Advice on buying a economy Camcorder (novice on specs etc.)

Amazon ^ | Thu, 03/08/18 | daniel1212

[Elsie]

I would want a zoom feature.

Digital or analog?

The later takes expensive lens to accomplish.
The former is standard on about everything.

[Elsie]

My first one was a toy that recorded black&white on a audio tape cassette!

[Elsie]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PXL-2000

[daniel1212]

That one doesn’t do video. I actually bought one of these a few years ago for $20. https://www.amazon.com/Canon-PowerShot-A3100IS-Stabilized-2-7-Inch/dp/B0032JRRWU I used it as a dashcam for a while. The video is only 640 x 480, but it’s quite viewable. I also have a Canon SX130 is https://www.amazon.com/Canon-PowerShot-SX130IS-Stabilized-3-0-Inch/dp/B003ZSHNG8 It has 720P video, which displays on HDTV just fine. I only paid $100 for it a few years ago. You can probably get them a lot cheaper now. The Canon quality is excellent. It would be a good starter video camera. You might decide it’s all you need.

Thanks, but why do people then buy camcorders?

[daniel1212]

If you’re just wanting to catch memories, than even basic cameras can do a pretty good job these days. If you want pro-quality, expect to pay at least $1200, even if it’s pro-quality for personal use.

Well, I am not looking for pro-quality then! But thanks for the advice.

[daniel1212]

Last thing: don't buy until you know the terminology.

Yes, that is why i am here.

[daniel1212]

OK. The LINNSE $65.99 has Zoom：18X digital zoom and 1080P 24.0MP Vlogging Camera Night Vision. Movie Resolution： File format: AVIFHD 1080, HD720P，VGA（640×480） Also says Exposure：–3.0EV～+3.0EV, whatever that means. Als the SUNLEA has zoom:

Camcorder Video Camera Full HD 1080p Camcorders 24.0 MP Digital Camera Webcam Pause Function 16X Digital Zoom $53.99. Video Resolution: 1920x1080 FHD @15fps, 1280x720 HD, 640x480. 60 to 90 minutes normally when it’s fully charged

Which is best?

[daniel1212]

What is your ultimate goal? To shoot video to watch, unedited, on your home TV or to make YouTube or presentation videos for groups?

The latter. Thanks for your interest.

[daniel1212]

shock proof and water proof... and can be mounted even on your head! true it a bit costly, but again, its worth it if you take a lot of vids like I do... Boracay Philippines Jan 2018 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xelWeDBqTT8

Amazing. Maybe Putin uses this to direct his hypersonic glide missile and take pics along the way.

[Vermont Lt]

Thanks, but why do people then buy camcorders?

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The answer is, they don’t. Most people are now shooting video on their new generation cell phones.

Did you realize that a lot of movie quality video is done with SLR Cameras? The cinematic quality of the new breed of SLRs far exceeds what you can get with even a high end video camera.

There is definitely a merger of the three techs—where you would have your cell phone, a video camera, and a digital still camera—now you just need one.

Go to a best buy or similar type big box retail store and look at what is available. And THINK about what you are planning to shoot—and how you are going to watch it.

I was a professional sports photographer for years. I always thought photos on the wall were better than video—because it did not force you to sit and watch it. You could always look up and recall that memory. But to each his own.

Keep an open mind and try a few different things before settling on a particular type of equipment.

[E. Pluribus Unum]

Because they are unaware that point-and-shoot cameras these days do video too.

You could also ask why anybody buys cameras at all considering most cell phones these days take excellent videos.

A while back I bough a couple of older Motorola Moto e cell phones for $15 on eBay and used them as WiFi security cameras.

https://www.cnet.com/how-to/turn-your-old-phone-into-a-home-security-camera/

[daniel1212]

The first camcorder I bought forty years ago cost $900, shot 480x480 resolution and had to have it’s white balance adjusted every time you turned it on - then there was another $900 for the unit which actually held the VHS recorder, which you had to carry around with you on a strap thrown over your shoulder and had a 1 hour battery life - at an average of about $55 per each, your possibilities all sound good to me....

Wow. I forget that I actually have an old Sony CCDTRV318 Hi8 Camcorder with 2.5" LCD video Hi8, 1/6-inch CCD with 320,000 gross pixels 20X optical zoom 560x digital zoom f1.6-f2.4 Focal distance: 2.5-50mm, someone gave me, with no adapter or anything, so I do not know if it even works.

I wonder how this compares with my candidates? The charger and vid cable would be about 20.00, plus Sony Hi8 HMP & Metal P Camcorder 8mm New Blank Cassette Tape 120 Min - Lot of 2 for 19.95. However, I do not even know if it works or if the battery would charge after so long. Don't want to spend money if it may not work.

[daniel1212]

The old adage is STILL true: Ya get what ya pay for.

Don't you have a video on that?

[PAR35]

The reason for my comment is that one set of specs said ‘no zoom’.

[AppyPappy]

“See I knew there were some FReepers who knew this stuff! Thanks. “

Yeah but someone will come along shortly and call him an idiot who knows absolutely nothing about the subject.

[dangerdoc]

I watch some 4k nearly every day now, YouTube and Netflix. I live in the mountains and do not know of this broadcasting you speak about.

Sort of joking, haven’t been able to see broadcast TV for over 3 years now. There are several YouTube channels I like that are 4k and are noticeably better than 1080. The average person will never broadcast their video over the air but I have several friends that put video up on YouTube and 4k is getting relatively common there.

But, however and otherwise, I think 1080 is fine for personal use and is much less resource intensive. I have an inexpensive phone that shoots 4k but I always use 1080p, I don’t think I will regret it even 10 years down the road.

[smokingfrog]

The sunlea has lower resolution and lower frame rates.
Faster frame rates give you smoother video, especially for something like sports.

[smokingfrog]

If you’re only doing YouTube video from a fixed location you might be better off with a good quality webcam.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/832460-REG/Logitech_960_000764_C920.html

Ask the folks at B&H what they might recommend.

[daniel1212]

If you’re only doing YouTube video from a fixed location you might be better off with a good quality webcam. https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/832460-REG/Logitech_960_000764_C920.html Ask the folks at B&H what they might recommend.

OK, but I do need a portable camera.

[daniel1212]

The sunlea has lower resolution and lower frame rates. Faster frame rates give you smoother video, especially for something like sports.

I see. though the recording time at 1080p30 is 1.5 hours, 4K 25/1080p60 is 50 mins. I need to find out if this records via an external power source, or only on batteries.