Best Camera for a greenhorn filmmaker (should I procure a Cannon GL2 or a Sony HDR-CX7)?
Answers: Get The Sony
Sony did include some great features though, such as the automatic lens cover, flash for still photos, and a nice complement of manual controls. While it doesn't include the SR7's shutter speed control, the CX7 does own the same exposure shift; instruction book, indoor, outdoor, and auto white balance; Spot Focus and Spot Metering; Super SteadyShot optical representation stabilization; and Super NightShot infrared mode for shooting in the shadowy. Since the CX7 doesn't include Sony's CAM CTL dial (as the SR7 does), you have to adjust focus on the touch blind, which isn't quite as nice as the dial, but works resourcefully nonetheless.
Since the HDR-CX7 records its video to a MemoryStick Pro Duo card, you should plan on buying at lowest possible one high-capacity card. On a 4GB Pro Duo card, the HDR-CX7 can fit 32 minutes of best-quality, HD video. Stepping up to an 8GB Pro Duo ups that to a little more than an hour. By contrast, the HDR-SR7 can fit up to eight hours of like level footage onto its 60GB complex drive.
Footage from the CX7 is very nice. The camcorder's Zeiss T lens is really sharp and Sony's Super SteadyShot does an excellent job of taming appendage shake. Its 10X optical zoom might seem train next to the 30X+ zoom now finding their channel into lower-end models, but at a 400mm 35mm-equivalent on the telephoto end (in 16:9 mode), it's get plenty of reach. Plus, by keeping the optical zoom selection within common sense, you get more reliable stabilization across the entire zoom.
Both the autofocus and metering systems act quite economically, adjusting suddenly to changes contained by subject, lighting, and environment. I was specially impressed with the autofocus' expertise to keep up beside changes within zoom and quick change between near and far subjects. The camcorder's white match does a very worthy job. While colors aren't reasonably as neutral as I've see in some other models, it's still terrifically close and colors are well soaked and look realistic. Still similes are definitely above average for a camcorder. Depending on the shooting conditions, you should be capable of get pleasing letter-size or smaller prints.
As long as you don't mind the predetermined software compatibility and added cost of buying a few high-capacity Pro Duo cards, Sony's Handycam HDR-CX7 is a really nice AVCHD camcorder. As software catches up and flash memory prices verbs to drop, it will only become that much more attractive, and the smaller physical size that go along with a flash-based camcorder will wow your friends and formulate it more practical to have your camcorder next to you when you want it. If Mini-DVDs appeal to you more than flash-memory cards, Sony also makes the HDR-UX7, which can account AVCHD video onto 8cm DVDs and is very similar to this model, though not rather as small in size.
i looked at the hdr-cx7 specs and okay, if you want to be a bit forward looking, go for the sony, simply because it shoots within hi-def.
however, the sony falls more on the consumer side of the camcorder spectrum, as opposed to the panasonic, which have a lot more "pro" features (xlr audio inputs, 24p etc etc) and allows you to tweak "aperture" settings, shutter speeds, white symmetry. in short, it behave, more or less, close to an "industry standard" pro video camcorder. however, it does cost much more than the sony, and it's biggest drawback is that it only files in standard definition.
that self said, as a beginning filmmaker, it doesn't event so much what camera you use, but rather what stories you narrate and of course, how you recount them. if you're studying cinema language, a $999 camcorder will work freshly as well as a $3000 one.
so finally (whew)
if you're planning to dance hd, buy the sony.
if you have the money, want like mad more control over your shots, more versatility (and look a bit more professional while you're shooting)--go for the panasonic.
and if you can't decide and want something that falls around the middle---get the gl2.
similar to i said, whatever you catch, ultimately it's your stories that will make the difference.
hope it help.
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