What Video Camera Should I Use? – WVU #94

Posted by Dave on Jul 30, 2010 | 24 comments

It’s the most frequent question I receive; what video camera should I use? And I answer it in this video.

24 Comments

Mike

You got me more confused..
I’m just starting out in the world of video production but consider myself a fast learner.
I develop websites (ecommerce mainly) but I’m selling so many Social Media packages these days that I just have to start offering video production as part of the package.

Based on previous advice from your site here. I was about to take the plunge and and go get the T2i. Now I’m thinkin that the Vixia might be a better place to start?? What are your thoughts. I download Sony Vegas last week.. Wow, serious learning curve there…

As soon as I get the camera, I’ll be signing up for all your classes. Help me..quick. I need to get going on this!

This site, your tips, your videos are all top notch. Great job. I’m looking forward to signing up.

-Mike

Reply
- Dave
  
  @Mike – Unfortunately, I can’t tell you what camera is best for you…I can only point out the pros and cons of each…the only way to find what equipment works best for you is to shoot video, determine what you like and hate and adjust/update your equipment accordingly. But ultimately, if you have no experience with video, the equipment doesn’t matter…experience does.
  
  Reply
Paul

Mike,

Don’t rush to get the camera – get his course first.

That’s what I did and it was a helpful in making my own choice.

Beleve it or not, one of the biggest “necessities” in a camera is a microphone input jack. Without that you’d do crappy audio.

You won’t go wrong with whatever you pick – your skills are what will be noticed, not the camera.

Good luck!

- Paul

Reply
Jener

Great work as always.

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Pete

LOL – If I had a dollar for every time I’ve been asked that question

Spot on advice Dave, but if a camcorder doesn’t have a mic input jack, then it’s a deal breaker for me.

Pete

Reply
Mike LeMoine

I agree with above. Get the course. I went from not knowing a thing about video to now running a web video production company. Dave’s course has been very helpful. Plus once you get the course Dave goes into a lot more detail. This will avoid you kicking yourself later about a camera purchase.

We started out with a vixia HV30 and still use it as a second camera on every shoot. We have made alot of money with just that one camera.

Reply
Gerry Oginski

Excellent video Dave. Love the depth of your review and the reasons for each.

Gerry

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Axl Midas

Great stuff again Dave. I get lots of emails in my inbox (as I’m sure a lot of people do), but the first one I ALWAYS click on first is the Web Video Tip Of The Week!

You have a great way of explaining things Dave.

Thank you, Axl

Reply
Patrick Cohn

Another great video Dave. Love the questions at the end.

Patrick Cohn

Reply
Gadabout

Dave:

Is there a camera that equals the quality the Canon T2I
produces for under $2K ?

I have the Canon HV20, a Sony HDR-FX1, A Panasonic
tiny 3-chip sd card model and the Kodak ZI8 ……..

Comparing the footage of those cameras with the Canon
T2I is another realm. The T2I is vibrant, spectacular ….
yea … you wouldn’t record a seminar with it .. my other
cameras footage is lame compared to it …..

There has GOT to be a vid camera (or maybe not)
that equals the amazing vibrancy produced with this
baby.

Again … thanks Dave ….
Your reviews and tidbits are pure poetry to my
bank account.

Reply
- Dave
  
  @Gadabout – If you want to achieve depth of field (like DSLR cameras)…with a regular video camera…you have to use a 35mm lens adaptor (but it doesn’t mean you’ll get the same quality…you just get depth of field):
  
  http://www.letusdirect.com/
  
  Reply
Gideon Shalwick

Hey Dave

Have you seen this latest camera from JVC?

http://www.jvcpro.com.au/JVCPRO_2008/client/ProductCatalogue/c_catalogueItem.jsp?pID=27&catID=77&prodID=526

Seems to record on SD cards continuously for longer than 12 minutes – apparently 6hrs of continuous recording.

And it records in MOV format too.

Looks like DA BOMB.

What do you think?

Gideon Shalwick

Reply
- Dave
  
  @Gideon – That camera came out about a year ago:
  
  http://webvideouniversity.com/blog/2009/01/12/jvc-introduces-new-cameras-that-record-in-final-cut-ready-formats/
  
  It hasn’t become very popular though, why I couldn’t say. Probably because JVC doesn’t have a big following in the camera world. It does record to SDHC memory cards though, which means it has the same limitations as any other camera using SDHC memory cards: 4GB maximum single file size. Recording at 35mbps, that’s probably around 20 minutes continuos. The 6 hour number is likely how much total video a card can hold, based on the storage capacity of the card.
  
  Reply
Howard "OutSourcerer" Tiano

Hey Dave,

Excellent info as usual!

You mentioned for streaming video use a tape based camcorder. I have a Panasonic GS200 and if the tape is not rolling, it thinks it’s not in use and shuts down after a couple of “idle” minutes. Any way to defeat that?

I’ve tried all the usual searches online and in the manual, but can’t find any way to disable that function, aside from rolling tape. If my stream is linger than 60 min., I’m in trouble.

Thanks,
Howard

Reply
- Dave
  
  @Howard – There’s pretty much nothing you can do. Some cameras won’t work with streaming without the tape rolling and there’s no way around it that I know of.
  
  Reply
Jim

Great advice Dave!

If Only I’d have had your course info to shorten my learning curve at the beginning!
I spent HOURS researching cameras!
Good Reliable information was/is hard to find [except for You, that is!]
This video stuff isn’t as ‘easy’ as many would want to believe.
Though it isn’t Rocket Science Few ‘truly’ appreciate all that’s involved Especially with editing/processing!

I’m Glad to count You as a Reliable Resource!

Thanks Dave

Jim

Reply
Rainer

Terrific tip this week, Dave.

I’m glad we agree on the Kodak Zi8 and the Canon HD model. I have both

Thanks again.

Rainer

Reply
John - Spa Marketing Guy!

Thanks Dave…

I like your weekly updates… find them very helpful! I was going to get the Zi8 but based on your pros & cons I’m going with a middle of the road Canon Vixia HD.

Just purchased online… should have it in about a week.

Thanks again for your tips…

John

Reply
David

Hey Dave

First, thanks for answering everyone’s questions. It’s much appreciated.

I recently recording my daughter’s play using the Flip Mino HD. The bright spot lights were used on the actors in the center of stage the entire play. Didn’t think that would be a problem until I got home and saw “ghosts” instead of people!! Nothing but solid white outlines of people. I had no idea that bright intense lights would affect this camera. I just thought low light was an issue.

If I want to upgrade to a more professional video camcorder in the $600 or less range, is there a Vixia model that you could recommend that would film this type of event? If I can find a camcorder that I can trust to produce quality when recording these type of events, I could make some cash doing it.

Any suggestions or tips would be appreciated.

Thanks,
David

Reply
- Dave
  
  @David – Any Vixia model is good…you just need to find one in your price range:
  
  http://www.usa.canon.com/cusa/consumer/products/camcorders/consumer_camcorders
  
  Reply
  - David
    
    Thanks for the reply Dave. Love the Web Video newsletter!
    
    Reply
Seph

Hey Dave!

Just a quick question about SDHC cards. If you have a dual slot camera (like some of the vixias), will the camera automatically switch between the cards giving you continuous footage of a shot over 12 minutes?

Thanks!

Seph

Reply
- Dave
  
  @Seph – It should, but you’ll likely lose a few seconds of footage during the switch.
  
  Reply
Simon - Video Online Made Easy

Great advice as ever.

Reply

What Video Camera Should I Use? – WVU #94

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