The Panasonic AG-HVX200: Yay or Nay?
Posted by Jay C on April 7th, 2007
Filed under: News, Personal Projects
So here’s a question for all of you videographers and documentary filmmakers out there. I’ve recently made a pretty big decision in my life. I figure it’s time to be a little less passive and a little more aggressive. After saving to buy my own house, i’ve decided to scrap my life plans and throw it all on the line. I’m going to try and shoot my time travel film this year, and i’m going to use my house money to do it! TAKE THAT, RESPONSIBILITY AND SECURITY! So now that i’m officially living on ‘the edge’, i’ve been looking into purchasing a new video camera, and i’m really leaning towards the Panasonic AG-HVX200. The test footage i’ve seen looks amazing, and the HD format is something i’d be interested in trying out. However, this whole shooting to memory thing is sort of freaking me out. I believe I ready 8 GIGS for every 10 MINUTES! And the P2 memory that the camera requires is pretty expensive at this point. I could just shoot to tape, but would it be worth paying the money for this camera if I were to do so? I also enjoy the variable speeds that the camera shoots at. Finally I can do my own time lapsed ‘Gus Van Sante’ cloud shots!
Anyways, if anyone has shot with this camera or has any knowledge about any of this, could you drop me a line? I’m also trying to figure out the best way to go about purchasing one in Canada. I’d like to avoid customs/border taxes at all costs. Any advice would be appreciated. You can reach me at jcheel@sympatico.ca. Thanks in advance.
Jay C on 
April 8th, 2007 00:52
Rock on! That is so great. I admire your courage and would suggest posting your question to the Doculink List:
http://www.doculink.org/mailing.html
CB
April 8th, 2007 03:07
Thanks Chris!
April 8th, 2007 10:36
Panasonic is going to release a 16 gig P2 card and announce a 32 gig one at NAB this year. So, wait until the end of the month at least, the prices are sure to drop.
Are you going to shoot in 1080 or 720?
April 8th, 2007 12:37
Well that’s sort of what i’m wondering. Is it really worth it for me to shoot 1080? And if not, then would I be better off getting the Panasonic DVX-100? I like the fact that you have the variable frame rates on the HVX, but I don’t know how often i’ll be using that. From the test footage i’ve looked at (on YouTube unfortunately) they both look great.
April 8th, 2007 14:58
I would shoot 720p which is still considered HD, side by side most people including myself prefer the look of 720 over 1080. And if you are going to shoot 720p you have to get the HVX200, the DVX100 shoots 480p.
I am debating whether to get an HVX200 also. Well, I was debating it until I found out how much taxes I have to pay this year.
April 10th, 2007 23:22
I work with a guy shooting commercials he uses the same camera. It’s pretty good lucking footage. We recently shot some stuff with a Letus 35 mm SLR adapter that looked pretty good. You can check out some of his work here: http://www.greatmindspro.com/
In the movies section, under Rebel you can see me in black screaming. We shot that segment using the 35 mm adapter.
April 10th, 2007 23:22
I work with a guy shooting commercials he uses the same camera. It’s pretty good looking footage. We recently shot some stuff with a Letus 35 mm SLR adapter that looked pretty good. You can check out some of his work here: http://www.greatmindspro.com/
In the movies section, under Rebel you can see me in black screaming. We shot that segment using the 35 mm adapter.
April 10th, 2007 23:26
Sorry about the double post. It’s a pretty funny typo in the first one. Jay, I wish you the best of luck and look forward to seeing your documentary someday soon.
April 11th, 2007 09:57
Hey Ian,
I’m going to check out your friends site now. Is everything in the movies page shot with the HVX?
Thanks for the support! I hope to have some regular news regarding my film in a short while.
April 11th, 2007 18:15
Funnily enough, I’ve been using that camera for 2 weeks on this short fim that I’m assistant camera on. It’s the first time I’ve used the P2 cards. We’ve been using a laptop to upload the footage and review as we shoot. It has two slots so we fill one then check with the director as we simultaneously shoot on the second.
We’ve also been using a DTE for backup.
The camera is great, has some great features on it and I would love to have it, if I had the money. I never knew about it 2 weeks ago but now it’s popping up everywhere.
April 11th, 2007 19:38
Well I just ordered one. So we’ll see how it goes!
February 7th, 2008 12:00
I know this may be too little too late, but here’s my $.02 worth.
The P2 cards, whether it’s the 16gb, or 32gb or God willing they come out with something as large as a 64gb…just spend a little more and go with the Firestore 100gb by Focus Enhancements. It was well-worth the $1600-$1800 I paid for it (I can’t remember exactly now).
February 12th, 2008 04:09
Larry,
Can you shoot HD to the Firestore? I was under the impression it would only shoot HD to the P2 cards? I have the HVX200 and have been waiting for the prices to come down.