I ask my friends for recommendations.
Terri emails:
The camcorder depends upon what he wants to use it for. If he can use a small one (not a professional footprint), I’d still go with Canon. And if he’d rather use a built-in harddrive instead of mini-DV tape, I’d still go with Canon. The one I use shoots in 24p (progressive frame) mode, which means that it shoots each frame at once, as on film. The new version of it is the HV30, which also does 30p, which looks great on the web. It’s cheaper too – down to about 800 on Amazon. You can plug in a Canon accessory mike which I’ve found is absolutely worth the money.
Here’s the page on Amazon for the HV-30: http://www.amazon.com/Canon-HV30-Definition-Camcorder-Stabilized/dp/B00114PN1U/ref=pd_bbs_2?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1215716403&sr=8-2
Let me know what your friend needs the camera for and I can re-evaluate. A great site for camera reviews and talk is dvinfo.net (the forums).
David emails:
Well, for cheap and convenient web video, people seem to like the Flip:
http://www.theflip.com/
Review:
http://reviews.cnet.com/
Slim, fits in one’s pocket, has a built-in USB plug for easy downloading, 640×480 video, has a tripod mount, etc. They can typically shoot up to an hour of video.
Here’s a video made using a Flip (Ultra, I’m guessing?), which I think shows what it can do, both visually and sonically:
http://www.
Some comparison of different models in the comments to this video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?
There are some other products that are pretty similar out there too and some have better features and/or are cheaper; the Flip happens to be the one with the buzz–here’s a comparison between the Flip Ultra (I think, from what he says) and the Creative Vado, is slimmer and cheaper than than the Flip Ultra (though the newest Flip, the Mino, is supposed to be thin too) — the same video is shot twice and you get to see it side by side as he verbally compares features. Again, worth checking out the comments.
Also, this review on Gizmodo suggests that the Vado looks better, the Flip Ultra shoots better footage: http://gizmodo.com/393087/
Anyway, my feeling is that, unless he needs to have crystal clear audio (these things just have a built-in mic and no way to plug an external one in, as far as I know), that a product of this class is worth checking out for doing web videos (if better audio is needed, I suppose it could be added into a video using some editing software–that is, a voiceover could be added in the same way that music can be added).
It’s worth comparing a bit to make sure that the size, feature mix and price are suitable–for example, some take 2 AA batteries, which run out faster than the lithium battery that some models use, but which are easy to replace. If you’re shooting a lot and have access to electricity, the lithium might be better since it won’t run out as often and can be recharged but if you’re on the road and don’t have access to electricity, then perhaps the model taking AA’s would be better since you can always buy a pair when you’re out but might not be able to get to a charger for the lithium.
And so on with other features.
Definitely check out Amazon for comments (and the pricing might be good there too). E.g.
An earlier model:
http://www.amazon.com/Flip-
The Ultra:
http://www.amazon.com/Video-
The Mino:
http://www.amazon.com/Flip-
Creative Vado:
http://www.amazon.com/
There’s also an RCA product and various accessories for this class of camcorder:
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=
And then there’s Aiptek, which I think was first to market some years ago with similar products:
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=
Lots of options.
So, this class of camcorder might be the ticket for him. You might want one yourself.
Comparison of the various Flip models’ features:
http://www.theflip.com/
Also, looks like among Aiptek’s products are some High-Def offerings, though of course those are more expensive.
This is interesting, a comparison of the Flip with a Canon XH A1 ($3K+) camcorder — this guy attached a Flip to the Canon and shot the same footage simultaneously to compare the two:
http://kirkmastin.blogspot.
Also, looks like the Flip Mino recharges its lithium battery via USB and not via wall outlet, so if you’re going to be out and about and you run down the lithium and you don’t have a computer handy, you may be out of luck vs. the AA model. But, again, the lithium will last longer than AA batteries, so you pays yer money and takes yer choice.
http://www.camcorderinfo.com/
See what he needs it for – event taping, material for the web, family use, etc. I like my camera for just about everything – and it’s an inexpensive way to tape events. The optional microphone does a good job of taping in stereo, cardioid and “shotgun” mode. It uses mini-DVD tapes – other new Canon models have built-in hard drives like your camera.
He can take very professional-looking video with the Canon cameras, for a pretty good price.
The only problem with using a smaller camera is that you don’t have the mass/inertia of the larger pro camera, or the additional manual controls. But pro cameras are about ten times the price, and an amateur may never even use most of their features.
Sony’s Vegas 8 is a full-featured, low-price editor for the Canon HD cameras. If he wants to shoot in film-speed mode (24p), he may also need to invest in software to process out the encoding all 24p cameras use. And he’s need some kind of tripod.
This is all a low-cost solution, but I’m still using my setup over a year after I purchased it and very happy. There’s nothing out there short of a full professional camera I would use.
A friend emails:
1 –
If I could afford it right now, for video I would get a still camera – these two
either the Lumix DMC-FX35
it’s got a 25mm Leica lens! this is amazing. also the ability to shoot HD video. This is new.
specs:
10.1-Megapixel Compact Digital Camera with 25mm Wide-Angle Lens, 4x Optical Zoom, Intelligent Auto Mode, 2.5" Diagonal Intelligent LCD and HD Output
2 – Better yet, get a Lumix DMC-TZ5K
same specs, with less of a wide angle
it’s still a wide angle, but you can also use the zoom in movie mode. also HD video
3 – External Mic source
These Panasonic camera will shoot HD (720p) onto SD cards for $300; perfectly acceptable for the web and a helluva lot cheaper than a GL1. You don’t need good optics for the web anyway; but this camera has great optics too…
What I like is that with the money you save you can get two or three and set up a two or three camera shot
