Is Sony4s DSR-200A worth the extra dollars you pay when comparing it to the VX1000. Thanks.

-- Andres Posada (aposadao@interpla.net.co), November 04, 1998

Answers

The DSR 200 is surely worth the extra $. Even though the optical system is the same and the extra tapa width may be irrelevant for a NLE user, just the fact that DSR 200 has balanced audio input makes all the difference. Also, it is a bigger camera with the right looks (to impress your clients) and is ideal for shoulder mount shots (the three battery holder providing just the right weight to make it stable). However, I must tell you that the VX1000 is a much handier machine if you are working in situations where smaller size can be of advantage (situations such as press conferences, places where the camera needs to be low profile, etc.). Finally, if you have enough resource, it is best to own both. Hope this is useful.

-- Suman Basnet (suman@wlink.com.np), November 06, 1998.

I think it really depends on your needs. One can upgrade the VX 1000 with a balanced XLR adapter for professional audio connections for $200. With that in mind the only real difference is that the 200 will record longer on better a tape format--DVCam. This tape is stronger and supposedl better in quality than DV tape.

-- Mark Hopkins (MHopkins@san.rr.com), November 14, 1998.

Perhaps you'd consider something inbetween the two. There's always the Cannon XL1, still uses the DV format but has a lot of usability features over the VX1000. In particular, unlike the VX1000 it's possible to alter your exposure, shutter speed, white balance, audio levels, etc. without too much difficulty -while shooting-.

Another member posted something about the DSR having a more "professional" look. That can be a plus or minus... having an intrusive camera can be a minus if you're looking to do some types of documentary work. If you'd still like the "pro" look, the Cannon XL1 definately delivers. I've been shooting around DC, where there are beta video crews in abundance. It's not unusual for them to ask questions if I've got the Cannon out. The VX1000 just blends in with the tourists.

For the big difference, with the Cannon you can get the EOS lens adapter ($450+) and use any of the Cannon EOS lenses. This leads to a magnification, which means to get anything near a reasonable wide angle shot you'll want to use a 15 or 17mm lens with a .42 or so wide angle lens adapter. The advantage of this system is that it lets you do rack focusing. Both the VX1000 and XL1's base lenses have this strange servo focusing, that makes marking focus points on the lens for a shot impossible. Very troubling. With the XL1 and this setup you can get around this problem, AND get some great glass.

-- John

-- John Windmueller (jwind@cais.com), November 18, 1998.

I'm not a fan of the DSR 200. It is lot's more expensive but still not a professional model camera.Lens and ccd are same as vx 1000. Manual audio control on the 200 will be better but can be problematic (low dynamic range compared to professional models). The fact that it is DVCAM doesn't mean the imagequality will be much better.

My point: I would buy either a vx1000 (cheap) or a dsr 300 (expensive/ professional model/better lens-ccd combination). If you don't have a lot to spent go for nr. 1, if you want better quality (pay more) and settle for no less than nr.2.

-- kurt kerkhofs (kurtk@uia.ua.ac.be), February 04, 1999.

I've been considering the DSR200A and the XL-1, can anyone help me with my decision.

Regards

Simon

-- Simon (simlid@mistral.co.uk), April 13, 1999.

The DSR-200a does not have FirewireI/O, it only has it out.

-- Brian Meade (brianmeade@yahoo.com), June 07, 1999.

I own a DSR200. Yes it does have Firewire In and Out. I have used it for a lot of corporate work and am currently filming an independant feature. I have been nothing but thrilled to death with the image quality. In contrast to the VX1000 the DSR200 also has a more dynamic b/w viewfinder and shoots in both 3:4 or 16:9 aspect ratio, among other feature differences.

-- Rob Doran (robdoran@ix.netcom), June 27, 1999.

I own the Sony DSR-PD100a 3CCD($2500 - cameraworld.com) It has all the advantages of the smaller cameras plus balanced audio input, Firewire, flip out screen, and it can use MiniDV or DVCAM. There may be some slight difference in picture quality, but the overall value is unsurpassed.

-- Henry Hernandez (smokebot@hotmail.com), November 29, 1999.

Henry, have you had much luck with the PD 100? Are the extra features any good and is the resetable time code feature worth it??? Just some questions that concern me. I've heard the XLR adaptor makes a hissing noise and the beachtek option for a trv-900 is better. Would you agree?

-- Chris A (chrisap@morgan.net.au), January 30, 2000.

The DSR-200a only has firewire out. The DSR-200ap has firewire in and out.

I own both of them, and therefore I can say this. There is not much other difference in the two. Also, I feel that the DSR-200ap has a better sund reproduction (IMHO).

-- Yogesh Halai (yogz@aviproduction.com), February 05, 2001.

So many better options now. JVC GY-DV500, Panasonic DVC-200 to name a couple

-- Craig Berlin (craigbNO SPAM@pro-tape.com), August 18, 2001.

I recently purchased the DSR-200a and I love it!!! The VX 1000 is nice but it is nothing like using the DSR-200a. I have also used a Canon XL1s and the DSR-200a is much better. If for nothing else the Sony has XLR inputs which makes a big difference.

Regarding the comments about the firewire my DSR-200a has Firewire IN/OUT.

-- Blake Helms (blake@garywood.org), February 09, 2004.

I too own the DSR-200a and it too has the Firewire in and out. I just finished editing a shoot from storm chasing and saved it back to the camera through the firewire and it is impressive to say the least.

-- Chris Caldwell (chris@poncacityweather.com), April 13, 2004.