On the face of it, the array of HDV cameras can seem confusing, however they all have their advantages / disadvantages which do help make the decision slightly easier for those who know their target use!

Here goes:

The JVC GY-HD110 / 111 is a great camera, handles like a 'sawn-off' digibeta, features a professional manual focus lens with decent servo zoom and for that reason it's the pro cameraman's choice. Only problem is that it is progressive scan only in 720p HDV mode and in my opinion that restricts its usage to the drama / pop promo / film maker arena...

The Canon XL-H1 features 1080i recording and has the best camera head by far of all the HDV contenders, thanks to 3 x 1.67 million pixel CCDs. It's actually able to resolve more than a Panasonic Varicam costing almost 10x the money! It has the best quality 20x lens, is shoulder mountable and has a 25F mode which produces a progressive scan field doubled image to emulate 25p shooting. Whilst the 'F' mode results in a reduction in resolution, the quality is still very good because the 1080 resolution is significantly higher than the JVC's 720 lines to start with. I feel that the Canon is the best overall package in terms of build quality, versatility, handling and cost / performance.

The Sony HVR-Z1E is easily the most popular HDV camcorder, it could be described as a DSR-PD170p 'on steroids' and delivers incredible 1080i quality for a handheld package! It is the ideal videographer / video journalist's HD camcorder as it features point & shoot simplicity along with professional XLR audio inputs.

The Panasonic HVX200 is the new kid on the block, boasting the widest array of formats including variable frame rates and innovative P2 media recording at DVCPRO HD's lower compression format with a data rate 100Mb/s. It's the only handheld camcorder here to offer 1080/25p recording at 100Mb/s and that format is acceped by Getty images for their stock shot library. On paper the Panasonic appears to be the best package, however I feel that 8 minute record time per 8GB card is simply not good enough for all but TV news and projects such as stock shots / drama / commercials / pop promos where regular downloads of rushes can be made in between takes. The Firestore FS-100 gives 80 minutes of recording via firewire onto an external HDD but I personally would want to record onto a robust format that can be readily archived.

Sony XDCAM HD. This just launched format records up to 35Mb/s HDV onto robust XDCAM optical media. On a 23GB disc (£25) you can get 60 minutes record time. The flagship PDW-F350 uses the same chassis as a DSR-450 and offers progessive and interlace 1080 HDV shooting at frame rates from 1 to 60 per second, so you can shoot great slo-mo / time-lapse. The camera is a 'proper' shoulder mount format and it takes 1/2" bayonet mount lenses or 2/3" lenses via an optional adaptor. Discovery Channel have just ratified XDCAM HD's 35Mb/s data rate for full HD program content as opposed to the 15% rule which is applied to other HDV / DVCPRO HD camcorders. For me, XDCAM HD is the king of HDV in every respect...

So: 

 

If you shoot...	Consider...
News / Current Affairs / Documentaries:	Canon XL-H1 / Sony Z1E /XDCAM HD (In-house broadcasters may choose HVX200)
Weddings / Corporate / Events:	Canon XL-H1 / Sony Z1E / XDCAM HD (high end)
Pop Promos / Drama / Transfer to film:	XDCAM HD / JVC HD100/101 / Panasonic HVX200
Stock footage:	XDCAM HD / Panasonic HVX200