Hands-On HD Extreme Shoots with Small-Format HD Cameras

Studio Monthly

For months now, we’ve been hearing countless variations on a similar theme, which led us to ask: Who makes "the world’s smallest professional HD camcorder" anyway? In February, Panasonic released the AG-HSC1U, a 3-CCD pro camera that weighs just over one pound. We next considered Iconix, which introduced its 720p/1080i/1080p POV camera at NAB last year. The newest model, the Iconix HD-RH1, also with three CCDs, actually beats the Panasonic in size (its head is only 2.3 ounces, though the controller weighs in at 3.5 pounds). Sony’s HVRA1U, which seems mammoth by comparison to these other two, is still proving to be a versatile multi-tasker: it’s both light and sharp enough to go the distance into the Amazon rainforest and out over the Grand Canyon.

Size is one thing, you say, but resolution is another. Read what Michael Slovis, the DP for CSI: Crime Scene Investigation has to say about that. By the way, Slovis shoots the show with a Panavision 3-perf film camera. But that wasn’t a problem for him or the VFX team at CSI:. They dealt easily with both formats in post. read more...