Reddit reviews Canon VIXIA HF G40 Full HD Camcorder

Awesome! I hope you do trying it out! Here's what I got.

Camera: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B019UDIDXS/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Audio Recorder: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01DPOXS8I/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Mic (Same we use for podcasting) https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001IPUJJI/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Lighting Kit: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00KRN0SEI/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Ring Light: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00O1UCDKU/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I have a subscription of Adobe Creative Suite and use almost all of it. After Effect and Premiere. We use Cubase for audio engineering but Audition is great too.

The Canon HF G40 would do all this for you. It has 20x optical zoom, can transmit through HDMI, and has complete manual control. This is a cheaper version of the power supply that works with that camera for continuous recording.

It has a clean output, which you can confirm here since it works with external recorders.

/u/xyeLz - [here] (https://youtu.be/J4FDn8YX4Ao) is why you want to shoot in 4K in 2016 - even if your delivery channel is in 1080p.

And [here] (https://youtu.be/kIf9h2Gkm_U) is why material originated at 4K looks better on a 1080p monitor than material originated at 1080p.

Sadly, the [HF G40 is a $1299, 1080/60p camcorder] (http://www.amazon.com/Canon-VIXIA-HF-G40-Camcorder/dp/B019UDIDXS/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&linkCode=ll1&tag=battleforthew-20&linkId=512352f00e26af7a56e86fead6c03282) in a $1000 4K, 1080/120p world.

It was obsolete on the day it was introduced.

Although I've been shooting with a terrific Panasonic camcorder for 5 or 6 years ([here] (https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipMQHLP6KILREsmLa937iEVJsyiLl61ngxaTQzcZvfr4oRQV5XuKkYQ7A1DjyrCp3g/photo/AF1QipPkyi7Sx4x9Qz3bSOKxuDyH63pwZsS2vkY09UB9?key=QVRSYmNpTktlSGVJOGozNkpEQmhoRmloUFFXZmdB) is a picture of my TM900), I've been recommending the [$998 AX53] (http://www.amazon.com/Sony-FDRAX53-Video-Recording-Camcorder/dp/B01950TCEU/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&linkCode=ll1&tag=battleforthew-20) over the [$897.99 WXF991] (http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-HC-WXF991K-Ultra-Camcorder-Camera/dp/B01A60T3R4/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&linkCode=ll1&tag=battleforthew-20) primarily because of Balanced Optical Steady Shot (BOSS) - this is a huge advantage for the Sony.

Here is the image quality the AX53 can produce:

• [Sony AX53 Footage Day and Night 4K by Cars And Cameras] (https://youtu.be/RrBflxNcggQ)
  
  
• [Malacca in 4K with Sony AXP55 Handycam (4K video) by WolFang Digital] (https://youtu.be/UlQFQ-TCiy4) (the AXP55 is the Asia Pacific version of the AX53 - please note the smooth handheld footage from Balanced Optical Steady Shot)
  
  
• [Sony AX53 slow motion 1080p@120fps - drifting school by bossturbo] (https://youtu.be/5C31UP8dXrI) (in case you need to capture slow motion)
  
  In my view, the AX53 is the best camcorder you can buy in this price class.
  
  That said, Sony consumer and prosumer camcorders have traditionally had a couple of challenges, and the AX53 is no exception. Sony camcorders in this class lack:
  
  
• manual color controls (e.g., saturation, contrast - while Panasonic camcorders give you a choice of manual or auto color control)
  
  
• standard hot shoes (you have to buy an [adapter] (http://www.amazon.com/JJC-MSA-MIS-Converter-Interface-Camcorder/dp/B00O1PZ9HE/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&linkCode=ll1&tag=battleforthew-20) to mount a non-Sony external mic on a Sony camera - Panasonic, on the other hand, includes standard hot shoes with their camcorders)
  
  I still recommend the AX53 for the BOSS system - but Sony really needs to stop imposing silly limits on their consumer camcorders.
  
  Hope this is helpful - and good luck with your decision!
  
  P.S. DSLRs aren't limited to 30 minutes of continuous recording because their sensors "burn up" - it is due to DSLR manufacturers' worldwide imposition of European Union tax limitations, as explained [here] (https://www.reddit.com/r/Filmmakers/comments/4pjred/will_the_panasonic_g7_record_to_external_recorder/d4mp8kb).

This is one of my current options: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B019UDIDXS/ref=psdc_172421_t2_B00AWZFHG0 but that list you included has some solid options to think about

I would suggest you get a real camera. I have a Canon G40 and the difference in video quality is obvious. The Canon can shoot in regular and low light conditions FAR better than a top of the line phone, and handles contrast and focus and ... everything much better. Plus you can use standard accessories like lights, wired and wireless lapel microphones which make the sound quality much better (which is instantly obvious), tripods, additional batteries, and so forth.

I would tell them they need to buy a camera for the company. A $1k to $1500 investment is nothing for quality marketing.