We just introduced a new website (pardon our dust), and have a new feature called “My Picks“. For my first installment, I talk about my picks for cameras. Check it out, and make sure you subscribe to the blog.

I have owned so many cameras over the years, it’s ridiculous. Allow me to give you my opinion on the camera’s available in today’s market, and what I think makes up for a really nice kit.

Of course, I’m always looking for great audio too. Make sure you check out my tutorial video on what features to look for in Camera Selection for audio.

Unfortunately, there is no one single camera that can give you everything: great audio, low light performance, shallow depth of field, interchangeable lenses, which is still small and light enough to easily glidecam. 

So, I use two cameras in my kit. First, I have a DSLR for the more artistic-type shots, were you may want shallow depth of field and really good low-light performance. Now, DSLR cameras have a limited recording time which limits their use to short clips. Also, they can be awkward and bulky. So, the second camera in my kit is a small handheld HD camcorder which can be used for long recordings, and is so small and lightweight that it is a breeze to glidecam. 

The video quality available from both of these cameras is absolutely amazing. Then, to achieve great audio, you slap on a juicedLink low-noise preamplifier and you’re in business … literally. 

Let’s talk about some actual models. 

• DSLR: Canon 5D Mark II
  • VIDEO: The 5D has a full frame sensor. So, it has outstanding low-light performance and provides you with a really nice shallow depth of field that any 35mm camera is capable of. As a Canon DLSR, it has a huge amount of interchangeable lenses to choose from to meet your needs.
  • AUDIO: Around April 2010, Canon gave the 5D manual audio control of its audio through a firmware update. This is what consumers really want, and I hope they provide updates for all their cameras. So, you do not need to use any AGC disable feature to get great audio. You just need a great low-noise preamplifier from juicedLink like the DT454 DSLR Audio Solution to achieve two clean recording tracks of audio inside the camera (which has signifagant advantages over using a seperate recorder). The 5D still lacks a headphone jack, and the meter is not visible while you are recording, so the headphone and meter of the DT454 remain very valuable, even with the new firmware.
  • DRAWBACKS:
    • Bulky, awkward, and a limited recording time. This is why you have your standard inexpensive HD camcorder to complement it.
    • Expense. I don’t consider this to be an expensive camera, considering the value that you get for it. But, it may not be within everybody’s budget. Then, consider something like the Canon T2i DSLR (see comments below).
• CAMCORDER: Canon Vixia HD
  • MODELS: I’m a big fan of these cameras. There are many models to choose from, with various features. Canon started with the introduction of the HV20. These days, I’m not a big fan of tape recording media. I own an HF100 and love it (but there are newer and better models available today, like the HF S200, etc).
  • VIDEO: With sufficient lighting, the video quality in available from these cameras this fantastic.
  • AUDIO: Most of these have the features that I’m looking for for great audio (manual control, meter, headphone – always check the user Manual before you purchase to verify). Then, all you need is a juicedLink CX Family Preamp to achieve great audio performance.
  • DRAWBACKS: Lack of interchangeable lenses or shallow depth of field. But, that’s why you have the DSLR as part of your kit.

Let me say a few words about some other popular cameras available on the market:

• Sony Handheld HD Camcorders: Similar to the Canon Vixia line. But, I prefer the Canons because of their audio features. Most of the Sonys lack a meter, and only have a “Normal” and “Low” microphone settings. The juicedLink CX preamps work very well with these on the “low” microphone setting. But, I would still prefer the Canon Vixia line for meters and full manual control.
• Pro Camcorders (XHA1, FX7, FX1000, etc): These don’t really meet my needs anymore. With the DSLRs, I don’t need these for their video quality. I prefer glidecam-ing with a smaller and lighter handheld HD camcorder.
• Canon 7D: Great camera. But, it does not have Manual audio control. The juicedLink DT454 and its AGC Disable feature works very well with this camera to provide a clean audio track. But, I would either stretch the budget to get a 5DMKII which has Manual audio control, or save some bucks and get the T2i.
• Canon T2i: Great little DSLR camera. Unfortunately, does not have Manual control of its audio. But, use the AGC disable feature of the juicedLink DT454 DSLR Audio Solution to give yourself a nice clean track of recorded audio inside the camera.
• Nikon D3s, D300s: Even though these do provide different for audio settings (high, med, low), the front audio amplifier is too noisy even on the low setting. I would recommend either the Canon 5DMKII or T2i.
• Panasonic GH1: The juicedLink DT454 and its AGC Disable feature work very well with this camera to provide a clean recording track of audion inside the camera. Interesting things going on with hacked firmware. Hopefully, they will find a way to provide some Manual audio control.