On 22 Jun 2001 00:32:58 -0000, Anonymous wrote:

>I've been reading posts in the newsgroups, but I can't find the info I am looking for so I guess
>I'll ask.
>
>I need to buy a mini dv camcorder to be used for outdoor available light documentation purposes.
>The more detail it can resolve, so much the better. It will be bouncing around in a backpack in a
>vehicle much of the time. The camcorder will be hooked up to a Canopus DvRaptor card to download
>the footage into a pc for editing. My candidates are Sony DCR-PC110 JVC GR-DVM75 JVC GR-DVP3
>CANON ELURA2 MC and CANON ZR-30 MC Obviously you can see I'm looking for something
compact and
>light.
>
>If anyone who owns any of these units could please share their experiences as to the physical
>durability or lack thereof of these units, I would be very grateful. Other comments such as video
>and still image quality would also be greatly appreciated. TIA

The Sony camcorders tend to offer the sharpest images, and
the PC100/PC110/TRV20 image does appear just sharp enough
to video landscape kinda acceptably, though with somewhat
unsatisfactory tonal and color characteristics... If you
must use one of these instead of a VX-2000 (not perfect,
but it does render landscape detail acceptably, with good
tonality and color, and you can carry it long distances,
unlike FAR larger and heavier [and better] pro gear),
the PC110 should serve well enough - though none of these
is designed for rough handling, and dust can be an issue.
Keep the camera in a clean plastic bag, inside a well-padded
enclosure, be careful when changing tape (stay with one
brand), and use a good large hand air syringe to blow out
the tape chamber with each tape change, and you may be OK...