All about professional camcorders

The modern market provides the user with a wide selection of digital video cameras with a wide variety of characteristics and parameters. To approach the choice consciously, you need to have an idea of ​​how professional cameras differ from amateur ones. It will be about video cameras in all their variety of digital formats and classes. And first of all, it is worth paying attention to a number of features.

A suitable camera for video filming of special events today is being replaced by users with literally any handy device, from a DSLR to a smartphone. But professional shooting will differ from amateur, first of all, in quality. For photographers and operators in the kit you can often see lighting equipment and a number of various accessories to help, which are designed to facilitate the process and improve the work "at the exit".

It is professional video cameras that are capable of transmitting an image in a way that even the most original smartphone will not be able to do. And a number of requirements are imposed on them. Among them quality of shooting and a variety of formats with which the operator can work... Another factor to consider is the purpose of the camera. For example, what a tourist needs is not suitable for a video blogger. Optical zoom, remote control and other functions are all important features of specific models of professional camcorders.

The scope of use of cameras is one of the key points that determine the features of a particular model. Therefore, it is not surprising that when choosing a camera for filming videos, weddings, movies and any other purposes, each user understands this in his own way.

In addition, a camera for special events and a broadcast camera for news are two different things in price and in their key characteristics. But there are a few things to look out for when buying a camera:

• sensitivity level;
• image stabilization;
• resolution.

For professionals, the range of color rendering, its width and dynamics also play a role. Contrary to popular belief, resolution and resolution are two different things.... Resolution - roughly speaking, the width of the image in points or pixels, but the resolution directly affects the level of detail in the output image. You can check this parameter visually and using a special table, which indicates the number of lines that the lens is able to display. The more, the better.

A high indicator is considered to be from 1000 lines and above.... But it is worth considering that no matter how high the ability, only the picture quality that the resolution can demonstrate will be physically displayed on the screen. This is the relationship between these two parameters.

One of the main criteria by which you can distinguish an amateur camera from a professional one is sensitivity. This is important when shooting in poor lighting conditions. The higher the sensitivity, the higher the conventional image quality when shooting in unfavorable conditions.... This is what distinguishes professional cameras from amateur ones, in addition to the number of formats and the possibility of processing the finished product. And therefore, a professional camera cannot be put on a par with any modern smartphone, even if the latter has special filters.

Sensitivity also increases the amount of noise in the frame, so choose a model with caution... The easiest way to compare is to see the quality of shooting photos and videos in the dark for several different models.

As for stabilization in amateur and professional cameras, they can be divided into:

• electronic or software (which will sound much more accurate from the point of view of the working concept);
• mechanical.

In the second case, the position of the lenses in space changes. Accordingly, the shooting angle changes and the quality changes a little. The direction and acceleration of the shear are always fixed by the system. In electronic stabilization, all this data is additionally processed by a processor. At the software level, all incoming frames are compared, and the image is shifted in the desired direction using projection. The advantages of this approach are simple and understandable: in the absence of complex moving mechanical elements, the camera, accordingly, becomes less vulnerable to damage.

In modern models, with the help of additional software modules, the level of load on the processor is removed, which reduces wear and tear. A some professional cameras offer both options for image stabilization. This, together with various formats and quality of shooting, qualitatively distinguishes professional cameras from amateur ones.... It remains only to understand how the user can choose the most suitable option with the lowest financial costs.

When choosing a professional camcorder, you should think about the presence of accessories in the kit to make your work easier. In particular, a tripod as a fixing device should be selected according to a number of criteria.

• Tripod height... Growth is different for everyone, so you need to focus on yourself.
• Weight and complexity - a rule from the same category.
• Sustainability and the load is selected taking into account the camera and additional gadgets to it.
• Tripod head... One of the main mechanisms for rotating the camera.

In addition, for high-quality sound recording an external microphone must be included in the required accessories... It can be wired or wireless. The type of fastening and quality characteristics must be determined depending on your own comfort.

Photo bag, backpack, lighting, mirrors - all these are additional accessoriesthat will help the user to ensure a comfortable work in any conditions. The set of what you need for a professional camera is individual for everyone.

In order to view all the main types of cameras without interference, they need to be classified.

In modern models, there can be two directions of classification:

• depending on the physical medium;
• a list of video formats that the user can work with.

When it comes to gadgets, even digital devices can be divided according to purely physical characteristics. For example, there are cassette camcorders, and there are those that work with DVD floppy disks. In the current market you can see models with a built-in hard disk, as well as an SSD or flash drive... The last two are the most common. The more memory a carrier has, the more actively the price dynamics of the camera will vary.

But it's worth saying right away that in any case, information is recorded on the camera in digital format. The selection process varies mainly on the usability of a particular device.For example, tapes had to be rewound or watched from the beginning to get to a specific site. Other physical media have a higher speed of copying and working with information, not to mention the fact that transferring a finished video from a cassette to a computer is an additional layer of working time.

Speaking roughly and to the point, the recording format is precisely the ability to compress the original video and get the finished picture at the output.

There are several formats depending on the type of compression.

• Full HD allows you to shoot high quality widescreen videos with clear and pleasing picture and sound. Most of these recordings do not require additional processing at the output, if there is no task to equip the video with special effects. Some professional cameras have additional filters to increase the brightness or contrast of the image while shooting. The more filters and features there are, the higher the price will be. For example, CF-enabled models will be more expensive than conventional models.

• MPEG-2 - the user often encounters this format even when playing regular video recordings for a computer. The technology itself is called interframe compression, that is, the digital space between frames is processed. Encoding or decoding from this format takes minimal time and resources when compared to higher quality HD footage.

If the user needs a reasonably cheap high-definition camera, then Sony HDR-CX405 can successfully meet the stated requirements. It is a compact model with a light body, which is suitable for shooting action movies. The image is optically stabilized using a variety of programs, and the wide lens will help to enhance the shooting details. This camera will become a reliable companion for both the beginner and the amateur.

A more professional option is Panasonic HC-V770 with zoom and the ability to shoot video in widescreen HD-quality. You can work in several complex modes, and the processor easily processes the incoming information stream. Panasonic HC-X920 - professional features at a low price. This is a budget option with many additional features and the ability to process video with special effects.

Well, for those for whom video filming is the main source of income, it is ideal JVC GC-PX100 with a powerful battery, many modes, functions and high quality shooting in the worst conditions.

First of all, before choosing a video camera, you need to understand the specifics of its use. You don't need a professional camera to watch video on an ordinary LCD TV at home, as all the nuances and quality of the video will remain unnoticed. DVD camcorders are suitable for those who have an appropriate player at home. But even without a playback device, most modern professional cameras are equipped with connectors for connecting to other devices, and you don't have to rely on this alone.

Another question is the list of required formats for processing. If you love video shooting and editing, then you can safely choose a modern AVCHD camera, it will not disappoint you. The computer must also meet a number of requirements.

In the next video you will find a detailed review of the Panasonic HC-V770 camcorder and impressions after 1.5 years of use.