On Fri, 8 Nov 2002 01:00:02 -0500, "Greg Mead" wrote:

>I have been doing lots of low end video work with a Sony TRV900 and a TRV30
>as a second camera where light permits. I am getting more requests that I
>feel I don't have the equipment to handle and am considering moving up to a
>camera that would perform much better in low light. The type of work I've
>passed on with my current gear are weddings with poorly lit reception halls
>and 2 different training videos for a customer who wanted to shoot in their
>showroom (which had very subdued lighting). Obviously, low light performance
>is a key factor here.

As is added lighting... (OK for set-ups, less OK for
events, though...).

>I am considering the following cameras at present: Sony DCR-TRV950, Sony
>DCR-VX2000, Canon GL2 and Canon XL1S. I realize that the XL1S is a huge jump
>in price from the others, but I really like the idea of being able to swap
>lenses. I have used a Canon GL2 that a friend owns and was very impressed
>with the quality, but didn't really have a chance to check out its low light
>performance. I was impressed with the quality of the pictures I took
>outside, though. I don't know of anywhere I could get unbiased opinions
>locally, nor where I could try the various cameras. Am I missing any cameras
>that I should be considering in the above list? Most of the comparisons I've
>found online don't include the GL2 or still review the TRV900.

The 900 is still one of the best compact low-light cameras.
Nix the 950 and XL1, add the new Panasonic 24P camera
and the JVC 300 to the "look at" mix. If you just wanna
jump, the VX2000 really is hard to beat for picture
quality and low-light range (the GL2 is a close 2nd,
but why take second...?), and the others are as yet "unknowns"...

>It is not that money is no object, but I'd rather spend a few hundred extra
>and get the right camera than regret it later. So, does anyone have
>firsthand experience with one or more of these cameras that they'd be
>willing to share? Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

www.David-Ruether-Photography.com/vid_pict_characts.htm
www.David-Ruether-Photography.com/camcorder-comparison.htm
(and see URLs at end)
www.David-Ruether-Photography.com/sony_dcr-vx2000.htm
www.David-Ruether-Photography.com/camcorder--comparison.htm
http://www4.big.or.jp/%7Ea_haru/temp020829/0208_3CCD.html
(this one includes the GL2)
BTW, I may be looking at the new Panasonic soon, so
watch www.David-Ruether-Photography.com/articles.html for
a comparison of it with the VX2000 and the JVC 500
(a MUCH better buy than a decently-equipped XL1,
BTW...).