Advice for using camcorder for still pictures

[angeluna]

DH just surprised me with a wonderful Sony camcorder DCR - SR45. It's great. I was however going to start working on him to purchase a new DSLR camera. Well, I can't really do that now. So, anyone have any tips on the best uses for still and videos on these Handycam's? All advice or links will be greatly appreciated.

 

[MICKEY88]

DH just surprised me with a wonderful Sony camcorder DCR - SR45. It's great. I was however going to start working on him to purchase a new DSLR camera. Well, I can't really do that now. So, anyone have any tips on the best uses for still and videos on these Handycam's? All advice or links will be greatly appreciated.

best advice is to get the DSLR..

camcorders will not give a great quality still photo, just as any still camera that does video, will not do the best video...

 

[thomas998]

DH just surprised me with a wonderful Sony camcorder DCR - SR45. It's great. I was however going to start working on him to purchase a new DSLR camera. Well, I can't really do that now. So, anyone have any tips on the best uses for still and videos on these Handycam's? All advice or links will be greatly appreciated.

We've got two Handycam's... the first one is the standard definition like your SR45... it doesn't take still pictures worth a flip.. quality is bad and there is nothing you can do to make it acceptable... it just doesn't work. The other is a High-def sony and it actually works quite well if you don't plan on blowing up the picture... 4X6 picture are as good as you would expect...probably as good as mid level point and shoot. But compared to even an older DSLR the pictures don't compare.

So sorry to break the news to you but the standard def handycams just don't do well as a still camera... consider it to be on the same level as the older cellphone cameras... you can use it but unless you have no other choice you probably wouldn't want to.

 

[angeluna]

Thanks guys! I was afraid of that. DH just isn't tech savy and will have a hard time understanding needing another camera. Guess I'll just have to keep my Kodak point and shoot a little longer.