Top 10 Camcorders for Professionals

There are many people who buy camcorders for recording and keeping alive those precious moments of their live with their family and children. We have listed the best camcorders for them in our article on top 10 camcorders but the Pro video shooters won’t be happy with them. They wouldn’t compromise for a camera less than the 3 chip sensors to capture each of the three primary colors separately to get the best image colors accuracy. They also want a camera with lots of creative controls overriding the auto settings to shoot it exactly as they want it. Here are the top Digital Video camcorders for the professional videographers.

1. Canon XH A1

Entry Level Film-makers or professionals would find this camera an excellent choice with attractive pricing.

• Captures true 1080 resolution, widescreen (16:9) HD video
• 2.8-inch widescreen LCD monitor; .57-inch viewfinder
• 20x HD zoom lens; Super-range optical image stabilization
• Three 1/3-inch 16:9 CCDs (1.67 megapixels)
• DIGIC DV II HD image processor

Price

$4,999

2. Panasonic AG-HVX200

Panasonic proves again their capability with this camera to please any pro videographers.

• True high definition image quality (1080i or 720p) with low-compression DVCPRO HD intraframe recording
• Supports HD/SD multi-format and multi-codec recording capabilities
• Includes the the P2 card, offering superior reliability, immediate playback and outstanding cost-performance
• Features the new Leica Dicomar HD lens, developed specifically for HD recording
• New progressive CCD and DSP for higher sensitivity and image quality

Price

$5,110

3. Sony HDR-FX1

The camera provides advanced consumers with professional-level video controls and entry-level pros with an affordable starting camcorder.

• Three 1/3-inch wide-aspect-ratio advanced HAD CCD imagers for true-to-life color rendering
• Play and record interlaced high-definition video at resolutions up to 1440 x 1080 for professional-quality video
• 12x optical zoom with Super SteadyShot Optical Stabilization System
• 3.5-inch wide precision hybrid SwivelScreen LCD
• Record at either 30 frames per second or, for a film-like feel, at 24 frames per second

Price

$4,749

4. JVC GRH-D1

Unlike other pro video recorders you’ll get an LCD to see what is being recorded. The price is also attractive enough for the average consumers who want a better quality video.

• Digital HDV camcorder that records standard DV and 1280×720p MPEG 2 HD 16:9
• 1/3-inch progressive CCD with 1.18-megapixel still resolution
• 3.5-inch LCD screen with 0.44-inch color viewfinder
• 10x optical zoom with SD/DV 40x and 200x digital zoom
• IEEE 1394 iLink, USB, and component video interface

Price

$1,400

5. Sony Handycam HDR-FX7

If you aren’t an audio control freak and want a good HD camcorder within $2,000 you won’t have a better option than this.

• Record and play back HDV 1080i video; switchable recording in standard definition
• ClearVid CMOS sensor; 20x optical zoom
• Wide 3.5-inch Hybrid Touch Panel Clear Photo LCD Plus display
• Capture 1.2-megapixel stills to Memory Stick Duo
• Professional 62mm Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T lens

Price

$1,999

6. Canon XL H1

This is a quality camera that would make a professional proud but we have ranked it lower only for its high price.

• HDV format camcorder; Featuring Canon’s interchangeable XL lens mount
• New Genuine Canon 20x HD video zoom lens III with Professional L Series Fluorite
• Shoots in 1080 HD resolution with choice of 60i, 30F, and 24F
• Includes a DIGIC DV II HD image processor
• 2.4-inch widescreen combination EVF/LCD monitor (215,000 Pixels)

Price

$5,499

7. SONY HVR-Z1 Professional Widescreen Mini Camcorder

This is also a pro level shooter to compete with any other top HD camcorders.

• High-definition video camera records in 1080i, 720p, and 720i specification with analog down-converting
• 16:9 widescreen recording; 4:3 conversion capable
• Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* 12x optical zoom Lens; optical Super SteadyShot System dampens hand jitter and vibration
• 3CCD camera system; records to conventional DV tape stock
• Powered by NP-F570 InfoLithium rechargeable battery pack

Price

$4,495

8. Panasonic AG-DVX100B Mini DV Camcorder

This camera will give you the best bang for your bucks.

• MiniDV camera.
• 3 CCD
• Optical Image Stabilization
• AutoFocus / Manual Focus
• 10X Optical Zoom
• Recording Media : Mini DV

Price

$2,999

9. Canon XL2E Mini DV Camcorder

This camera has unsurpassed image quality with good quality fluorite lenses.

• Professional 3CCD DV camcorder with open architecture design for cinema attachments
• 20x optical zoom lens, XL interchangeable lens system
• Color viewfinder, interchangeable with optional professional monochrome viewfinder
• 16:9 widescreen and 4:3 ratio, 3 selectable frame rates: 60i, 30p, and cinema 24p
• Powered by rechargeable lithium-ion battery pack

Price

$3,399

10. Sony DCR-VX2100

This is a prosumer level camera with nice features and video quality.

• Digital MiniDV Handycam camcorder with a 58mm aspherical lens and 380,000-pixel CCD
• 12x optical zoom lens (digital zoom to 48x) with Super SteadyShot image stabilizer
• 2.5-inch rotating LCD and color viewfinder
• Manual controls for shutter and exposure, Stamina Power Management, and intelligent accessory shoe
• NP-F330 InfoLithium Rechargeable Battery

Price

$2,599