Alright I'm looking to invest into a camcorder and I'm caught between the two. Theres a ton of knowledge and experience on this board so I thought I would ask those that use the PDX10 and the AG-DVC30 to write what they do and don't like about the camcorder. I can buy both camcorders for the same price at B & H Photo but I just don't know what to choose. From reading the reviews I keep getting mixed feed back, and this site's review puts the AG-DVC30 ahead due to its low light performance and better manual control. Is it that much more of a difference than the PDX10 to really put it ahead? These two factors are very important to me since I shoot at the beach and ND filters are offered in the DVC30 as well. Yet it seems like 16:9 ratio will be the standard in the coming years on most TVs which is also very important to me since I want to shoot in 16:9 as well. So is the loss of low light and manual control worth it for Sony's edge with the 16:9? Plus the PDX comes with an XLR Imput Adapter and Microphone which seems like a great features.

I'm getting more serious with videography so I'll be learning on either camcorder that I purchase. To me color reproducton, image clarity/sharpness, and the ability to perform well under not so optimal light conditions are huge factors for me since I'm usually shooting at the beach. All imput is greatly appreciated. I'm sorry if this is a repost of someone elses thread and question but I couldn't find one to read so I created one. Thank you for your time!

Mike

I faced this exact choice about 3 weeks ago and decided to go with the PDX10. I do some light documentary stuff and wedding videography.

PDX10 Advantages
------------------
Better audio
True 16:9 widescreen
more compact (especially when you don't use the
shotgun mic or large lens hood)

DVC30 Advantages
------------------
Built in ND filter
Much better in low light (2-2.5 stops)
Better manual control

So it really depends on what you want to use it for. Like you, I think 16:9 widescreen mode will become more and more important, so I opted for the PDX10. My other camera is the Canon GL2, which is similar in capabilities to the DVC30, so I feel like I've got low light covered when I really need it.

Good luck with you decision!

-Jeff Smith

Thank you for your imput. I just have one question. Regarding the reviews about the PDX10 on this website and YOUR actual experience with the PDX10, does the picture really get grainy in those lower lit conditions or is it not as bad as you expected. This is the only draw back besides the ND filters that I can see but the 16:9 seems to really be important with advancing technology. WHAT IS THE difference between the PDX10's 16:9 vs. Panasnics "SQUEEZE" 16:9?My only option is to wait out some time and see if Panasonic can dish up something new but the cost will be obviously more expensive for w/e they could throw out there. One last thing. Since I will be filming at the shore, will the ND filters significantly help me when theres glare or weird lighting w/ glare? Thanks again.

I have recently been thru the same situation.
In the end I chose the PDX10 and here is why:

1) having tried the trv70 two years ago, I found the lux rating of seven was better that any current sony model (single ccd) rated at five lux.
2) Even though the PDX10 came out in mid 2002 it was the predecessor of all the current sony's in terms of 16x9 widescreen on 4x3 chip, 3.5" 246k lcd is wonderful even outside in bright light, 16x9 IS letterboxed in the lcd and evf, almost full manual control thru buttons on the camera body, excellant natural color representation and if you check other BBs no mention of mechanical problems.
3) The lowlight is very good, somewhat grainy in lower shutter speeds if gain is up but at dusk on gloomy day I could still get shawdows of trees to show with little grain.

I unfortunately did not have a chance with the dvc30 but the small package and DVCAM sold this for me. Even though dv and dvcam is 25mbps the informal test I have done over the last couple of days convinces me to shoot in dvcam all the time. It is seems to produce a better picture IMHO.

The PDX10 picture does get grainy in very low light, but I shot a wedding with it (and my GL2) on friday and it was fine. There was plenty of light for the PDX10 at the church, and at the reception I set the PDX10 shutter speed to 1/30 and it was fine (at 1/60 it was a little grainy).

I just got a lux meter and will try to post some more precise information comparing the GL2 to the PDX10 in low light.

In true 16:9 mode you get 33% more pixels than cameras that use a squeeze more (like my GL2). So what does it look like? My GL2 looks a little blurred or soft in 16:9 more, while the PDX10 looks razor sharp.

As for the ND filter, I don't have one for the PDX10, so I couldn't comment on how well it would work.

-Jeff

I would say in a week or two I'll make my decision but what about not buying either camcorder and holding off to see if anything else comes out. About how long ago did each camcorder first come out. I have a feeling when I buy the camcorder it wont be long before something better comes out and I say to myself I should have waited a few months. Anyone one else have a feeling that panasonic will jump on Sony's HD line or come out with something to compete in the $2000 - $3000 price range.

If I don't wait and go buy the AG-DVC30 i can get it for $1650 after rebate, think its worth not waiting?

If you need good low light capability, then the AG-DVC30 is a better buy. I recently opted for the PDX10 over the AG-DVC30 because I see more and more TVs going 16:9 widescreen, and I liked the superior audio and small form factor of the PDX10. I already have a Canon GL2, so I feel I have low light covered with that camera.

I choose the PDX10 over the GS400 because it has better audio, is (hopefully) more reliable and of higher build quality, and it looks more professional, especially with the large hood on it! (I shoot weddings)

If you do go the PDX10 route, there is an active forum for it (of which I am a member) here:
http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/forumdis...p?s=&forumid=43

Good luck with your decision!

-Jeff

Hey I just want to thank those for their input. It looks like I'll be ordering the AG-DVC30 from B&H sometime soon. I figured since the wide screen on the Sony was the only feature really drawing me to it, I decided I can always invest in a widescreen adapter and still get all the stuff in the Panasonic so thats the route I think I'll be taking.

Heres a link, expensive but it think its worth it if I need it down the road.

http://www.centuryoptics.com/products/dv/16x9/16x9.htm#

Made the choice: AG-DVC30, the sony just didn't seem to fit my needs. Thanks for all your info, so stoked about the new camcorder. Should get it in the mail by this weekend.

Hi,

I noticed that you mentioned that I can actually see footage of the panasonic AG-DVC30 on this web site. I can't quite seem to find it. You mentioned that it was under message forum, dvc users, pansonic cams but I can't find it. Could you help me?

THank you for your input.

No problem Rosa! Here is a link to the thread of sample video AG-DVC30 video:

Video Samples: AG-DVC30

Here are a few samples of the AG-DVC30 that I have shot:

NJ Reservation

Skating Bodyboarding Biking

Summer Life

Any other questions or comments PM or reply!