I am an aspiring filmmaker, though I have to admit I am at a loss with the technical stuff. My attention usually falls on the artistic, visual aspect of film making other than my equipment. So here I am learning as I go and I've come to a decision, I need a new camera, a better one. I have a IMAC 27"/SD with Final Cut Express, and I'm thinking I need something digital. So here are my choices: Panasonic AG-DVX-100B, Panasonic AG-HVX200, Sony's PMW-EX1. All though I'd take any suggestions you all be willing to give out. My budget is $5,000

Palladini's talking about consumer-level cameras. Yours do not fall into that category, so disregard that answer.

The AG-DVX100B is actually the camera I have and use for many things. The drawback is that it's a standard-definition camera. For me, that doesn't matter much, I don't really have a need for HD in the work I do, but it's a point to consider. If you don't need HD, then this could be a really good camera at a relatively great price.

The HVX200 is essentially the same as the DVX, with VERY important improvements. It still offers the choice of MiniDV for standard-definition video, but it also adds HD, on Panasonic's "P2" cards. This is a great machine, and I've used it often. If I was upgrading my current camera, I'd strongly consider the HVX200, or maybe the HPX170. I'd lose the MiniDV tape option, but would gain an uncompressed SDI port.

The EX1, another great camera. Shoots HD video on Sony's SxS cards. I have extensively used its newer relative, the EX3. The EX3 adds some great features that the EX1 doesn't have. Does the EX1 give you all you need? Maybe so.

I'm not totally sold on the use of DSLR cameras for video and film. They have their uses, but they also have very severe drawbacks. Their formats are heavily compressed and will make your computer crawl. You'll need to record audio externally. Their sensors burn out after about 10-12 minutes of consecutive recording, so you can't really do any set-it-and-forget-it stuff.

Right now, I'd really be torn between the HVX and the EX1, if I could afford them. I don't have a definitive answer either way, but I will say you probably can't go wrong with either. I know Final Cut Pro will edit either camera's format natively, not sure offhand about FC Express. If you go FCP, I personally prefer the older FCP-7 over the newer FCP-X (though I'm an Avid person above either of those) - but everyone's tastes vary, and at least FCPX now has a free trial. There's also Lightworks coming out for Mac in the next few months.

Any other tech questions? Maybe we can help narrow things down more.

Sony's PMW-EX1 is the better of the 3 , however can I suggest that you grab a canon t2i , or a 7d .. yes they are mostly manual , but the picture is much much better as well as your low light (ISO) and your depth of field (DOF) and other functions like FPS settings , final cut express is good

Sony's PMW-EX1 is the better of the 3 , however can I suggest that you grab a canon t2i , or a 7d .. yes they are mostly manual , but the picture is much much better as well as your low light (ISO) and your depth of field (DOF) and other functions like FPS settings , final cut express is good

Take a look at these sites about the related reviews, you may get your answer:
http://panasonic-digital-cameras.com
http://video-camera-reviews.org
http://sony-camcorder.net

Panasonic Pro AG-DVX100BP camera is expensive, even in the $1500+ prosumer class it tends more to professional range, but I feel it is a great value considering what a fine piece of equipment it is and the wealth of features it offers. It is much much more than enough camera for the consumer and probably a little more than I need actually--I've used mine for a few months and I'm still learning how to wring better and better shooting from it. Once you've used it for a while it becomes clear why this particular model maintains a devoted following. If I have to replace this camera--provided I can afford to--the next camera would definitely be a Panasonic and probably be its big HD brother the HVX.

Consumer level HD camcorders have 4 problems. 1) Blurry, fuzzy, out of focus areas closely around people in videos taken by consumer level HD camcorders. 2) Any movement, even a wave or lifting an arm, while in front of a recording consumer level HD camcorder, results in screen ghosts and artifacts being left on the video track, following the movement. Makes for bad video, sports videos are unwatchable. 3) These Consumer level HD camcorders all have a habit of the transferred to computer files are something you need to convert, thus losing your HD quality, to work with your editing software. 4) Mandatory maximum record times - 1 hour, 30 minutes, 8 minutes, 3 minutes – four different times advertised as maximum record time for some consumer level HD camcorders. No event I have ever been to is that short. Either take multiple camcorders or pack up with out getting the end of the event on video. Consumer level HD camcorders interpolate the video. This means they take one frame, make up the next 4 or 5 frames, take a frame and repeat this, over and over, for the remainder of the video, every video it takes is like this.With a MiniDV tape camcorder, record 60 or 90 minutes ( camcorder settings), 90 seconds or less to change a tape and record for 60 or 90 more and repeat till you run out of tapes.

You can get a Canon ZR960 for $250. It is a MiniDV tape camcorder, has a Mic jack. You will need a firewire (IEEE1394) card ($25 to 30) for the computer and a firewire cable (less than 10) to be able to transfer video to your computer. To say this is not HD, think about this. It would cost in excess of $3500 to get a HD camcorder that could equal the video Quality of a $250 Canon MiniDV tape camcorder.

http://www.usa.canon.com/cusa/consumer/products/camcorders/consumer_camcorders/zr960