Which Camcorder?

horsemadmary

Hi, does anyone have an opinion please on the Canon XA30 Vs the Sony HXR-MC2500E or similar?
I am beginner, but need to produce video for product reviews at work. I need to use slow mo and be able to blur the foreground or background of the image. I need good quality, but the majority of the work will be online. I need it to be easy to use and simply and quick to change modes etc.vAny help or opinions are gratefully received with thanks.

Terfyn

I don't know about the two cameras you mentioned but I do know that the Panasonic HC-V770 will do everything you ask (probably)
The camera has slo-mo to half speed (double the frame rate run at normal frame rate) and quarter speed using an internal creation of a second file. The manual focus will assist in blurring parts of the image but, in practice a DSLR usually does a better and more controllable job.
It would be useful if you gave us an idea why you need slo-mo and a burring of the image then others can advise on cameras that will do both. For example: If you are filming a speeding bullet then you would need a specialist camera but if you are filming a horse galloping then a camera with slo-mo would probably work. (silly examples I know )

12harry

That Sony MC2500 is about 4-years old and HD only... with a limiting Zoom . . . where it scores is in Pro-Work: Weddings / Conferences where the dual-slot memory and LED work-light might save the day.
However, it over £1K and quite bulky . . .  you say yr need is "On-Line" - Does this mean Youtube videos of your product shoots?

If you are a beginner, why is yr firm trusting you to do this work?

Learning how to is something that will take a while ( learning all the time, springs to mind)....You could try joining a local Film-Making club...where you'll gain insight and see semi-pros at work... plus see the camcorders close-up.
. . . . . . . . . You need to answer Terfyn's Q's also, which I fully support. . . . . . . .
  Maybe also, some idea of total Budget* and why you chose those two camcorders?  That might be enlightening...

Cheers.

* You will need lights, tripod, background (for interviews), possibly a modest-size monitor, as it's difficult to judge out-of focus effects using a small screen, when filming ).
Add in Batteries, Memory and leads, - you'll be spending closer to £2000.

Presently 4K isn't commonplace and it increase the cost of a suitable Computer Software for Editing ( yet another item for ANOther Budget).....so you may get-away with HD ( which in good hands is universally acceptable).  DSLR's are good at OOF effects handled correctly, but they have more limitations IMHO..... a Camcorder is much easier to get the shots you need - you can take limited focus shots and put them in if they "work" but make sure you have a safety-shot beforehand; - that may save the day.
  Add-in maybe a modest Microphone   Stand costing about £100 would be sensible . . . but ALL of this KIT needs someone ( and an Assistant),  that know what they are doing . . .  -OR- you could end-up with stacks-of-footage and nothing good-enough to show for it.
Perhaps too you can tell us what it is you are filming that needs slo-mo - it's a very tricky technique for industrial-processes, IMHO.