NEEDED: Video Camera that also captures photos

[DummbGiRL]

Hey guys - I know what I "want" in a camera, but I'm not really photo-genius at all, so I don't know where to start looking! Here is my dream camera:

• I'm looking for a camera that captures HD Video and Photography both pretty easily.
• If I could take pictures WHILE in video mode, that seems like it was be awesome.
• Or at least some way of making it simple to capture 'photos' from video.
• I'd prefer the camera to be small,
• but would also like to be able to turn the "preview screen" toward me when I'm doing "selfie" videos or pictures.

I'm sure there are other qualities that would make me happy, but the above about summarizes the initial wants. Any help would be appreciated!

 

[fractal]

what is your budget?

 

[DummbGiRL]

what is your budget?

Great question that should have included... I prefer around the $500 range, but a hundred or 2 upper or lower than that would be good to know. I figure $300 is the minimum I could even come close to anything I desire

 

[boBQuincy]

Panasonic's G3 (and newer models at least up to G5) has *all* the features you listed. These are mirrorless cameras with interchangeable lenses. The G3 is several generations old and it may be difficult to find a new one. The G5 is slightly larger and has a newer sensor.
The G6 is the latest but is still kind of expensive.

 

[fractal]

My friend has the Panasonic G5 and loves it for video.

 

[DummbGiRL]

Thanks guys! That didn't even come on my radar when searching. It seems the only one(s) I was coming up with were Sony. So hard to search for.

 

[fractal]

Thanks guys! That didn't even come on my radar when searching. It seems the only one(s) I was coming up with were Sony. So hard to search for.

The Sony RX100 series of cameras are also very good. I'm not sure if they have all the features you are looking for but you may want to look at those as well.

 

[webshark3]

The Sony RX100 series of cameras are also very good. I'm not sure if they have all the features you are looking for but you may want to look at those as well.

This will be my second year at Disney with the RX100. Video is second to none with the 1" sensor. Photos are excellent. Photos while in video mode...usable. Probably as good as you can get with today's technology. Full manual control, so it pretty much has any feature any video or still camera would have. I see it's under $500 now. Great for a all-purpose, slip in your pocket, camera.

 

[DummbGiRL]

This will be my second year at Disney with the RX100. Video is second to none with the 1" sensor. Photos are excellent. Photos while in video mode...usable. Probably as good as you can get with today's technology. Full manual control, so it pretty much has any feature any video or still camera would have. I see it's under $500 now. Great for a all-purpose, slip in your pocket, camera.

Oooo great news! I'm not looking for more than to be able to take photo whiles in video mode... as long as they are similar to say.. an iPhone that will be fine with me Standards aren't the highest... obviously I can go out of video mode for better pictures.. Thank you!

 

[Disco]

They just released the Sony RX100 III. It is a truly excellent camera for photos and probably the best video in its class while being very compact.
It isn't cheap though, I think around $800. There is a learning curve too as it is a pretty full featured camera.

 

[DummbGiRL]

They just released the Sony RX100 III. It is a truly excellent camera for photos and probably the best video in its class while being very compact.
It isn't cheap though, I think around $800. There is a learning curve too as it is a pretty full featured camera.

Good to know. I definitely want to get one well before my trip (in December), so I can get used to the learning curve. Luckily my SO is pretty gadget efficient, he's just more on the still photography side of things and I'd really like to get video.

 

[Disco]

Good to know. I definitely want to get one well before my trip (in December), so I can get used to the learning curve. Luckily my SO is pretty gadget efficient, he's just more on the still photography side of things and I'd really like to get video.

I'm in the market too but my trip is in Nov so I have even less time than you to decide!
I like the Sony a lot but the price tag is a little bit more than I want to go for. However, people are waiting with bated breath for a couple soon to be released cameras. I love to shop around but not sure if I have time to wait for everything to be released...
I used to take a lot of video but in recent years I have had no desire to carry around a separate video camera. So it has been mostly still pictures for a while now. I'm hoping a really great video capable digital camera will get me back on the video track again. Especially one that will fit in my pocket!
The only other camera that has piqued my interest for good video is the new Panasonic FZ1000. I think it is more than a $100 more than the Sony and much bigger so I don't think I'm going that route...
BTW, what does SO stand for? Sorry if it's a stupid question but I'm used to Disney slang in here (Like DS)) so I'm stumped...

 

[DummbGiRL]

Glad I'm not alone Disco!

BTW, what does SO stand for? Sorry if it's a stupid question but I'm used to Disney slang in here (Like DS)) so I'm stumped...

Not stupid at all! I got it from these boards... SO = Significant Other. My boyfriend loves telling everyone "I'm Significant!" since I refer to him as my SO in real life too...

 

[Disco]

Glad I'm not alone Disco!



Not stupid at all! I got it from these boards... SO = Significant Other. My boyfriend loves telling everyone "I'm Significant!" since I refer to him as my SO in real life too...

Haha I wish I was significant!
I think the two big unveils yet to come are the Olympus XZ-3 and Panasonic LX-8. There might be a competitive Fuji coming too.
I don't think any of them will have as good video as the Sony but the price should be a couple hundred less.
I'm also watching smart phones (tablets) just in case. Quality isn't quite up to the level I want but Nokia currently makes the best cameras phones.
I'll keep you in mind and let you know if anything interesting comes out.

 

[DummbGiRL]

Haha I wish I was significant!
I think the two big unveils yet to come are the Olympus XZ-3 and Panasonic LX-8. There might be a competitive Fuji coming too.
I don't think any of them will have as good video as the Sony but the price should be a couple hundred less.
I'm also watching smart phones (tablets) just in case. Quality isn't quite up to the level I want but Nokia currently makes the best cameras phones.
I'll keep you in mind and let you know if anything interesting comes out.

I think I can handle a little less video quality for a couple hundred dollars... I'll have to keep those in mind.

Both my Significant and I have Nokia phones (me the 920 and him the 1520)... I LOVE THE CAMERA. It is definitely the best camera phone on the market. They are amazing. That being said, he's keeping his phone, but I'm going to be moving to a Galaxy phone when the new ones come out (Note IV or S6). I'm going to miss the ease of the camera greatly... but I'm doing this so I can utilize more apps... and most importantly the MDE app that isn't available on WPs. It'll be a good balance since he has the better camera phone and I take care of all reservations any way. The video quality is "fine" on them.... but because the picture quality is so great is why I'm focusing on finding a camera that is great at video. I like the idea of being able to take pictures while in video mode so I can just hand it off to strangers and be like "hit this button a couple of times" and call it good and not miss any funny video moments that may happen.

 

[Disco]

I think I can handle a little less video quality for a couple hundred dollars... I'll have to keep those in mind.

Both my Significant and I have Nokia phones (me the 920 and him the 1520)... I LOVE THE CAMERA. It is definitely the best camera phone on the market. They are amazing. That being said, he's keeping his phone, but I'm going to be moving to a Galaxy phone when the new ones come out (Note IV or S6). I'm going to miss the ease of the camera greatly... but I'm doing this so I can utilize more apps... and most importantly the MDE app that isn't available on WPs. It'll be a good balance since he has the better camera phone and I take care of all reservations any way. The video quality is "fine" on them.... but because the picture quality is so great is why I'm focusing on finding a camera that is great at video. I like the idea of being able to take pictures while in video mode so I can just hand it off to strangers and be like "hit this button a couple of times" and call it good and not miss any funny video moments that may happen.

Not everyone can live with a WP. Android's cameras are getting better every year though. My Nexus takes pretty good pictures. I'm just PO'd with Samsung right now so I recommend other brands till my grudge is over.
I love the idea of handing the device off while recording! It's always comical when you ask someone to take a shot with a device they don't know how to use. All the nose hair shots will be hilarious as well.
I'm totally stealing your idea now!