thats going to vary from person to person. Its all about what you want. Personally im a Panasonic DVX100a user. It lloks the most like real film then any other camera. Go get specs on it and i think you wlll be very impressed considering its price. You can get it for as high as $3,000 and as low at $2,000 on ebay. There is a whole forum and website deticated to users of this camera. www.dvxuser.com any questions will be answered there and you can see still grabs and videos made by using the camera. But once again, it varies on personaility. Alot of people like the XL2 but that can sell for as high as $5,000. Some people are die hard sony fans and some are Panasonic fans etc... If i were you i would do some research and compare the cameras. At that price range there is little difference between camera...yet some of those small differences can make a difference. So, Im telling you to get the DVX but ultimatly its up to you and your likings

ps. you have probably heard this alot already but no matter what camera you go with, itll all end up on how you use it and what you do with it. The person behind the camera will have a greater effect on the look and quality of a film then the actual camera.

"Anyone who has ever been privileged to direct a film also knows that, although it can be like trying to write 'War and Peace' in a bumper car in an amusement park, when you finally get it right, there are not many joys in life that can equal the feeling." - Stanley Kubrick

If you want the film look go with the DVX100a (now the B model is out as well) or the XL2.

Matthew Sconce

First of all, there is a big difference between a $2000 and a $4500 camera. Secondly, do you have any experience with videocamera's? I seriously do not believe that when you are a beginner, a camera in that price range will be of good use. You will be overwhelmed by all the options and you will have serious problems handling the camera.

"Revenge is a dish best served cold."

I would Get about 3200 dollars and then buy a Panasonic DVX100a. The you can shoot 24P mode, getting the film look, while still staying on the DV budget. If you need to be convinced of the look the camera gives, Two websites rock! Go to:
www.whatisbroken.com
www.silentamy.com
Both Films were shot on the DVX100a. You can order the DVD for Broken. I just received mine. The movie was about 20 minutes long and got a thumbs up from Roger Ebert. There are about 3 hours of behind the scene special features showing how they did it. Also order or rent the movie "November", with Courtney Cox. That Feature Film was also shot on the DVX100a. Considering the price and quality of the results, I would definitely save my money and get that camera. Then at least the sky is the limit for what you can do.

Matthew Sconce

Matthew Sconce