Indecision !

Your help would be much appreciated here:

We are going on vacation to Florida in 4 weeks and I need a replacement for my old JVC GR-DV3. I have narrowed my choice down to the HC90e and the HC1000e, after dismissing the new PC1000e on video quality issues.

These are my personal quandaries over the purchase.
I am coming from a small matchbox JVC, so the HC90 probably suits more than the larger HC1000, but I want to ensure the best quality.

I'd appreciate any feedback from those of you who have been around Disney with a HC1000 in tow - is it too bulky/heavy (I'm leaving my Canon EOS 10D and array of lenses at home as I don’t want too much bulk being carried around)?

Is the video quality of the HC1000 better than the HC90 and if so can anyone advise from first hand knowledge by how much? I am tending toward the HC1000 as I am a stickler for having the best quality I can get for the money, but obviously would be disappointed if there is nothing to put between the two cams in respect of video quality. All the mags/reviews put the HC1000 and the PC350 neck and neck on performance, but is this true?

I need to buy this week, so I can have some time to get used to the cam before we go – your trusted guidance is appreciated.

Thanx

Well it just goes to show that you can't trust some bloody hacks! For a single chip camera, the pc350 is great, but it isn't anything like the quality of the 3CCD HC1000. Likewise, I expect the quality of the HC90 to be roughly the same as the pc350, is not a little worse. I've not yet seen footage from the HC90, I must admit. However, if you want idiot proof filming, and great quality, go for the HC1000. It perfectly suits those who want the quality for little or no effort, since it works well in automatic mode. Although (because of the 3 chips) relatively large and bulky, it has the plus point of being extremely comfortable to use, thanks partly to the swivel grip.

It has bad points too... it only takes one battery size, which limits potential for long-life batteries, the manual controls are annoying to get to, and somewhat limited, making it a bad cam for enthusiasts and wannabe filmmakers. And it is about three times the weight of the HC90. But then the HC90 feels like it's made of cheap nastyness. Have i helped at all? Or just confused the issue more?

Bash, you commented that the hc1000 is comfortable to use. I checked out this cam in my local Frys. I found it difficult to hold the cam steady in one hand. Had to use the other hand for support (to keep it steady). Are camcorders like the hc1000 meant to be used with one hand?

I disagree with Bash's assessment of the build quality on the HC90. It is solidly built and does not feel like "cheap nastiness" at all. Plus the video quality is outstanding! Probably as close as you can get to 3-CCD quality in a single CCD camcorder. And the fact that it's one third the size, half the weight, and much less expensive, made up my mind easily. The HC1000 doesn't have a widescreen 16:9 LCD and doesn't even have any NightShot mode at all!!!

I disagree with Bash's assessment of the build quality on the HC90. It is solidly built and does not feel like "cheap nastiness" at all. Plus the video quality is outstanding! Probably as close as you can get to 3-CCD quality in a single CCD camcorder. And the fact that it's one third the size, half the weight, and much less expensive, made up my mind easily. The HC1000 doesn't have a widescreen 16:9 LCD and doesn't even have any NightShot mode at all!!!

Hi gmb,
I gather you are happy with the hc90 :D
Can you comment on its low light performance. Any idea how it stacks up against the pc350. I was fairly impressed with the low light performance of the pc350
W.r.t. the build quality of the hc90, I have to admit that its good but not great. I prefer the build quality of the pc350 and hc1000. Its the plastic casing on the right hand side (where the grip and tape drives are located) that put me off :(
But I am so hoping that the hc90 is as good as the pc350 w.r.t. low light performance bacuase this currently appears to be the only camcorder meeting all my requirements

Bash, you commented that the hc1000 is comfortable to use. I checked out this cam in my local Frys. I found it difficult to hold the cam steady in one hand. Had to use the other hand for support (to keep it steady). Are camcorders like the hc1000 meant to be used with one hand?

Well you've gotta take into account the fact that it's a heavier, 3CCD cam, so it will be less easy to hold in one hand. HOWEVER! This means good things, sort of. Being heavier, it will damp out the natural shakiness of your hand somewhat, meaning your hand-shot films will look slightly better. Add to this the fact that you've got optical image stabilisation and you'll appreciate that the extra bulk is worth it.

The HC1000 is comfortable to use, if used right. With its swivel grip, you can hold it at waist level, locking your elbow to your hip, making filming very steady. I appreciate that won't be much good when filming in crowded Disney-type places, but it is good for other places. When filming at face level, it's a good idea, with any cam, to use your second hand to steady it. You'll be surprised how much of a difference this will make to your films!

Anywaaaaay.... you said you wanted the best possible film quality, which means you need the HC1000. Yes, it has no IF nightshot, but unless you film in the dark that's irrelevant. The HC90 does have a widescreen LCD, which is very lovely, but it doesn't mean anything to your recorded video, both cams record in true 16:9. As far as low light performance goes, I expect the HC1000 is the better of the two cams... 3x1/4" CCDs mean more area for light to hit than a single 1/3" chip.

Having said all this, if size really does matter to you, then the HC90 is a lovely camera, delivers good single chip performance. Just not as good as it's bigger brother!

Bash, you commented that the hc1000 is comfortable to use. I checked out this cam in my local Frys. I found it difficult to hold the cam steady in one hand. Had to use the other hand for support (to keep it steady). Are camcorders like the hc1000 meant to be used with one hand?

Fry's display models have a retractable metal cable connected to a mounted handle that attaches to the tripod mount. It is VERY hard to determine how well a camera handles or even how much it weighs when this thing is pulling it back down onto its display. I had to hold onto the handle underneath the camera while I had my hand through the strap. I needed a third hand to really get in there and check out the controls. Blame it on Fry's. :)