Flash based HD camcorder or Digital Camera?

[lokiju]

Well it's time to start thinking about ways to record video that's HD since we have a baby on the way.

I don't want it to be HDD or tape based as I don't want to convert it to digital files with the tapes and want to be able to swap out on the go with more memory and keep recording if I so desire.

It seems like there are a lot of digital cameras out there now though that also claim to do HD video but I'm not sure if it's like a crappy watered down version or just as good as a stand alone flash based HD camcorder.

Of course price is a big factor and I'd like to keep it around $300 but a tops would be $500 and that's pushing it.

So those things considered, what does everyone think? Are digital camera now days as good an option as a flash based camcorder?

 

[leglez]

Cannon HF100, it can be had for around $500 I believe.

*waits for Kaido to come in*

 

[Kaido]

First of all, you're not going to get a good flash-based High-Def camcorder for less than $500.

Second, you will still have to convert the digital files, because most flash-based digital camcorders use AVCHD, which is the codec that Bluray uses. If you want to edit the digital recordings, you will need to convert it into an editable format. Think of it like DVD movie - you have to convert it before you can do anything to it. Camcorder's aren't like digital cameras that record movies where you can just edit the quickie recordings straight from the camera - there's so much information in the High Def recordings that they have to use a special codec like AVCHD to keep the files sizes down.

So, your two options are either get a flash-based High-Def camcorder, or get a digital camera that also records HD movie files. The HD movie files from the digital camera won't look quite as good, but they will still look pretty good, AND you will only have to have one device to both take pictures and shoot video. Depending on the camera you get, you may or may not have to convert the movie files to an editable format. Amazon has the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX35 digital camera, which can record 720p, for $205:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0011Z9VX0

Here's some video samples:

http://www.vimeo.com/1161508

http://www.vimeo.com/1424211

http://www.vimeo.com/921697

You'll have to research these to see what is best, this is just one that popped up when I searched for '720p digital camera'. There are also low-end camcorders that do HD that aren't bad, like the the Flip HD or Creative Vado. The Vado is touted as being better, but the Flip supposedly has more features. Here's some Youtube samples; be sure to click 'Watch in High Quality' under the right side of the video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dr5iXO1pD4E

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QsydBfIkZy0

If you want really good quality, you'll need to go with a real camcorder. The cheapest excellent-quality HD camcorder is the Canon HF100, as leglez said. It's $530 from B&H Photo Video:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/...F_100_AVCHD_Flash.html

You'll need to convert the camcorder's digital files before editing, and you'll need some fast Class 6 memory cards, but you'll end up with a sharp, clear 1080p picture. If you're planning on spitting the content out to DVD, then that gives you a LOT of room for cropping the picture, which is super nice. Here's some samples of the HF100:

http://www.vimeo.com/1818473

http://www.vimeo.com/2448069

http://www.vimeo.com/1585537

So you can get an HD camera, an HD camcorder, or perhaps one of those ultra-portable, inexpensive HD camcorders like the Vado.

 

[bobdole369]

Canon 5dMk2 makes stunning video. Records to CF cards.

 

[abaez]

Sanyo just announced some new models for their xacti line - from $600 to $200. The top end one has true 1080P recording (a first?). Personally the CG10 ($200 one) looks goods to me. If it can do 720p with some decent stabilization I'll get one in a second.

 

[Ghouler]

I wonder how CG10 compares to Vado HD since that's what seems to give best looking videos for the price so far.
Look at that
http://www.vimeo.com/2348837

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: Ghouler
I wonder how CG10 compares to Vado HD since that's what seems to give best looking videos for the price so far.
Look at that
http://www.vimeo.com/2348837

You know, for $230 it seems like a pretty handy little camera. The form factor is weird, but if you only have a $200-ish budget, you're probably not out to make super awesome movies, mainly Youtube stuff with family and friends. Although more and more point-and-shoot cameras are starting to do 720p, so I'd probably go with that instead since that's one less device you have to carry around.

 

[StarsFan4Life]

Originally posted by: Kaido
First of all, you're not going to get a good flash-based High-Def camcorder for less than $500.

Second, you will still have to convert the digital files, because most flash-based digital camcorders use AVCHD, which is the codec that Bluray uses. If you want to edit the digital recordings, you will need to convert it into an editable format. Think of it like DVD movie - you have to convert it before you can do anything to it. Camcorder's aren't like digital cameras that record movies where you can just edit the quickie recordings straight from the camera - there's so much information in the High Def recordings that they have to use a special codec like AVCHD to keep the files sizes down.

So, your two options are either get a flash-based High-Def camcorder, or get a digital camera that also records HD movie files. The HD movie files from the digital camera won't look quite as good, but they will still look pretty good, AND you will only have to have one device to both take pictures and shoot video. Depending on the camera you get, you may or may not have to convert the movie files to an editable format. Amazon has the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX35 digital camera, which can record 720p, for $205:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0011Z9VX0

Here's some video samples:

http://www.vimeo.com/1161508

http://www.vimeo.com/1424211

http://www.vimeo.com/921697

You'll have to research these to see what is best, this is just one that popped up when I searched for '720p digital camera'. There are also low-end camcorders that do HD that aren't bad, like the the Flip HD or Creative Vado. The Vado is touted as being better, but the Flip supposedly has more features. Here's some Youtube samples; be sure to click 'Watch in High Quality' under the right side of the video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dr5iXO1pD4E

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QsydBfIkZy0

If you want really good quality, you'll need to go with a real camcorder. The cheapest excellent-quality HD camcorder is the Canon HF100, as leglez said. It's $530 from B&H Photo Video:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/...F_100_AVCHD_Flash.html

You'll need to convert the camcorder's digital files before editing, and you'll need some fast Class 6 memory cards, but you'll end up with a sharp, clear 1080p picture. If you're planning on spitting the content out to DVD, then that gives you a LOT of room for cropping the picture, which is super nice. Here's some samples of the HF100:

http://www.vimeo.com/1818473

http://www.vimeo.com/2448069

http://www.vimeo.com/1585537

So you can get an HD camera, an HD camcorder, or perhaps one of those ultra-portable, inexpensive HD camcorders like the Vado.

Listen to this guy....he knows his stuff...