What is the make and model of a compact, durable "industry standard" video camera used to shoot documentaries?

I need a professional quality camera that is compact and durable in order to shoot a documentary. It must be fairly streamlined in its usage and it will be subjected to a variety of environments. Preferably under $2000.

Canon's XL2 runs twice your budget easily, but is well worth the investment. It's lesser expensive cousin, the GL2 comes close, ranging just under to a few hundred dollars north of your budget. But the advantages that come with the XL2 (changing lenses, external microphone, industry standard time code) make it much more worth the added expense.

You could go with the Panasonic AG-DVC20, which weighs in at about $1600 or so, and there are more expensive options there as well.

Less expensive options would include used XL1s and GL1s. The Quality is still there, but being used ... well, you get what you pay for.

And those aren't even HD ready, which is what many documentaries have made the switch to.

Hi, I noticed that you haven't marked any replies as the "best answer." Are you still looking for an answer? If so, I recommend you re-submit it on http://www.digitalcamera-hq.com so it will have a better chance of being noticed. These days it looks like most questions are being answered within a few days.

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