Choice of Video-Cam: PLS HELP

[SAMSKB]

Dear all,

I'm in the midst of getting a video cam.

But am totally new (never bought one before). Would really appreciate if you all can help me out here. A couple of qns:

1. SD card or in-built memory? And why?
2. Any particular recommendation?
3. Any feedback about Canon Legria series?

Any other advice/feedback/suggestions are most welcome. My budget is $600-$1000. Thank you all so much for your time & response.



Rgds,
Sam

 

[jaegersing]

What do you plan to use it for?

 

[hotwork77]

Dear all,

I'm in the midst of getting a video cam.

But am totally new (never bought one before). Would really appreciate if you all can help me out here. A couple of qns:

1. SD card or in-built memory? And why?
2. Any particular recommendation?
3. Any feedback about Canon Legria series?

Any other advice/feedback/suggestions are most welcome. My budget is $600-$1000. Thank you all so much for your time & response.

Rgds,
Sam

Seems like you already got your sights on Legria series so go ahead and buy it.

But if you want other recommendation, there's the Toshiba Camileo X100 which I bought during the last PC Show for $399 after the usual "lelong" during closing. It has 8GB SDHC card and records in 1080p Hi-Def resolution and playback directly in your HD LED TV.

The battery can last 1.5hours and a recording capacity of 2 hours in Hi-Def. It can also take 16Meg pictures.

 

[SAMSKB]

Hi,

The cam will be mainly for recreational purpose ie. outing, travelling, occasions like birthdays etc.

Thanks so much for your advice.


Cheers,
Sam

 

[SAMSKB]

Hi Jaeger,

The cam will be mainly for recreational purpose ie. outing, travelling, occasions like birthdays etc.

Thanks so much for your advice.


Cheers,
Sam

 

[jaegersing]

For your application I would suggest the Legria HF R16. It has internal 8GB and also takes SDHC cards. It has a lot of auto features to get you started, but if you think you will want some manual control at some point, it also has Tv (shutter priority) and Av (aperture priority) modes.

You did not mention if you are planning to edit your videos, or if you just intend to inflict hours and hours of shaky zoomy raw footage on your long-suffering family (ha ha just joking!). Be aware that editing video can be a lifetime hobby on its own, especially when the footage comes as full HD AVCHD files. I think this cam provides conversion to SD resolution, which can be useful for easier editing when you just want to upload your videos to the internet.

 

[diveranaemia]

I cannot recommend what you should get but I can tell you what I faced when I got my Sony HDR CX100E.

Get those with external memory. At least if spoil, just change the card. With HDD, spoil, can throw the whole thing away as the cost of repairing is not worth it. Watch for the format of the video too. For sony, they have a proprietry format which makes viewing impossible without their software and if you convert it, you tend to lose a lot of the quality. But I must comment that I LOVE the clear and wonderful quality of their video. Still......always wonder whether I should have looked at other brands.

 

[drektster]

recently i was thinking of getting a camcorder too. but when i see this fujifilm hs10. i decided i go ahead with that. when i go for holiday i could choose between a video or an image without having to bring 2 item.

well, you might say most camera could take video, but how many can take full hd.

the last time video went thru a revolution is donkey years back.

 

[chanxj]

Sony NEX 5? Pushing your budget a little though.

 

[killerslayer92]

go get a legria, i used the hf10 and the hf200 both HD camcorders. the hf200 has a better interface and the controls are more accessible but it feel lighter and less well built than the hf10. low light conditions noise is acceptable as long as u dont plan to film movies with it. av and tv modes are useful. DO NOT GET A DSLR! ur requirements for recreation means alot of fast action so i recommend u stick to a camcorder that can autofocus well and quietly

 

[Dinorex]

I actually also looking to buy a HD video camera. Need some help also.

Mostly use to shoot live band in pub and disco, the cam is in fix position most of the time and will be connected to the projector.

Requirement:
-good low light performance
-no budget limit(pls don't recommand me a pro camera but semi pro still acceptable)
-memory type: SD, HDD (no tape)

Any suggestion? Thanks in advance.

 

[killerslayer92]

I actually also looking to buy a HD video camera. Need some help also.

Mostly use to shoot live band in pub and disco, the cam is in fix position most of the time and will be connected to the projector.

Requirement:
-good low light performance
-no budget limit(pls don't recommand me a pro camera but semi pro still acceptable)
-memory type: SD, HDD (no tape)

Any suggestion? Thanks in advance.

oooo fix position? connected to projector? NO BUDGET LIMIT? DD go research on whether a dslr can do number 2. otherwise dslr sounds like a good choice cos the sensor of dslr is very good at handling low light situation http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/APS-C go check out the image where they compare the size of the sensor. to make things simple, the larger the sensor, the better it is able to capture light and thus better low light performance. if i recall correctly the largest sensor for canon legria camcorder is 1/2.5 inch which is sooooo much smaller than the dslr sensor. camcorders have one advantage which is the ability to autofocus well and silently. however since its a band and the camera wont be moving, u can juz set the focus of a dslr to manual and leave it there to record. oh and be sure to get an ext mic