? for those with Digital Cameras that can shoot video

[AdventurerKat]

What do you have? How are the video clips they take? How much video can you take at a time?

My mom is going to buy me a new digital camera and I know I want this feature but I am not sure what to get. I take video for my website (did anyway, with a little digital recorder) and I have a new digital video camera but I will never take the time to transfer it over from tape so I need something I can take and go and will record half way decent to keep the Adventurers Club fans happy.

The digital recorder I was using wasnt great in the first place so probably anything would be an improvement. I am looking primarily for ones that can take lengthier video with a bigger memory card.

Any suggestions?

 

[jfulcer]

Ok, I know you asked for help in figuring out a still camera to take good videos (and there are some out there) but I've always been of the mind "Use the right tool for the right job. ". While a digital still camera can and does take ok video (and some newer ones seem to take really good video), a video camera will do a much better job of it. I can go from tape to movie to recording a DVD in an hour or so with my digital camcorder and it's very high quality.

I would have to say that even a low end digital camcorder would take pictures better than most digital still cameras.

Of course, that's just my opinion, but if you are still going that route I hope someone can help you out....

 

[Serena]

I don't have any experience, but what Jeff said is what my sister said afterwards. It does do both, just not either very well, especially videos.
I don't know what kind she has though.

 

[Magix]

I just recently got a Canon A80. It shoots still and video. I tried it out on my recent trip to Washington and found it to be surprisingly good with the video. I was using a 512mb card and shooting on the highest video quality and was able to capture quite a bit of video, as well as having space for about 400-500 photos (shot at a fairly large file size). I was very impressed. It's a 4mp camera, so everything looked great.

I probably shot a grand total of less than 10 minutes worth of video (if even that much), but I really thought I'd get a lot less than that. I certainly had card space for more.

Now, if I could just figure out how to flip the video I shot vertically for horizontal viewing, I'd be all set. Can't seem to find a program that will flip the video like it will the photos. Anyone have any ideas?

 

[AdventurerKat]

Yes, I know my digital video camera would do MUCH better in shooting video but I just dont have the time for transferring and compressing to put on my website. Heck, these days with two kids I barely have time for my website at all.

I just want something that will be quick and simple enough to throw a few video clips on the site now and then.

 

[jfulcer]

Originally posted by AdventurerKat
Yes, I know my digital video camera would do MUCH better in shooting video but I just dont have the time for transferring and compressing to put on my website. Heck, these days with two kids I barely have time for my website at all.

I just want something that will be quick and simple enough to throw a few video clips on the site now and then.

When I took at short 1 minute video of my daughter at the zoo dancing the other day, at the highest resolution my still would take a video at, the resulting file was 17.6 megabytes. So after I copied the video off my camera, I ran it through Microsoft Movie Maker and now have a 2 meg file, compressed for computer use.

The only delay I would have had using a video camera is I would have needed to capture it instead of copying. Since it was only 1 minute, it only would take a minute to do it.

So in reality, you're not saving that much time by using a still camera. You <i>still</i> have to process it for web use.

(oh, here is the resulting video, for your reference. I can link the original if you like, but it really just looks the same)

 

[jfulcer]

Originally posted by Magix
Now, if I could just figure out how to flip the video I shot vertically for horizontal viewing, I'd be all set. Can't seem to find a program that will flip the video like it will the photos.

It doesn't do it really 'well', but DW on occasion has taped like this and I've used Microsoft Movie Maker for this. It looks kinda squished but I think that's just the way it looks rotated.

(I like to link - here is one that I had to rotate because DW held the camera sideways)

 

[AdventurerKat]

Part of the problem with me transferring over video is I cannot do it on my laptop. Its not that good. I can drop mpegs but I cant do capture from the digital video camera. We do have a desk top that I can do it on but that would mean taking my husband away from his video games and oh my, I dont need that kind of trouble.

If anyone else has suggestions, I appreciate it.

 

[jfulcer]

Originally posted by AdventurerKat
Part of the problem with me transferring over video is I cannot do it on my laptop. Its not that good. I can drop mpegs but I cant do capture from the digital video camera. We do have a desk top that I can do it on but that would mean taking my husband away from his video games and oh my, I dont need that kind of trouble.

If anyone else has suggestions, I appreciate it.

Ok, I'll ask. Why can't you do it on your laptop? Is it an older laptop? Most newer laptops should be able to handle the speed required. Is it the connection?

And as a husband, I would have to say that your DH can just give up some of his precious time for your hobby too. It's called s-h-a-r-i-n-g, I'm sure my 7 year old can tell him all about it.

(sorry, this is a pet peeve of mine when husbands don't understand that every part of a marraige is teamwork and compromise. grrrr)

 

[mommytutu]

I'm a newbie and thought this would be a good time to jump right in.

I have a Sony Cybershot model DSC-P73 and I LOVE it!! It is is 4.1 MP, but I can adjust that from a 1 MP up to a 4.1. It does record video and sound that is only limited by the amount of space on the memory stick. I have 256MB, but the camera will support 1GB. Most video clps I take are a couple of minutes here and there, so it suits my needs just fine. The video quality is really not bad. We've uploaded it to the computer and burned video to DVD and watched it on the TV and it's "home video" quality. I highly recommend this camera to everyone. My MIL is jealous and my cousin has already gone out and bought one just like it. And it's easy on the wallet.

Crissy

 

[JimB.]

I use a Fuji S7000. It can shoot up to 6 mp processed & also video limited by memory space.

It can use either an XD card or a microdrive. I have a 340 MB microdrive ( which is CHEAPER than a similar sized XD card).

Works great, easy to use, good quality video.

The book sez it can go up to 1 GB microdrive. Don't know if it can go higher. I have seen 4 gb drives out there.

 

[ducklite]

I have a Minolta DiMage Z-1 that is primarily a digital camera, but can also shoot video.

I've taken about eight minutes at a time, it really fills the chip fast though. I have a 256mg card, and that would probably hold about 15 minutes of video. I never tried to max it out to see how long, so that's a best guess estimate. You can't zoom while doing video. It's OK in quality. Better than nothing.

If you want to see some pics taken on the camera set for medium quality, so to my web site (link below) and click around. The "house pictures" taken this year, as well as the "Orange Truck" pictures and those of the bands Three Days Grace and Shinedown will give you some idea of the quality I've gotten with it.

Anne

 

[AdventurerKat]

Thanks for the suggestions. I will check them out!