On 1 Jul 2002 23:57:10 -0700, gil8here@yahoo.com (Gil Bugarin) wrote:

>I work for a research firm in which we are starting to do a lot of
>video interviews for our clients. We've been using DCRTRV17/PC100
>Sony camcorders. The video are then transferred and edited on Premiere
>6 using Pinnacle DV500. We will be moving to a Canopus board in a few
>weeks. Plus we will be buying additional computer hardware. (This
>will be part of the upgrade in equipment)
>
>I will have authorization to buy a better video camera for our
>projects. Most of these videos will be for our clients, mainly for
>internal viewing. I'm looking at a Sony PD150 or a Canon XL1S. One of
>these cameras is within my budget ($4,000). I should have some $$ for
>some accessories.
>
>Most of the shoots we do are sidewalk interviews, internal client
>research videos, etc. I'm leaning towards the Sony due to the
>compatibility with the accessories we've already bought, especially
>the batteries. Also, the small form factor, and the quality of the
>video are a big plus.
>
>If anyone can help me reinforce my decision on why I should go for a
>PD 150, instead of an XL1S, that would be very helpful.
>
>I have some questions however.
>
>PD150 Questions:
>Whats the difference beteen a PD150 and the VX2000?
>I know of the B&W viewer and XLR for the PD150
>What is the XLR and what does it do?
>I've read that the mic for the PD150 isn't good?? Is this true?
>What is a good mic? Wireless mic? Boom mic? Light?
>
>
>XL1S questions:
>Uhh…I have no experience with Canon camera's.

Not to start yet another "mine is better than yours"
war, but for greater simplicity and compactness, lower
cost well-equipped for use, better automatic controls,
etc., go with the PD150 (or cheaper VX2000, if you don't
need the XLR audio connectors [or even if you do - they
can be added]); go with the XL-1s only if you are prepared
to add/substitute parts, put up with some operating
difficulties, and really need interchangeable lenses (to
shoot with VERY long lenses, or VERY high magnification
macro), or the ability to record 4 channels of audio at
once... BTW, the PD150 supplied mic is very good for
interviews, though you may want to add a wired or wireless
lavaliere mic or boom mic; the batteries you have are not
compatible with the PD150 (get an NPF960 - it lasts
FOREVER!); the VX2000/PD150 picture is really excellent,
the sound is good enough, and the camera is easy to use...