8.1 Van
Millstone NJ
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chinrv wrote:We replaced an old Sony 8 camcorder (non-digital) with a new Canon FS20 that uses SD and SDHC cards instead of tape. Really do miss the old unit. It now seems that almost every new unit ( I know, there must be a few exceptions out there, but not in the same price range) uses the little LCD screen instead of the old stick-your-eye-against-the-rubber-cup type viewfinder. Out in bright sun it's almost impossible to see what's on the screen and it's much harder to hold the camcorder steady (because it is so light) without the support of keeping it against your head. Yes, it's great to just pop out the card and stick it in the computer to view the video, but I also miss just fast forwarding or rewinding, and watching what's going by, to look at the exact scene I want. Ahhhh, progress.
Fujifilm FinePix HS10
FinePix HS10 specs
PMA 2010
2002 Chevy Express LS 3500 8.1 155" WB passenger van 3.73 posi (GT4/G80)
2003 Thor Citation 41-ZBSR 41ft TT
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Broccoli1
Los Angeles
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Joined: 02/28/2007
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Sample Video- not mine
and a still camera
06 F250 V10 SB 4x4 Gulp Gulp
WW FSC2800
Rhino 660- 1980 Cobalt 18DV
CRF 50 & CRF 70
"Shoot, I'm the world's best backwards driver!"
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Gdetrailer
PA
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Joined: 01/05/2007
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Generally from my experience with using still cameras as camcorders, very poor substitute. Don't get me wrong, they often work but I found that they tend to drop frames and the sound is very poor due to extremely bad placement (not to mention MONO sound.
As I researched buying a HD camcorder the exact same complaints surfaced about using camcorders as digital still cameras.
Even though that video looks OK on the net, chances are putting on a very large HD TV will be much less than stellar results.
If you want the best results with stills, buy a still camera. If you want best results with Video, buy a Video camera.
Buy a "combo" and quality and or features will suffer.
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8.1 Van
Millstone NJ
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Pentax K-7 HD video
the making of video
BTW my Pentax K-7 videos look great on all of my 1080p HDTVs (32",37",42" & 47").
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1492
No. Virginia
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Joined: 04/08/2005
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Broccoli1, you picked my favorite "video" camera for under $900. Or more accurately, a Digital SLR with phenomenal HD Video capabilities! Best of both worlds! The Canon EOS Rebel T2i(550D) is a remarkable camera. A successor to the Rebel T1i, which could shoot 1080HD video but only at 20fps, something that had virtually every videographer including myself, scratching their heads trying to figure out why Canon chose a frame rate that didn't correspond to any standard. But then again, it was designed primarily as a digital SLR.
Thankfully, Canon got it right this time around! The new Rebel T2i has a larger 18M CMOS imager, and is capable of shooting Full 1080HD at 24P(23.98fps), 25P, 30P(29.97fps) and 60P(59.94fps). It has an amazing range and color rendition in a variety of lighting conditions, including the flexibility of full manual image adjustment capabilities, and video data recording rates typically double that of HD camcorders in its' price range. Plus the Canon T2i can achieve beautiful depth of field(DoF) shots, something most consumer HD Camcorders cannot do as the result of their typically smaller 1/4" Imagers, and without bulky DoF attachments. IMO, no HD Camcorder can touch this camera's video capabilities at 3x plus the price. You can view some sample videos taken with the Canon T2i by clicking the icons below:
 
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One disadvantage of using a digital SLR for video is that they are generally only appropriate for taking short form videos. You have limited recording time due to the camera's higher data rates, combined with limited single file size support(4GB). So if you plan on shooting long form videos, such as events, then a dedicated HD camcorder would likely be a better choice.
However, as someone who owns both Broadcast and Prosumer video cameras(Sony w/Canon lenses), and higher end consumer camcorders(Panasonic), I find myself using digital still cameras with HD video capabilities for shooting my own videos most of the time. For one, the HD quality of these cameras has increased significantly, with typically better lenses and more image adjustment options than HD camcorders in the same price range. Second, I don't have to carry a separate digital still camera and video camcorder. Plus another advantage I've noticed is that people tend to be less intimidated and more relaxed when being shot using a still camera, versus a camcorder. In fact, a filmmaker at the Sundance Film Festival last year used a digital SLR for his documentary, as he felt the craftsmen he shot were more relaxed and spontaneous than if using an HD video camera. IMO, I believe this new Canon T2i will be very popular with independent filmmakers, as it gives them a feature quality HD camera at a consumer camcorder price.
One funny "side effect" of using a digital still camera for video is that sometimes people will freeze or pose when you video them, as I think they assume you're taking a still photo. I had this happen with my co-workers at Sundance who thought I was taking a photo of them, when I in fact shooting video.
In any case, using a digital still camera for HD video may be an viable alternative to a traditional camcorder. There are also many less expensive pocket digital still cameras that can shoot high quality HD Video. You may want to also take a look at the new Sony Cyber-shot® HX5V/B. It has both 1080/60i and 720P HD Video capabilities in a pocket camera for $349.
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Pirate
East Of The Mississippi
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Joined: 05/20/2002
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I am thinking about buying this Canon camera. What are you opinions of this? Thanks.
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