Hitachi DZ-MV580

Zitat: The Hitachi does its job extremely well, and you may love the simplicity of recording straight on to a DVD that you can play in your home DVD player. However, compared to a MiniDV camera in the same price range, the Hitachi is less flexible and captures a slightly lower quality image. For those without directorial aspirations the Hitachi is a total solution, but for budding filmmakers the limited options for transferring your footage to PC are just too restricting Solid build; straightforward interface; light weight and small size of DVD media Can´t shoot uncompressed video; confusing variety of DVD media; vulnerability of DVDs to smudges and scratches; no Firewire

Zitat: Pros: Low light performance - Price - Hot accessory shoe Cons: 10x optical zoom - Mediocre format convenience

Zitat: + gute Foto- und Videoqualität, auch bei Lowlight + gute Klangqualität + durchdachtes Bedienkonzept + einziger DVD-Cam mit intelligentem Zubehörschuh - vergleichsweise geringe Weitwinkelwirkung

Zitat: The Hitachi DZ-MV580 exists in a great price range for DVD camcorders. Like its older sibling, the MV550, it performs on par with many more expensive camcorders, and is available for the budget consumer. The MV580 offers the bigger CCD, better still resolution, and a few more options that the MV550, for $100 dollars more. Formally the MV580, like all Hitachi DVD camcorders, looks and feels almost exactly like Panasonic’s line. All of these machines function and perform very similarly. While Hitachi may have a slight advantage on Panasonic color-wise (due to a bigger CCD), the difference is very subtle. For a less subtle difference, consider the price. The Panasonic VDR-M70 lists for US $899.99 while the Hitachi DZ-MV580 lists for US $749.99. It should be noted that I have found the M70 available for $699.99. There is always the question of the format with more recording flexibility. It is a tough argument as to whether DVD-RAM capability or DVD-RW compatibility is better. It really depends on what kind of user you are. A user wanting faster, easier to access footage, with an option to transfer to full-size DVD-Rs without a computer, might prefer the DZ-MV580 or a VDR-M70. However, a user who wants to directly play DVDs on conventional DVD players would probably enjoy a Sony, for their DVD-RW option. In the light performance, the Hitachi DZ-MV580 produces the most balanced spectrum and crispest colors of any DVD camcorder I’ve seen. It suffers some dullness at low light levels. However, it should be made clear that the MV580 retains an even, equal, and balanced spectrum at all light levels, something that many other DVD camcorders cannot do. So if you’re considering DVD camcorders, don’t necessarily count Hitachi out.