Video cameras on holidays

[aussie shaz]

So, I know so many of you are wonderful at taking absolutely gorgeous photos. I see the evidence in every trip report.

Just wondering if anyone takes much video footage while away. I love photos, but am not by any means a photographer. I have a point and shoot camera and, well, I point and shoot!

Hubby just made our photos, and very limited video, from our USA trip into a DVD. We watched it tonight and it was a wonderful memory.

Our kids were 8 and 10 then, and will be 9 and 12 in May when we go back. I loved seeing them and hearing their reactions on the video, but noticed how absolutely terrible it was. Very shaky and not great in darker areas etc.

So, I was thinking of getting a new video camera before we go again, but have no idea what to look for. Our one now is a cheapy little Chinese thing (no wonder the video was crappy). Is a more expensive camera going to have a better built in stabilization (or is it the user, not the camera in this instance?)

Would love any input anyone might have.
Thanks, Sharon

 

[MEK]

I usually only take photos on vacation, but we have a cannon video camera that is very easy to use and takes nice video. I use it to take soccer video. It's several years old, so I don't know the exact model.

For a faster version you could always video from your smart phone.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[alicia1506]

some of the newer cameras have the ability to take great video, but they have limited other capabilities (ie noisy, poor microphone, can't zoom while filming or zoom makes a horrible loud sound etc). unless you are prepared to spend $500 or up for a decent camera with good filming capabilities, i highly recommend that you get a video camera.

a good video camera should be relatively inexpensive and quite compact, with a good battery life. i highly recommend doing your research. make a list of the features you want, and then google things like 'best travel video camera 2012/2013' etc and you will then be able to spend time reviewing the video camera reviews to find one you like the look of. then go into your local electronics store, ask to see the model, and give it a bit of a demo.

if you don't like the look/feel of it, if it feels too heavy or bulky or cheap or fiddly, don't buy it. something that is not suiting you awesomely now will irritate the hell out of you on a trip

once you've found the best one for you, or even just the best one you can afford right now (unfortunately budget doesn't always allow for the best in my household), shop around online until you find one for a great deal, or see if the retail location will price match etc.

in terms of taking video that isn't shaky/blurry, a lot of cameras and video cameras now come with in built image stabilisation, however often just balancing the camera with 2 hands or resting it on a guard rail or railing or wall or bracing the hand that's holding it against a wall etc can help with the 'shaking' of the image. if you like to do the whole 'walking and shooting' kind of video, a handheld tripod may help to keep the camera a little more steady, and there are some other tricks that you can google online (google is your friend) to keep images less blurry.

and just practice around the house/with the kids/film everything you can for a while until it becomes second nature and you get good at it..

this is what i'm doing right now as i want to create a great video of our upcoming trip

 

[WanderlustNZ]

I have two cameras that both take great video (HD) as well as great photographs.

The first one is a Panasonic FZ100. (I think they're up to a 200 now). It's about the 4th FZ camera I've owned - I just keep upgrading because I love them so much. The lense is leica (a really good quality lense for a mainstream camera) and the zoom is great (which IMO is a must have for taking great photos). The best thing for me is that they're pretty much as close to an SLR as a digital camera gets, while still being that bit easier to use.

The other camera I own is a Sony TX10. (I think they're up to a 20). I got this one because I wanted both a waterproof camera and one that was small for carrying around in my purse. I love that I can take video and photos while I'm both in and under water. The video I took while snorkeling came out quite a bit better than the photos. It also takes great pics in artificial lighting. The problem with it is that it doesn't have much zoom and I do love my zoom.

Not sure if this helps at all, but have fun with your decision. I love camera shopping.

 

[ColinA]

I use a camera for photos and video camera for video. They will double up but not the same.

I have had a Canon video camera for last 6 years. This year did some research and read plenty of reviews and bought the Sony HDR-PJ260V. I would think the HDR-PJ200 as a cheaper model but still has the 1080 HD would be as good.

The reason I wanted to upgrade was to get the 1080 HD record and have memory card record instead of the DV tapes.

The new camera has a good range on the wide angle lens. Has inbuilt memory or you can fit an SD card in the slot for more memory.

We had friends who joined us this year at WDW and he is into video mixing and editing and was impressed with the specs of mine so he bought one as well. Have downloaded to computer and then played back with HDMI to the TV and the result is good.

It can be a tedious job doing shows like Wishes or Illuminations so I use a monopod with an extension to get above the heads and stop the arm going numb!

 

[aussie shaz]

Thanks everyone! Some great tips.

I just bought a new point and shoot camera a few months ago, which takes brilliant photos (for what I need). Haven't tried the video on it, but should do before I think more on a video camera.

Alicia, love your tips about just practicing. I guess seeing we hardly ever video anything, we really don't have a feel for the camera. If/when I do get a new video camera, I will definately take it out and use it in different situations. I think we'll do a lot of video while walking (ie, Wow kids, what do you think of this, or this in Disneyland). Will make sure the new camera has good stabilization, and have lots of practice. And what is a handheld tripod?

Colin, I was actually looking at the Sony PJ200 reviews last night. I do like the look of it and it's on sale at Teds at the moment. I might go in tomorrow and try it out. Does yours have the projector, and if so, what's it like?

Thanks again.

 

[Sugarglider]

I too am only a point and shoot person and use a Sony HSC 9XV (which now is at 30V)
My experience has been that although I can shoot in HD and it looks great on my laptop, it is tedious (and sometimes not possible) in uploading to you tube. Very slow and I have to downgrade the quality.
I recommend buying from the USA / online - still much cheaper than you will pay in australia. In Dec I bought that Sony 30V model for $250 cheaper than Australian prices at the Sony shop at Mall at Millenia. A couple of years ago i bought my first Sony online from Beach Cameras for $300 savings.

 

[ColinA]

Thanks everyone! Some great tips.


Colin, I was actually looking at the Sony PJ200 reviews last night. I do like the look of it and it's on sale at Teds at the moment. I might go in tomorrow and try it out. Does yours have the projector, and if so, what's it like?

Thanks again.

Mine has the projector, only a selling gimmick, a feature you would not use.

Both models are supplied with a mini HDMI cable for the camera end and the other end the larger type and will connect direct to TV for sound and picture and playback from the LCD screen or remote control.

The main differences are the PJ200 only has 2 channel sound and weight is 210gm compared to 320gm for the PJ260.

There are other advantages with the PJ260 if using as a camera but this will not apply for video use.

I heard Teds and other places were doing specials, depends on the stock!

 

[Tara2004]

I would only buy Canon, Sony or Panasonic. Forgot the rest. I have done plenty of research and am in a few video groups. Making videos is my hobby and I have a Canon high end video camera and also use Go Pro Cameras.

Yes also using 2 hands on the camera is much better then 1. The lighter the camera the more it is prone to be shaky. I like em a bit heavier so it is more stable.

Sony have a great LOW LIGHT capabilities. Dont skimp on a good camera cause getting good steady footage of your kids when they are young can not be replaced, ever. I made the mistake of getting JVC HD camera a few years back for our Disney World Trip. It had a built in Image Stabiliser and it was terrible. Just about ruined my whole videos series I made of WDW. I now have the Canon and it has a REAL Image Stabiliser which works awesome. I can walk and zoom in fully with no tripod and its steady to about 95%

Anything over 64GB of external memory I would recommend with the option to add a memory card for more storage.

MAKE SURE YOU FIND ONE THAT DOES GOOD LOW LIGHT ! VERY IMPORTANT

my 2 cents

Regards Steve

 

[KiwiMouseGirl]

Ooh Steve, you might be just the person to answer my question. I am looking at getting a camera with the primary use of vlogging at Disneyland. I have been looking at the Sony bloggie touch and the Kodak playsport and am probably choosing between these two (though I may very well end up buying both, they are pretty cheap) have you used either of these and could recommend one over the other? Or could you recommend a different pocket camera better to these?

Cheers, Cass

 

[Tara2004]

Hi Cass, not sure on those cams, but for vlogging I think anything that can record is fine. Sorry I cant be more help to you on that on.

 

[aussie shaz]

Sorry it's taken so long for me to reply. After taking everyone's ideas into consideration, playing around with our cheapie video camera, trying the video on our normal cameras, and looking into different priced videos cameras, I have decided to just use the cheapie we already have.

I got hubby to have a look at it. He changed a couple of the settings, and voila, it takes a much better quality video!

Seeing we only use it on holidays, and not even much then, I decided not to spend money on a new one, and keep it for shopping in the US instead