This is a great camera for the wedding videographer or other serious amateur or semi-professional. It's well built, has great manual control, and takes super video including good low-light performance. You will probably want the external mic attachment, which lets you use professional microphones without additional adapters and signal processors. Now that the price is well below $2000, it's a great deal. One caveat: If you plan to shoot 16:9 format, this is not the best choice. The Panasonic GS400 handles that much better, and at a lower price. (But the GS400 doesn't have the low-light chops that the DVC-30 has - so you have to set your priorities.)
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br /Plusses:
br /* Very good low light capability
br /* Sturdy, metal body construction
br /* Will take professional external microphones (with optional attachment)
br /* Unbelievable BW no-light capability with infrared (short range built into camera; medium range add-on IR light increases range to hundreds of feet.)
br /* Excellent manual control available via menu AND you can put your favorite four settings on programmable buttons on the camera body for extra convenience.
br /* Without attachments, the body with built-in mic is small and consumer-like (won't draw attention to itself), not to mention light-weight.
br /* Lovely video with three 1/4-inch CCD's.
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br /Minuses:
br /* The Sony 2100 has even better low-light ability
br /* The 16:9 mode isn't as good as the PDX10 or GS400.
br /* The still picture capability is only adequate.
br /* The built-in mic is only average.

This is a superior camera for the money. Simple operation and well constructed. It has a "well built feel" to it and fits well in your hand. The detail of the image is awesome, better than I hoped for. I'm very impressed with the 16x zoom, very nice and clean image.
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br /Don't be fooled by the size of this camera, the quality of the image is beautiful. A lot of camera in a little package. It has 4 built in shooting settings for different situations. It has a low level light option that does a decent job of capturing the scene after dark.
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br /I gave it 4 stars because I didn't like the manual that it came with and the manual controlling for the iris and focus could have been made easier to access and use. The built in microphone does not really pick up the desired audio that well. I recommend picking up an external boom microphone or lapel mic system to supercede the built in mic depending on your application.
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br /If you are in need of a firewire cable to download the video to your computer make sure you pick one of those up as well. The camera firewire port is a 4pin firewire connector.

While the Sony vx2100 does better in low light, this camera holds it's own very well. For the price, it's impossible to beat. Great picture quality, 3.5 inch LCD and solid build quality. Most cameras in this range still have the plastic body, but the magnesium alloy body on the AG-DVC30 is rugged and feels great. I've used it for regular family shooting and filming plays. So many choices on the manual settings. Can't say enough. Here's a great forum for it. http://www.camcorderinfo.com/bbs/f131

Strengths: 1. Great price. 2. Very good picture quality. 3. Excellent low light capabilities. 4. Excellent auto-focus. 5. Excellent zoom range and control. 6. Small and light. 7. Small and compact.
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br /Weaknesses: 1. Ok, internal mic. Low audio output. 2. No true 16x9 mode. 16x9 squeeze mode reduces quality.
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br /Summary: I have used this camera on three shoots so far and it continues to surprise and impress me. For the money its an excellent deal. The image quality is comparable to its big brother the AG-DVX100. Didn't think the night modes would be usefull but they can be and can produce some very artistic shots in BW.
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br /My only disappointment is no true 16x9 mode. The 16x9 modes they have reduces image quality noticably.
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br /I would definitely recommend an external mic. I use the Rode video mic...very sensitive but comparable to the more expensive shotguns. Also, a wide angle lens is a must. The Raynox HD-6600 is an excellent lens for the price and it produces a great soft focus effect at the long end of the zoom range. Also the Libec zoom controller works great on the camera and for creative shots check out the new Manfrotto Fig Rig.
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Titles says it all. For the money, the best camcorder hands down. After 2 weeks of intense research and a month of using this camcorder, no regrets.

I'm by no means an expert, but I really wanted a reasonably priced video camera that could produce the highest quality picture for the price. I did a TON of research and landed on the AG-DVC30 after much agonizing over "to HD or not HD" as well as brands and features. Based on all the reviews I read, this camera seemed to offer the most features and the best video for the money. I have not been disappointed. On my first outing, I took the cam to the Grand Canyon and Sedona. Wow! What incredible color and clarity! I also really love the 16x zoom. It's smooth and powerful. I got great shots of the Colorado River from the rim of the Grand Canyon. I'll agree with all reviewers that the audio is not great. It is not super sensitive so you lose sound if not quite close to the subject. If you're interested in good audio, I'd suggest an optional mic. If you just want great video, awesome color, and ease of use, this is your camera. At the price (plus the rebate) you really can't beat it.

I checked a lot of camera reviews from many sources and it was hard to find anything better than the DVC-30 for making documentaries, shorts, sketches, and interviews. I tape a lot of live performances as well, and after I figured out how simple it is to adjust the colors and settings, it puts out a great picture. I have a friend with a consumer Sony HD, and he wants to get this camera. The only drawback: The XLR adapter is around $200 bucks, but if you need super high quality sound, it's worth it.
br /I shot a short horror film right out of the box, and it came out amazing with the true black and white infared. I LOVE this camera.

To my knowlege, there simply isn't a better equipped camera for the professional investigator. It's IR-sensitive mode (nightshot) is in BW (rather than cheeseygreen), far superior quality-wise to anything Sony's got, and it's the only 3CCD that I know of with a low-light mode. The image stabilization is exceptional and the image quality is production grade. Time/Date stamps can be "burned in" so they xfer via firewire - again, the only camera I'm aware of with this feature. The audio can be turned off which we know is a must. And best yet, you can disable the sleepmode so it won't turn off eliminating missed money shots waiting for the camera to cycle back on. It's built like a tank and feels substantial in the hand, but it's still lightweight thanks to an alloy frame. Finally, it's totally silent even with the tape transport in full swing.
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br /The ONLY downside so far as I can tell is it's size - It's a big camera compared to the handicams I've had, and wouldn't be well suited for close-proximity work. However, the black casing dosn't print/siloutte terribly, and the 16x optical lets you set back quite a bit.
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br /Highly recommended!
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A camcorder with features found only on more expensive models and resonably easy to operate by a beginner. The quality of the picture was very good and the zoom operated very smoothly. Overall I felt it was a product that was well thought out in design and well made.

I can't believe they are asking $4790.00 for this cam. I bought mine 3 years ago(with xlr adaptor) for just under $2,000.
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br /Nice camera but not good in low light. I've ended up buying oncamera and off -camera lights.
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br /is the extreme price(what you would pay for an HD cam these days) because they don't make them anymore? Can't believe it. Because it is 1/4" 3CCD, the cam is kind of obsolete at this point.

Does anybody know why this camera got so expensive again from 1,700 USD just few months ago to almost 3,000 USD now??? :(