I think it's time for me to think about going the HD route...I have a potential buyer for my Sony PD170 and some accessories, so let's say I have about $2,000 give or take a bit...help me spend it! I've really liked my Sony camera, so I'm thinking about going that route again, but I guess I'm open to other options. The camera I'm considering right now is the Sony HDR-FX7 : http://campbellcameras.com/shopping/Products/Sony-HDR-FX7__SONYHDRFX7.aspx
The FX-7 is a great camera, but it certainly has some drawbacks. #1 - it's still a tape camera. Within the next 2-3 years I'm guessing that camcorders using tapes will be about as obsolete as your Walkman cassette player is. Everything is moving to SD/CF card recording these days, so I personally wouldn't spend 2K on a camera that still uses tapes. #2 - unlike your PD170 the FX7 doesn't have any XLR inputs for microphones. It only has the standard mini-plug (think headphone jack on your MP3 player). This limits your options for getting high-quality audio with a good microphone. #3 - the FX7 isn't nearly as good in low-light as your PD-170. In fact, it's not even CLOSE. The FX-7 is out of light a good 20 minutes before legal shooting light ends. Now, on the plus side the FX7 takes GREAT footage and the colors are wonderful without any post-adjustments. The large LCD viewing screen is also a bonus. It's very bright, crisp and clear. For self-filming it's a dream. Now if I had a 2K budget, there's 2 cameras I'd be looking at. The first is the Sony NEX-VG10 found here - http://www.campbellcameras.com/shop...erchangeable-Lens-Camcorder__SONYNEXVG10.aspx This camera is pretty sweet b/c it uses interchangeable lenses and can do a lot of different things, including shooting DSLR quality 14 MP still images. If you watch the video at the bottom of the page you'll get an idea for the quality of the camera and what it can do. The drawbacks are going to be only having a 3.5 mm mic input, and the fact that it's not all that great in low light. Canon XA10 - http://www.campbellcameras.com/shopping/Products/Canon-XA10__CANXA10.aspx This is a new camea coming out on the market but it's got a bunch of really cool features. 10x zoom isn't the greatest, but it will do and is comparable to your PD170. It has XLR inputs for better audio, records to SDHC cards, and has a better lux rating for low light than the FX7. For the same price I think you're getting more for your money with this cam than the FX7. With all that said, I think the Canon is a better 'overall' camera. The NEX from Sony is a sweet camera, but I think it would be better as a second camera to be used for specific things. The Canon looks to be better for all-around hunting duties.
Justin, thanks for such an in depth reply! I appreciate it! The two things I love about my PD170 are it's low light capabilities and the XLR ports! I was actually wondering what the 'time line' would be for getting out of the tapes and into SD/CF...makes so much more sense! Sounds like you made a great case for looking more into the XA10. Thanks.
