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Originally posted by loulou

Hi there,
I'm a first time filmmaker, looking for best HD camcorder in $5,000 - $10,000 price range (lower end better). First project will be short documentary, then short drama, then feature drama. It's important to get the best "film look". I've been to a few stores and am not sure what to get. Sony EX1R, or Panasonic HPX-170 or Canon 7D / 5DMII or other??
Basically looking for no hassle solid camera that can do everything. I will have professional DP doing camera work.

I heard Panasonic gives best "film look" but salesperson told me HPX-170 not great quality picture. Plus, only 1080i. Is there a big difference between 1080p and 1080i? Positive aspects of HPX-170 is I don't have to buy a lot of extras with it. Also, for first project (documentary), can I record directly into the camera with good wireless mics? Trying to watch budget because I'm planning to buy everything (lights, mics, tripod, batteries, P2 cards (or other cards), and HD camera. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

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You want a camera that does it all but you only want to spend $5,000?

First, ask yourself where these three projects are going. Then find out the specs that are required. Meaning, if the documentary is going to a network like Discovery, they have very specific guidelines about format that you must follow. Some film festivals also have similar guidelines.

The film "look" comes best from film. But apart from that, framerate has a lot to do with it. Interlaced and Progressive don't have as much to do with it. Shooting at 23.98fps does.

Spending upwards of $5k on the camera doesn't leave a lot of money left over for everything you need for audio and lighting. Why not consider renting the proper gear you need per the needs for each project since each will undoubtedly require different equipment anyway? You can get better and more gear for each project instead of asking your "professional DP" to "make it work" with whatever you've managed to scrape together on that limited budget.

This question has also been addressed a few times. You can find some responses here http://www.filmmaking.net/fnetforum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=8313&SearchTerms=camera and here http://www.filmmaking.net/fnetforum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=8011&SearchTerms=camera and here http://realfilmcareer.com/forum/index.php?topic=55.0

Brian Dzyak
Cameraman/Author
IATSE Local 600, SOC
http://www.whatireallywanttodo.com
http://www.realfilmcareer.com

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Originally posted by bjdzyak
The film "look" comes best from film. But apart from that, (...) Interlaced and Progressive don't have as much to do with it. Shooting at 23.98fps does.

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That didn't come out quite right. If you live in a PAL country, your frame rate is almost the same (i.e. the difference is almost impossible to notice), so the only difference between film and video is interlacing (in addition to the colour gamut and dynamic range, of course).

HPX-170 can do 1080p, but it will do it like many others (and virtually all consumer ones) by interlacing and encoding into 60i. 24p is recorded the same way, in 60i with pulldown. It's a good camcorder and worth the money.

Thanks for the advice!

Any other opinions out there? I've heard very good things about Canon's 5D MKII