best hd camcorder? looking to get a good one

[Clarke673]

I need a top notch hd video camera that i can record some good sleding action on.

I need it to take hd videos,pictures, and i want one with a snapshot mode as well.

I have looked into it and i keep on finding that the Canon VIXIA HFS10 Dual Flash Memory HD Camcorder is what i want. anyone else have any thoughts on this?

Want to stay around $1500

 

[Vertical-Extreme]

Funny you posted this today, I was just thinking about it. from the research that a buddy and I have done, (talking to guys like Veedy, Jim Phelan, and Krazy Dan) they are using HDV camera's like a canon HV30 or HV40 that shoot onto tape and not flash drive, or SD. you have to think about battery life because it is cold, and there is less chance for data loss when you are recording to a tape drive as opposed to a flash or internal memory. im sure there will be lots of opinions on this, so lets hear em

 

[Clarke673]

do the come with video editing softwear?

 

[Jeff C]

I picked up a Sony HDR-SR12 (120 gb - Hi DEF) a few months ago.

It is fantastic, shoots EXTREMELY clear video and has a great built in still camera as well.

The only thing I do not like about it is low light recording gets a bit fuzzy.

I paid around $900 for it on the internet (New)

It has video editing software that comes with it........

Easy touch screen menus, I would highly recommend this camera for the price.

 

[Dartos]

http://www.camcorderinfo.com

I have been looking for a HD video camera also. This is what I have learned so far.

Best picture is generally from Mini-DV (tape). The drawback is most of them actually record in 1440x1080 not 1920x1080. Less battery life because of more moving parts and motors. Generally more durable overall. As newer flash units come out the picture quality gap is getting closer.

Hard drive/DVD units more susceptible to jumpy picture and lost frames due to movements or jolts to the camera.

Flash units generally use AVCHD format that is reported to be more difficult to work with in editing but that is just what I have read. But I think that is getting much better as more video editing companies are getting on the AVCHD band wagon.

 

[Jeff C]

http://www.camcorderinfo.com


Flash units generally use AVCHD format that is reported to be more difficult to work with in editing but that is just what I have read. But I think that is getting much better as more video editing companies are getting on the AVCHD band wagon.

The Sony uses this format as well. Picture can be jumpy when you turn it fast, but on a tripod it works well......

 

[Thunderstruck]

Good post by Dartos!

One thing to think about with flash drive and hard drive camcorders. There is a company who I know who lost ALL of their footage a couple years ago because they did not back up their "digital" footage.

With Mini DV tapes, you ALWAYS have a backup.

Second, many hard drive camcorders use COMPRESSION to record to their drives. If you are filming in HD, my guess is you want UNCOMPRESSED HD footage on your computer. Again, Mini DV is uncompressed (as long as you use the correct codec to capture it!!!).

Make sure you have at least 4 GB of RAM or 8 if you can get it to edit in FCP or Premiere for HD footage!!!

Hope this helps!

JIM

 

[SNOW JW]

I picked up a Sony HDR-SR12 (120 gb - Hi DEF) a few months ago.

It is fantastic, shoots EXTREMELY clear video and has a great built in still camera as well.

The only thing I do not like about it is low light recording gets a bit fuzzy.

I paid around $900 for it on the internet (New)

It has video editing software that comes with it........

Easy touch screen menus, I would highly recommend this camera for the price.

I did the same and the SR12 is more than I thought it would be. Vid is great and now I only carry one camera because the still photos are crystal clear as well. There is a new model now that is a step above that I wanted but was in the $1,500 range.

 

[rhein1969]

For digital camera's they make a box, can't recall what it's called exactly that has a card reader and hard drive in it where you can stick the card in the slot, and it sucks all the pics off to a hard drive. A quick Google wack comes up with this:

http://www.allcam.biz/products/camera_storage.html

http://ishopoutlet.com/digital-camera-photo-bank.html says that it's compatible with all video formats. Personally I'd go with a flash based camera and use this to make backups. Harddrives when the are not spinning (powered down) are fairly tough but when running, I'd be concerned about head crashes. - I don't even like running with my hard drive based zune.

I think the Flash would be def the way to go. Costco has the lower end Cannon Flash model for like 500 bucks if recall.

Also - if you are editing video and go to more than 4 gigs of ram (or more) you must go to a 64 bit OS. 32 bit OS can only address 4 gigs of ram. (really 3.5 gigs usable approx).

 

[Clarke673]

ttt

 

[colorado_matt]

I went with a sony HDR-HC9 this year. I have been very happy with it. It records to mini dv(tapes). It shoots photos at 6.1 mega pixels. A feature that I really like is that you can shoot 3 still photos per recording session. I went with it after reading many comparisons on the camcorderinfo website. That site is very helpful to find the features you are personally looking for.

 

[Arctic Thunder]

Sony HVR-Z5U or Z7U

I have also been thinking about a new camera.

Right now I am leaning towards the Sony HVR-Z5U. Pretty sweet camera with the 20x optical zoom. 6.1meg still camera and 1080 res.

If you don't like using the tape you can get the HVR-Z7U it comes with the memory recording unit.

These are a bit pricy. But they are nice.

Thunder

http://pro.sony.com/bbsc/ssr/micro-hdvsite/cat-broadcastcameras/product-HVRZ5U/

 

[Doc Zoom]

I just picked up the Sony Z5U....man this camera rocks! I had Canon's XH A1 last year and hated it. Picked up mine at B & H Photo. It records to tape, plus you can also attach a Compact Flash card writer to the camera and record to both mediums. You can't go wrong with this camera! I did my research and it really paid off! The Z7U has interchangeable lenses, but it only comes with a 13X if I remember right and a good long lense will cost you over $10,000. Plus you can put the memory unit on the Z5U plus like you said it has a 20X optical zoom and you can go to 30X high quality digital zoom as well.
Doc Zoom

 

[306mafia]

id go with the canon flash drive, tapes are a hassle and cost $8 or so each. hard drive cameras are some what fragile but flash has no moving parts so less likely to malfunction. HDV cameras normally offer more manual control but there also three times the size and weight. the difference between hauling a camera around all day or not noticing it in your backpack. AVCHD is pretty simple to work with, on a mac or windows and produces good quality video.

i know the guys at sledshot.com use sony and canon avchd HDD cameras and there video quality is pretty darn good. check out this example, click the HQ button for better quality.

 

[shwee]

We've had the Canon HV10 for about 2 years. The picture is crystal clear and I love how tiny the cam is. I can keep it in my pocket for easy access. I prefer the mini dv tapes because they seem a lot safer to me. I wouldn't want to lose footage from one with a hard drive when something happens.

 

[Ak nitro]

I just wanna say I have had both mini dv and hdd cameras. My mini dv did not last one winter in alaska filming, My sony hdd which I bought when it first came out has lasted 3 winters now of being carried in backbacks and really cold temps, I have never had a problem with it in the cold. My mini dv would get cold and the tapes would not turn, it also seemed to not be able to take an impact very well, where my hdd has taken many. Also for me editing could not be any easier the files just transfer like pictures, click and drag them. This has been my experience between the two.

 

[Clarke673]

I talked to my old photography teacher and he told me that he likes the mini discs but i don't want to hassle with that. I think i will just buy that cannon i posted before. I am planning on just buying 2-3 batts for it and a good tripod and we are going to make a short 30 min riding video next year just to record the insane terrain we have around hear that no one knows about. Everyone goes to cooke and leave all the powder untracked hear! Also, i have a $100 bet with my friend that i can do a back flip by jan and if I stick it hten he has to hit it, so if im going to try i at least want to have some good footage of it!

I am technically illiterate (hell I am almost illiterate period!) so could some one tell me what would be the best cannon for me? It would be GREATLY appreciated!

 

[Doc Zoom]

You will be fine with that camera, go with it and shoot some great stuff!
Learn to be smooooooooth...hold the camera still and don't zoom alot and learn to zoom smoothly. The DVD camcorders are not a good choice as they compress the video to put it on the DVD and its a hassle to edit and the quality isn't as good.
Good luck!
Doc

 

[Duke]

I bought the Canon HV 30 last year, no regrets, great camera, simple, easy to use.

 

[Taminator]

We have the Sony HDR SR10- got it last year and it's been great. Has HD but we haven't shot alot with it yet. Hard drive/SD card which we really like.
Size is perfect, easy to hold and shoot with. Good stability, hand-held, no tripod. PQ really good and shoots nice stills. Battery life is good-charge it before we leave and shoot all day with battery to spare. Good in cold.
We use Sony Vegas Movie Studio Platinum software, it somes with basic stuff but it's limited.

Shot most of the video in this with it and Vegas program. It doesn't look like much on vimeo after it's reduced in size and the format's changed, but fairly stable and we used only the basics of the editing software. Looks really good on the tv, it's not shot in HD though. Next year...ALL HD!!! http://www.vimeo.com/3990579