What should i buy?

[TheFirm]

inputs please... i would like to make movies with sound, i know most digital camera makes like 30 seconds clips i would like to have some more time ( maybe 5 minutes) as im going overseas and i want to make movies etc etc but im confused on what i really want. also provide brands/models i dont know how much i want to spend right now so ill have to think about it thanks for any inputs!

 

[kami333]

Depends on your budget, wants, needs, etc.

There are several digital cameras out now that take pretty acceptable movie clips. The CanonSD200/300/400/500 for example can take 640x480 at 30fps with sound for as long as your memory card lasts which is about 9min for a 1GB card. Sanyo also has some pretty good movie modes on there's as well.

Personally I have a DSLR (Pentax istD), P&S digital with movie mode (SD300), and a dv camera (Sony one), and I find that I use the SD300 the most for both video and photos, it's the camera you carry with you that gets used the most.

 

[Calin]

If your movie needs are so low that can be satisfied by a digital camera (considering duration, lighting - as some video camera have bright lights for low light situations, easy grip, etc, etc), go with a digital still pictures. You can have a entry level video camera for the money you pay for a digital still camera. If you want to take good pictures, go with a digital photo camera - they have advantages in image quality, and can take pretty good SHORT movies.

 

[DurocShark]

If all you want is video, don't mess with a digicam. Get a DV or Digital 8 camcorder.

 

[rudeguy]

I would suggest a mini dv camcorder. Great quality and they can be had pretty cheap (<$400 for a decent one.)

Cannon makes some really nice camcorders. Go check them out.

 

[Koing]

Originally posted by: rudeguy
I would suggest a mini dv camcorder. Great quality and they can be had pretty cheap (<$400 for a decent one.)

Cannon makes some really nice camcorders. Go check them out.

Ditto.

If you fancy editing the video the videos from the digital camera are all compressed already and the frames will be harder to edit as they are compressed.

The DV camera you can shoot hrs and hrs for relatively cheap DV tapes. The digital camera you will have to transfer the footage to a laptop or other device and reuse or you can keep a few 1GB bits about.

It really depends on what you want.

Koing

 

[shilala]

I'm not much of a movie guy, I've never owned a camcorder.
If I was ever to buy one, it'd be a big nasty Canon so I could take/make exceptionally nice videos.

 

[TheFirm]

awesome inputs! im going to take a look at a DV camcorder then.. so canons are the brand to get..?

 

[TheFirm]

ok i bought me a camcorder!!! it was the Canon Elura 85 picked it up for 475.. im so happy about it now time to play around with it

 

[dartworth]

Canon S1

 

[Ornery]

Gawd, I think you forked up on several levels! Coming here for your only source of advice was the start of it.

These clowns spout Canon for every damn thing, regardless of how much of a compromise it is. Hey, they're spending your money, what do they care?

The Best Camcorders: You see Canon anywhere on that list?

Lastly, a digicam would probably serve you better for "going overseas", but that's just a hunch. I wouldn't bother taking movies with a digicam, or stills with a camcorder, but I think you'd get better use of the stills than video.

 

[joecool]

i'd suggest a digicam and see if you really need the video option. get a digicam that does vga quality movies. that should be enough.

 

[dartworth]

The Canon S1 has a great 10X lens, and image stabilization.

It also takes decent 640 x 480 videos. You can also use the optical zoom while in video mode.



oh btw..ornery...go fuk yourself

 

[Ornery]

It's also missing an autofocus assist light. God, you guys are pathetic...

 

[dartworth]

Also look at the new Canon S2


Text

 

[Ornery]

...also look at the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ20 with flash hotshoe, or smaller, cheaper, DMC-FZ5.

 

[dartworth]

The Canon takes better video than the Panasonic

 

[vegetation]

If you're planning to use the video for recording your children, weddings, graduations, home porn, parties, then get a regular camcorder. If you want to take with you on vacations for sightseeing, then highly consider a camera with quality video capabilities, such as the Canon S1. I used to own a minidv camcorder and almost never used it while on vacation since it was a PITA to carry that around, along with a separate photo camera. Now I just carry one device that does both (Canon S1). Works very well.

 

[Keyvan]

TheFirm:
i'm thinking of buying the elura 85 this week!
any thoughts about it? like it?

this will be my first DV camera.

 

[HN]

Originally posted by: TheFirm
inputs please... i would like to make movies with sound, i know most digital camera makes like 30 seconds clips i would like to have some more time ( maybe 5 minutes) as im going overseas and i want to make movies etc etc but im confused on what i really want. also provide brands/models i dont know how much i want to spend right now so ill have to think about it thanks for any inputs!

I thought that was pretty straight forward; there was nothing wishy washy about wanting to take pictures.

 

[Ornery]

Originally posted by: dartworth
The Canon takes better video than the Panasonic

More compromise, eh? Good plan... :roll:

How many 2GB sticks of memory are you taking overseas with you, Firm?



What should i buy? a digital camera or a video camcorder? ...im confused on what i really want.

Yep, nothing wishy washy at all... :roll:

 

[dartworth]

Originally posted by: Ornery

Originally posted by: dartworth
The Canon takes better video than the Panasonic

More compromise, eh? Good plan... :roll:

How many 2GB sticks of memory are you taking overseas with you, Firm?



...im confused on what i really want.

Yep, nothing wishy washy at all... :roll:

Compromising on what...WTF do you know? Why do you always have to act like such an asshole. You bash everything everyone posts...

I have owned a Canon S1 and I currently do own a FZ20. The S1 does take great pics, and so does the FZ20. However the S1 will give you better video IMO.

The OP was looking for both, and the S1/S2 is a good balance of both.

 

[Ornery]

Compromising on what...

S1/S2 is a good balance of both.

Is that NOT a compromise? And, it's a particularly dumb thing to do when you have limited memory available during an extended vacation.

Your choice of Digicam has no autofocus assist lamp, which is unforgivable in a several hundred dollar camera. Canon's camcorders cost way too much for too little performance. Give the OP a damn break, and quit shilling for Canon!

 

[dartworth]

Originally posted by: Ornery
Compromising on what...

S1/S2 is a good balance of both.

Is that NOT a compromise? And, it's a particularly dumb thing to do when you have limited memory available during an extended vacation.

Your choice of Digicam has no autofocus assist lamp, which is unforgivable in a several hundred dollar camera. Canon's camcorders cost way too much for too little performance. Give the OP a damn break, and quit shilling for Canon!

An assit lamp makes or breaks a camera...WTF

I've used both cameras...have you? ...always talking out of your ass.

All this coming for someone who has owned what...2 cameras...both Sony...

STFU already

 

[Ornery]

You retarded shltferbrains are suggesting the OP use a digital camera for video overseas, NOT me! That says it all right there, but then you suggest a crippled camera to boot! I owned a flippin' $450 S50, which is all I needed to know about Canon's wondrous point & shoot compromises. Facts suck, eh sport?