Camcorder/Digital Camera...both?

[cleocat30]

We're now 29 days from our trip. YIPPIE!!! This will be my 4 year-old daughter's first trip. I'd appreciate any thoughts on the camcorder vs. digital camera. I'm thinking the camcorder is a must for the character events and parades, but maybe I'm way off.

My current plan is for me to be in charge of the digital camera and have our 17-year old babysitter/neighbor in charge of the camcorder. Unfortunately, my husband is camera challenged.

Thoughts??

Lisa

 

[DeterminedOne]

Both! A camera alone won't capture the sounds of Disney, and there's a lot to be heard. I'm thinking about buying a mini camcorder so we won't have to carry a big bag of camera/video equipment around the parks.

 

[CaipiraBob]

We're now 29 days from our trip. YIPPIE!!! This will be my 4 year-old daughter's first trip. I'd appreciate any thoughts on the camcorder vs. digital camera. I'm thinking the camcorder is a must for the character events and parades, but maybe I'm way off.

My current plan is for me to be in charge of the digital camera and have our 17-year old babysitter/neighbor in charge of the camcorder. Unfortunately, my husband is camera challenged.

Thoughts??

Lisa

I suppose it's subjective to how you intend to process the media when you get home. The advantage being with digital because it's such an easily transferable medium. Nods go to analog video because it's a bit more stable, and the quality is better although it's rapidly losing that edge. It really depends on how recent your equipment is and whether you feel you'll get the results you're looking for using a given camera.

I generally find that it becomes work trying to film every moment. Two cameras would double that. However, if you're into filming family vacations, more power to you. Bring 'em both!

As for myself, if I'm holding the camera, chances are it will have an unfortunate encounter with a dole-whip or something a lot more messy if I'm at an EPCOT bar.

 

[dpuck1998]

Since I'm usually there for 5-6 days at least I tend to bring the still camera only most of the time. I always bring the video camera at least once however. The video I have taken in priceless and I'm always glad I brought it and often wish I'd used it more. It can be annoying to use it a lot, but the results are wonderful. Last trip I was able to film the Jedi Academy and I'm glad I had it with me.

 

[toyotaae86lg]

I definately bring both the digital still camera and the mini DV. I love having the option to take photos or actually capture video. I have so many pictures that I make disney albums with and I have so much video on my computer that I make little 10 minute dvd's with. I wouldn't go without either of them..
cheers

 

[LUVMICKEY]

I would take both. Especially because it's your 4yr olds first time. Nothing can capture the character greetings and her reactions like you can on video. I think that is priceless. I love having the digital still camera because we make albums of every trip there we take. For us, it just wouldn't be right without both cameras. We would feel like something was missing. I know, sometimes it's a pain to carry both but we are always glad we did.

 

[arielsleepingbeauty]

I don't know if you are a fan of fanny packs. I only use them on vacation because i hate carrying around a pocketbook. I bought a fanny pack from walmart. It was actually big enough to hold my camcoder in the big pocket and my digital camera in the small pocket. My husband used one while i used the other. They were both out of their cases, but i did keep them in ziploc bags in case it rained or when we went on the water rides. I still had enough room for a compact wallet to hold my license, AAA card, a credit card and my Disney Rewards card. I still carried a back pack for a change of clothes for the kids and snacks, but i don't like to bring that big thing on the rides, whereas I want to keep my cameras with me at all times.

 

[bctripp]

Take both! We've done it before, and it'd be great to have! I wish I could bring my video camera this trip, but something is wrong with the battery, it won't charge. I really don't want to spring for a new battery now! I'm a camera nut, but my stuff is too heavy! We have a Minolta XT si SLR camera with a huge lens and an old Sony Handycam. I guess we're living in the 90's. We do have a small digital camera we use for the internet, hubby likes it more than me (it's old too though)

 

[dmonroe]

I would definitely take both. I use the camera all of the time, but sometimes you just need video! We just got a new recorder with an internal hard drive, so we won't have tapes or discs to deal with anymore, plus it's really small. I'm hoping all of this will make the entire process easier, and maybe we'll record more.

 

[DisneyArk]

I agree, both! Your plan sounds good to have the baby-sitter take video. I love to look back at the video, but I feel like while I'm taking the video I miss out on the event. Looking through a lens is so different than seeing the sights and sounds all around you.

You'll definitely want the still camera. There are so many character interactions that happen quickly and there is no time to get the video camera turned on and recording before the moment is over.

And I personally did not like being the person to record the parade. The best part for me is to watch my children's reactions to it and see their faces. I can't do that if I'm glued to the video camera.

Like another poster said, we don't take our video camera into the parks every day.

 

[2giddy4wdw]

I say bring both, especially since this is the first trip. The camcorder with the characters is a great idea, since a digital camera can't capture everything. We still bring both and our youngest is 13. They enjoy watching the shows that we tape when we get home and show them to others, along with Wishes, Illuminations and Fantasmic!!! I say definately go with both!!!

 

[CurtisCandy]

Being a videographer, I am planning on bringing both, but would strongly encourage taking plenty of video. As others have stated, nothing captures the feel like having the sounds of an event to go with the pictures. Also, as far as making digital slideshows, etc. of your trip, you can also pluck any individual frames from your video and turn them into nice photos... Even the very basic one-chip digital camcorders will have plenty of resolution to make a nice still.

Even if your video is analog, (VHS tape style) it can be digitized and stills can be extracted.

If anyone has footage and they want some tips on how to do this, feel free to PM me and I'll help out all I can.

 

[Don Pacho]

I have a medium range camera and records both formats, pictures and videos.
Pictures is what I take most. The videos is only when I see something interesting such as a band playing, a parade, fireworks, etc.
Several digital cameras have the mpeg video capability which is also fun because you can share your videos via email or the net like this one of my niece's daughter.

I am one of those persons that shot and videotape everything.
When I come back home I have tons of material to enjoy for a while.




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[HolliePoppins]

How do you think a camcorder would do in a locker? Would the heat be a problem or are they vented? Thanks

 

[CurtisCandy]

While it's never a good idea to get a camera TOO hot, direct sunlight will do damage quicker than shaded heat. There are a lot of variables as to how quick heat will damage, such as is it analog or digital video, etc., but in any case you should try not to leave it in extreme temperatures.

If storing in warmth is unavoidable for a time, at least make sure you don't have a tape in the camera while it's in the heat.