Full HD Professional Camcorders

Consumer model camcorders have come a long way in recent years. From the low megapixel beginnings to higher and higher resolutions, real and digital. It used to be that high definition was the point where professional camcorders left the consumer models in their dust. Not any more.

High definition is now found on any number of inexpensive camcorders, cell phones, ipads and other digital devices. In fact today's low end high def models and gadgets are arguably better than the pro camcorder models used to be. Even those tiny point and shoot cameras are offering hd video output.

So what's the difference?
Quite a lot actually.

Think about those inexpensive cameras and devices for a second. How much control do you really have over the settings for different shooting situations. There will be certain automatic presets for sure. Like night shots, Indoors, sports, macro and wide angle but how much control do you really have over the final product? Not much.

The high end consumer and pro-sumer models of camcorders are all about increasing your ability to control the camera. Some models have great manual controls. The problem is that these controls are too often buried several screens deep on the small touch screen monitor.

Professional camcorders will have easy to reach manual controls. Real controls, as in switches, rings and knobs. They will be in easily accessible, well thought out, intuitive locations. This gives the shooter the ability to adapt and adjust the cameras settings on the fly so that the flow of the shot is not interrupted or ruined.

A pro model will have a much larger, higher quality lens or the ability to change lenses altogether. Again it's about the control of the camera.

More and better manual controls and a high quality lens are two of the major improvements you can expect with a professional camcorder but that's not all.

Where a professional model camcorder really out shines the consumer grade models is audio.

The sound of your video production is a key element of the overall finished product. Consumer level cameras will have a built in microphone and possibly a small input port for an external microphone.

Some of these set ups give decent sound.

A professional level camcorder will have one or more xlr inputs for external sound recording in multiple channels. Usually handled by a shotgun style microphone. This is a huge improvement in sound quality over the puny mics found on consumer models.

So is there a difference in consumer and pro models? You bet. Do they come at a premium? You bet.

Some of the higher end pro models can easily reach prices in the five figures. There are some very good entry models that can be found in the $2000 range, give or take.

It's not so much the tool as the craftsman that makes a fine thing. An inexpensive camcorder in the hands of a talented photographer can be made to produce some spectacular results. Just as the very best equipment money can buy in the hands of an inexperienced shooter does not guaranty quality. If you're thinking of upping your game and moving into a professional camcorders for production work take it a step at a time.

Get to know your camera like it's an extension of yourself.

It's all about the control.