Canon XL2 or Panasonic DVX?

[Peacekeeper 2.0]

I'm getting a camera soon. It's main use will be for filmmaking, so the "film look" is very important. Both have 24p, and Canon has 1/48th and other things to replicate film. DVX is of course a great camera for the film look, too. The XL2 is bigger and bulkier than the DVX, which is lighter in weight than the XL2.

Now, user-friendliness is not a problem; I'm pretty good with technical stuff. The Canon XL1 was used in 28 Days Later, and the XL2 has made some great improvements. Footage between the two is hard to judge on. The DVX looks great with a 35mm adapter, and the Canon doesn't look bad either. However some footage looks better than others, and some footage from both look more or less like film than other footage.

So to anyone who knows anything about these cameras, which do you recommend? Some people seem to prefer the DVX, maybe because it's easier to use, but I'm looking for the camera that is better at doing what it does. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Cyrusbales]

CANNON everytime.

 

[jaguarr]

Panasonic has made some huge strides with their gear, but Canon still rules the school on this one.

jag

 

[Sandman138]

I'm DVX all the way. The amount of adjustments it allows you to make to the visuals sets it apart for me. However, I know a lot of people that swear by the XL2. Whatever you do, don't, I repeat DO NOT get a Sony. They do not give you anywhere near the control that you need for serious digital filmaking at the prosumer level.

 

[Cyrusbales]

I'm DVX all the way. The amount of adjustments it allows you to make to the visuals sets it apart for me. However, I know a lot of people that swear by the XL2. Whatever you do, don't, I repeat DO NOT get a Sony. They do not give you anywhere near the control that you need for serious digital filmaking at the prosumer level.

depends how much you have to spend, lol.

also, you should buy in accordance with your editing suite, which ever is the most suitable etc..

 

[jaguarr]

Yeah, personal taste is going to come into play, here for sure. Whatever tool you feel is best suited to your style that will help you accomplish your creative vision...THAT is the right tool for you. And, yes, Sony's offerings in this area are sorely lacking.

jag

 

[Sandman138]

depends how much you have to spend, lol.

also, you should buy in accordance with your editing suite, which ever is the most suitable etc..

Given that any of these cameras can be used as decks, as long as he's not shooting Hi-Def (and it doesn't sound like he is) that's not much of a concern. MiniDV formats are all about the same anyways.

 

[DDRSkata]

How is Sony lacking? That's not a defense of Sony question, but a serious one since I'm considering buying a Sony high-def camera this summer.

 

[sithgoblin]

The Xl2. It has true 16x9. DVX doesn't.

But really, why buy a camera? The DVX and XL2 are already out of date. If you buy one, how much will you use it? Are you buying it for a job where you need it constantly? Or will you use it for a film shoot every now and then, and most of the time it'll just sit around doing nothing.

If the latter is the case, why not rent a camera for the days you're shooting? It means you can get a higher end camera for less money, and you'll have more money to spend on other areas. It also means you won't be stuck with an out of date camera in a few years.

 

[Peacekeeper 2.0]

The Xl2. It has true 16x9. DVX doesn't.

But really, why buy a camera? The DVX and XL2 are already out of date. If you buy one, how much will you use it? Are you buying it for a job where you need it constantly? Or will you use it for a film shoot every now and then, and most of the time it'll just sit around doing nothing.

If the latter is the case, why not rent a camera for the days you're shooting? It means you can get a higher end camera for less money, and you'll have more money to spend on other areas. It also means you won't be stuck with an out of date camera in a few years.

Well, I'll be using it for shooting films, but not "every now and then" as I intend to be making films as much as I can. I go to the School of Visual Arts in NYC, majoring in film/video, and while the school's equipment shop is large and impressive both in quality and quantity, you can't rent any cameras, film or digital, unless a teacher approves of it for a project. So, as someone who intends to be making films a lot, especially out of the classroom, buying a camera seems like a good decision. As for renting, it can cost between $350-500$ or even more per week to rent a camera. I will be using my camera enough to make sure that buying a camera would save money. Not to mention most if not all camera rental places require a $3000-or-so security deposit which they return if you bring it back in one piece (sort of like bail), and if you have $3000 to lay out every time you want to rent a camera, especially if you plan to use the camera a lot, why not take the 3-grand and buy yourself your own camera, you know? Also, I really want my own camera, haha.

As for editing resources, my school has a great Final Cut Pro studio which any student can use, and an Avid studio.

 

[Dodger]

I've used the cannon on almost every project and there durable and tough and cannon rules the market. So go with cannon

 

[black_dust]

I own a Xl1 and its ****ing amazing so the xl2 can only be better and it has a flip out lcd i believe so get the xl2!

 

[sithgoblin]

The fact that you can change lenses on the canon is also a plus.

 

[DDRSkata]

How is Sony lacking? That's not a defense of Sony question, but a serious one since I'm considering buying a Sony high-def camera this summer.

...

 

[Sandman138]

The fact that you can change lenses on the canon is also a plus.

It is, but they lack good wide angle lenses. I think the best thing is the native 16X9, but I've got a personal preferance for the DVX gamma controls. The best camera is the HVX, but I'm guessing that's out of his price range.

 

[The Spawn]

Name EVERY Canon camera you ever liked...

I hope the XL2 isn't the only thing on that list.

 

[tomahawk53]

Either camera will suit you just fine. Remember you are not going to get the 'film look' with either of them. The 'film look' that you are talking about will be done in post production.

Besides the camera doesn't make the movie...the filmmaker does.

My personal advice would be to go with the cheapest one and use the rest of the money on a light kit and if possible a second sound unit. Lighting and sound are the biggest issues us indie filmmakers have and most tend to ignore them. And their film suffers for it.

 

[Sandman138]

Honestly, at the end of the day it's usually more productive to find a good production package and rent. More to the point, if you have the school's equipment at your disposal, I'd recomend being on top of your professors at all times and getting approvals.

 

[Wilhelm-Scream]

It doesn't have to be either/or.
It's scientific fact (according to Dorkyfresh) that you can just buy the Canon XL2, and, if you're patient, it will eventually evolve into a Panasonic DVX!

 

[tomahawk53]

It doesn't have to be either/or.
It's scientific fact (according to Dorkyfresh) that you can just buy the Canon XL2, and, if you're patient, it will eventually evolve into a Panasonic DVX!

I think it was that you just had to buy a tape recorder and leave it on a beach or something then it will turn in to a mini DV camera...wasn't that it?

 

[The Spawn]

A mixture of both actually.

 

[Erzengel]

Canon XL2

The good: State-of-the-art DV imagery and controls; 24P mode; interchangeable lenses; native 16:9 capture; compatible with most XL1 lenses and accessories.

The bad: Strange ergonomics; stock lens is hard to focus manually and stock viewfinder doesn't help; no flip-out LCD monitor; pricier than the competition.

The bottom line: Canon returns to the state of the art in DV but doesn't set a new standard.

Panasonic DVX

The good: Great sound, progressive modes, and image control; professional-caliber viewfinder and controls; wide lens; particularly well suited for multicamera projects.

The bad: No high-definition capability; no 16:9-native chips; lens is short for some applications; moderately steep learning curve.

The bottom line: Panasonic has listened. The third incarnation of the AG-DVX100 offers unrivalled bang for the buck in a prosumer standard-definition MiniDV camera.

 

[DDRSkata]

How is Sony lacking? That's not a defense of Sony question, but a serious one since I'm considering buying a Sony high-def camera this summer.

Could someone please answer the question?

 

[jaguarr]

Could someone please answer the question?

Sony rapes babies. (Their video equipment isn't as advanced technologically either, in comparison with their competition.)

jag

 

[The Spawn]

Lookin' to make a skate video DDR?