Best Inexpensive way to video

[zxme]

My wifes sony handheld camcorder is kinda outdated and we are looking for a device to make videos of my daughter growing up.
I flip maybe?..what are you guys using? something small. and no smart phones

[JohnnyV]

Wirelessly posted (Blackberry Bold 9930)

I purchased a video camera for the same reason you are shopping: the BlacKberry videos simply weren't cutting it. I wound up getting a Canon Vixia HF R20. High Def, 20x optical zoom with an extra 8x digital, flip out touch screen, fairly small for what it is. My only gripe with it thus far is the battery won't hold a charge when not in use. If I put it away with a full charge and don't use it for a month, ill take it out and the battery will be nearly dead.

[Rada]

Why not just use a Go Pro. I have a nice Sony mini disc camcorder that I never use. My GoPro takes nice vids with good sound and less fuss.

[xrocket21]

go pro, the quality is so good with the new ones, most action oriented tv shows are filmed at least partially with go pros

[Eric Baker]

Go Pro's and similar cameras are not good for what he's looking for though. The odd white balance, lack of ay kind of zoom, and fish-eye style wide angle lens make horrible home movies.

And the Flip/compact style are better, but still lack the optical zoom. The digital only zoom means when you "zoom" you actually lose resolution, because it basically crops the image and only uses part of the sensor to pick up a given image.

Your best bet for the type of thing you're looking to do is an actual camcorder with a good optical zoom to keep the image quality up, plus the vast majority of them have pretty good image stabilization to cut down on shakiness. You can get some pretty compact camcorders at a descent price point.

It's all your decision in the end, but you don't want to buy something and not be happy with the outcome.

[breakdirt916]

LOL...you know you're in a motorcycle forum when everyone swears by a go-pro for video taping a kid

the daughter isn't racing!!!

just get a camcorder...you need the optical zoom

one of the dudes on the SoCal riding forum has one for sale for $75 and can't sell it:

http://ocmoto.com/index.php/topic,58838.0.html

offer him $60 shipped or something?

lowest price on fleabay was $109, and lowest price on google shopping was $262 for a refurb

[xrocket21]

Go Pro's and similar cameras are not good for what he's looking for though. The odd white balance, lack of ay kind of zoom, and fish-eye style wide angle lens make horrible home movies.

And the Flip/compact style are better, but still lack the optical zoom. The digital only zoom means when you "zoom" you actually lose resolution, because it basically crops the image and only uses part of the sensor to pick up a given image.

Your best bet for the type of thing you're looking to do is an actual camcorder with a good optical zoom to keep the image quality up, plus the vast majority of them have pretty good image stabilization to cut down on shakiness. You can get some pretty compact camcorders at a descent price point.

It's all your decision in the end, but you don't want to buy something and not be happy with the outcome.

http://www.tomguilmette.com/archives/3405

So how do they look? Pretty good for a $300 camera. I was surprised that in ideal conditions the GoPro Hero1 cut quite well with broadcast rigs worth $100,000.00. But certain steps must be followed exactly to keep GoPros powered up and get pictures back to the truck.

yeah, youre right, they are good enough for 1080P HD broadcast television, but totally inappropriate for home video lol

[tsorfas]

iPhone 5

[Eric Baker]

http://www.tomguilmette.com/archives/3405



yeah, youre right, they are good enough for 1080P HD broadcast television, but totally inappropriate for home video lol

Yes they have good resolution, but resolution alone doesn't make a good video camera. Go Pro's are great little cameras, perfect for what they were made to do, a compact camera for use in sports/motorsports that can take quite the beating. But they lack features like zoom and image stabilization that you really want for good home movies. Not to mention the viewfinder. Yes you can get an add-on one, but it's still not the same as a full fledged camcorder.

[xrocket21]

Yes they have good resolution, but resolution alone doesn't make a good video camera. Go Pro's are great little cameras, perfect for what they were made to do, a compact camera for use in sports/motorsports that can take quite the beating. But they lack features like zoom and image stabilization that you really want for good home movies. Not to mention the viewfinder. Yes you can get an add-on one, but it's still not the same as a full fledged camcorder.

I apologize :o you are making good sense