[OT]What video camera do you recommend?

[Petter_F]

Hi all,

I am a first time buyer of a video camera and with a little bun baking in the oven (not mine, I'm a bloke) my in-laws want us to get film happening as soon as it happens.

However, the real needs of the camera are going to be for the various sporting activites we get into. The most important is Skiing and windsurfing.

1. Skiing. What type of camera is well suited for having with when on the slopes for the day. I suppose it is a size to picture quality thing here. I always have a backpack, but being able to have it in a pocket for a run would be an advantage I guess. Don't know if that's possible though.

2. Windsurfing. Size doesn't really factor in here as it'll be stored in the car but being water resistant/proof wouldn't hurt. Being able to go out in waist deep water or rain would be an advantage. Long quality zoom is an advantage, as long as the digital zoom part of it isn't too crap.

3. Price. Unfortunately, this is more important than I'd like it to be. Realistically, I'm looking at the low-mid range market.

Any pointers are much appreciated.

[carver_hk]

I m a big fans of Olympus. How about this one?: http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/specs/O ... gh8010.asp
Olympus mju Tough 8010
highlight:
Waterproof up to 10m, shockproof against a drop of up to 2m and freezeproof down to minus 10 degrees.
lens 28-140 zoom (very marginal, u have to shoot by standing in middle of the intended run to 2x the range)
movie clip: Yes, 1280 x 720, 640 x 480, 320 x 240 (need to check whether its continuous limited by memory only, I m not sure as my lower version got limit)
price: http://www.crowdstorm.co.uk/olympus_tou ... B00318CUM4

[MonsterMan]

http://pmts.org/pmtsforum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=1524&st=0&sk=t&sd=d&hilit=video+camera&start=15

This old thread had some suggestions about features.

[Skizoo]

For skiing I bought a Canon Vixia HFS 100 this year, it records in full HD and the quality is amazing.. size wise, it fits into my pocket, but might be a bit of a tight fit if you haver really small pockets.. but if you have a backpack should be no problem.. I paid about $850 but they are probably less now.. there are less expensive options but I've been thrilled with the quality..

If you aren't interested in HD recording there are a lot less expensive options

Dave

[Petter_F]

Thanks for the pointers, it certainly gets me looking in a direction. There are so many models out there that it's hard to know where to start. I'll pop by a store this weekend and see if what stands out.

[A.L.E]

I'm about to start looking for a camcorder for my next trip. High on the list of priorities will be a view finder not just a LCD display. That Canon Vixia looks like a great camera but doesn't have a view finder.

[Skizoo]

I'm about to start looking for a camcorder for my next trip. High on the list of priorities will be a view finder not just a LCD display. That Canon Vixia looks like a great camera but doesn't have a view finder.

Correct, it seems a lot of the newer HD cameras are going that route, it's a cost savings for sure but a feature that a lot of people want and do miss..

[Petter_F]

That''s the dilemma I found out about yesterday, and am hugely bummed about it. I went to the big appliance stores and noticed that none of them had a view finder. Online it was the semi to professional cameras that had viewfinders. It makes me almost want to go second-hand.

[MonsterMan]

I got sick of looking for a camera with a viewfinder and ended up going for compact size. It's hard work on a cold day, however it's easy to carry every day, just in case you need it. I have been trying to design an external clip-on view finder that you can use with heavy gloves on.

[h.harb]

A very good inexpensive camera with great battery life, quality and durability is the Sony HC48, it maybe a HC52 now upgraded. It has a viewfinder.
We rotate between 6 or 7 cameras, we have tried over the years, JVC, Canon, Panasonic, but you can't beat a Sony.

[Petter_F]

That's reassuring to hear.

A forum member PMed me recommending just the Sony DCR-HC52 which is unfortunately now discontinued. However, I did pick one up on eBay in the UK (in Europe it's called HC51), so it will be arriving in a few days. Yippee.

I know that miniDV tape is 'dead-end' technology (for conusumer cameras), as no new low-end cameras this year has been released with with it. It's now mostly hard disk, flash memory or dvd. But reading reviews, the price, and tips from you guys here, the choice was pretty easy.

So next year I'll be able to 'get some video'.