Big camcorders vs small camcorders Sony CX405 Panasonic VX981 Z90V JVC 500

great video bro

Markus i have exactly the same about camera's i am a photographer artist and graphic designer. And i like a lot the small cam corder. thank u i want to say that

Thanks for pissing on the ENG videographers’ way of doing things.

Despite the number of models, there's less money being invested in camcorders (not properly updated as often). Updated small models do better than old large models. Sony should rationalise the number of models & avoid the ridiculous markup for each added feature.
Larger cameras can offer larger F-stop (smaller number) for better background blur. Larger sensors do offer better dynamic range to retain highlights but camera defaults can be bad & needs user intervention. The non-Sony & some Sony are penalized because they don't have the latest eye tracking & latest on-sensor phase detection AF.
Having instant access to 3 wheels/adjustments & builtin ND is great for pro's in some situations. Lot's of stop/start recording is better with wireless sound to camera (terribly slow workflow to re-sync separately recorded auidio).
Large format camcorder could be great with very large LCD & touch/remote controls.

What kind of computer is needed to edit an hour of 8K???

Camcorders are not gone and dead. Mirrorless or DSLRs have not killed them off. For instance I own a Panasonic AG-UX90, and a Canon C100. The Don'ts add up to why. I don't need more lenses, don't need to hassle an external recorder if I don't want too because of XLR microphone/line Preamplifiers. They don't do stills, they don't overheat for long video projects. Also buying used saves you allot too. Sure my Sony Mirrorless are great but they overheat on long shoots, I do have the XLR audio kit for them so audio is fine. I have more latitude with the Sonys. But the camcorder is so much easier for me. The right tool that works for you. As always your mileage may vary.

Having the XLR inputs is more about ubiquity and properly adjustable preamps than the semantics of words like "professional". Different things for different use cases. I like small camcorders, but I like the big ones more, partly because I actually find them more fun to use, and more practical because they have all the controls I need while shooting at my fingertips. Separate control rings for focus, zoom, and iris, the jog wheel can further select to adjust shutter speed and gain, ND filters can be swapped out at the flick of a switch, all without having to stop shooting. Plus audio gain adjustment if not using AGC. The law of diminishing returns is in effect, undeniably, but it's the tool I like. It just weighs 13 pounds...

Halo Markus.. I subscribe cause you are wearing Batik motif shirt.

Nah.. 😊 actually love your camcorder review. Been trying to buy one. But still confused and uneducated yet.

Your videos are so funny 😂😂😂😂

I hesitate to ask you this as it is not about camcorders BUT actioncams, I have used a fairly good Akaso And Before that a Sony hdr-AS10 steady shot. I use these to record my Bicycle rides and have recorded about 50 such rides over the last 7 or 8 years. usually 20 - 40 miles. These cameras have a pretty good image stabilization built in and my quality is not bad, BUT If I wanted to step up the game I guess a gopro would be it, having said that would a Sony cx405 on top of my helmet be an actual step up and could it handle it. It seems no one with a camcorder exercises and certainly not record it with a camcorder. What do you think about gopro and is the quality good enough for the job and worth the investment? Your quality is exceptional with camcorder, I don't really need that good I am 71 yr old and my eyes are not seeing like they used to. BUT would like to step it up, thanks for your time and opinion if you decide to answer, Mike

This is the review I needed thank you! I'm a middle aged guy and will put quality above 'looking professional'.

What is the battery backup of these small camcorders😊

Rather than mere assumptions why not u do an experiment and put them to a real life test. lets see who overheats first at 4k?
where i worked for some content creation when ever they are shooting with their 4k dslr we always rest the camera a little so it doesn't over heat

Does the rx100 have ibis?

"under the right conditions" is why I moved from a phone (S21) to a legit camcorder and spent more than a $200 entry-level model. I think just under $1000 is the sweet spot for something that will tick all the boxes for anyone wanting good footage with options.

The only thing that's impressive about the Sony is the price which allows one to forgive it for it's quirkiness, but there are no excuses with the Panasonic (I have a VX1...same family as that 981). The Sony will work most of the time for the average family, but you can do wonderful things with that Panasonic. I got a shot of the moon that seemed like I had a high powered telephoto lens on it.

With phones that perform better than $2000 cameras just 10 years ago, we're living in a good time. The Panasonic VX1 is like a DSLR with auto-everything. It focuses, it zooms in & out quietly, it's practically it's own gimbal, the color is almost as nice as Canon's, batteries last forever, doesn't overheat, can be rigged with all sorts of accessories, etc... and in the right hands, it can shoot some beautiful footage.

I'm done with using camera bodies for shooting video when a camcorder is like having 3 lenses in one compact lightweight better performing, more convenient device. Yes, it's better than a phone even if it's bigger. And you can accessorize it (mic, lights, monitors, etc...). I never knew how miserable I was with a DSLR or frustrated I was with using the limited phone camera until I began using a camcorder.

I love camcorders too but I hate using the screen for monitoring while shooting. I still love the cameras with eyepieces.

So what do you do with those expensive dinosaurs afterwards?

I see cameramen following around reporters chasing people leaving courtrooms or whatever. And they’re using the clunky cameras. I always think couldn’t they just use a smartphone for shooting that rubbish, in horizontal format of course.

Thanks for this. Do you color grade the video or use LUTs? Is this all straight out of camera quality? I was wondering how to get those great colors.

Wait!!! Who was that at the end?😅 That guy is always funny

Thanks for the great videos, but after watching a couple of yours, I'm a little confused. I am doing videos from an overhead stand for viewing a work desk, for assembly of models. This camera will never leave from this position. So I think from one of your other videos, a simple Panasonic camcorder would be the best choice. But what model.
Anyone else here please jump in if you are a model maker a vid the process.
Cheers

Thank you again for another very objective video. There are only two types of photographers/videographers, those who make money (for living) from the hardware and those who do this for hobby/interest/social work. I fall into second category. Given this, I do not have financial resources to even think about buying anything that is more than few hundred dollars. When the video production is for pure joy / enjoyment it does not matter if things are HD, 720P or 4K. Many people are driven by equipment. They think that newer the equipment, better results. To that end, as someone else has also mentioned, only drawback of consumer level equipment is that repeated use of it will eventually cause it to deteriorate. I shot an event where I ended up in renting a video camera (no money/funding for production !!). During that event I did a secondary shoot (B Roll) with a small Sony handycam I had for more than 8 years now. I can guarantee you that my footage from vintage sony handycam can compete with the footage I got from rental video. As a matter of fact as Markus said, rental camera was no fun to use. For pure artistic purpose any equipment will work well. Again, personally I like lower end equipment because there are less things to mess with and less things can go wrong. Thanks again for putting objectivity and creativity ahead of equipment.

Hi Markus! Do you download the video files from camcorder to your computer the same way you do with DSLR cameras? Any particular thing to think about and avoid when download the files?

Hi Markus, what is your opinion of 3ccd (3 Chip) cameras vs single. Back in 1996 I purchased a Sony VX1000 3ccd camera and got great results. It also had some of the best onboard audio I have ever heard to this day. Are 3ccd cameras a thing of the past. Thanks for the education.

This is why for bigger cameras I prefer ones like the Canon XA70. Cheaper than the JVC and Panasonic ones, but has fantastic dual pixel autofocus and it looks great.

Unless you’re in a pro broadcast studio, or taping church services or corporate seminars, xlr and big bulky cams are overkill. I miss my Sony HDW-F900R but I will never miss lugging that beast around!

Are the smaller ones any good for filming while moving like 5mph? 😂 sorry need a camera for skate videos haha

I worked with Sony for over 4 decades. Just ones I bought a Canan VIXIA. But the problem with Canan is that they don't know their own product. If you need some any advice, they just send to another Canon Place. They just care about sales and don't give a shit about their customers. With Sony you get optimal support, and everybody talks with you is really an expert, who don't let you leave before a solution is found. With a Sony you are always in good hands.

I'm no photographer .. I'm a com-tech .. so many customers ask me to build the fastest most powerful pc .. to "Read Email' ?! .. I always tell them "so you want to drive a Ferrari at 50km/h? .. the point is each gadgets has its own usage & purpose .. don't mean the biggest & the fastest with all the bells and whistles must be the best ..

o my .. you keep carrying ups and downs the giant cam .. what strong arms you must have .. hahaha ..

Me to. I don,t like big clunky camcorders. I have a Sony AX53 I really like it alot.

i wonder how long it will be before sony releases a pocket 12k camera and makes Blackmagic redundant.

My mixing box has XLR inputs, so if I want to record multiple places with multiple input mics, I had been have some way to plug them into my board.

Camcorders are budget friendly, great for next years louder than life fest.

I like big cameras. I don’t care about the quality I just want that big professional look

My church has 3 981's and we love them for live-streaming. solid little units that's for sure!

Thanks for all your videos

Excellent Video!
The Panasonic and others have many adjustable, fun features, extreme zoom, options and abilities too.
The Shoulder Cam's are delicate. Drop them/Knock them once and they are unusable - their beautiful lens's are glued or thin plastic sealed to the body unit. Put them on a very strong tripod, and rope them off, or never let them leave your shoulder or padded carry bag.
The hand held cam's will work until their internal parts wear out, as long as the damage isn't intentional or extreme. The valuable parts are protected by a solid unit of hard plastic with no vulnerable or delicate areas.
The equipment "value" lines are being blurred from cell phones to hand held, to shoulder mounts, due to digital and microchip advancements. A talented post production/effects person can see all 4k/high-def the same,, no matter what it was captured on, and then process and render out, into their own vision of quality.

I love the Sony RX S100. It does amazing things; I agree! The only thing it doesn't do is stay on for more than 5 minutes or so. It makes it hell to film a long take or to film oneself while performing a 45 minute set. So it looks like the only other option is the Z90V. Thank you for all the great info and tips. P.S. Really enjoying your videos - keep 'em coming!

Awesome!

I love these little camera conspiracies/vegetable police cameos you’ve been dropping around in your videos 😂

Thank Markus. Love your knowledge and vids. Always, Always. Look up your vids to get info on things I’m looking to buy. lol. Again thanks you Markus. Oh yeah. Still have my Sony. UTX-B40 lav mic I won on your giveaway. 👍👍

Marcus, What do you think about pocket cameras (DJI Pocket 3)? They are both small and has a gimbal.

Excellent video as always. And a surprise cameo from Camera Conspiracies! Was not expecting that!

Thanks for all your videos!
Im looking for some thing to shoot Live Concerts with that work alright in low light - don't take to much room - with auto fokus I can trust - that can zoom pretty far (so I can stand in the back of the room and still get sort of close to the musicians) - and most important! Battery that can keeps going for hours!
It seams maybe the Panasonic xv981 could be a good match?
Thank you again! :)

Great review geeat advice.