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Panasonic gs-320 vs. gs-500

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Official_Recap
Posts: 1075 - Karma: 525
I'm looking at purchasing a new camera. I've been using the gs-320 for the past season and it has been a great beginning 3ccd camera, especially for the price. I'm looking to possibly upgrade, but am tight on the money side of things. So I was looking at the next step up, which is the 500. I like that the actual chips are bigger, so the color will be better (?) but I'm wondering if there is another camera in comparable price range that is drastically different or any other cameras to consider around that price ($699).
Any input will be greatly appreciated.


thanks.
Nov 20 2008 9:57PM
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EH_DUBS
Posts: 3080 - Karma: 969
everyone is gonna be saying buy an hv20 or hv30

so i thought id say it first.
Nov 20 2008 10:14PM
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C0RN
Posts: 365 - Karma: 113
trv 900
Nov 20 2008 11:33PM
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Jwenz
Posts: 8893 - Karma: 7,633
A little older but still a good option. Like the guy said above the Hv20 or Hv30 seem to be the best options in that price range currently.
Nov 20 2008 11:48PM
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Official_Recap
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yeah, the hv20/30 is looking good right now. but I'm not sure if I really want/need HD right now just because of file sizes and workflow and formatting. it just seems like a bigger hassle than is worth it in the end if I'm just going to be burning to SD DVDs ultimately.
Nov 20 2008 11:56PM
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horner
Posts: 2439 - Karma: 1,578
you can record SD with the HV30.  No reason not to get it and when you're ready to work with HD you're all set.
Nov 21 2008 12:00AM
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Official_Recap
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yeah that's a good point. hows the quality and color on the hv30 compared to other non-HD 3 chip cameras?
Nov 21 2008 12:04AM
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C0RN
Posts: 365 - Karma: 113
yea definatly DONT buy the hv30 if your gunna record in sd. just get a nice 3 chip sd camera
Nov 21 2008 12:17AM
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Official_Recap
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right. so I guess if I go HD in this price range, I'll go with the hv30, but going back to my original question, what would be the good SD 3ccd camera to look at if I don't want to make the step yet to HD. and what would the real difference be between going with HD vs. SD
Nov 21 2008 12:20AM
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C0RN
Posts: 365 - Karma: 113
look at the vx1000 or 2000
Nov 21 2008 12:27AM
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Official_Recap
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those look a bit out of my price range. also kind of large in size. I'm looking for something relatively manageable in follow cams. I think I'm leaning towards the hv30 and just go with HD, and it also has the different frame rates which is nice if I want to go for the film type look with the 24p.
Nov 21 2008 12:36AM
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Official_Recap
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that is exactly the kind of breakdown I was looking for. thanks a ton.
Nov 21 2008 5:52AM
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Jwenz
Posts: 8893 - Karma: 7,633
asian alien hit it on the head. basically if you dont want a 3chip camera that is large you have no other option than the hv30. I mean i love my Gl-2 for follows and I dont know why you wouldn't but its out of your price range. DO THE HV30...you will like it, even though I am no expert with it. I have heard nothing but magnificent things
Nov 21 2008 10:22AM
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miroz
Posts: 10333 - Karma: 3,947

True story.

I have the GS 500 and I love it - check my vids if you want - but the HV30 really steps things up, I'll admit it.  If it had been around and reccomended when I bought mine I might've done that instead. 

Nov 21 2008 3:38PM
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eheath
Posts: 61100 - Karma: 118,255
dvc30 is a baller 3ccd camera thats around 1000 bucks if you wanna stick to SD.
Nov 21 2008 8:07PM
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Official_Recap
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ok so I'm going with the hv30.
now I'm going to need a lens as well. I want a semi-fisheye. so something around .3x with not a ton of bend, but I can't find any 43mm threads for a reasonable price in comparison to what the actual camera is going to cost. I know there are a few for roughly $150, but they are larger thread sizes. the other 43mm lenses I have seen are over $400, which I'd like to stay away from...
Nov 23 2008 5:52PM
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Official_Recap
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that's what I was thinking. I wasn't sure if since it's a fisheye, using a step ring would do anything in terms of distortion for any reason.
Nov 23 2008 6:40PM
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ryanschindler
Posts: 80 - Karma: 41
neither... just go with a panasonic DVX-100b
Nov 23 2008 8:47PM
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Official_Recap
Posts: 1075 - Karma: 525
thank you for that incredible insight, because that is completely within my stated price range...
phenomenal camera, but I don't have thousands yet.
Nov 23 2008 8:52PM
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scratchproteen
Posts: 5173 - Karma: 286
the pv-gs500 is not large at all...it fits in your hand and has a ton of capabilities its a really great quality camera....

and if you are choosing between the 320 and 500 get the 500 its worth it so many more features than the 320

320 = consumer (ie...people like your mom and dad who want to film your sis opening presents)

500 = more "pro" sumer (ie...people like us who can use it with action and be artistic with it)

i own a pv-gs 500 and love it...its great quality, and all the manual settings you want
Nov 24 2008 11:46AM
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Official_Recap
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Yeah. the size on the 500 looks fine. my concern now is the price difference to functions. the hv30 seams to give more bang for the buck with all of the manual functions and different frame rates. also having the ability to switch to HD when I feel ready is appealing. But if the picture/color on the 500 is much better, that might be worth it.
Has anyone used both?
Nov 24 2008 6:26PM
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scratchproteen
Posts: 5173 - Karma: 286
i wish i could help you on that one...alli have used is my gs-500 and i love it...the picture comes out great all it takes is a little white balancing and bam you got a great shot...and the manual focus ring is a plus
Nov 26 2008 4:23AM
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scratchproteen
Posts: 5173 - Karma: 286
im pretty jacked up about this winter...our school lets us rent out sony high def cameras at no cost at all...totally doing it for ski season
Nov 27 2008 4:45AM
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Official_Recap
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ok so I got an hv30. sick camera. very good decision thanks for everyone's help...
however, after shooting some footage, Final Cut Pro will not recognize the camera to capture it onto my computer. it is saying the deck cannot be found and the preview is unavailable. (i am using a firewire as I have been for the past two years. nothing different.) I shot it all in the 24p mode so I set the project to 1080 24p.

is there any specific difference you need when capturing hdv footage?
Dec 12 2008 11:28PM
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