Video Cam

[dizzy 1]

Any specific model to recommend ? I'm looking for something easy to carry, and easy to transfer out, good resolution (of course) . But not sure what to look out for...can the experts help ??

Thanks

[ARCHer 0]

Any specific model to recommend ? I'm looking for something easy to carry, and easy to transfer out, good resolution (of course) . But not sure what to look out for...can the experts help ??

Thanks

Here are some of the things you may want to consider:

a) Form factor. Size and shape can be important. The video cam with the best specs are also the biggest (those used by reporters for example). If small size is important, you may have to sacrifice some features. Also some video cam can be the 'matchbox' type, and some people don't like these because they find that they cannot grip the cam properly. Choose one which is comfortable in your hand, esp. if you think you will be holding it for long periods of time.

b) Media. Traditional video cams record the video on tapes (miniDV is the most common), but newer ones allow you to save on either hard disk or directly onto a DVD. If you do editing of the footage on your PC, you may want to have them on miniDV or hard disk (which you can copy to your PC). Else, if you just want a unedited copy of what you have shot, you may want to choose a DVD media type of cam instead.

c) Resolution. Newer video cams from Sony, Panasonic, Canon etc. are all touting HD (hi-definition) video. Probably the best hi-def format is the 1080p format. That means that your images is stored in native resolution of 1920 by 1080. But for you to use this resolution, you must have equipment (PC, software and even the LCD TV) that support this format. Unless you are getting the higher end equipment (LCD TV in particular), you may not be able to view the footage in 1080p format. In which case, standard modes will probably suffice.

d) CCD/CMOS. Old debate of whether the sensor chip should be CCD or CMOS. IMHO, this is pretty irrelevant. Layman should not worry about this but worry about the next 2 points.

e) Colour reproduction. Probably most important to us is how accurately the shot footage reproduces the original colour. Some enthusiasts swear that they can see the subtle colour differences, while many just prefer to have bright vibrant colours (which may not be true to the image). No point looking at the LCD of the cam to check for colour reproduction, since the LCDs themselves do not reproduce colours that accurately. You must view the shot footage on a properly calibrated monitor.

f) Low light. This is often overlooked, but which something that I pay quite close attention to. Video cams generally have not problems reproducing vivid/true colours when images are bright, but under low light conditions, some video cams either produce very grainy picture, or the colour reproduction is not accurate (e.g. some may not reproduce low light red well). A good low light video cam is also useful when you are shooting images in semi-darkness e.g. birthday parties where only the candles on the cake are lit up.

g) User interface/ergonomics. Some cameras are well designed by having the most commonly used functions literally at your fingertips and lesser used functions located further away or buried under different menus. Check these out by holding the camera in your hand and trying out the function. There are other more subtle design issues which may or may not be important to you e.g. a camera with a bottom tape loading mechansim might not be that useful if your camera is always mounted on a tripod; you will need to remove the camera from the tripod before removing/replacing the tape.

i) Price. You would want to choose one that represent value for money. Cheaper models frequently have fewer features though.

Canon, Sony and Panasonic are all good brands and there are different models to suit your needs. Check out the reviews on the net.

[threecharacters 0]

Any specific model to recommend ? I'm looking for something easy to carry, and easy to transfer out, good resolution (of course) . But not sure what to look out for...can the experts help ??

Thanks

I only know what not to get... my friend wanted to get a canon one at Sim Lim, but the salesperson talked her into buying a DX-9 camcorder for $630. It is apparently made in Japan and is a subsidiary of Panasonic. However the videos taken were not very good that night when she tried it. So when she went down to try to exchange it the next day, they refused to allow her to exchange the DX-9 (cause receipt says goods not exchangeable), and when she brought it to the second hand store at Sim Lim, they only offered her $100 for it.

[dizzy 1]

Wow

ARCHer thanks !

Here are some of the things you may want to consider:

a) Form factor. Size and shape can be important. The video cam with the best specs are also the biggest (those used by reporters for example). If small size is important, you may have to sacrifice some features. Also some video cam can be the 'matchbox' type, and some people don't like these because they find that they cannot grip the cam properly. Choose one which is comfortable in your hand, esp. if you think you will be holding it for long periods of time.

Yup, noted this one, especially we intend to bring this when we go for tours.

b) Media. Traditional video cams record the video on tapes (miniDV is the most common), but newer ones allow you to save on either hard disk or directly onto a DVD. If you do editing of the footage on your PC, you may want to have them on miniDV or hard disk (which you can copy to your PC). Else, if you just want a unedited copy of what you have shot, you may want to choose a DVD media type of cam instead.

I think I prefer harddisk type. But there are not many models of harddisk camcorders available in the market. JVC has the most, but is JVC a good brand ? Is the difference between harddisk and DVD media types only in the editing part ? Are there any lag time in the camcorder writing the video data onto the DVD whilst shooting?

c) Resolution. Newer video cams from Sony, Panasonic, Canon etc. are all touting HD (hi-definition) video. Probably the best hi-def format is the 1080p format. That means that your images is stored in native resolution of 1920 by 1080. But for you to use this resolution, you must have equipment (PC, software and even the LCD TV) that support this format. Unless you are getting the higher end equipment (LCD TV in particular), you may not be able to view the footage in 1080p format. In which case, standard modes will probably suffice.

I don't intend to buy the HD one. But what's the next best resolution ? Is it a common one ?

d) CCD/CMOS. Old debate of whether the sensor chip should be CCD or CMOS. IMHO, this is pretty irrelevant. Layman should not worry about this but worry about the next 2 points.

ok noted, thanks !

e) Colour reproduction. Probably most important to us is how accurately the shot footage reproduces the original colour. Some enthusiasts swear that they can see the subtle colour differences, while many just prefer to have bright vibrant colours (which may not be true to the image). No point looking at the LCD of the cam to check for colour reproduction, since the LCDs themselves do not reproduce colours that accurately. You must view the shot footage on a properly calibrated monitor.

f) Low light. This is often overlooked, but which something that I pay quite close attention to. Video cams generally have not problems reproducing vivid/true colours when images are bright, but under low light conditions, some video cams either produce very grainy picture, or the colour reproduction is not accurate (e.g. some may not reproduce low light red well). A good low light video cam is also useful when you are shooting images in semi-darkness e.g. birthday parties where only the candles on the cake are lit up.

Do u know whether I can find out the above 2 just by looking at the specifications alone ?

g) User interface/ergonomics. Some cameras are well designed by having the most commonly used functions literally at your fingertips and lesser used functions located further away or buried under different menus. Check these out by holding the camera in your hand and trying out the function. There are other more subtle design issues which may or may not be important to you e.g. a camera with a bottom tape loading mechansim might not be that useful if your camera is always mounted on a tripod; you will need to remove the camera from the tripod before removing/replacing the tape.

i) Price. You would want to choose one that represent value for money. Cheaper models frequently have fewer features though.

Canon, Sony and Panasonic are all good brands and there are different models to suit your needs. Check out the reviews on the net.

any good website to recommend on the reviews ? I only managed to find cnet (lousy), clubsnap (too cheem)

Thanks

I only know what not to get... my friend wanted to get a canon one at Sim Lim, but the salesperson talked her into buying a DX-9 camcorder for $630. It is apparently made in Japan and is a subsidiary of Panasonic. However the videos taken were not very good that night when she tried it. So when she went down to try to exchange it the next day, they refused to allow her to exchange the DX-9 (cause receipt says goods not exchangeable), and when she brought it to the second hand store at Sim Lim, they only offered her $100 for it.

Thanks !

Edited May 29, 2007 by dizzy