Recommend me a Camcorder

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DoggNZ

437 posts

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#111703 12-Nov-2012 16:22

Been using the S3 for filming the new baby but would like something a bit better

What's everyone recommend? Budget is up to $1K

DoggNZ

437 posts

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#716224 13-Nov-2012 10:32

Are Camcorders shameful and old these days?

wmoore

510 posts

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#716276 13-Nov-2012 11:56

Panasonic, Canon or Sony anyone of those at your price point.

"In the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years." -
-- Abraham lincoln

DoggNZ

437 posts

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#716300 13-Nov-2012 12:30

wmoore: Panasonic, Canon or Sony anyone of those at your price point.

Ummm.........thanks?

mattRSK

822 posts

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#716304 13-Nov-2012 12:36

Have you thought about the new gopro.com

dickytim

2514 posts

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#716311 13-Nov-2012 12:43

I have a Sony 80GB HDD camera, it is quite old so only SD, I like it but a freind has a HD Panasonic with similar specs (just HD) and I love the video on that.

I would recommend definately HD either Panasonic or Sony, and wouldn't worry about a large HDD for the money, with me it just means I never remove anything from the HDD, which is pretty bad as when it is full it is a big deal to transfer the videos over and sort what I actually need.

I use my iphone mostly now but the lack of zoom when videoing tends to be a problem as I video my riding mostly for training purposes so need quite detailed video to see what my body and the horse is doing.

I did find that with my sony camera the software was pretty limited, but it doesn't matter so much now as you can simply open the HDD and copy the file over and watch on WMP or VLAN etc.

tdgeek

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#716695 13-Nov-2012 21:08

What is the S3 like when the HD video is played on a large TV?

I have used MiniDV video a lot in the past, was looking at an HD camcorder. Took kids to airport the other weekend, watching aircraft at the runway end. iPhone 5. Later doodling around with Airplay, and when I played the video back on a Panny HD plasma 50" I was very impressed. Lack of zoom an issue, but from my experience, zooming too much, even optically, adds to shudder if not using a tripod.

icogill

28 posts

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#716724 13-Nov-2012 22:19

We have a Sony which we got through insurance when previous camera was stolen. Anyway, moral of the story is make sure you regularly backup the recordings on the camera. If it get lost or stolen/drive fails all memories recorded on them are gone unless backed up!.

As to recommendations have had no problems with Panasonic or Sony in the past...

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old3eyes

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#716815 14-Nov-2012 08:43

DoggNZ: Are Camcorders shameful and old these days?

Way better than any camera on a fone these days..

Regards,

Old3eyes

DoggNZ

437 posts

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#716817 14-Nov-2012 08:47

tdgeek: What is the S3 like when the HD video is played on a large TV?

To be honest, I haven't played any vids taken on my S3 back on the TV. The ones I took on my old S2 looked pretty good so I'd be suprised if they didn't look good though.

tdgeek

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#716820 14-Nov-2012 08:57

DoggNZ:
tdgeek: What is the S3 like when the HD video is played on a large TV?

To be honest, I haven't played any vids taken on my S3 back on the TV. The ones I took on my old S2 looked pretty good so I'd be suprised if they didn't look good though.

I'd always gte a proper camcorder but after seeing the iPhone HD on my 50" I'd think twice. 1080p at 30fps is 1080p at 30ps all hat is missing are extra features. To me, the detail was great, and smooth, but just worth a quick check I'd say.

dman

953 posts

Ultimate Geek

#722132 24-Nov-2012 04:16

Do you have any existing lenses? Then get the Panasonic GH2 body for $1k brand new, it is an unbelievable piece of kit that would beat ones costing many multiple times more than it.

http://www.eoshd.com/gh2-guide-book

It is viewed by many professionals as the BEST "DSLR" (although technically it isn't) out there for video.

It is many many miles, no... many many LIGHT YEARS ahead of anything else anybody else has suggested in this thread!

https://www.youtube.com/c/SoundSpeeding

Kraven

729 posts

Ultimate Geek

#722163 24-Nov-2012 09:26

I got a Panasonic HDC-SD40 about a year ago when our baby was born and it's been a great little camera. It's tiny and really light so very easy to take anywhere. The resulting videos are very good as well.

My advice is to jump on Youtube and search for the models you're interested in and see if you like the output.

dman

953 posts

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#732727 14-Dec-2012 19:21

My advice is to jump on Youtube and search for the models you're interested in and see if you like the output.

Good point, here is footage from a GH2/GH1 (created by people ranging from young school kids to proper professionals):

Alex Emslie - UK
The Boss (unhacked GH2): http://vimeo.com/39160354

Andrew Reid - UK
Zen (hacked GH2): http://vimeo.com/33047750

Michael Tsim - UK
Blacks spec commercial (unhacked GH2): https://vimeo.com/42204451

Gami Orbegoso - Spain
Musgo narrative trailer (unhacked GH2): https://vimeo.com/33025136

Roberto Miller - US
Mandorla anamorphic narrative trailer France - (unhacked GH2): http://vimeo.com/31375483

Roberto Miller - US
Mandorla anamorphic narrative trailer California - (hacked GH2): https://vimeo.com/40844162

Joachim Hueveneers - Belgium
Malice narrative short (hacked GH2): http://vimeo.com/44767662

Ryan Elliott - US
Unattended narrative short - (hacked GH2): https://vimeo.com/41379315

Harvey Walton - UK
Salome narrative short - (hacked GH2): https://vimeo.com/34569159

Stephen Nguyen - US
Dysphoria narrative short - (hacked GH2): https://vimeo.com/42892833

J. R. Dise - US
release anamorphic narrative short - (hacked GH2): https://vimeo.com/42252615

Gunther Machu - Austria
Oh Angkor documentary - (hacked GH1/GH2): https://vimeo.com/42107369

Tomasz Ślesicki - Poland
Cinematography Demo Reel: 2011/12 - (hacked GH1): https://vimeo.com/43625636

I don't expect you will find any better looking footage anywhere on the internet from another camera within your budget range that isn't a GH2/GH1!

https://www.youtube.com/c/SoundSpeeding