I need a new camera. One with good audio reception, a rechargeable battery, and high image quality (not HD, though). I would like to use this camera mainly to make movies or action films with special effects. Here is one I have my eye on… any suggestions for other cameras?
P.S. Nothing over $250. Camcorder, not still-image camera.
Knock Knock?
Try a video camera forum? You’ll have better luck with people who are truely interested in videography. Or a good hardware review site. If you prefer the geek perspective try Tom’s Hardware or slashdot
Alright…
Huhuhu… There’s a camera add on this thread… I wonder why?..:eyebrowlift2:
Don’t know much about video cameras. Stills, I could maybe offer an opinion on.
I do remember seeing a review of a consumer model video camera that had something ridiculous like a 200fps mode recently. Can’t remember the make or model though I’m afraid.
I have a normal “picture” taking digital camera - about a year old. I got this on a sale - it’s 7.2 mega pixel and does take “movies” of 10.25 mins (with sound) or longer if you reduce the quality. And if you take the memory card out, slip on another, you get many more wonderful shooting minutes. It was quite cheap and nowadays I wish I bought it earlier.
Regarding your desire of making movies, I did come across a story about artists shooting films using their mobile phones only, so you may wish to keep an open mind about this, and the small camera isn’t, well conspicious.
The other advice I can give is that you be careful regarding the warranty of the item - once these things break down, sometimes it’s just cheaper to replace rather repair them.
This one looks cool.
I’ve heard of that one, but I think it runs on AA’s. I’d like a longer battery life than that. Thanks for attempting to help me, cause I know you guys probably don’t do this kind of thing.
As you say you are going to be doing special effects, make sure you get a camera which can shoot in progressive, not interlaced. and get HD if possible, even if the end result will be SD.
The flip ultra has a rechargeable not AA’s…
I would most defiantly go with canon. I have a canon ZR800 (they no longer sell it) and it’s been through hell and back (it’s been dropped from about 4’ on to concrete it’s been to africa and back and lots more) and it still works like a dream (but it doesn’t have super good video quality)
so yeah… go with canon… they’re cheep and really nice (and durable :eyebrowlift:)
YoungApprentice
I downloaded the user manual and scoured it for features/omissions. No idea on image quality. But it does have many important features not always available on budget vid cams.
For your money, this cam looks ok. Yes it’s SD but there are other features that personally I think are more important than HD v SD. Especially at the money.
Cons:
No HD
No Progressive only interlaced.
Small Sensor
Flash Memory
No zebras.
No filter thread to lens.
Basic lens.
Pros:
No HD but does have 16:9 SD. (Widescreen) 720x576 if PAL. DVD. Not VGA 640x480
Manual control in that you can select the shutter speed (cam then adjusts aperture) Called TV Mode (Program Mode) Wide range of shutter speeds.
Manual Exposure Control and Locking. (Very Important)
Manual White Balance (Can be useful)
Image Effects. Non of them important except the ability to tone down saturation and contrast. Shooting ‘Flat’ is important for VFX / Colour Correction work.
Manual Focus. Also very important.
MPEG2 not MPEG4.
lithium Ion Rechargeable Battery.
Histogram on Photo Mode. Useful to judge correct exposure to get best tonal range.
On screen grid for aiding composition.
A remote
Bracketed exposure images (shoots 3 jpg’s -1 1 +1 exposures) at a push you could use this to create a hdr for image based lighting.
External microphone socket.
It’s a real shame the cam doesn’t appear to have zebras it gives you manual control of exposure but how do you tell if exposure is not blown without zebras?
Not bad, I think you could choose a lot worse. But no zebras and interlaced rather than progressive is potentially going to cause a few problems. Loss of vertical resolution if you turn your interlaced to progressive. Over exposure blowing out detail.
Have you considered a second user HV30?
Also it is important to stick to budget and not forget that you are going to need some immediate accessories:
Spare battery or two.
Spare memory cards.
A decent Tripod with fluid head. Velbon DV7000 for example. Don’t shoot hand held. Forget the on cam image stabilizer.
A good quality UV filter to protect the lens.
A good quality ND filter .9 (2 exposure stops) You need to keep the apeture as open as possible for trying to get some sign of a depth of field and help prevent you over exposing.
A Lens hood and french flag to help prevent lens flare.
An external sound recording device like a Zoom h2 or h4n (if you have cash to splash) on board microphones are really poor.
Good luck.
EDIT
Just checked out a review, hadn’t noticed it had no filter thread so no UV or ND filter or hood. Poor image quality.
Seriously consider a second user Canon HV30.
Or use the list I made above for the must have stuff on an alternative.
Crap in comparison to the FS200. 
Holy…
THANKS! Thank you so much for your time! I will heed your words greatly. Don’t be disheartened because I’m understanding what you’re saying, I will look some more and post up my results. Thanks for all the hard work! YA:D