Professional Camcorders Vs Pro-sumer Or Consumer Models Choose The Right One.
What are the differences exactly between a professional camcorder and a pro-sumer one?
High definition used to be the main difference of high end professional camcorders over consumer models but not any longer. From ipads to point and shoots all kinds of devices can shoot in hd.
Pro rigs will have larger sensors and larger, better lenses than the consumer models. This allows the pro shooter much better low light performance. Filming concerts or plays indoors or low light outdoor shooting is no problem for the pro grade camcorder.
A professional camcorder will have intuitive, full manual control of audio, gain, zoom focus, iris and shutter. You may find some of these options on a consumer camcorder but never all of them and they won't be as easy to use.
Xlr inputs for audio recording is standard on a pro model camcorder. Consumer level camcorders will either have built in microphones and/or a 3.5 mil microphone jack. The audio recording plays a big part in the finished product. Professional quality cameras are up to the job.
If you want the rock steady look in your final product then you need to either shoot with a tripod or shoot from the shoulder. Bigger, heavier pro camcorders are set up to mount on the shoulder, giving a steady, stable shot. Shaky, hand held shots are fine in some circumstances but you need to shoot smoothly as well for professional results.
Most older pro camcorders store video on miniDV tape or an external hard drive although most of the newer models will have on board internal flash storage and use multiple sd drives for sequential storage of video.
Other differences include variable frame rates, the option to change out lenses and filters and remote control.
Perhaps the most obvious difference is of course the cost. $200 will get you a full hd consumer model while a pro model can reach into 5 figures.
In the final analysis a shooter using a low end camcorder that has an eye for the shot will always get better results than an unskilled photographer with the latest and greatest camera.
High definition used to be the main difference of high end professional camcorders over consumer models but not any longer. From ipads to point and shoots all kinds of devices can shoot in hd.
Pro rigs will have larger sensors and larger, better lenses than the consumer models. This allows the pro shooter much better low light performance. Filming concerts or plays indoors or low light outdoor shooting is no problem for the pro grade camcorder.
A professional camcorder will have intuitive, full manual control of audio, gain, zoom focus, iris and shutter. You may find some of these options on a consumer camcorder but never all of them and they won't be as easy to use.
Xlr inputs for audio recording is standard on a pro model camcorder. Consumer level camcorders will either have built in microphones and/or a 3.5 mil microphone jack. The audio recording plays a big part in the finished product. Professional quality cameras are up to the job.
If you want the rock steady look in your final product then you need to either shoot with a tripod or shoot from the shoulder. Bigger, heavier pro camcorders are set up to mount on the shoulder, giving a steady, stable shot. Shaky, hand held shots are fine in some circumstances but you need to shoot smoothly as well for professional results.
Most older pro camcorders store video on miniDV tape or an external hard drive although most of the newer models will have on board internal flash storage and use multiple sd drives for sequential storage of video.
Other differences include variable frame rates, the option to change out lenses and filters and remote control.
Perhaps the most obvious difference is of course the cost. $200 will get you a full hd consumer model while a pro model can reach into 5 figures.
In the final analysis a shooter using a low end camcorder that has an eye for the shot will always get better results than an unskilled photographer with the latest and greatest camera.
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