Smartphone with good video capabilities

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silverbirch

275 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 3

#159931 17-Dec-2014 16:45

Hi

I'm posting this on behalf of family. They bought a DSLR not realising it doesn't take video, so are now thinking of getting a smartphone to do that (as well as text etc). I'm just wondering if any phone have cameras better than average for video? Nor trying to start an iphone/Android war, just like some info please. I've done a little Goggle, but the info is too broad and not NZ specific.

Thanks

"Dance among the moonbeams, feel the magic in the air".

Registered Linux user #386597 http://counter.li.org/

TLD

908 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 263

#1199357 17-Dec-2014 17:17

I remember when they had those big floods in Queensland, and a lot of ground was cut off. A TV news camera team were reporting live from the scene using an iPhone, and the quality was surprisingly good. They had a proper microphone connected to the iPhone though. There is also the option of using one of those clip on lens systems.

Trevor Dennis
Rapaura (near Blenheim)

Inphinity

2780 posts

Uber Geek
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#1199382 17-Dec-2014 17:56

The Galaxy Zoom series of phonmeras are pretty good, in that they have a proper optical zoom lens etc - as a result, of course, they're bulkier than a more mainstream phone like an iPhone or Galaxy S5. The Galaxy K Zoom, for example, is a 20.7MP camera with a 10x optical zoom lens and will do Full HD (1920x1080) video at 60fps with proper optical stabilisation. The S5 or Note4 will do 2160p @ 30fps or 1080p @ 60fps, but don't seem to stabilise the image quite as well as the Zoom. However, they are slimmer devices, and more mainstream in terms of support etc.

Kind of depends on budget, too. How much do they want to pay?

Also, I have to say, I'm surprised at a DSLR that won't do any video.

silverbirch

275 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 3

#1199406 17-Dec-2014 18:23

Thank you very much for the info.

It's an entry level DSLR, and I googled it for video. There is a way using Open Source software and laptop via USB, but way too complicated.

I'll forward the info - thanks again.

"Dance among the moonbeams, feel the magic in the air".

Registered Linux user #386597 http://counter.li.org/

jtan

122 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 10

#1199430 17-Dec-2014 19:04

If you're looking for decent video capabilities in a phone, +1 for OIS (Optical Image Stabilisation) - It will help improve shakiness and general video quality (not in the resolution sense).

Most flagship phones have OIS these days, but some options include:

- iPhone 6S
- LG G3
- Samsung Galaxy Note 4
- Samsung Galaxy K Zoom
- Google Nexus 6
- Nokia Lumia 830/930/1020/1520
- Blackberry Passport