I need help please

[CantWaitToGo2007]

I'll start off by saying that I pretty much know nothing about cameras, so please forgive me.

I have a couple of questions and thought this was probably the best place to ask them.

My mom just bought me (I haven't got it yet though) a JVC 800x Mini-DV digital camcorder for my birthday. I plan on taking it to disney world with me this christmas.

Here is the description:
Includes camcorder, adapter, rechargeable lithium-ion battery, two miniDV tapes, lens cap, A/V cable, USB cable, JVC software CD-ROM, carrying case, and carry strap
34X optical zoom
800X digital zoom
2.7" diagonal LCD display
Dual recording capability
Night Alive for low light
Still images mode with 640x480 resolution
16:9 widescreen viewing mode
SD/MMC memory card slot
USB/DV port
Measures 4-1/2"W x 3-11/16"H x 2-3/8"L


It says I can take still pictures with it too. So should I get an additional battery? Should I still take my digital camera that I already have too? How much memory should I buy for taking pictures? The card I have right now only holds about 140 pictures. We are going to be in the parks for 6 days and I plan on taking lots of pictures. Can anyone suggest a bag for carrying the camera(s) around the park? I'd like one that I can also put my ID, money and a few other little things in as well as the camera.

thanks for any help.

Nanette

Thanks for any help

 

[Groucho]

I would definitely take your current digital camera, as well. Camcorders don't have the image quality necessary to take good still photos...

Furthermore, that's taking still at 640x480 - that's VERY small. Megapixels are overrated but you definitely need more than that. So yes, it can take still pictures - but pretend that it can't as the quality will be pretty unacceptable. (This doesn't mean that it won't have good quality for video - video requires much less resolution than still images to look good.)

I don't have any bag recommendations but I would say that you will probably end up wanting a spare battery, if you are going to be taking a fair amount of video. Since your trip isn't until Christmas, it's probably best to spend some time experimenting and figure out just how much you can take before the battery runs out, and decide if that'll be enough to last you through a full day at Disney.

 

[CantWaitToGo2007]

I will be taking my other camera too in that case. When we went to Disneyland I only took disposable cameras. Biggest mistake of my life!