cheapest entry for 'HD' 720p video

[randomlinh]

Was curious what the cheapest way to get 720p... doesn't have to be of great quality, just decent really.. web worthy.

I was thinking the Flip Mino HD, so that gives you an idea of what I'm looking for... flash based, built in or via SD, don't care. extremely small, very portable. But given it's $200+, not sure if I'm better off finding a cheap p&s that can record in HD.

 

[996GT2]

You can pick up a Panasonic FX35 for $200-$250. Not only does it record 720p video at 30 FPS up to the limit of the card, it's also a very capable camera with a very nice 25-100mm 4x image stabilized zoom lens that goes wider than even DSLR kit lenses. It's got the latest VENUS IV image processor, so image noise at high ISO is quite low (its high ISO performance is very competitive with Canon Powershots, even beating Canon in some cases).

If you're looking for something with a longer zoom range and larger 3" screen, the Panasonic TZ5 records in 720p and packs a 10x 28-280mm zoom range into a very compact body (for having such a long zoom range). It's also slightly cheaper than the FX35; around $200-225 at mots places.

 

[randomlinh]

hrm. any samples of their video anywhere?

 

[AnitaPeterson]

Note on the FX35, from here: http://www.digicamreview.com/p...ix_dmc_fx35_review.htm

Video mode: The camera features an excellent video mode - it records HD (16:9 Aspect Ratio) 1280x720 30fps videos with sound as MOV files and has fairly good compression allowing you to record long videos. The video mode doesn't let you use the optical zoom whilst recording.

I don't know what you look for, but this - along with the mono-only audio track - is a deal-breaker in my eyes.

I just got myself the Canon TX-1. Costco Canada sells it for $229, including a deluxe leather case. It does good 720p with zooming capabilities and good stereo sound. The other advantage is that the resulting video files, albeit very large (though nothing a 8 GB SDHC couldn't handle), may be directly used in any video editing suite, as opposed to the files encoded with AVCHD, for which support is still iffy.

 

[CptObvious]

It appears the FX35 has a 2GB file limit on 720P video, which is about 8.5 minutes.

I haven't tried the MinoHD yet but I don't believe it has the same limitation. The main downside is that it doesn't have a swappable battery/memory card.

 

[randomlinh]

hrm. maybe I'm going about this in the wrong way. It seemed like a good idea, but while looking at the FX35, I re-convinced myself I really want to just save for an LX3 =) For my little project I might forgo HD. I have a good miniDV camera, but transferring is a pain, haha

 

[idiotekniQues]

the lx3 also has a limit on the length of the movie

 

[randomlinh]

Originally posted by: idiotekniQues
the lx3 also has a limit on the length of the movie

that's not a concern for me. Unless it's like a minute. my push to the LX3 is I've been long looking for a "compact" camera that did well and had manual controls. I was really hoping w/ the DP1.. but the interface and quirks are too much for me to overcome.

I'm trying to wait for the DP2 and what m4/3's come out with. But with regards to a video project, I'd be doing more short 5 minute things at most, and clipping them together after the fact.

 

[idiotekniQues]

Originally posted by: randomlinh

Originally posted by: idiotekniQues
the lx3 also has a limit on the length of the movie

that's not a concern for me. Unless it's like a minute. my push to the LX3 is I've been long looking for a "compact" camera that did well and had manual controls. I was really hoping w/ the DP1.. but the interface and quirks are too much for me to overcome.

I'm trying to wait for the DP2 and what m4/3's come out with. But with regards to a video project, I'd be doing more short 5 minute things at most, and clipping them together after the fact.

if i select HD, the limit is 10 min and some seconds. as vga it is 22 minutes. this is with a 16gb fast SD card in there with only about 30 shots on it.

more than i need, seems like it will do you just fine.