Camcorder vs Camera

[ochadd]

Mainly I shoot us riding dirt bikes, some hunting, and generally playing around. Currently I use a Canon A560 and shoot equal amounts of video and pictures. The video, specifically the audio, is terrible. Always get what sounds like a mechanical spindle grinding in all videos. The camera takes alright pictures but I need much more optical zoom as 4x just doesnt cut it. Looking for recommendations on what would be the smarter purchase. A camcorder that takes not so great pictures but has zoom or a camera that doesn't shoot great movies or have good zoom.


Some problems are:
I carry the camera on a dirt bike and it gets the crap beat out of it. Big microphones, lenses, tripods, etc are out as well.
I'm poor.
Can't decide wether to shoot video or take pictures.


My camera works as well as it did the day I bought it. Would a $200-250 camcorder hold up about the same? Would a HD camcorder hold up the same as standard definition units?

For action scenes what do you folks prefer? Movies or pictures?

 

[twistedlogic]

Originally posted by: ochadd
A camcorder that takes not so great pictures but has zoom or a camera that doesn't shoot great movies or have good zoom.

Originally posted by: ochadd
Can't decide wether to shoot video or take pictures.

I think if you prefer pictures, get a camera. If you prefer video, get a camcorder.

I myself prefer photos, as video is much more demanding. Not only do you have to deal with lighting issues, like you said, you also have to deal with audio.

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: ochadd
I carry the camera on a dirt bike and it gets the crap beat out of it.

The Kodak ZX1 comes out in May:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001OC5L0C

720p camorder, records to SD card (up to 32gb), resistant to rain, snow, sand, and dirt. $150. This plus a Gorillapod to strap it to:

http://joby.com/products/gorillapod/2

 

[Kaido]

Hah, check out this Canon camera:

http://www.engadget.com/2009/0...ulbous-and-waterproof/

It's a beast, should fit your situation nicely :thumbsup:

 

[fishfrog]

Originally posted by: Kaido
Hah, check out this Canon camera:

http://www.engadget.com/2009/0...ulbous-and-waterproof/

It's a beast, should fit your situation nicely :thumbsup:

That camera looks pretty badass... My only concern is, does it have some kind of scratch-proof lens coating?

 

[Fardringle]

Originally posted by: Kaido
Hah, check out this Canon camera:

http://www.engadget.com/2009/0...ulbous-and-waterproof/

It's a beast, should fit your situation nicely :thumbsup:

Wow, that's hideous!

It does look like it will fit the requirements, though.

 

[ochadd]

Originally posted by: Kaido
Hah, check out this Canon camera:

http://www.engadget.com/2009/0...ulbous-and-waterproof/

It's a beast, should fit your situation nicely :thumbsup:

That thing is pretty close. It has the durability I need but the 3x optical zoom is going in the wrong direction from what I have. Also the lack of 720p video is a knock against it. Since my original post I found two that have the ideal functions:
Panasonic FZ28
or
Fujifilm S2000HD

Durability while being bounced around on a dirt bike or withstanding mud splatter is what I'm questioning now. Anything else out there you folks can suggest?