Video Camera Suggestions?

[meljensmom]

Hello everyone,
My mother and I are taking my girls to DL over Christmas and I'd rather not lug around my pricey camera. I would like to purchase a handheld video camera but I really don't know much about them or what to look for.

I'd sure like to get suggestions and honest opinions about them. I do know that I'd like to it to have the option of having a memory card in addition to the internal memory.

Thanks in advance for your help and suggestions,

 

[RebelRebecca]

Hello everyone,
My mother and I are taking my girls to DL over Christmas and I'd rather not lug around my pricey camera. I would like to purchase a handheld video camera but I really don't know much about them or what to look for.

I'd sure like to get suggestions and honest opinions about them. I do know that I'd like to it to have the option of having a memory card in addition to the internal memory.

Thanks in advance for your help and suggestions,

I just picked up a GoPro3+ Black and I love it. I've been playing with it. I like that I can take photos and video and I can transmit them to an app on my phone so I can immediately share with family and friends.

I am struggling with what I will take in the park. I really want to get some amazing shots but I'm not sure I want to drag my DSLR around. DECISIONS!

 

[meljensmom]

I just picked up a GoPro3+ Black and I love it. I've been playing with it. I like that I can take photos and video and I can transmit them to an app on my phone so I can immediately share with family and friends.

I am struggling with what I will take in the park. I really want to get some amazing shots but I'm not sure I want to drag my DSLR around. DECISIONS!

Is is easy to hold onto the GoPro3+ ? I notice it has the attachment that is used to mount it on things....I guess you could take it off and it would be a little more manageable?

I see that Walmart has the GoPro HERO3+ Silver Edition Action Camcorder for $299.99 is that a good price?

Thanks for the info!

 

[SGDisneyFam]

Go pros are amazing little cameras.

 

[RebelRebecca]

I got a couple attachments for mine.

- LCD Touch bacpak that lets me see what I'm videoing.
- Grenade Grip which is a handle that attaches so I don't have to hold the tiny camera by hand.
- Suction cup mount system so I can attach it to my dash when we are taking our road trips.

I love the camera. I think that's a pretty good price. The 4 has come out so the 3s should be cheaper now. I paid 80 for mine but I had a bunch of gift cards for Amazon from doing Swagbucks.

 

[pelagoram]

GoPro's are great (I own two of them myself), but they're definitely an enthusiast type camera, more suited for a pretty specific purpose (sports, fast action, unique angles), and less for the versatile general point and shoot stills / video needs of the average vacation user.

If you're looking for an easy-to-use, small form factor camera, with flash, zoom, etc. I'd recommend a less expensive, general purpose camera, something in the vein of the Canon PowerShot ELPH 340HS or the Samsung WB250F - both available for under $200. The Sony DSC-WX80 is a fun little entry-level camera as well.

Just my $.02. . .

 

[meljensmom]

GoPro's are great (I own two of them myself), but they're definitely an enthusiast type camera, more suited for a pretty specific purpose (sports, fast action, unique angles), and less for the versatile general point and shoot stills / video needs of the average vacation user.

If you're looking for an easy-to-use, small form factor camera, with flash, zoom, etc. I'd recommend a less expensive, general purpose camera, something in the vein of the Canon PowerShot ELPH 340HS or the Samsung WB250F - both available for under $200. The Sony DSC-WX80 is a fun little entry-level camera as well.

Just my $.02. . .

I have a small point and shoot that I plan on taking....just was wanting to get a handheld video camera to be able to take videos.

 

[sophia315]

I have a sony handy cam it is a few years old but takes good video and is on the smaller side.

 

[pelagoram]

What model is your point and shoot? Does it shoot video as well? All of the cameras I mentioned above shoot pretty good HD video (for the price), as well as stills.

If you're looking for a good budget option that is strictly a video camera, the Canon Vixia HF R500 is a good bang for the buck.

P

 

[SweetAlex]

What model is your point and shoot? Does it shoot video as well? All of the cameras I mentioned above shoot pretty good HD video (for the price), as well as stills.

If you're looking for a good budget option that is strictly a video camera, the Canon Vixia HF R500 is a good bang for the buck.

P

I agree with pelogoram. Most P&S cameras also have video option which takes great HD video. That way you're not dragging around a camera and a video camera.

With this in mind, we bring our Sony NEX-F3 which is a step up from a P&S. You can do P&S basic if you want or you can control it more manually too. It's smaller than most SLRs and takes great video. I love being able to switch from camera to video instantly.

 

[meljensmom]

What model is your point and shoot? Does it shoot video as well? All of the cameras I mentioned above shoot pretty good HD video (for the price), as well as stills.

If you're looking for a good budget option that is strictly a video camera, the Canon Vixia HF R500 is a good bang for the buck.

P

Thanks for the info....my little point and shoot is a Nikon CoolPix....about 5 years old.

I will look into the Canon you mentioned.

 

[GatorChris]

About 4 years ago I bought a Sony HD HX150 (I think). It has a 160gb hard drive and has a memory card option. Some people like the memory card option because some HD TVs can have you plug them in and you can watch them that way. I went out and bought a BluRay burner for my computer with Corel Video Suite. I take all my home videos and put them on BluRay discs. There's nothing like seeing Disney in HD on your own TV. It's amazing how clear it is.

 

[Butterfly123]

We have a Sony Handycam HDR-CX160. It's a great little video camera with 30x optical zoom, 42x extended zoom. It takes stills as well. The picture in low light is really very good.

 

[blackjackdelta]

We have a Sony Handycam HDR-CX160. It's a great little video camera with 30x optical zoom, 42x extended zoom. It takes stills as well. The picture in low light is really very good.

I have the above camera also and it takes excellent pictures and HD movies with the use of the SD card, paid about $450 at Costco, used it on one trip, now I use my phone and will CL this one when I get the time. Good luck finding what works for you.

Jack