Video Camera Suggestions

[disneyworld1023]

I'm looking for suggestions for a not-too-expensive yet well-rated video camera for myself. I'm going to use it mainly for taking videos during vacations. I would appreciate if it would be smallish, not too large or bulky, so that I can carry it with me without it taking up too much space in my bag. The most I would be willing to spend on one is $250-300.
Thank you in advance!

 

[disneyworld1023]

Reposted on Community Board, can one of the moderators please delete? Thank you!

 

[Skywise]

I'd suggest a Canon T5i DSLR with the 18-55 STM lens. It's a DSLR first and a little more expensive than your basic video camera but you get much better image quality and versatility than with your typical video camera.

 

[photo_chick]

I have been on this search myself lately.

What do you want the camera to do for you? What do you plan to do with the video (edit it for TV viewing, just share on social media....) What kind of features do you want? Do you want to be able to shoot god quality stills with the camera as well?

 

[disneyworld1023]

I have been on this search myself lately. What do you want the camera to do for you? What do you plan to do with the video (edit it for TV viewing, just share on social media....) What kind of features do you want? Do you want to be able to shoot god quality stills with the camera as well?

I'm not looking for anything fancy, just something that will take decent videos. I'm hoping to put them onto DVDs so I can watch them on the TV.

 

[disneyworld1023]

I'd suggest a Canon T5i DSLR with the 18-55 STM lens. It's a DSLR first and a little more expensive than your basic video camera but you get much better image quality and versatility than with your typical video camera.

Thank you, I'll look into it!

 

[Pic Stitch]

How about a small Point and shoot camera? All the top name brand makers have them [like Canon, Sony, Nikon, etc]. They should all be within your price range, all with decent video quality [HD range of 720 to 1080] and they are much smaller than a DSLR [and pocketable]. I have several DSLRs and always wind up carrying a P&S [especially around WDW and on vacay], for quick pics and especailly video!

Good luck and KUNGALOOSH!!!

B-

 

[photo_chick]

My son's cheap point and shoot is actually a better functional video camera than my 6D. DSLR's are great for cinema style shooting but they still aren't there yet for home video. They do OK but I've used several point and shoots that do better.

The best digital camera that functions as a video camera I've used recently is my husband's Samsung Galaxy S4. I was totally shocked by the video quality. The still image quality is really nice as well (I've got serious phone envy now LOL). The downside is that as a smartphone the camera/video camera functions aren't very feature rich and it has no optical zoom.

OP I'd look at Panasonic, Canon, Sony and JVC if you want a dedicated camcorder and don't have a specific set of parameters. Go to the store and play with them. They all have some solid models in your price range. If you want a digital camera that doubles as a video camera then take JVC off that list.

 

[SkaGoat]

My son's cheap point and shoot is actually a better functional video camera than my 6D. DSLR's are great for cinema style shooting but they still aren't there yet for home video.

T5i is leaps and bounds better at video than the 6D. Mostly because of it's hybrid sensor and touch screen.

But a pocket P&S is probably still better for everyday family use as a video camera.

 

[photo_chick]

T5i is leaps and bounds better at video than the 6D. Mostly because of it's hybrid sensor and touch screen.

But a pocket P&S is probably still better for everyday family use as a video camera.

Have you actually used both? Side by side? How did you feel the T5i was better? Or are you just going off of reviews? I'm interested if there was something I missed.

My experience with the T5i in terms of video was not that impressive. I was all set to get it as a small camera option in my bag but the only practical advantage it had for me over my 6D in terms of video was the ability to auto focus while shooting. All the same issues that keep DLSR's just a little short of a dedicated video camera are still there. And the T5i can't touch the 6D's image quality for video.

 

[SkaGoat]

Have you actually used both? Side by side? How did you feel the T5i was better? Or are you just going off of reviews? I'm interested if there was something I missed.

My experience with the T5i in terms of video was not that impressive. I was all set to get it as a small camera option in my bag but the only practical advantage it had for me over my 6D in terms of video was the ability to auto focus while shooting. All the same issues that keep DLSR's just a little short of a dedicated video camera are still there. And the T5i can't touch the 6D's image quality for video.

AF is my biggest gripe when it comes to using my DSLR for video. I borrowed a buddies for an event, and I found being able to just touch the screen to tell it to focus on people's faces, or objects. or even using the facial recog. mode was much better than my 7D.

And she said she's crunching them down to use with DVD, image quality difference isn't going to be noticed.

 

[Skywise]

What I do with my 6D (and my T4i before that) is focus on a distant point using the eyepiece before starting to video and then maintain that focus. That works for me about 80% of the time as I'm doing scenery video.

Zooming in close on something clobbers it though and using the screen to manually focus doesn't always get me back to a sharper picture.

I would presume the T5i would handle that better.

But oh the video I get when in focus! I got some fantastic video of Wishes. The only curious part is that I occasionally got some of the fireworks shots as if they were out of focus. The ones that fire directly above the castle. The castle was in focus and the distant fireworks were in focus but there were a couple of fireworks above the castle that looked fuzzy - Couldn't figure out if that was a quirk with lighting or if I actually did something wrong...

 

[photo_chick]

AF is my biggest gripe when it comes to using my DSLR for video. I borrowed a buddies for an event, and I found being able to just touch the screen to tell it to focus on people's faces, or objects. or even using the facial recog. mode was much better than my 7D.

And she said she's crunching them down to use with DVD, image quality difference isn't going to be noticed.

Actually a less noisy video makes a heck of a difference when viewed on an HDTV. Especially if it's low light, like a kids performance at school or something. But I think any DSLR is probably overkill for what the OP wants anyway.

 

[disneyworld1023]

Thank you all for your responses, I'll look into all of them!