Are video cameras still relevant?

[Micca]

Hey Y'all, first time to this board but not new to WDW or the Dis Our DD and her husband are expecting our first grandchild later this summer
Today I was thinking about our DDs birthday coming in a couple of weeks, and with Father's day on the way (both me and my Son-in-law) and started thinking about video of our new family member and if a camera would be a good gift.

We last bought a video camera in 1999 and it has been mostly in the closet since then(we moved houses 5 years ago and I know we haven't used it since then, probably much longer). It's an 8mm format camera.

Flash forward to the 21st century--with the new baby on the way and the chance to document her life from the very beginning--what's the best camera/cam-corder to accomplish this? Today's digital cameras seem to incorporate video, but I assume there are limitations compared to a hi-def camcorder(do they even call it that any more?).

So what's the word from the Dis experts? Also, I'm thinking get the camera and give it do DD/DSIL so they can capture the best spur of the moments shots. Is there any reason I should buy the camera and keep it myself?(no other kids/grandkids around). TIA.

 

[JamesF408]

I have been using a Sanyo Xacti similar to this one http://sanyo.com/xacti/english/products/vpc_cg21/index.html

It has been good to me and my DW. We just went on an DCL Alaska cruise and I am still in the process of digesting all the video I took. It also takes still photos. It's not the best camcorder to take stills, but what camcorder is?

It's a full HD camcorder at a really cheap price. About $150.

The other option is more expensive, a lot more expensive. That's getting a Digital SLR camera that take HD video. Such as an Nikon or Canon. The newest Canon is a EOS 5D Mark II. It runs around $2-3K. But it takes fantastic photos and you can buy interchangeable lenses. It also takes full 1080p HD video.

That is the two extremes in my eyes. I have never used the Canon, but know from other people I know, it's a fantastic piece of equipment.

If you want more information, doing a google search is a great place to start.

Here is a link to help you get started: http://camcorders.about.com/od/buyingguide/a/HD_Camcorders.htm

Good luck in your shopping and congrats for the new family member!

 

[Micca]

Thanks James, that's very helpful. As much as I appreciate a high-end piece of equipment, I don't think I'd ever get enough use out of a camera to justify spending 4 figures. The Sanyo, on the other hand, is well within the budget.
In fact, at that price I might buy one for my DD and one to keep at home.

I'll def do some homework with the links you've supplied, thanks again!

 

[trekker93]

At our Best Buy store they often have very good video camera's for under $400 that have a built in hard drive. This way you don't have to keep replacing memory cartridges every day at WDW! I bought the JVC Everio camera last year and brought it to WDW - it's small, has a great hard drive, and can handle tons of video. I think i paid $300 for it with its case and extra battery. But look around, you'll be amazed at what's out there for the price.

 

[Micca]

Thanks for the post Trekker. The prices are massively lower than when I bought my first cam-corder when our DDs were born in the 80s. That first 8mm Sony was somewhere in the $800 neighborhood and HUGE. My second camcorder (another Sony) I purchased in the late 90s was about 1/2 the price of the first, much smaller, but of course no HD. After our DDs graduated from high school in 2001 we kind of just put the camcorder away and forgot about it. I'm not even certain I shot any footage when they graduated from college.

With my new granddaughter coming I thought it would be a good time to make a fresh start with the updated technology. It seems like for most things anymore people just use their phone, so I didn't even know if a dedicated video camera was even desirable.

I have all summer to shop, so if anyone else wants to chime in, all opinions welcomed

 

[CurtisCandy]

I have been doing videography on the side for a number of years. As James mentioned, one of the HD pocket cameras should be great for what you need and the prices have become extremely reasonable. Up until recently, I didn't recommend flash drive or hard drive cameras because I didn't like the compression used. That issue has been nicely cleaned up by all the makers.

Keep in mind, though, that the "Flip" camera line - which has been hugely successful, was recently bought out by a new company. Unexpectedly, this company announced that they would not be producing any more Flips. For this reason, I would stay away from them.

Find yourself a nice HD pocket camera from a maker whose name you recognize, and you should be quite happy. In natural light, they take stunning pictures and in indoor situations, the results are still quite nice. Of course, they aren't as strong in low-light as some of the higher end (and higher priced) HD camcorders, but that will rarely be an issue.

On our upcoming trip to The World in September, I plan on just bringing my pocket camcorders rather than toting around a one of my bulkier models. The pictures are plenty good enough quality.

 

[Theosus]

Thanks for the post Trekker. The prices are massively lower than when I bought my first cam-corder when our DDs were born in the 80s. That first 8mm Sony was somewhere in the $800 neighborhood and HUGE. My second camcorder (another Sony) I purchased in the late 90s was about 1/2 the price of the first, much smaller, but of course no HD. After our DDs graduated from high school in 2001 we kind of just put the camcorder away and forgot about it. I'm not even certain I shot any footage when they graduated from college.


I have all summer to shop, so if anyone else wants to chime in, all opinions welcomed

I'm 38... I've seen a lot of video cameras come and go. Our first was a giant thing which held a full sized VHS tape and a battery that outweighs a lot of today's DSLRs.
My wife and I purchased a Sony handicam years ago - the kind with the big flat screen on back, that took the small tapes.
I've abandoned the video camera for the most part now, and here's why:

Digital cameras, even point and shoot cameras, all have video modes built in. Yes, they are a lot more limited in movie length by their memory cards. But memory is cheap, and digital cameras that take movies are a lot more useful than video cameras that snap stills, unless you just Want to carry two separate things.
How much are you wanting to record? The odd moment in the park, a parade, or are you one of these Steven Spielberg wanna-be's that starts rolling tape as soon as you enter the park, and stops only when then gates shut behind you?

I have a canon 500d (t1i). The whole kit can be had for less than $700, and it will do hd movies at 720p, or if you plan on burning to DVD just use 640x480. It does a decent job, but with a sensor twice as large as most consumer handheld cameras, the images are just going to look better. The newest model is the t3i, which has a few more megapixels and better video quality...see my megapixels note below before you drop extra cash on the newest model.
You can by a nikon d90 or a canon 60d - but those are full frame cameras. Unless you are planning to go pro or shoot weddings, you can get by with any of the canon rebels or the x000 nikons, the sensors are just smaller. Like 27mm instead of 35mm...but still a lot bigger than point and shoot cameras.
BTW - don't be fooled by the megapixels sales pitch. An SLR with 8 megapixels will out perform that pocket camera with 14mp... Sensor size and lens quality have a much bigger effect on image quality but everyone has latched onto the megapixel numbers.
As far as the new handheld camcorders go, even the ones with no tapes, I have mixed feelings about them, there are some flash based ones with no hard drives that are supposed to have great battery life.
I found the few I have dealt with to be a pain in the butt. The newer camcorders compress their video into avchd format, which has to be converted befor you can do anything with. It. We have a canon vixio at work. I hate it. I would cheerfully kick it and its software down the street.
At least with digital cameras, you can pull out the avi or mp4 files and work with them. You can pop out the card and plug it into any laptop and let windows media player or QuickTime show it. Not so with the avchd files. More software is working with the avchd files natively, I don't know what, maybe the newest versions of adobe premiere, but if you just want something small you can upload to YouTube or mail to grandma on a DVD, good luck.

I have a lot of old video I never watch, but I've looked at the photo book I made of last years Disney trip a dozen times, and passed it around to family members. Blurb.com has some great photo book software. If you buy the Disney photo pass cd, (99$ if you preorder it), you can even use Disney's photos in your book.

If you go with a point and shoot, try and find one that runs on AA batteries. You can find those anywhere. Let your battery pack run out and you're screwed. If you buy a digital SLR, read the manual and learn how to take pictures, take it off that darned Auto mode. At least learn how to switch off the flash.
Just an opinion.

 

[Micca]

Thanks guys for the comments--definitely more to think about. Theosus your experience with video is very helpful. At present, I just don't see spending $700 for a camera. I'm definitely no Spielberg wannabe. In fact, I'm really a rather reluctant family videographer. The only reason I'm looking into this is due to a granddaughter being born in August. As Theosus mentioned, we have plenty of video we never watch, but it seems like a wasted opportunity to not document the arrival of a child and being able to track her progress through childhood. Again, thanks to all who have posted.