Optical Image Stabilization... bad for car-shots?

[smashtheqube]

I'm having a huge problem finding camera(s) for a trip that I'm taking. I really liked the HV20 but I'm going to be mounting these to my car while driving and the secondary-lens for OIS causes a huge-issue with jittering.

So, between trying to find a camera with a MIC input, records to Tape or Flash in 1080i HD, and with digital NOT optical image-stabilization... I'm pretty much stuck aside from getting a camera that's like $3000.

Can anyone make another recommendation? I found the Sony HDR-HC5, which would have worked, but it doesn't have a MIC input. Damn it! And people say the HC7 has the same problem as the HV20 from Canon.

/me is really discouraged.

 

[Fardringle]

Optical Image Stabilization is designed to reduce jitter when the camera is shaking. Why would it not help in a car where the camera is going to be shaking?

If you are looking for something that will perfectly compensate for a car bouncing on a rough road, that's another story. OIS will help but usually just for small movements.

 

[corkyg]

Stabilized camera mounts can be expensive. This article has some good tips.

Steady

 

[smashtheqube]

I have all sorts of car-mounts, but the problem with OIS is it seems the second-lens can move on its on a little bit, even when disabled in the menus. That or it has something to do with the rolling-shutter, I can't figure out what needs to happen.

This is such a pain.

 

[OdiN]

You should specify video camera

 

[corkyg]

. . . and a cheap solution is a co-pilot holding the camera. (Especially if she's cute!)

 

[gsellis]

Originally posted by: smashtheqube
I'm having a huge problem finding camera(s) for a trip that I'm taking. I really liked the HV20 but I'm going to be mounting these to my car while driving and the secondary-lens for OIS causes a huge-issue with jittering.

So, between trying to find a camera with a MIC input, records to Tape or Flash in 1080i HD, and with digital NOT optical image-stabilization... I'm pretty much stuck aside from getting a camera that's like $3000.

Can anyone make another recommendation? I found the Sony HDR-HC5, which would have worked, but it doesn't have a MIC input. Damn it! And people say the HC7 has the same problem as the HV20 from Canon.

/me is really discouraged.

You have summed it up. The killer is the mic in. That is why I went to the HC7. I have never had footage like Douglas Spotted Eagle got with the HV-20 though. But I have shot with it off and on in my helmet cam mount on my mountain bike and see no difference. What you can do is stablize it in post with something like Mercalli (NLE dependent). Mercalli is much, much faster than Deshake with better quality, but you do pay for it. Mecalli plugs into Premiere, P Elements, AE, Edius, Vegas 7/8, and Liquid.

http://www.prodad.de/gb/mercalli_std_details.html

We do have occasionally discussions on it at dvinfo.net in the comsumer question. So if you want to hit a larger audience for your questions, try there too.