4K Camcorder

[wizneather78]

Hi,

Any of you all own a 4K camcorder/handycam? We are thinking of buying one for our next trip to document our trip in a new way! I love taking still shots with my DSLR and was wondering if a camcorder/handycam has the capability to do so as well. I wouldn't want to take multiple devices in the park, just one that can do it all.

Just seeking out first hand experiences from you all! We are specifically looking at purchasing a 4K camcorder.

Thanks!!

 

[Robo]

Hi,

Any of you all own a 4K camcorder/handycam? We are thinking of buying one for our next trip to document our trip in a new way! I love taking still shots with my DSLR and was wondering if a camcorder/handycam has the capability to do so as well.

Some can.
Depends on the features that your particular camera offers.

Just look up the features of any camera via a Google search for that model number.
Amazon.com usually has most consumer and prosumer models listed.

For instance, the Sony FDR-AX100 can take 20MP stills.

 

[TeamSy]

I just want to throw out the new GoPro. It shoots 4k and while it does stills, you don't really need to. I find the video to be BETTER than the stills and you can export any video clip as a still. I recently used my SonyRX100M3 and got all the underwater stuff for it (the housing, dome port, etc, so I can get the best underwater pictures) for our vacation to Bora Bora. I thought the Sony images were great. Then I watched the GoPro. It was 1000 times better. I ended up exporting stills from the video and NOT EVEN USING anything I shot from my Sony. The stuff from the Go Pro was THAT GOOD. We can't wait to bring it Disney next month. It's compact and EASY.

 

[photogineer]

Some can.
Depends on the features that your particular camera offers.

Just look up the features of any camera via a Google search for that model number.
Amazon.com usually has most consumer and prosumer models listed.

For instance, the Sony FDR-AX100 can take 20MP stills.

While this is true, often times video cameras do stills as an afterthought and visa versa. DSLRs can do video, but they excel at stills, camcorders can do stills, but excel at video. If high quality stills are important to you, I wouldn't try to do them with a camcorder, especially not anyone marketed as a compact device. If you just want snapshots to remember that time your relative came off a ride with Weird Al hair, I'd just go with a quality smartphone or even a small point and shoot, the advantages of a DSLR don't really lend themselves to snapshots. It all depends, but I would think any situation where you'd be happy with the quality of stills you'd get from a camcorder you are probably already carrying a better option (smartphone or compact point&shoot) anyway.

Adam

 

[Richard M Nixon]

As Robo said, make sure the camcorder can take higher megapixel images than just 4k. Surprisingly, 4k video isn't anywhere close to as high-resolution as a picture. Common consumer DSLRs are on the order of 20-25 megapixels (20-25 million pixels total area) which at a 16:9 resolution would be 5962x3354. Consider that 4k is 4096*2160, or only about 8.8 megapixels. Also keep in mind that DSLRs have high quality photoprocessors designed for still images and will generally be of much higher quality than an image taken from a camcorder.

 

[xlxo]

Some other thoughts...

• do you have a display that shows 4K?
• do you have the hard drive space for 4K video?
• do you plan to edit 4K video? Is your computer powerful enough for 4K? I need 64bit video editing software.
• while I love my GoPro... it lacks optical zoom and image stabilization.

 

[photogineer]

Some other thoughts...

• do you have a display that shows 4K?
• do you have the hard drive space for 4K video?
• do you plan to edit 4K video? Is your computer powerful enough for 4K? I need 64bit video editing software.
• while I love my GoPro... it lacks optical zoom and image stabilization.

This is a very valid point, a 4K device of comparable quality to an and device will be fairly more expensive, still lack good still capture capability, and unless you've already invested in quality 4K infrastructure, not actually get you anything. HD video from your DSLR is probably quite good and well suited, if you're looking to scratch a new toy itch (I totally get that!) then consider a quality microphone attachment so your DSLR can take better audio with the video

Adam

 

[Khokhonutt]

Some other thoughts...

• do you have a display that shows 4K?
• do you have the hard drive space for 4K video?
• do you plan to edit 4K video? Is your computer powerful enough for 4K? I need 64bit video editing software.
• while I love my GoPro... it lacks optical zoom and image stabilization.

These are excellent points. I recently purchased a GoPro and I'm finding the camera is the small part of the overall purchase. The accessories will add up, but then that's the case with a DSLR as well. The computer was something I didn't anticipate. Granted it's been a while since I upgraded my machine, but when I imported and tried to edit my first HD video, you could hear my old desktop breathing heavy. I ended up upgrading for more video editing horsepower. Now that's an expensive little camera!

I'm finding the arguments for shooting in 4K are a lot like those for shooting RAW with a DSLR. While my current display may not take advantage of 4K or 2.7K, there's an argument for shooting at your best available resolution and it does give me options at editing time along. At that resolution though storage also does become a consideration as well.

 

[jalpert]

Rumor is that the next iPhone, 6+ is going to do 4K. If that interests you, they will most likely be out before your trip.

 

[photogineer]

I'm finding the arguments for shooting in 4K are a lot like those for shooting RAW with a DSLR. While my current display may not take advantage of 4K or 2.7K, there's an argument for shooting at your best available resolution and it does give me options at editing time along. At that resolution though storage also does become a consideration as well.

While I don't disagree with you regarding getting the best available capture now in anticipation of being able to take advantage of it (I ALWAYS shoot raw for the dynamic range), I am wary of you compromising on something you enjoy and currently have (high quality stills), to get something you merely anticipate being useful, and so I would still vote against replacing the DSLR with a camcorder that can do stills. I think both is your best bet, maybe one person can take the camcorder and the other the DSLR?

Adam