On 1 Mar 2003 19:21:25 -0800, alowance@yahoo.com (al) wrote:

> First off sorry for the length of this posting. I am in the

>process of purchasing a new DV camcorder. I had been looking at two

>models - the Sony TRV-50 and Sony PC120BT. From what I have read

>these appear to be the same camera except for the blue tooth adatpter

>and obvious body difference of he camera.

Yes.

> However, just today I read the review on the Sony TRV-80 TRV-70

>(Both 2.1 megapixel CCD and 2megapixel DV) and the Panasonic DV953

>(3CCD and 3 megapixel stills). It appears that the Panasonic is in

>the same price range as the new Sonys and just a bit higher than the

>TRV50 and PC120BT. Does anyone have any experiences with these

>cameras.

See: http://www4.big.or.jp/~a_haru/index.html (the camera

models are in English) for comparative images (I think the

953 is the MX 5000, and the TRV30 or PC120 serves for the

TRV50, with the 70/80 not there yet...). I have reservations

about greater-than-megapixel one-CCD cameras, though...

(see: www.David-Ruether-Photography.com/camcorder--comparison.htm,

and for reference examples of video image problems:

www.David-Ruether-Photography.com/vid_pict_characts.htm).

> What I am looking for is a camera that:

>* Will take good video in both adequate light and poor light. Frrm

>what I hear that 3CCD is the best for this

*Some* 3-CCD cameras, but not the Panasonics other than

the DVX100... *None* of the 1-chippers are really good in

low light, though the megapixel (only, not greater) Sony

1/14.7" models appear to have a nice picture to their

low-light limits (as do the Panasonic 3-chippers, but

their low-light limits appear to be higher...).

>* A camcorder that takes good still pictures. Not so much for

>printing but rather for email

The megapixel (and higher) do this well... See the

3-D images (section "4" and above) for examples, at:

www.David-Ruether-Photography.com/changing.html.

>* A camcorder that has a good repari history. Fom my research it

>appears Sony has the edge over Panasonic in this area

>* A camcorder that provides good audio. My research has shown that

>certain cameras (ie Canon) have poor audio and pick up the oiperatiors

>audio over the subject

They appear to pick up motor noise, solved in the Sony

models, and in the Panasonic 3-CCD models (not sure

about the Pan. 1-chippers...).

>* A good viewfinder and LCD that wil perform in all light conditions

The LCD is useless for anything but rough framing

in daylight; you may need an eyecup to get the best

out of the eyepiece VFs, though the Sony and Pan.

tend to be good...

>* A shoe for attachments

Almost all have it...

Look also for mic input.

> Things like bluetooth are not so important. I think of them as

>noting more that toys. This will be a camera for my own personal use.

> Thanks in advamce for the help.