The Best Video Cameras of 2011
The most common question I get asked, bar none, is what video camera to use. So here’s a list of the top video camera’s for 2011.
Actually, best is a subjective thing, so I’ll call this the top video camera recommendations for 2011.
Below are links to each camera mentioned…these are not affiliate links, but links directly to the camera maker’s web site:
Point and Shoot – Apple iPhone 4S
Traditional Video Camera – Any Canon Vixia
Micro Four Thirds Camera – Any Sony NEX
DSLR Camera – Canon 60D
Pro or Prosumer Camera – Canon XF 100, JVC HM 150, Panasonic HMC 150
* As with any video camera, if you want to see footage from a particular camera, compare footage between cameras, etc., the best thing to do is go to Vimeo and search for the camera(s).
Share This
Another Great Video Dave!
Two quick questions:
1) What program did you use to create the slide show?
2) Any plans on creating a How TO Shoot Video with DSLR course in the works?
Many Thanks,
michael
Daves Got, hands-down, the Best ‘How To Produce Screencast Videos’ course for using Powerpoint, Keynote and Screenflow on the market. The course shows you how to produce phenomenal screencasts that look like you had a whole Hollywood team at your beck and call using traditional video production tools.
This course is the ‘Best Bang for your buck’ … and although it is the tiniest investment it will save you a fortune in what you would learn. You can study other courses for a year and never come up with even 10 percent of some of the creative ideas that Dave teaches you as he takes you by the hand and deconstructs his own work…..
BTW: Dave does not pay me to endorse his stuff. I am not an affiliate of Web University. I just love quality learning.
Hay Dave,
First question asked .. last to be amswered
michael
You are right Michael, I’m also waiting for the answer to ur very interesting questions.
And Gadabout, I bought lots of Dave’s first class courses, they are all amazing.
But he doesn’t show this presentation tools of this video here. It’s not PowerPoint. Maybe AfterEffects? I think it’s simpler. We hope Dave reveals the secret.
Just a quick note: Sony NEX is not a micro four-third camera. It’s sensor size is APS-C format just as those in Canon DSLRs. Panasonic and Olympus produces micro four-third cameras like the Olympus E-3 and the Panasonic G and GH series. Even so, Sony NEX cameras are great products.
@Oliver – Correct, the Sony NEX cameras do not use M4T sensors. I stuck them in the M4T category because they are a lot closer to M4T than DSLR…even Sony keeps them separate from their Alpha DSLR’s (though they share the same sensors).
In other words, comparing a NEX to competing M4T cameras from Olympus and Panasonic would confuse people a lot less than comparing one to a DSLR camera.
Great Review..Thanks, based on your suggestion, I’m going to get an iPhone, my first apple product.
Happy New Year!
Regards,
Michelle
Video without great audio is not a great video. I still love my Kodak Zi8.
@Randy – Inexpensive adaptors are available that allow you to use external microphones with an iPhone…just as you would with a Zi8:
http://www.kvconnection.com/product-p/km-iphone-mic.htm
Even better, XLR adaptors are available for pro quality audio:
http://www.kvconnection.com/product-p/km-iphone-micx.htm
All other cameras I mentioned in the list have external microphone inputs built into the camera.
The Zi8 just so happens to be the cam all the internet marketers latched on to, it is not necessarily the best or only device.
I just got my Dad the Tascam for his iPhone:
http://www.tascamcontractor.com/product/im2/overview/
Plus, the Zoom HD is also excellent because it comes with built-in dual condenser mics–as in, it is an all-in-one solution, the way a flipstyle camera should be. Plugging in an external mic to a flipstyle kinda defeats the purpose of the device if you ask me.
Great review from a video standing point. From an audio standing point which of all the suggested video cameras does a better job? Does any of the cameras have a jack for a external lapel pin mic? Is having a lapel pin mic a good thing anyway?
Dave,
Looking forward to your Sony Nex reviews. Great video
as always. Thanks.
Vixia has two main types of image sensor: 1) 1/3-inch HD CMOS Pro sporting 2.37 MPs, and 2) 1/2.6-inch CMOS sporting 8.59 MPs. Frankly, the lower MP sensor looks as though it performs better (I watched a few vidz on Vimeo). Is this because it has fewer, but larger pixels; or is that just a marketing gimmick?
Merry Christmas Dave as well. Hope you had a good one!
The M41 w/ the 1/3-inch 2.37 MPs is bloody amazing in low-light and for only $699.
http://vimeo.com/25259561
And the Vixia M40 with the same sensor can be found on Amazon for as low as $350. WOW!!!! Gobsmacked.
You never cease to amaze me with your great finds Dave.
I’m happy to report that I picked up a Canon Vixia M41 for just $399 at Best Buy as an after Christmas sale item. I’m even more psyched about it now that Dave has rated it tops in the regular video camera category. Can’t wait to start shooting some video with it!
Forgot to tick the notify me of a follow-up comment via email box. Hence this comment.
Hi Dave,
Love you stuff, and I’m very surprised you didn’t even mention the Panasonic GH2 (Micro Four Thirds), which is brilliant, especially with the hack!
Tests by myself and other even better experts demonstrate the video quality is hard to beat, and for us in Europe the hack allows longer than 30 min shooting, in fact I can shoot for 8 hours straight without over-heating or any other problems normally associated with DSLRs.
Plus the manual control of the video options makes it the best sub £1000 ‘video’ camera currently available.
It would be great to hear your views on the GH2.
@Rob – I reviewed the GH2 back in May, here:
http://webvideouniversity.com/podcast/video/2011/05/13/video-review-of-the-panasonic-lumix-gh2/
Change the name of the “Micro 43″ category to “mirrorless”. Would make much more sense.
btw the GH2 is better than the 5N.
I’m standing in line with Michael and Sibylle.
That was an awesome presentation!
How can ‘the little people’ put it to work?
@Steven, @Michael, @Sibylle – This video was made using Keynote (the equivalent of Powerpoint on a Mac).
@Michael – I already have a DSLR course in the month-to-month training at Web Video University.
Thanks Dave!
BTW: I purchased your Christmas bundle – the green screen course is great!
Cheers,
michael