Can any cameras perform HD Camcorder functions?

[micrometers]

I'm looking for a video camera to make short marketing videos for a business venture.

I've been thinking lately that it might be possible that the DSLR's or the "prosumer" compacts like the canon S-series or the Olympus Pens might have good video quality.

IS that the case in any of them? I'm thinking that it would be defined as any camera that has 10 megapixels or above.

Or should I just stick with dedicated video cameras?

edit: also, recommend a microphone and other basics for video production?

 

[SecurityTheatre]

Having external audio input is important. 10 megapixels absolutely is not. Your video will (at most) be 1080, which is about 2mp.

And... EVERY camera has 10mp. The video quality has nothing to do with it.

If you want high quality video, you need a bigger lens. One of those Canon S-series isn't terrible, a DSL would be better if you don't need good autofocus (both aren't good during video shooting).

Or, you can go with a dedicated camera and get more for your money, but lose out on taking pictures.

What do you want to do with it?

Certainly get one that is optically stabilized. Doing it in post-production is possible, but often wonky and not consistent.

 

[alfa147x]

External audio recorders are cheap. Most will beat any DSLR's recorder. Also most if not all DSLRs do not autofocus once recording. Look at sensor size 5D II vs T2i

 

[Cattykit]

Get Hx9v.

 

[micrometers]

er, yeah, I guess the question is this: an hd camcorder will be like ~$150-$200

like this thing

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0..._m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0XN3W9J036FN9XNJF1AN

How would the canon s100 for instance compare in terms of video quality?

 

[Cattykit]

While S100 is very good, hx9v is just better to the point there's no P&S camera that can beat hx9v's video. The main problem with s100 is that it only offers 1080p24 and this is coming from a huge 24p fan. While I dig the aesthetics of 24p, it requires very careful shooting.
Hx9v not only offers 30p but also 60p which works damn good for casual shooting. Although I hate the look of 60p, it's sweet for slow-mo and worry free hand-held shooting. Plus, it's stabilization works better than s100.

It's no wonder hx9v is regarded very highly among video enthusiasts. In fact, it's the only P&S camera that caught attention of video people.
The downside? I hate the pictures from it. Thanks to bsi sensor coupled with Sony's cellphone like image processing engine, it produces very ugly images even in low light. http://www.dpreview.com/galleries/r...85?inalbum=sony-cybershot-hx9v-review-samples
However, unless you do intensive cropping or make large prints, it's not noticeable. It's not noticeable in video mode neither.

 

[JohnnyRebel]

While S100 is very good, hx9v is just better to the point there's no P&S camera that can beat hx9v's video.

CK, I'm not up to speed on the hx9v. Can you post a link to a good review of its video performance? Thanks.

JR