Video cameras?

[BoneDigger]

Nobody seems to answer over at the TBH video forum, so I'll see if anyone around the campfire has answers...

I'm thinking about getting a camera for filming bowhunts this year. I am confused about a few things and I hope some of you can help me out.

1) Optical versus digital zoom: It is my understanding that optical zoom is better, but what are the real drawbacks of a digital zoom camera. Some of the small waterproof flip type cams now have up to 5x digital zoom in HD all for around $120. If filming a bowhunt (not a gun hunt at 100+ yards) would digital zoom be alright? What is the advantage of one versus the other (aside from longer distances)?

2) HD versus SD: HD of course costs more and gives better resolution if used on a HD television. I have heard that HD is also very memory sensitive on a computer and harder to edit with most software, due to the drag on the computer's memory. I do understand that most HD cameras also have a SD setting, but just wondering if HD is indeed "the way to go" or if SD is fine?

3) Cameras versus the elements: I have heard that one of the biggest issues with cameras isn't rain (for which you can just put it away in a bag if necessary) but the temperature changes throughout the day, humidity, etc. How do you guys deal with this?

4) Disk versus SD: What are the pros and cons of each?

I'm looking at some cameras in the range between $120 (flip cam) and $500. I'm leaning heavily toward the little flip camera since this will only be for shooting bowhunting videos at close range. But, I'd like some input. The cheaper one I am looking at is the Kodak PlaySport:

http://www.amazon.com/Kodak-PlaySpor.../dp/B0030MITDK

But, I might go for a nice SD or HD regular optical zoom cam instead.

I could really use some advice...

Todd

[krisw]

ask yourself how important hd really is. It didnt matter to me. I have a JVC Everio and i like it. Simple to use and everything. I would get a camera with a card slot to go with the hdd. I think my camera has like a 60x digital zoom. Only drawback is no optical viewfinder. small and light weight make up for that.

[txmuleyman]

I am interested in this also I have a sony dcr-dvd108 with 40x zeiss optical zoom. I was thinking about starting to film a few hunts. Is this sufficient for a good quality film? BTW sorry about a hijack didn't feel neccesary for new thread

[Skinny]

I use a Sony HDR-XR500 (Handycam) http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/...52921665736664

I got it from Best Buy for around $1,200. It has optical and digital zoom. I use the optical zoom mostly because when you use the digital zoom and zoom in on something way out there the picture is fuzzy and grainy.

My camera also has the option of filming in full HD or several lower quality (SD) settings. I film in high quality SD. This setting works best for me because it makes editing a breeze with my laptop. My computer has a hard time handling the HD files and makes editing a slow, slow process.

As far as the elements go, I always have a plastic bag or two in my back pack to put the cam in and then store away if it starts raining hard. They do sell rain covers for some cams. The bitter cold will also effect your camera. I was hunting one day and it was really cold, and had my cam sitting there on the tripod like always and a nice buck walks out. I go to turn my cam on and an error message comes on the LCD screen saying "warm camcorder". Lesson learned. From then on when it was cold I kept my cam in a fanny pack with hand warmers. Kept it warm, but not very handy.

My cam has a 120 GB internal memory and it also accept the Sony SD card. I use both.

The thing I would consider in purchasing any camera is its ability to film in low light...since it seems that is when it all goes down. My camera does pretty good in low light I think.

By the way, my cam takes 12.1 mega pixel still photos as well. A cam that does both good video and good stills will be quite a bit more expensive.

There are alot of good cams out there.

Hope this helps!!!

[Coon]

What determines a camera's low-light quality?
Dave

[txmuleyman]

Good thread keep questions and answers coming

[mhbaseball]

interested to see how you can determine if a camera is good in low light or how do they rate cameras in terms of low light capabilities? Biggest thing to worry about with a camera in my opinion bc most activity happens when light is fading

[Skinny]

What determines a camera's low-light quality?
Dave

Well, I am no expert, and maybe someone out here can explain better, but I am pretty sure it has to do with the quality of several components of your camera. Like the lens, sensors, etc. All cams have a limit as to the amount of light they will gather, and I am pretty sure as the price and quality of the components goes up, so does the quality of picture, light gathering capabilities, micro adjustments, etc. Sometimes you end up paying for alot of bells and whistles that you may never use or even understand how to use, so I would say that ease of use it a big factor in determining a camera as well.

[Coon]

Well, I am no expert, and maybe someone out here can explain better, but I am pretty sure it has to do with the quality of several components of your camera. Like the lens, sensors, etc. All cams have a limit as to the amount of light they will gather, and I am pretty sure as the price and quality of the components goes up, so does the quality of picture, light gathering capabilities, micro adjustments, etc.

Thanks for the info. It would be cool if they could quantify it somehow and give each camera a low-light value of some kind, the way they do mega pixels and such.
Dave

[Skinny]

Here is a link I thought might be helpful. You can also find tons of reviews on YouTube on just about every camera out there. That helped me out alot.

http://www.ehow.com/how_2005012_video-performance-camcorder.html

[Skinny]

Thanks for the info. It would be cool if they could quantify it somehow and give each camera a low-light value of some kind, the way they do mega pixels and such.
Dave

Yeah, that would help. But I think that a better, higher end camera is going to blow the lower end cams out of the water in many areas including video quality and low light capabilities.

By the way, just FYI, mega-pixels has to do more with still images than video.

[txmuleyman]

Hogdude I did some research on both our cameras. Mine has 40x optical zoom and 2000x digital zoom basicly the same other specs except your is Hd and has built in memory.I assume those 2 things made it $700 more than mine. My question is why wouldn't your camera have even close to the zoom of a cheaper camera? BTW I know squat about cameras.

[txmuleyman]

Also I am not dogging your camera cause it is awesome. I just want info.

[Skinny]

Hogdude I did some research on both our cameras. Mine has 40x optical zoom and 2000x digital zoom basicly the same other specs except your is Hd and has built in memory.I assume those 2 things made it $700 more than mine. My question is why wouldn't your camera have even close to the zoom of a cheaper camera? BTW I know squat about cameras.

I honestly think the digtal zoom is somewhat of a gimick with consumer camcorders. It is about quality of zoom, not quantity if you ask me. Even on my cam at 150x digital zoom, the picture quality when zoomed all of the way in is horrible and I don't use it. I use the optical zoom. Digital zoom is not "real" zoom to begin with I don't think. With optical zoom, the lens actually moves back and forth I am sure...keeping the picture clear and crisp.

My Camera also takes 12.1 mega pixel still photos...that will jack up the price. It is like two cams in one.

Like you said...good thread!!!

[Br'er_Henry]

The best way to determine what camera you really want.. is asking Shane (Hogdude1234) which one does he use!

Good thread!