On 20 May 2002 21:51:15 -0700, waterbot@omsoft.com (Greg Thrasher) wrote:

>what's the minidv camera that I could find for under $1500 that will
>give me the shortest depth of field?
>
>well, actually my general question is simply what is the sub-$1500
>minidv camera that will give me the most professional, movie-like
>pictures?

Uh, whatever "movie-like" is...;-)
Some of us prefer good "video-like" images from
our video cameras...;-)
Best video buys $1500 and under for best image:
new/used Sony TRV900, used Sony VX1000, and with
careful low-contrast lighting choices, maybe the
1.5 megapixel Sony one-CCD models (TRV30/50,
PC115/120). The VX1000 of the above has the
largest chips (by a bit...), so theoretically
(not much in practice, though...) should have
somewhat lower DOF, all else being equal
(it rarely is...). BTW, for information on
*video* image characteristics and faults, see:
www.David-Ruether-Photography.com/vid_pict_characts.htm.
For more on the cameras mentioned, see:
www.David-Ruether-Photography.com/camcorder-comparison.htm,
www.David-Ruether-Photography.com/sony_dcr-vx2000.htm, and
www.David-Ruether-Photography.com/camcorder--comparison.htm.