Panasonic AG-HVX200 Mini DV Camcorder

Pros: Tapeless format without moving parts, excellent image quality
Cons: Complicated for newcomers into the field

We just received an AG-HVX200 and I tell you, it's got more menus than a powerhouse Chinese restaurant. It's not for people who enjoy the pyro-friendly camera; there are menus with the depth of a 15-layer cake. The reason is because the camera can be ...

Pros: Excellent design, and workflow.
Cons: Current limitation on p2 card size and P2 card price.

Over the last few years i have been building a career as a Cinematographer. When the time came where my Clientel were requesting High Definition footage for their projects, i began to research the many small Semi-PRO HD camcorders on the market. The ...

Pros: dont ever have to use tapes again
Cons: P2 cards and so expensive, cant wait for 16 or 32 gigs

Why ever use tape again, ever. The option to shoot in so many different compression formats is great. Even if you arent using HD, just standard def. You put the p2 card in, shoot, pull it out, put it in your computer...so easy. No more real time transfers from tape to computer.

Pros: Versatility, No digitizing, Slo-mo and Timelapse, Professional quality without the price
Cons: Bit on the heavy side. LCD quality isn't very good. P2 record times are short

Simply the best camera I've ever owned or operated that didn't cost 150K... The video quality is unparalled in this price point. Simply beats the tar out of the HDV flavor of cameras. The IT tapeless workflow is such a dream. Slow motion out of the box. Rich cinema look. Simply couldn't be happier than I am with the HVX. Makes broadcast quality HD images affordable and fun.

Pros: great camera, features, price, image quality
Cons: single lens, expensive media, focus ring improvements

The HVX camera from Panasonic is targeted at the commercial and prosumer market. Featuring a multitude of items that other cameras seem to be missing :
real slow motion, true 24p recording,low HD compression, excellent 4 channel uncompressed sound, full manual controls.

But this also doesn't mean that there isn't room for improvement. The first thing you'll notice is the focusing meter numbers on the camera's pop out screen is not accurate when pulling focus quickly, it better to have camera marks on the barrel.

Also the cost of the P2 cards and space make you feel that your getting taken for the amount of space you are paying for. 800-1000 for 4gigs is pricey no matter how you cut it.

The addition of being able to interchange lenses would bring this camera in direct competition with many 35mm film cameras.

An incredible camera for the price regardless. Amazing quality and full of professional features overall.  even though current tests against canon and jvc have been competitive, the p2 work flow and low compression as well as the uncompressed audio give this camera a jump ahead of the others.

you can get better for the price currently

Pros: Picture quality, durability, tapeless, built-in microphone, many options...
Cons: Cost of P2 cards and their small storage space. (For now)

A versatile camera with more features than it's $77,000 big brother, but at a fraction of the cost. True High Definition video with very little compression. I tested JVC's ProHD GY-HD100U and Cannon's XL H1 HD camcorders. The Panasonic HVX200 beat them hands down in comparable picture quality, functionality and overall camera durability design. This is a must buy for professional video production. The P2 cards will come down in price and their size will go up in record time. This is a camera to use for the next 5 years.