Which is better for a camcorder: Canon or Sony?

Canon g10 camcorder vs Sony HDR-sr12..which is better?

• I am comparing these two pro camcorders and need some advice. I really love the canon g10 because it is new (2011) while this Sony HDR-sr12 is older (2008). When comparing these I found them to be almost the same price in nature but I met someone who is willing to sell the sony for 500, is that worth it or should I go with the g10? If you own either please specify your dislikes and likes on these camcorders! Thank you! I want to know which one has more focus control, editing abilities and wind resistence. Also I don't think I specified but I want to use either of these cameras to shoot weddings, birthday parties professionally. Thanks!!!

• Answer:

  Again, neither of these are pro grade. Lens too small, 1/8" (3.5mm) stereo audio jack, single small imaging chip. They both use AVCHD compression when recording. The G10 can compress less - this is better... it is still not as good as miniDV tape, but it is a lot closer than the SR12 gets. The G10 has a manual ring that is shared rather than dedicated to a single job. The SR12 does not. If all you want is manual focus, then select that in the menu and you'll have manual focus. Zoom, iris/aperture and other settingas are buried in the menu like many consumer camcorders. "Editing capability" is in the editor - on your computer. Assuming your video editor can deal with AVCHD compressed video, then you can edit all you want. You told us nothing about your computer or editor so there is no way to respond to this part of your question. Wind resistance? As in the mics won't pick up wind noise? For that you need to isolate the mic element from the surrounding air. That's what external mics in a zeppelin or fuzzy or "dead cat" are for. All built-in mics will pick up wind-noise when there is wind. If you think you will have credibility shooting weddings with a G10 or any other consumer camcorder, good luck. Either your rates must be extremely inexpensive or your customers are not expecting much. At a minimum, a Sony HDR-FX7 would be used - better yet, a couple of HDR-FX1000 or Canon XHA1 cams. With the G10, you will need to bring lots of light. Don't forget, a decent tripod, wireless clip-on mics (Sennheiser), Pelican cases, maybe a Steadicam or Kessler camera crane... cables, high capacity batteries from the camcorder manufacturer... and BUNCHES of other gear... Not to mention most likely upgrading your computer to deal with the AVCHD video and all the space decompressed video needs when it is being edited... But yeah - if I can only choose between the G10 and the SR12, then the G10... but miniDV tape is a much better way to go.