Hi--

I read with interest your posting on the best settings for outdoor low light with video camcorders.

I was wondering if you would answer a question for me on camcorders' response in low light.

I am interested in getting the best camcorder results I can in *indoor* low light. Just purchased (on approval) a Sony Digital DCR-TRV11 (Digital) camcorder, (f 1.7 lens, rated by Sony at minimum 5 lux). The grain or video noise in indoor 'living room' shots (home living room, lit with several 100-watt lamps)is extremely noticeable, although the resolution seems much better than my old Panasonic PV-610 full-size VHS machine. Accessory video lights with the Sony reduce the noise considerably, but are useless at distances across the room (10 or more feet).

I have a Panasonic PV-610 (full size VHS) - about 10 years old - with an f/1.2 lens. This machine gives me VERY low video noise, but comparatively poor audio and poor resolution.

Can you recommend a good digital camcorder that's reasonbly small and portable that has particularly low video noise? Or do you think that the best machines for low video noise are necessarily full-sized SVHS machines? Am I expecting too much? I've read that the Sony 3-CCD machines (e.g., the 900) are even worse in low light than the 1-chip machines. Do I need to search high and low for some machine - ANY machine that has an f/1.2 lens?

Thanks for any advice you can give me. I appreciate your help.

Best regards,

Dan Z.
at danz9@stratos.net


The very best low-light Mini-DV "handycam"-type camera is
the VX-2000; next would be the TRV-900 (with reservations);
followed by some other 3-chippers (XL-1, GL-1, VX-1000);
then by the best of the one-chippers... The VX-2000 also
has the best picture under all other conditions (with
TRV-900 and VX-1000 second-best). To get what you want
will take about $1800-2600 or so for the basic camera +
accessories. I have not tried it, but the Optura Pi has
a reputation for being OK in low light, and my old VX-700
was pretty good in low light (but one-chippers have other
picture-quality limitations...).