If you had a choice which equipment would you pick?

I am upgrading my equipment and have the choice of the following three:

1) Canon MD5 Mark II
2) Sony FX1000
3) Sony EX 1

I will be using it primarily for stock footage and want the most bang for the buck. But is the EX1 over kill for this purpose?

Any input all of you can give would be appreciated.

I would get the EX1 - just my opinion.. The Canon is nice, but way overpriced compared to competitive models that are out or coming out in the next few weeks. (Panasonic - etc..) - The FX1000 ain't bad either. But keep in mind, I thought I was going to do stock footage only as well - and now am doing more and more studio work (commercials etc..) hence, I am glad I have xlr connectors etc on the cam as well as firewire so that I can go straight into Adobe Onlocation for example. Saves so much time when you don't have to "suck" in a tape.

Wow, I didnt even think of that. Thank you very much.

Very challenging question to answer. I had to go through this a few months back when I got my fx1000. I had the chance to use an EX1 the other weekend and it was a very nice camera. Much more professional feeling and looking than the fx1000. The body felt way more rugged. I used the Mark II and the footage it delivers is just amazing. You get that movie look so easily, where the other 2 cameras can do it, it just takes more lighting techniques.

There is a big $ difference between the ex1 and the other 2 cameras you are considering. Is it worth it? Probably not for stock video, but as Vader said, it depends on what you are going to get into. If I had to do it all over again I'd still buy the FX1000. Tape ripping does suck at times, and just going directly from camera to pc is nice. Not $3000 nice :-P

You should also look at the panasonic version of the fx1000, I think it is the hmc 150 or somewhere around there. Seems like a lot of people are happy with it.

I wouldn't trade my Canon MKII for anything.
I would agree with Andy about being over priced but it's a 21 megapixel full frame sensor.
The other cameras won't have quite the DOF or dynamic range of the Canon.

I just finished a shoot today. Man, I can't say enough how much I love the Canon.
If nothing else, the shallow DOF makes the video pop. The production value from just that one thing is something you can't get even with the EX1.

Here is a shot of my setup for today. I'll have some behind the scenes video during the shoot.
http://www.jhdtstockimages.com/studio/

Did I mention how much I love the camera?

Jake

I also have an Fx1000 and you can add anLXR-Pro audio adapter to bottom of the camera if you need add external mic's for a shoot. Also keep in mind that not all stock agencies will except footage taken with a single chip camera.

Not so anymore. In fact all agencies that I submit too are happy to accept Canon HV-20/30/40 and similar cameras and 5D MKII which is a single CMOS chip. In fact most will accept digitized super 8 and other old old film clips. The old standard of 2 CCD cameras is not the same. It's more in the quality of the technology and not a simple chip counts. Cameras like the 5D MKII and upcoming (maybe) RED can surpass many 3 CCD cameras from a very short time ago. That is not to say that there are lots of great CCD cameras that make excellent footage and will be around a long long time. Technology has changed the face of stock video very much in just the last year or two.

Hey Jake,

Can I come over and play? :)

Come on over man....

Remember the 5D MKII is a great video camera but in the live video mode you have to use manual focus. If you might be shooting something like sports where the subject is changing distances the focus will not auto focus like the XH-A1 or other dedicated video cameras.