Topic: Sony PC100 vs. new Panasonic 3 CCD cams?

[greatape]

There are lots of great examples of what the Sony PC100 Handycam can do.  These old things still sell for over $400.  I'm nervous about spending that much on a 5 year old camera.
Also, I can't find any detailed specs about its 16:9 mode.  Is it true 16:9 or is it cropped?  I've seen wideangle lens adapters for this camera but I would guess a low quality adapter would defeat the purpose of the high quality Zeis lens on that camera.

How does it compare to brand new Pansonics, like the GS500, which can be found new for a few hundred dollars more.  On paper the GS500 looks great but I haven't yet seen a concert recording done with this camera.

Anything else that I should be looking into that can be found for under $500?

[hummat]

Not sure about the GS500, but I've worked with some of the lesser GS 3-CCD models and really liked the results. The link below has some samples.The April 15 clip - the center camera is panasonic 3 chipper, and the July 21- both cameras are panasonic 3-chippers.

Since the resolution needed for the web is much lower than you'd use for a DVD and I've compressed the hell out of'em, I know these probably don't offer a lot of help.  But in the event they do. . .

http://osabella.com/musicVids/tunesVidPlayer.html

-Jay

[Josh P]

Its true 16:9 on the PC100.

And nice clips there hummat, love the jackmormons!

[greatape]

Wow, that looks impressive.  I specified the GS500 because it has bigger CCDs, but the smaller 1/6 in. CCD's on the "lesser" GSs looks really good (assuming your cams had the 1/6 chips).  GS300 might be a good option for me.  Thanks.

Not sure about the GS500, but I've worked with some of the lesser GS 3-CCD models and really liked the results. The link below has some samples.The April 15 clip - the center camera is panasonic 3 chipper, and the July 21- both cameras are panasonic 3-chippers.

Since the resolution needed for the web is much lower than you'd use for a DVD and I've compressed the hell out of'em, I know these probably don't offer a lot of help.  But in the event they do. . .

http://osabella.com/musicVids/tunesVidPlayer.html

-Jay

[hummat]

Agreed. The bigger the CCD the better, if you can go 500, then go 500!