need advice on what to buy

[Danwar]

I have a photography and videography studio with my wife (it was a side project we started since we were dating) but now we've decided to close it down since we no longer have the time needed for it (we both work full time jobs and did the photo/video stuff on the weekends) covering mainly sweet 16s and weddings.

So anyway , she handled the photography and we've decided to keep her DSLR so she can do the occasional shoot if needed, but we are selling our video camera which is a Canon XH A1.

From what i've seen on ebay i can probably get around $1,000 at least for it and some extras (extra batteries , tripod , light etc...)

My plan is to use that money to get a good P&S camera to lug around to family gatherings/vacations so we dont have to lung around the big DSLR.

And also i was thinking of getting a good consumer grade camcorder.

So what would be your advice on a P&S camera and a good camcorder for around $1,000 ?

and is it reasonable to want a camcorder these days? honestly i dont think if we only had a P&S photo camera that we would do much video recording as opposed to pictures.

Any comments would be appreciated.

 

[CuriousMike]

Small: Look at Sony RX100 ( 1st, 2nd or newest 3rd gen )
Medium sized and you really care about combo photos + video = Panasonic GH3 or 4

 

[blastingcap]

Small: Look at Sony RX100 ( 1st, 2nd or newest 3rd gen )
Medium sized and you really care about combo photos + video = Panasonic GH3 or 4

I agree with the above, though if you need to cover fast action with your pocket cam, then also look into a used Nikon V1 as I've found its autofocus speed and tracking to be DSLR-like. Skip the overpriced V3, the V2 is in-between and gives you more controls for better handling though I don't think it's worth the extra $200 or so.

Unlike other cameras that do not use the full sensor when recording video (skipping lines instead), the newest RX100 Mark III has full sensor readout for better videos, and a new high bit-rate encoding.

Sony RX10 also has full sensor readout.

The Nikon 1-series has full sensor readout. Can also do slow-motion (400 fps) at reduced resolution.

The GH3 or 4 is a bigger hybrid, GH3 does NOT have full sensor readout but does have lots of controls. GH4 I'm not sure if it has full sensor readout at 1080p, but it does have full sensor readout at 4K.

http://www.eoshd.com/content/11337/...sensor-full-pixel-readout-5k-raw-video-output

http://www.imaging-resource.com/new...ees-interchangeable-lens-slowdown-as-an-aberr

http://www.imaging-resource.com/new...ry-behind-the-new-gh3-and-compact-system-tech

http://www.eoshd.com/content/12562/panasonic-gh4-vs-sony-a7s-compared-wins-4k-battle-paper

 

[Danwar]

so basically i should get the best p&s camera (which looks like the Sony RX100 III) to handle both photos and videos , and not even bother with a dedicated camcorder for my video needs?

 

[artemicion]

so basically i should get the best p&s camera (which looks like the Sony RX100 III) to handle both photos and videos , and not even bother with a dedicated camcorder for my video needs?

Not sure how video is on the above mentioned cameras, but I have a separate camcorder and it shoots considerably better than my camera (Pentax K-30), so I think it's worth having both. It's also nice on vacation to be able to use both at the same time between my wife and I.

 

[jaedaliu]

Not sure how video is on the above mentioned cameras, but I have a separate camcorder and it shoots considerably better than my camera (Pentax K-30), so I think it's worth having both. It's also nice on vacation to be able to use both at the same time between my wife and I.

Every year, my dad buys last year's camera, and gives his previous one to my mom. They go on a big trip once a year, and it's nice to see their different views.

As for the camcorder vs camera, the big difference in my dad's camcorder vs his camera is that his camcorder has some ridiculous zoom. Which made for some really bad videos on his first trip because he was panning around fully zoomed in. I find the camcorder form factor is easier to keep steady over time. Sometimes with a camera, I feel like I'm a little fidgety.

Personally, I'd rather have 1 device than 2.

 

[JohnnyRebel]

so basically i should get the best p&s camera (which looks like the Sony RX100 III) to handle both photos and videos , and not even bother with a dedicated camcorder for my video needs?

It all depends. My trusty Canon S95 does pretty good video. I've shot recitals and youth symphony concerts with it and a P&S gorillapod clamped to a handrail or stuck on a wall with the magnets in the legs and generally have been happy. For a family trip, I find I really end up hating toting around a lot of stuff, and the S95 fits very nicely in a rigid leather holster on my belt that I forget about until I need it. I don't think you can zoom while shooting video.

I have a Sony DCR-SX40 Handycam that is so light and easy to use, it works really well for casual kid shots around the house. The video is not HD, but I imagine the current model would have HD video and be just as light and easy to use. On a crossover strap it is really out of the way. I still generally use the S95 for video and stills away from the house.

All that being said, the Nikon V1 ($249 @ Adorama) shoots great video and can take stills while shooting video. 10 FPS fully focused, and super fast AF for catching kids-in-action. Not nearly as out of the way as the S95, but on a Street Strap it's easy to carry and very satisfactory for snaps of the family. Plus, there are some really good lenses available that make it a pretty good all-around camera (the best being the normal prime, portrait prime, and wide-angle zoom).

I almost never use my D7000 any more...