Select Blu-ray releases under $20
Digital cameras: Video recording with Digital camera v/s camcorder
Video recording with Digital camera v/s camcorder
by nr100582 - 4/21/08 9:15 PMHi,
I'm pretty new to the camera world and need advice to make a good decision.
I wanted to know what is the difference between video recording capability of a digital camera and a camcorder.
I'm planning to buy a Camera, but not very sure if the video recording quality and length will be at par with that from a cam corder.
Its usually very cumbersome to carry both a camcorder and a digital camera together. So please advice on this. Please also suggest any such models available, if any, in the market. I'm looking it in the budget of US350-US$500.
Video
by snapshot2
- 4/22/08 7:53 AM
In reply to: Video recording with Digital camera v/s camcorder by nr100582
The camera makers have been trying to build a combination digital still/video camera for years.
No one has been successful yet.
The best tries have been the ones with two lenses.
...one for video and one for still photos
.....but that requires two CCD sensors and two processors.
......Two lenses and two CCD sensors add a lot of cost.
A digital still camera can produce video, but it does not compare to a digital camcorder.
The video image is OK (but no better than OK) and it is bare bones in respect to features.
Low light ability is poor. Microphone is cheap.
However, the video file is easily transferred to a computer, or You-Tube.
A camcorder can produce still photos, but it does not compare to a digital camera.
The image quality is equal to a $50 digital camera or a camera phone.
But you have almost no features.
Such as white-balance, aperture or shutter speed control
For the best of both worlds, you need a digital camcorder and a digital still camera.
...
..
.
I agree with first reply...
by victork1 - 5/1/08 9:34 PM In reply to: Video by snapshot2
...by user "snapshot2". I am no expert in the subject, but I am a maniac when it comes to quality. I have a Sony still camera that takes awesome pix (a 3 MB taken with my Sony has better image than a 5 Mb taken with my mom's Kodak), but the videos are so poor that I decided to buy a camcorder. Video length is not an issue, if you buy a big enough memory card, but quality is definitely an issue. My camcorder is a Panasonic with the 3 CCD lens and it takes breathtaking quality video, specially outdoors in natural light.
With 500 bucks, like you said, you can get the Sony 7.1 Mb for $ 170 and a Panasonic with the 3 CCD for some 300 / 350. Inconvenient, yes, but those are the memories you will keep...
Model nos please
by nr100582 - 5/7/08 3:18 AM In reply to: I agree with first reply... by victork1Hi victork1,
Thanks for the guidance, Looks like thats the only option I'm left with since I'm also a quality freak.
But I would like to know isnt the Sony camcoder better than the panasonic ones (as I've heard from some of my friends).
Can you please suggets me the model no. of the Sony camera and the Panasonic camcoder.(or the sony camcoder if it is a better choice)
how you use video files
by Joliet Eddie - 4/23/08 7:36 AM In reply to: Video recording with Digital camera v/s camcorder by nr100582All depends on what you want to do with videos. If for personal use or business use for your own reference and/or enjoyment, digital still cameras in your price range will provide you with adequate movies. Sound will be pretty limited and, as stated in previous reply, you're pretty much restricted to recording outside or in well-lit rooms. If you good this route, be sure to check the quality of the recording (size/frame rate)is good enough. Also, make sure tha the the only restriction on the length of the recording is available memory card space. You'll want 2-4 gig memory cards if you're shooting any amount of video.
I've used digital cameras to shoot short videos for years and find it easy, fun, and the quality is good enough for me...home movie memory level, I guess.
Vidoe Recording with Digital Camera vs. Camcorder
by Ron Geiken - 4/25/08 5:49 PM In reply to: Video recording with Digital camera v/s camcorder by nr100582I have a Casio Digital camera, and it also will provide up to 1 hour of video. The video format coming out is not mpg, so if you want to edit it, you might have to convert from the Casio format to mpg. I did this with a program the Casio furnishes with the Camera. The raw output from the Casio presents a fairly good result when view with the Quick Time player on my computer, but there is no way to edit it. The video quality when I converted from the .mov format to the .mpg format was not very high quality. The Casio only takes a 2 gig secure digital card, which is not very large when it comes to video. If the video is the most important thing and you want high quality, you will be better with a camcorder. I just consider my video with the Casio a low quality extra that gives me video without a lot of effort and for low cost. I have the Casio EX-V7 camera. If you can record in mpg format for your video, it will be much easier to edit if you decide to do that.
Depends on the brand/equip
by motme - 4/25/08 9:48 PM In reply to: Video recording with Digital camera v/s camcorder by nr100582I have a different opinion: I think it is possible to "have your cake and eat it also". The main limitation is the size of the memory card. I will assume that you don't normally video for 1/2 hour or longer per shot. Given this, I have used different brands of digital cameras and the ones from Canon seem to give me the best balance of features and quality. With a 2-4 GB SD card, you can easily video over 1/2 hour of 15 to 30 fps (frames per sec) at 640 x 480 (VGA quality and better than what most non-HD camcorders can do). All this and zooming while you are recording (this I consider a big deal since I like to zoom while recording and many cameras must stop and zoom before resuming). I think a Panasonic model can also zoom while recording but I'm not positive.
The main drawback to these Canon's is the fact that you can't hook up a supplemental mic (but I usually dub music and other sounds - think travelogs). With the prices of SD cards, I don't give the thought of carrying extra cards a second thought.
One of the main benefits, is that it is a breeze to bring it into a computer and edit. Just load it on a reader and save it on the hard drive. No more worrying if you have a 1394/firewire cable or how much the spinning heads are getting worn while you copy the footage into the computer.
I have the Canon S1, S3 and SD800is
Can be done
by guywayne - 4/26/08 11:47 AM In reply to: Video recording with Digital camera v/s camcorder by nr100582I have a Canon Optura 20 (video camera) that I paid about $500 for 3or4 years ago. It has a separate camera mode that works quite well for everyday photos. Of course it isn't made for professional studio-type shooting, but it works very well in almost any light for vacation/birthday/family type photos that most people take most of the time. I've also used it for decent photos of the night sky. And you only need to bring one camera with for video and photos.
I really have trouble with the arguements I read whenever cameras are discussed. A person asks about finding a simple easy to use camera for general photos and video and we end up in a deep-geek discussion of micro-differences in quality and why Nikon's lens coating is better than Pentax's.
Sorry about the rant- too much coffee this morning maybe. But the best thing in my opinion is this- figure out what quality (size, light detection, frame rate, zoom, battery life, record time etc.) you need for your still images and for your video, and then look for a camera that has both. If you are planning on snapshots rather than 8x10 or poster sized photos, for example, you don't really need an eight megapixel camera. And if you only want occasional short clips of video, it may fit onto a flash card and you won't even need the capacity of tape or dvd recording.
Good Luck!
I was looking for advice like this last winter
by jetpress2 - 4/27/08 7:12 PM In reply to: Video recording with Digital camera v/s camcorder by nr100582I just bought a Canon Powershot S5IS in your price range because I found examples of the picture quality and video quality on www.dpreview.com. There isn't too much video posted, but I am extremely happy with the video quality for my personal use. I bought a Nikon Coolpix 3200 a few years ago with video capability and was not happy at all with the indoor video. I recently experimented with the indoor video of the Canon in daylight and evening lighting and was very impressed. The evening lighting is obviously not the quality of daylight, but it is a HUGE improvement over the Nikon. Just make sure you can buy at least one 4 GB SD card because the video uses a lot of memory. The only drawback to the Canon is the size of the camera, but it's a lot better than carrying a video camera and a digital camera around. It also has a screen that can be turned in any direction for viewing which is great in sunlight.
Get Great Hi-Def Video Easily
by agrove1 - 4/28/08 12:15 PM In reply to: I was looking for advice like this last winter by jetpress2I rewcently purchased a Panasonic Lumix TZ5. Superb video and stills with this puppy. Leica lenses, 10X optical zoom, 9+ mega pixels, very low noise up to 400, tons of features, highest resolution 3" LCD (430,000 pixels) available today. If you want to play hi def directly through your TV Panasonic sells a component video kit. I got it, works perfectly.
http://panasonic.co.jp/pavc/global/lumix/index.html (for info)
http://www.pstc.panasonic.com/Epartr/PartsListChoice.asp (for cables)
http://service.us.panasonic.com/operman/findmanual.aspx?cat=CAM (for pdf manual)
It's getting rave reviews and has street prices under $300. I preordered mine direct from Panasonic and paid list ($369) for it over a month ago; now it's widely available.
If you want to contact me directly - agrove1@tampabay.rr.com
Enjoy your research!
Ace
Video on Digital Camera
by bobm749 - 4/28/08 10:25 PM In reply to: Get Great Hi-Def Video Easily by agrove1I've had a Panasonic TZ1 for a couple of years now...Love it..I don't even take my Video Cam with me anymore. TenX Digital is Great...Also zooms in 30fps. The TZ3 or 4 don't but,the New TZ5 does everything.
Get the largest size card it will hold(prices are very reasonable now.
Pop the card in your PC reader,drag into a video editing program and your on your way...No more Capures or 1394.
Good Luck
TZ4 Correction
by agrove1 - 4/29/08 8:28 AM In reply to: Video on Digital Camera by bobm749The Panasonic TZ4 DOES optical zooms at 30fps just like the TZ5. The TZ5, however, can shoot movies in true Hi-Def, the TZ4 in CD quality only.
Camera vs. Camcorder
by jconnet - 5/9/08 11:28 AM In reply to: Get Great Hi-Def Video Easily by agrove1I'm try to decide between getting a camcorder or a camera that can shoot video, like the Panasonic TZ5. I have an old Panasonic dmc-fx7 (camera), which is great for what it is. What's lacking is the video quality.
What you say about the TZ5 sounds too good to be true, but I like to believe it.
Do you have any experience with camcorders? How does the video quality of the TZ5 compare?
Panasonic Camcorder Experience
by agrove1 - 5/9/08 12:20 PM In reply to: Camera vs. Camcorder by jconnetYes, I also have a Panasonic PV-DV601 purchased in May 2001. Great camera, even records in total darkness with infa red. It records to tape, has 20 power optical zoom. It's a very good video camera that also takes fair stills. The TZ5, on the other hand is a great still camera that takes great video (hi def, CD, or internet quality) at 30fps. Its only shortcoming (vs the DV601) is in the audio area. The DV601 has stereo recording, the TZ5 does not.
The sample videos on the Lumix web site are representative.
Ace
how to compare?
by jimenitayo - 11/21/08 11:13 PM In reply to: I was looking for advice like this last winter by jetpress2I have a canon S5is, which does 30fps and 640x480, I have a bign 8g chip, so running out of memory is not a problem.
my question is, how do I compare the video quality with a camcorder?
I want nicer videos, I want to do a family video project. but when I look at the specs of some camcorders they also say 30fps 480x640... I don't know if I'm being dumb, but isn't that about the same?
it would only be worth it to buy a separate camcorder if it was going to be MUCH better quality, not just comparable...
ideas?
| Forum legend: | |
 |
Locked thread |
 |
Moderator |
 |
CNET staff |
 |
Samsung staff |
 |
Norton Authorized Support team |
 |
AVG staff |
 |
Windows Outreach team |
 |
Dell staff |
 |
Intel staff |
