My dear uncle, who is retired, is a video fanatic. Loves taking shots of events, parties, etc. He has an old Sony, tape based, and would like to upgrade to something modern that can easily interfase with his computer. He has asked his favorite niece -me- to choose something cool for him. Problem is that, as usual, I am technologically challenged. I just learned the hottest thing is SD card based cameras, not hard disk. :s
I have checked the Canon ones. Reviews on the 'net are not that flattering and sincerely, the price puts me off. Furthermore, compared to Panasonic/Sony/JVC, they feel bulkier. Sony seems to be not very reliable, quality wise. But it is the most famous of the bunch.
Now, my uncle is partial to the Canon since I bought him a Canon S70 a few years back. He used it for pictures and small videos and he loves the quality. That one I will probably also replace with a G12, which also has HD video capability, but limited. Since he likes to play around with video, I was thinking a videocamera by Canon would be more compatible, due to hsi familiarity with the “still” version, but I am not so sure now after seeing what’s out there.
Any buying tips? Anyone especially satisfied ith his videocamera and would reccomend it to others?
Video cameras are EXPENSIVE in Taiwan, even more so than the UK by a great deal. I have a Canon (not bought in Taiwan) and it’s actually really quite good, but not worth the asking price here. They’re much much cheaper in the US/Canada compared to here and it seems to go pretty much across the board. Some of the Sony models aren’t too bad here, but Panasonic and JVC are also overpriced, in fact some Panasonic models are 50% more expensive here compared to the UK (last time I looked at least) and even more so compared to the US/Canada.
For what it’s worth, make sure he’s got a fast computer (at least quad core) if he’s going for a camcorder that records in AVCHD, as it’s a very system intensive format to edit and render. Preferably he’d want the latest generation of Intel processors as they’re really quite good for video editing.
The one nice feature the better Canon models have is a secondary focus sensor which means that they should focus faster, but it’s not always the case. Apparently Sanyo is mostly crap and you can’t get Samsung here. So yeah, your choices are limited if you don’t want to spend a small fortune in Taiwan. I think considering the cost of some models here, you might actually be able to get a plane ticket, go somewhere, get one and come back and you’ll still have change to spare…
Depends, in part, on your price range and the capabilities of his computer. For somewhat more (say <50% extra) than the G12, you could get an entry level DSLR that’ll do video very nicely. For an extra 15~20%, you could get a discontinued model DSLR.
(Those two models are very small in the hand. Like, stick-it-in-your-jacket-pocket small, if fitted with a pancake lens.)
DSLRs aren’t ideal for video, but they’re better than point and shoots.
No offence, but have you ever shot video with a DSLR? It’s great in a controlled environment where you don’t need to use the zoom, but once you head outdoors… not so good… also the sound on most of them suck compared to a camcorder and many still lack microphone input.
Thanks for the replies, guys. Now you’ve given me another worry: his computer and what software he is using. I was already contemplating buying the Sony machine where you put the card in and you can edit and burn a DVD without using a computer, as that is the way he shares the videos he makes with other people.
The thing is that when I go home -and I am planning a trip to the motherland soon- I usually get these requests for stuff. Back home, electronics are more expensive than in Taiwan, outdated or simply not there. US, yes, a lot cheaper. I cannot make a stopover in the US on the way home, too expensives. Buying them here and taking them through 4 airports is stll a good deal, and my family gets the latest gadgets. I have already accepted the fact, for instance, that an iPod will be 500nts more here than in the US. At least. So I am felxibel with teh price of teh videocamera, but I also agree with you guys that it is OUCH! expensive.
He wants a videocamera and a still camera, separately. Of course, a good still camera can take nice videos, but since it is not especialized, he’d prefer one for pics, one for movies. We are not for a DSLR because it is too big and complicated and back home those things are too attractive for thieves, too rare and valuable. The G12 is still OK, even though it is big. As to what he takes images of, he mostly takes outdoor stuff like canopy jumps, beaches, wild animals, bugs, etc.
Rather a lot, actually. Ice hockey and a toddler. I’m very pleased. Buddy who’s a pro videographer is quite stoked on them as well.
[quote=“Icon”]The G12 is still OK, even though it is big. As to what he takes images of, he mostly takes outdoor stuff like canopy jumps, beaches, wild animals, bugs, etc.[/quote]If I weren’t going to use a DSLR, or the iPhone, I’d likely jump at a G12. The power of his computer shouldn’t (hopefully) be an issue because he could always dial down the resolution.
This Canon isn’t too bad either, but it has a fairly small sensor which means a lot of video noise in dark scenes, it has mic input, but no hot shoe again. shopping.pchome.com.tw/?mod=item … 0U&ROWNO=2
Do note that these models only shoot video in 1080i and that’s it.
I also need a video camera (or a regular digital camera, if that would be sufficient).
This will be mainly to record live presentations (given indoors, in a room that could hold perhaps 40 people). Thus, sound quality matters (though only to a point, as this won’t be released professionally). There may often be more than one speaker, so using a single remote microphone likely wouldn’t be an option. It would be better if I could run this while it’s plugged in rather than have to swap batteries from time to time. And it would be good if it fits onto a tripod.
Is this the sort of thing that can be found at a duty-free store? I’ll need it for a trip to the U.S. but won’t have much chance to shop once I arrive.
You really don’t want to buy one here, as it happens I had a look today and some models are close to three times the price in Taiwan compared to the US…
All camcorders have tripod mounts and built in microphones, but only a few models (mostly Canon) have actual microphone inputs if you need that.
B&H is the best source. They ship internationally. Amazon would be a close second… and B&H sells through Amazon but often has package deals on its own site that are not on Amazon.
You have two basic choices in camcorders: 1) DV tape, or 2) memory card. The best of the current lot are the 3 sensor, memory card Panasonics. You can get models that have an SSD or HDD, in addition to an SD card slot, but I bought an “SD” only model, the HDC-SD800K. (I would not buy a DSLR to shoot video, but I would buy a “memory card” camcorder to shoot stills.) bhphotovideo.com/c/search?ci … 4291296566
The model I bought takes 14 megapixel stills, as well as amazing video. The video is the top standard, 1920x1080/60p. That standard requires semi-pro SW and highend CPUs to edit. Most SW maxes out at 1920x1080/30p, but Adobe CS5 Premiere Pro can use a custom profile and let you create broadcast quality final cuts in /60p. If your computer uses certain models of Nvidia VGAs, PPro can show timelines faster, but the rendering (final cut) is not faster. I use an AMD graphics card and a 3-display setup (“AMD Eyefinity”).
Your tio would be astounded by the above, but it might require HW and SW upgrades. Also, to reduce the package cost, you could buy a single sensor camcorder, like the HDC-SD90K, rather than a 3 sensor camcorder. I strongly recommend memory card models over tape, since they simplify camera to editing SW transfers, and tape is obsolescent (the cassette vs. MP3 transition, this time in video).
B&H is currently having a super deal on a few Canon models like the Vixia HF M300 bhphotovideo.com/c/product/6 … Flash.html
At $350 it’s a bargain and a friend of mine here just ordered one from them.
Sure, it’s an outgoing model, but for that price, it’s really hard to beat.
[quote=“TheLostSwede”]B&H is currently having a super deal on a few Canon models like the Vixia HF M300
At $350 it’s a bargain and a friend of mine here just ordered one from them.
Sure, it’s an outgoing model, but for that price, it’s really hard to beat.[/quote]
Some of the comments on Amazon about that model (and possible noise from the auto-focus) worried me. But it seems like all cameras have their supporters and detractors. So I ended up going with the Vixia HF M300 anyway. Thanks, everyone, for your help.
I have the older model to it (HF200) and although it’s different, I have never noticed any noise from the auto focus on that one. That said, I never tend to shoot in really quiet environment so…
That said, you’re now the third person that has ordered one within the past week
My friend already got hers, although I haven’t actually managed to find out what she thinks about it yet, but she went and got a 32GB SDHC card for hers
Computer market I guess, price depends on brand, but about NT$1600 and up for 32GB shopping.pchome.com.tw/?mod=stor … _NO=ADAA00
16GB is plenty though, I use a 16GB card and as long as you clear it off every now and then it’s more than enough.
Im a dinosaur cuz I still use my ten year old Sony Hi8 that uses tape ! Then i transfer the material to a dvd using my dvd recorder. The quality is brilliant. I havent really found a reason to switch yet . The only drawback being the thing is large by comparison to new gadgets. But unless one gets a fancy more expensive vidcam like over 500 dollars, i fear its not going to have the same quality that my Sony gives. The Sony puts out a great picture even transferred to a dvd. I got that on sale for like 220 or something like that in 01 .
But yeah, its pretty large , certainly not compact.
But so far its doing the job nicely . i actually rarely use it as such. So its , other then age , brand new far as actual use is concerned. I dont think iv put more then 15 hours time on it.
Tape, ugh…
Never going back there, especially not after a terrible experience with a £300 DV camcorder some years ago.
Tape is a hassle, it’s expensive and it takes ages to transfer to a computer for editing.
I guess you need to try a modern camcorder to realise the benefits it offers, but if you use it that rarely, it’s not really worth the outlay.
[quote=“TheLostSwede”]Tape, ugh…
Never going back there, especially not after a terrible experience with a £300 DV camcorder some years ago.
Tape is a hassle, it’s expensive and it takes ages to transfer to a computer for editing.
I guess you need to try a modern camcorder to realise the benefits it offers, but if you use it that rarely, it’s not really worth the outlay.[/quote]
Yeah exactly. 15 hours max of use over ten years?? And my snooping around has shown that I need to spend bout 500 bucks or more to get a cam with the same level of picture quality. So yeah 500 can go elsewhere just to save on size. Considering im not gonna use it much anyhows.
I find it very easy to transfer the tape onto a dvd with my dvd recorder. Course that means it takes 2 hours for the 2 hours of recording. But yeah I got the time.
:s
