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At the same time, with so many different companies out there fighting for your attention and your hard earned money when it comes to video camera technology, you have to be sure that you are purchasing the right camera for your needs. Unless you are a full-blown videographer or have aspirations for Hollywood style work, the odds are pretty good you need the highest end video camera to pull off the kinds of projects you’re hoping to create.
That’s where the “prosumer” level video cameras come into play!
Not quite consumer level cameras without any special features but not quite professional grade cameras that will cost more than a brand-new car, these video cameras sit squarely in the middle and for most people serious about capturing high-definition video are “just right.”
Features to look for in a prosumer video camera
Before you take the plunge and purchase one of these cameras, you have to make sure that you are investing in a quality piece of technology you can trust, rely on, and utilize to capture the kinds of videos that you are hoping to create.
There are a lot of features that different cameras are going to offer compared to other options, but all of the very best prosumer level cameras are going to share these highlights below:
Dual SD card slots
Storage is the name of the game when it comes to capturing the video that you are shooting, and it’s always important to have redundancy built right into your camp – especially if you are hoping to capture the kinds of video shots you may never have the opportunity to capture again.
Dual SD cards are a MUST HAVE feature when you are shopping for this type of camera.
Long-lasting battery life
It’s also important that you have a camera that has plenty of battery life, giving you the kind of juice you need to complete all of your shots during your shooting schedule without having to stop everything, recharge, and then pick right up again.
Some of the highest end video cameras in this category are going to feature hot-swappable batteries that allow you to shoot for hours and hours on without having to recharge.
Room for upgrades
At the end of the day, there’s no such thing as a one-size-fits-all video camera.
Even at this level – at these price points – you are still going to want to be able to upgrade and accessorize your video camera to better fit in your workflow and your recording style. Look for a camera that has plenty of room for upgradability.
Prosumer vs. DSLR
A lot of the top DSLR cameras available on the market today are capable of shooting video in high definition, but most of these aren’t anywhere near as flexible, as adaptable, or as reliable as a true to life video camera.
Sure, you can get away with using one in a pinch, but at the end of the day, you’ll want to make sure that you are investing in the right equipment for the job by getting your hands on a quality video camera rather than skirting by with a DSLR.
There’s a high value on ergonomic and portable designs and durability
Because you want to make sure that you always have your video camera on hand so that you can capture shots whenever you find inspiration strikes, there’s real high value on ergonomic design and portable models that allow you to bring your camera pretty much anywhere and everywhere you may find yourself.
Durability is also huge, as you don’t want to have to worry about your camera letting you down when you are squaring up for a top shot.
The Best Semi Professional Video Cameras on the market today
#1. Canon XA35 Professional Camcorder
One of the most respected of all the professional level camcorders, you’d have to be at least a little bit crazy not to take advantage of everything that this Canon option has to offer.
Fast, compact, and providing all of the HD video capturing technology you’re hoping for – including one of the highest and sensors in this product category – this is a camcorder you’ll want to consider.
#2. Sony HXRNX100 Full HD Camcorder
Another of the best semi-professional video cameras available on the market today, this option from Sony is a game changer, especially at this price point.
Sony video and photography sensors have always been considered to be the best across the industry, and this camcorder features one of the top-of-the-line CMOS sensors that Sony has ever made.
This makes this camcorder capable of full HD and 19 20 x 10 80, and it features all of the exclusive benefits you are looking for from the best prosumer video camera contenders.
#3. Canon XA20 Professional Camcorder
All of the prosumer video camera reviews are glowingly positive when it comes to this Canon option, even if it is a little bit more expensive some of the other cameras in this product category.
Featuring the brand-new HD CMOS Pro Image Sensor from Canon and a new image processor as well, this is a top-of-the-line piece of technology that videographers are going to fall in love with.
Combine that with the blazing fast Wi-Fi technology built right in for file transfers, and it’s easy to see why this is such an attractive option.
#4. Canon XF100 Professional Camcorder
One of the top all-around prosumer video cameras, this option from Canon is also a little bit on the expensive side of things, but that’s because of all the top quality technology shoehorned into this relatively compact form factor.
Shooting in full HD, capable of capturing stereo sound, and upgradable in some different and versatile ways, the battery life on this Canon professional camcorder is also something that helps it to separate itself from the rest of the pack.
#5. JVC GY-HM150U Compact Handheld Pro HD Camcorder
Incredibly compact (certainly more so than any other option on this list), JVC has knocked it out of the park when it comes to this particular camera.
Though not as feature-rich or as flexible as some of the other options above, there are some very glowingly positive prosumer video camera reviews out there about this camera in particular.
It shoots in full HD/AVI format and makes editing all of your videos as simple as straightforward as could be.
#6. Panasonic AG-AC90 AVCCAM Handheld Camcorder
The cool thing about this Panasonic camera is that it has not one, and not two, but THREE full high definition CMOS sensors built right in. This makes this camera one of the very best video cameras you’ll ever find on the market – at this price point or almost any other – in low light situations.
This is the kind of camera that independent horror movies are made on, and the kind of camera that will produce stunning HD results in no matter the conditions that you are shooting video in.
Combine that with the portability, the top-notch onboard sound recording, and the dual SD card functions (which only really begins to scratch the surface of what this camera brings to the table), and you’re talking about something extraordinary here.
#7. Canon VIXIA HF G40 Camcorder
Super compact, super “stealth,” and yet still featuring some of the highest and HD video capturing technology available in this product category, you really can’t go wrong with this Canon video camera – especially if you’re only looking to spend around $1000 on your new video equipment.
This camera features all of the “must-have” pieces of technology we mentioned at the beginning of this quick guide and then some, and it also provides you with one of the highest capacity batteries of ANY professional/consumer level video camera out on the market today.
Closing thoughts
At the end of the day hopefully, you find all of the inside information available in this buying guide useful when it comes time to purchase your next piece of video camera technology.
You’ll naturally want to break down and compare all of the options that we highlighted above on your own, but the light we’ve shined the unique features that each of these cameras has to offer in our comparison guide should be more than enough to help you hit the ground running.
You can’t go wrong with any of the options that we have reviewed above!
