Comments on: Panasonic HVX200: Specs and more

By: Emmaneul

Emmaneul — Mon, 03 Sep 2007 05:58:21 +0000

It’s like Tod said on June 5, 2007, just call these people and ask what they are selling. I actually purchased (by credit card) one of the hvx-200 on line and called to follow up on my order the next morning. I found they were selling a camera body, without the “fixed lense”, without the “side viewfinder” and without the main top “viewfinder”. Don’t bother with those companies just bcause they have good ratings. The ratings are coming from the $195 to $300 listings for still cameras and the like.

I have used B&H for 13 years now and have never been dissapointed. Go with who ever you want but I recommend you call them first and don’t do what I did thinking I was getting a great deal. I found the camera by using the either bizrate or pricegrabber or one of those types of searches. Trust me, you will not get everything. In fact, some of the companies sell all the accessories and leave the camera out. Read the “what is included” and you will not see a camera listed.

The guy working with the company I actually purchased from said they can legally list the camera, although you don’t get all the camera parts, “because that is how all the other companies are posting the ads on their site”. No joke.

Good luck and at least call first.

http://www.60bPictures.com/withthisrock

By: Panasonic HVX200: Accessories at FilmDailies.com - A filmmaker’s blog

Panasonic HVX200: Accessories at FilmDailies.com - A filmmaker’s blog — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 14:18:49 +0000

[...] The industry’s rule of thumb however is usually “double whatever you pay for the camera.” Double? It might seem excessive but it’s actually a very accurate estimate. Here’s a breakdown of accessories specifically for the new Panasonic HVX200. [...]

By: philipe

philipe — Mon, 09 Jul 2007 22:46:50 +0000

DO NOT order from thecameraprofessionals.com. They are horribly unprofessional as it turns out and very sketchy on the phone. they do not answer questions and try to up sell you in an aggressive manner. I have read many other negative reviews of them. BEWARE!

By: TEDD

TEDD — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 19:46:11 +0000

Please forgive the typo - it obviously should be HVX200 and not JVX200 as we’re talking about the Panasonic AG HVX200, one of the best cameras out there. Just wish Panasonic took their marketing a little more seriously. Thanks - take care…….

By: TEDD

TEDD — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 19:39:28 +0000

Answer to question posted by Adam 5/22/2007 regarding thecameraprofessionals. Please go to thier site: http://www.thecameraprofessionals.com and enter HVX200 in the Product Finder window in the upper left hand corner. This will return you a list of their product offerings for the Panasonic AG HVX200. Take time to note that they have a RETAIL PACKAGE for $5,299.99. Now do yourself a favor and call them 1-800-496-0227 and ask them point blank what the difference is between their retail package at $5,299.99 (which only has the camera) and the same basic package at $1,759.00 or any other package under $3,000. When they tell you it’s because the non-retail packages don’t come with everything make sure to have them clearify. Again ask point blank, “Do the lower price packages only come with the body?”.
When they say yes, or ya, or sure that’s so you can get a back up body - please note to them that the JVX200 has a fix lens and short of being a tecnical guru no one will be able to take the lens off let alone put one on. If this isn’t enought to convince you of what / who they are, ask them for a back up lens and see what they say. By the way the Panasonic Sales Rep here in Washington State would love to hear what they say too - email him at: KUPFERLEB@us.panasonic.com (Kupferle, Bill).
PS - I’m putting together a 3″ binder of all these “GRAY” market dealers for Panasonic as an indenpendent reasearch journalist. If you or any one else want to help please write back at avenger32749@hotmail.com. Thanks. Take care.

By: Viet Tran

Viet Tran — Mon, 04 Jun 2007 02:10:04 +0000

Here is a website that lists all the backgrounds of the owners of these websites. As you can see, the camera professionals is owned by a person who has multiple websites that sell the same crap. Please pass on this website resource to other so that we can expose all of them. thecameraprofessionals.com doesn’t have complaints on the BBB website because they just came online recently.

http://www.sheddingsomelight.com/buy-cameras/list/dealers-allstarfam.html

By: Papasean

Papasean — Mon, 04 Jun 2007 01:59:51 +0000

See this is what I’m talking about, the price is great but do we really know what were getting? Something isn’t right unless they are just wanting to loose money.

http://dealsnatch.com/prod.asp?id=374&mn=3

By: Papasean

Papasean — Mon, 04 Jun 2007 01:55:31 +0000

Yeah, I’ve been seeing the HVX200 really cheap too on other sites at shopcartusa.com it seems like they are gray or B stock cameras. It’s so temping but I don’t want to loose money fooling around with a company that’s not reptuable.

By: Adam

Adam — Tue, 22 May 2007 15:24:44 +0000

Ok, I have been doing price matching for some time on this camera.

I found this one from thecameraprofessionals for $2,799

http://www.thecameraprofessionals.com/prodetails.asp?prodid=25070&gclid=CPSsp9uJoowCFRlmWAod5Xk0PA

I read reviews from this on-line store and they are all 4 and 5 stars and customers received exactly what they asked for(Supposedly). Has anyone else heard anymore about this e-store? or have order from them before? Thanks, Adam

By: Dave Palmacci

Dave Palmacci — Thu, 17 May 2007 16:07:44 +0000

yeah I have been incredibly skeptical of the low prices this camera has shown on some low end distributor websites. I haven’t called yet, but I expect they strip the camera down to get that low price. What I always stick by is; you get what you pay for. Sometimes it’s worth the extra buck to get a better investment and protection such as warranty and 100% of everything you were expecting along with the customer support. This camera seems to be the one I will buy, I have read so much about other comparable cameras and the HVX200 is still the best for what I want to do (for the price). I also see P2 cards coming down in price over the next 1-2 years, sorta like how digital camera memory cards were expensive when they first came out about 8 years ago.

By: Q: HD quality of different cams at FilmDailies.com - A filmmaker’s blog

Q: HD quality of different cams at FilmDailies.com - A filmmaker’s blog — Fri, 04 May 2007 14:39:36 +0000

[...] about that - HD will introduce more compression artefacts, not less. At about 6,000, you can get Panasonic HVX200 which supports 100Mbps recording ( i.e. much higher quality [...]

By: Pierre

Pierre — Thu, 22 Mar 2007 16:44:39 +0000

Be careful when buying discount cameras. I have seen them as low as $2100. But ask questions!!!!!! Some places sell them without the lense. I dont know how this is possible, as it is built onto the camera. Some are sold without the viewfinder or the factory accessories. My guess is they offer a low price, then switch on you. What I think is going on is, that they offer the great deal then tell you that that cameras is not complete (only if you ask, by the way) So if you buy one my suggestion would be: Ask if it comes with a US warranty, is it Gray Market. Does it come complete with lense,viewfinder,batteries,charger,remote,DVD,cables,lense hood,what is your return policy, and I would buy with a visa or mastercard only, incase there is still some hidden hustle you didn’t figure, till you have the camera in your hands. Also beware of shipping costs, some charge up to $200 for UPS ground.

By: Jd

Jd — Thu, 22 Feb 2007 21:10:52 +0000

For those unsure about BestPriceCameras.com

Look no further.

By: ZetaUnoFilms

ZetaUnoFilms — Sun, 28 Jan 2007 09:34:16 +0000

Hey there… i am really confused about some websites sellers… im a film student still… but im gonna get a good camera soon for my professionally look… my question is about bestpricecamera.com they got like the LOWEST prices ever on camcorders (u can check it now) and i was really shocked and have my doubts but i also called them and asked them if the prices were real….. and they told me all the prices that are in the website are the real prices when i get the product…. so who can i trust ? =S!!! please i will be so thankfull if u guys can help me about it… cus ofcourse the prices they offer me are the ammount of money that i only have.

Giancarlo from LIMA-PERU

By: Som

Som — Sat, 02 Dec 2006 19:00:04 +0000

Hi,
I’m also confused with the varying prices that shopcartusa.com has advertised. These are way lower than any of the prices on CNET’s advertised ones or pricegrabber.com
Anyone want to enlighten me please?

By: Myname

Myname — Thu, 16 Nov 2006 05:59:00 +0000

Those prices are below Panasonic’s cost so they are either grey market cameras are much cheaper but you can’t register it here and you can’t get a warranty. Panasonic USA will not honor a Panasonic Japan warranty, and Panasonic Canada will not honor a Panasonic USA warranty etc etc. Also some resellers are stripping the camera of all cables and batteries and accessories that come with the stock camera to drop their base price and then try to make you buy that from them at an inflated cost that baloons the price back up or higher than the regular retail price. Right now panasonic USA is offering a free 8 gigabyte P2 card free for a rebate, and Barry Green’s HVX book. The book sells for $89US and the P2 Card is worth about $1200. SInce this camera has neither, you would be losing out on that 1300 value. The HVX book is worth the 89 since it explains all the cameras options in plain english not the technical point form of the manual. Buy from a reputable dealer, if it looks too cheap to believe its often a scam.

By: eric

eric — Thu, 09 Nov 2006 22:49:39 +0000

Ok, student here and have been primarily been shooting in film and am very curious to make the switch over to hdcam with that “cine” look. One thing i love about shooting in film is not just the look but the variable frame rate. i noticed that this is one of the few cams (in its price range) that can shoot variable frame rate, which is reaally cool. But all these i’s and p’s confuse the hell out of me. My big question is this: Is it possible to shoot 30p in 1080 and then 60p in 720 and not notice a big change in quality. Or does the whole project have to be in either all 720 or 1080? thanks for any help. if u could email me that would be beyond great! videoskate2000@yahoo.com

-eg-

By: Administrator

Administrator — Thu, 26 Oct 2006 13:32:01 +0000

To answer your question, Pricegrabber is good because it allows you to see the vendor’s rating
- i.e. other people who have bought from it.

I agree about B&H - they are one of the best. I bought my lighting kit
from them, never had any problems. 100% reliable.

If you’re shooting a documentary and you’re “stranded” in a place with
limited supplies, I’m not sure HVX200 is your best choice. HVX200 has
one MAJOR advantage and that’s its support of variable framerates and
more importantly the 24P which supposedly emulates a “filmlook”.

Documentaries usually have a “video” look and I think you can get
excellent results (and even save some money) by getting a Sony FX1 or
the higher-end Sony Z1. If you like a small cam, you can get Sony HC1.

In terms of accessories, I have post about accessories that’s pretty general:
http://www.filmdailies.com/archives/panasonic-hvx200-accessories/

At the minimum, you need an UV filter and a tripod. Next in the list
is lights - unless you’ll be mainly outdoors during the day. If it’s
raining (or a moist climate), you’ll need a rain jacket for the cam.

Good luck!

By: Administrator

Administrator — Tue, 24 Oct 2006 09:26:20 +0000

I usually use PriceGrabber.com to check prices, and more importantly, the vendor’s reputation.

Judging by the Pricegrabber search, the lowest price on HVX200 was $4,700. So yes, a price below that means the unit was either re-imported (no guarantee) or refurbished.

Most likely, it’s a bait-and-switch thing. Call them and ask them about the camera!

By: kaiser

kaiser — Thu, 06 Apr 2006 06:24:11 +0000

Hey
I’m really confused about choosing the XL H1 or the HVX200
need a help on this & other Accessories that can make HVX200 closer to the XL H1

Kaiser
Warsha Video Production