while in front of the camera is useful. These are usually connected to the camera (or a dedicated sound recorder) by cable and

designed to eliminate all noise other than those in the immediate vicinity. Jimmy Barnes could be screaming his lungs out, but you won’t hear the guitar at volume 11 right next him by way of example. Look at the RØDE S1 (for vocal performances) or RØDE Reporter (for speech) and $200$400 would be the approximate price range. The ultimate interview mic is of course the radio mic. Here the speaker has a small lapel mic (lavaliere) attached to a hidden transmitter and the receiver is on the camera or sound recorder. Radio mics can operate at distance (my Azden is good for around 80 metres in line of sight). The only things to remember are to make sure the transmitter/receiver are fully charged and that the mic doesn’t pick up clothes rustle. Radio mics are priced from $600 upwards and models we have used at Auscam include the aforementioned and others from, Sennheiser and Sony.

than jittery, jumpy video – except for jumpy, jittery video with audio out of sync! Tripods come in all shapes and sizes from G-Clamp affairs with a gimbal head, to the GorillaPod and cheap $30 units, to those costing many thousands in the more traditional design. For video, there are a couple of of things that need to be taken into serious account when choosing a tripod of the traditional style. The first and most important of these is it is mandatory that you have a fluid head otherwise any left / right panning will tend to be jerky to look at and uncomfortable to use. Next make sure the tripod is rated for the weight of your camcorder. A tripod that tips over with a camera attached, or the legs collapse after groaning under the weight is not a good look. To make sure the tripod is level, get one with a spirit level built in and with adjustable feet. Many have retractable spikes in the feet to aid in stability on surfaces that allow it. Reputable manufacturers include Velbon, Manfrotto and Miller – the latter being acknowledged worldwide and built right here in Australia.

Tripods When should you use a tripod? Whenever you have one is a good guide. Yes we know this is not always practical due to circumstance or location, but is something you should get into the habit of whenever possible. Nothing looks worse

Filters Many like to use filters to add special effects to their footage when shooting. Others stick by the maxim that all footage should be pristine and any effects or correction done in post-production, but at the very least I recommend getting a skylight or UV

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Camcorder Accessories filter for your camera regardless, and keeping it on AT ALL TIMES. The reason is not so much the effect, but the protection to the all-important glass in the lens if an accident happens. Better to be replacing a $30 filter than possibly a complete camera. Filters that can be useful though include those from Cokin, Hoya and Inca and include the aforementioned Skylight and UV, but also handy to have are polarisers of various types, especially when shooting over (or into) water.

Carry Bags To keep all that gear tickety boo and in one place, it is essential to have a means to store everything together. The cheapest form is a $30 aluminium case from the likes of JayCar that come with foam blocks that you can punch out the necessary holes to keep cameras, mics etc snug and safe. These cases are not overly strong however (I had an unnamed airline that flies domestically manage to smash one after it was sent to the wrong place). I now prefer a backpack I have kitted out myself as it gives more flexibility and is easier and more comfortable on my regular sojourns to motor sport tracks, rallies or when fishing. There are dedicated bags around as well from such as LowePro, Tamrac and Vanguard. Many pros swear by Pelikan hard cases for making sure gear is safe and waterproof in travel.

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Lights Your average video enthusiast who mainly does home movies – sorry, family documentaries – may wonder why they might need lighting. I was caught out on a holiday on Norfolk Island when a section of a progressive dinner was held (purposely) in near total darkness and my camcorder at the time just couldn’t cope with that type of low light. Under those circumstances, a discreet camera mounted-top light would have been perfect.Most of the major manufacturers make such a thing for around $250. I bought a multi-LED one while in the UK for around AUD$90 At other times, when you expand your skills and interest, a set of lights to make light even in indoor scenes might be desirable, when say shooting an interview. Redheads seem to be the most popular and start at around $500 or in kits for $2000.

AUSCAM | Issue 45

Maintenance Finally don’t forget maintenance! A lens cleaning kit at around $10 a set of jeweller’s screwdrivers and some of those gel packs to keep moisture at bay should be all you need, although some cotton tip buds and a bottle of isoprop alcohol are always handy to have.

AUSCAM | Issue 45

Buying a Camcorder If you are planning on studying video or an associated discipline this year, then the thing is you will probably need a video camera (camcorder). Right?With so many models and brands out there, what would be the best? I mean, it’s not the same as buying a new pencil box or set of French Curves as you may have had to do in past years is it?

So where do you start? Standard camcorder or dSLR suitably dressed up? One of the new “4/3rds” style or go up market to a semi pro unit? My suggestion is to start with a decent base unit that has a number of specific features, and then spend any money you have left out of the budget to option it up a bit.

The base unit should be something that supports the AVCHD standards recording to SD card for standardisation. This type of camera is available from all the major manufacturers including Panasonic, Canon, JVC, Samsung and Toshiba. Notice Sony is not in this initial list, not because they DON’T make such a camera, but due to some further explanation needed.

Sony has their own digital storage media called MemoryStick, but it needs to be known that virtually all MemoryStick based camcorders from Sony also support SD cards, so don’t get confused. Some models (all brands not just Sony) also support MicroSD cards, as often seen in mobile phones, and these cards can also be used in SD based models with the use of an adaptor which is usually shipped with the card when bought as a separate item. Righto, now down to the specifics. If you can possibly avoid it, don’t buy a camcorder without a viewfinder; ie there is a flip out LCD AND a viewfinder incorporated in the body of the camera. No matter how good the manufacturers’ claims, LCDs in bright sunlight are a right royal pain to use firstly, and secondly, they do not allow you to “lock” the camera in your hands for stability when shooting. LCDs should only be used for playback in my opinion.

If you have ever seen a professional news crew out in the field, you’ll notice the camera person never uses the wingnuts on the side of their head to monitor the sound. They are always wearing headphones – and decent ones at that. So although neither you nor I can afford to pay have a full time soundie with his little black box of tricks trundle around all day behind us, we can make sure our camcorder has an outport to plug some decent headphones in. I have a pair of lightweight Sennheiser’s I’ve had for years and they are superb. Off memory they cost me around $69.Avoid earbuds by the way.

Similarly, while the inbuilt mic of most camcorders is fine for ambient sound (don’t get too excited over those that have inbuilt 5.1 mics) for recording speech, you need a decent external mic. I rely on two separate units, a RØDE stereo top mounted unit and a RØDE Reporter hand held. At time of writing I am also testing a Sennheiser MKE 600 shotgun “journalist’s mic” and we’ll have a review on Auscam shortly as to the results. So far it seems excellent I can say.

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Buying a Camcorder

If your budget can stretch to it, a set of radio mics is also good value especially if you plan a lot of interview style recording. I won’t go into too much depth here as I did a piece dedicated to this just a few weeks back you can see here, but it is imperative you have a decent tripod.

While music video and some US of Americaland crime shows may look all trendy with jittery, jumpy, groovy handheld video, yours will not. It will look awful. You don’t need to spend a fortune, just make sure it has a fluid head and is strong. An addition of a Gorillapod to the camera bag will add flexibility too.

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Speaking of bags, yes they are necessary. This can be personal but I prefer a dedicated backpack as against a case. I find they allow far more freedom of movement, more flexibility and the extra pockets for things and doo-dads are very useful. There are many, many to choose from out there, so take your time, make sure it is comfortable, has more room than you think you’ll need (trust me on this) and is waterproof.

Optionals. These are not necessary but I find they give me an extra depth into my shooting options. Actually, one is NOT optional. Get a skylight filter for the lens and leave it on at all times. This way, if some pointy thing happens to come along at the wrong time, the worst that can happen is you’ll have to fork out $30 (or less) for a new skylight filter as against a whole new lens. I like having a Cokin kit with me in the bag. I have spoken of these before, but essentially a Cokin kit is a mount for the front of the camera you can slip in and out any combination of up to three Cokin filters at a time. They are not expensive at about $70 for the mount assembly, and is what is used to get some of those you beaut effects you see in Top Gear with different coloured skies and the like.

AUSCAM | Issue 45

Also optional is a LANC controller for your tripod. This basically duplicates the onboard controls for zoom, wide, focus etc of the camera, and has them mounted on the pan handle of the tripod. Of course, make sure the camera supports LANC as not all do these days. I have purposely not gone into such things as focal lengths, zoom ratios, shutter speeds and the like here. Whilst they are important yes, today’s manufacturers have pretty well got this nailed into all models they sell above the basic “click and shoot” auto only models. You will want to be able to play around with aperture, shutter speed, white balance and so on, and so make sure you can do these manually. And on that note, if you can get a camera with a focus ring all the better. I prefer a zoom ring too, and a number of models allow you to switch the ring to various models which are better than having separate controls in my opinion. I have also not gone into lenses as again, it’s not really necessary with the big manufacturers having sorted this issue out a long time ago. Budget? For a camcorder in this range of specification you could pay anything between $700 and $4000. But one important factor that many forget in their chase for bang for buck is Does It Feel Right? If you have any specific questions, at Auscam we are always happy to help! Just drop us a line david@ auscamonline.com.

AUSCAM | Issue 45

Auscam Subscriptions

Auscam is the only magazine on the market that caters for the video enthusiast, whether you be a raw beginner or experienced broadcast professional. We review camcorders and dSLR cameras, accessories, editing and special effects software, computer hardware, have interviews with industry luminaries, feature stories on interesting projects, case studies and much, much more In the last 12 months we have reviewed dozens of consumer, prosumer and professional cameras and software packages, countless accessories such as microphones, tripods, camera bags, lenses, filters and more and given lots of tips, hints and tricks on helping make your videos and projects better. And interviews have ranged from Paul Worsteling at iFishTV (Channel 10/One) to Anita Jacoby who was Andrew Denton’s partner at the time responsible for Randling, Gruen Transfer and other famous shows. Writers at Auscam are all professionals in the field of video. They either are of have worked for most of the major broadcast companies in Australia including the TV stations and are experts as well as top writers. Auscam is available for AUD$79.90 for 12 editions posted to you (Australia) or AUD$99.95 for 12 editions (overseas). We accept Mastercard or Visa, PayPal, or send a cheque or money order by post. Use the coupon below or go to www.auscamonline.com and click on “Store” in the menu bar.

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AUSCAM | Issue 45

Training Materials Making Money Making Video

Making Money Making Video is the first-ever DVD that outlines how to be successful in the Video Production Industry. Kevin Hicks and Brian Balog guide you through the entire process of Making Money Making Video. Over an hour in length, this DVD covers every step of the process including: Getting Established, Negotiating, Saving Money in Pre-Production, Production, and Post-Production, and lots of Expert Tips. Watch Making Money Making Video and Increase Your Profits in all stages of your video production business.

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Light is the most important part of visual communication. Without it there can be no picture and all that you capture when you film an image is the light reflecting off of the objects in your scene. So Make sure you are doing it right with the Light ‘Em Up DVD. With over an hour of instruction, this contemporary guide to video lighting is an absolute must have for anyone who wants to take their productions to the next level visually

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Camera Confidence

Get the inside look with Douglas Spotted Eagle and Kevin Hicks as they guide you through every angle of camcorder use, regardless of the camera you own or your level of experience. All basic camera features and functions are discussed and explained in this DVD. Learn how to control light through shutter speed or aperture, and see the difference. Go indepth on topics such as codecs and file-based workflows. Watch practical demonstrations of the 180, camera movement, frame rate and coverage. Get advanced info on 35MM adapters and tips on achieving the elusive “film look” in your video projects. From beginners to seasoned pros, there’s something for everyone to improve their camera knowledge and operation.

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HDSLR Film and video production is immensely popular, for good reason! Stunning imagery and unlimited possibilities are at your fingertips with a DSLR camcorder. Raymond Schlogel and Douglas Spotted Eagle expose all aspects of HDSLR film and video on this two and one half hour training DVD. From lenses to metering, to preparation and peripherals, Douglas and Ray show you how to get the most out of DSLR film and video production.

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AUSCAM | Issue 46

It’s a wrap!

Death of the stmall video camera? If you flick through the pages of this edition of Auscam you would think all is well in the world of video but this month there began a school of thought that doesn’t think so. The rise in the use of mobile phones might sound the death knell for the traditional small domestic video camera. This simply hadn’t occurred to me but there seems to be a good argument for it. After the Consumer Electronics Show in Los Angeles in January (no I didn’t get to go) some writers pointed out a shift in the price points of small cameras and a trend that looks to be moving away from the budget end ($300-$750). The newer cameras are dearer and aimed at the home movie maker who may be a bit more serious and heading upward in the technology stakes. Meanwhile mobile cameras that happen to have a phone on board have become better and better at doing video. The iPhone can do very nice pics within the limit of no real control. I myself will use it to grab happy snaps and video when I don’t have a “real” camera to hand. As an aside one problem is the growing tendency to hold the camera vertically rather than horizontally - with predictably crap results. Another big issue is no zoom of any kind but there’s a healthy after market for the very keen. I noticed on Videoguy’s website yesterday a set of mini tracks for gliding your mobile phone! Also attacking the traditional video camera is the rise in the quality of the still cameras. I’m talking about DSLRs but the huge range of cheap still cameras that also do video. It looks like the market is choosing still cameras that can do semi-decent video over video cameras that do semi-decent stills.

Most people possibly don’t realise how well a video cameras can do still but that’s by the by. And all these still cameras can fit in your pocket and have some kind of zoom function. At the bottom end the department stores have started selling sub $100 video cameras. A word of advice here and it involves a large barge pole. I bought one to try for my daughters and took is straight back. Awful doesn’t come close! High definition my a#*se! So is the world shifting again? Probably. Is that a bad thing? No, because we’ll see dearer cameras that are much better equipped and still be affordable for those that want to get off the phone and into decent shooting.

Back to the future - me and my first home video camera in 1989