sinfullsta
As of June 9, 2011, what is the best camcorder for around $300, give or take $50.
Keep in mind:
-No flip cameras please
-I am an amateur film maker
-I want to shoot music videos
-Shoot short films
-Even in the hands of the shakiest person, the film is still smooth, and clear.
-Able to shoot in very lowlight areas
-Please tell me if the camera you suggested has a mic input or not
I was looking at the Samsung HMX-H300, but give me your opinions on what you think the best camera that's bang for my buck. (as of today)
I forgot to add:
-If the camcorder has the ability to take pictures, it's a plus. (Not needed though)
Answer
Consumer level HD camcorders have 3 problems. 1) Blurry, fuzzy, out of focus areas closely around people in videos taken by consumer level HD camcorders. 2) Any movement, even a wave or lifting an arm, while in front of a recording consumer level HD camcorder, results in screen ghosts and artifacts being left on the video track, following the movement. Makes for bad video, sports videos are unwatchable. 3) Mandatory maximum record times - 1 hour, 30 minutes, 8 minutes, 3 minutes - all times advertised as maximum record time for some consumer level HD camcorders. No event I have ever been to is that short. Either take multiple camcorders or pack up with out getting the end of the event on video.
With a MiniDV tape camcorder, record 60 or 90 minutes ( camcorder settings), 90 seconds or less to change a tape and record for 60 or 90 more and repeat till you run out of tapes.
You can get a Canon ZR960 for $250. It is a MiniDV tape camcorder, has a Mic jack. You need a firewire (IEEE1394) card ($25 to 30) for the computer and a firewire cable (less than 10) to be able to transfer video to your computer. To say this is not HD, think about this. It would cost in excess of $3500 to get a HD camcorder that could equal the video Quality of a $250 Canon MiniDV tape camcorder.
Consumer level HD camcorders have 3 problems. 1) Blurry, fuzzy, out of focus areas closely around people in videos taken by consumer level HD camcorders. 2) Any movement, even a wave or lifting an arm, while in front of a recording consumer level HD camcorder, results in screen ghosts and artifacts being left on the video track, following the movement. Makes for bad video, sports videos are unwatchable. 3) Mandatory maximum record times - 1 hour, 30 minutes, 8 minutes, 3 minutes - all times advertised as maximum record time for some consumer level HD camcorders. No event I have ever been to is that short. Either take multiple camcorders or pack up with out getting the end of the event on video.
With a MiniDV tape camcorder, record 60 or 90 minutes ( camcorder settings), 90 seconds or less to change a tape and record for 60 or 90 more and repeat till you run out of tapes.
You can get a Canon ZR960 for $250. It is a MiniDV tape camcorder, has a Mic jack. You need a firewire (IEEE1394) card ($25 to 30) for the computer and a firewire cable (less than 10) to be able to transfer video to your computer. To say this is not HD, think about this. It would cost in excess of $3500 to get a HD camcorder that could equal the video Quality of a $250 Canon MiniDV tape camcorder.
What camera is best for photography as well as home pictures?
LeeLee
I'm 17, I don't mind spending 500 and under for a camera that will work like magic. I have a regular camera and i have managed to take some awesome photos with that but its actually wearing out sadly and I really need to upgrade,I love photography and I would love to start doing it more professionally as a hobby and as well as a job yet be able to take some awesome home pictures as well.I've heard that nikon and canon have the best cameras but i dont know which one's to even consider buying
Answer
First, no camera will "... work like magic." This saying should be committed to memory: "It isn't the camera its the photographer." Simply buying a DSLR of any brand is no guarantee that you'll suddenly begin taking "awesome" pictures every time you press the shutter release. Good photography requires knowledge of light, composition, exposure and Depth of Field (DOF) and the skill to use that knowledge to make the pictures you want to make.
Although the Pavlovian response in here is about 99% Nikon or Canon, there are other brands worth considering. Here are two - one within your price range and one that is over your price range but well worth considering.
1) The Pentax K-x. It was chosen by the Technical Image Press Association as their 2010 "Best DSLR Entry Level". Read this review: http://www.shutterbug.net/equipmentreviews/amateur_digital_slrs/0510pentax/index.html
The Pentax K-x has several features not found on comparably priced Nikon or Canon DSLR cameras.
A) A focusing motor in the camera body so any Pentax AF lens made since 1988 can be used and will auto focus as it should. The Nikon D3000, D3100 and D5000 all require use of AF-S lenses if you want auto focus. With Canon its a moot point since they started with AF lenses that had the focusing motor built-in.
B) Pentax has their version of Image Stabilization in the camera body so any lens used becomes, in effect, an IS lens. With Canon and Nikon you have to buy their lenses designated "IS" (Canon) or "VR" (Nikon) and not every lens they offer has this feature. Plus you pay for it over and over.
C) To expand your creativity the Pentax K-x allows double/multiple exposures. You can have from 2 to 9 exposures on a single frame with Auto EV Compensation. This is a feature few DSLRs have and the ones that do have it are several times more expensive than the K-x.
The Pentax K-x w/18-55mm zoom lens is shown at $499.00 at B&H w/free USA shipping.
2) The Sony A33. This DSLR and its "big brother" the A55 are currently the only DSLRs that allow full time auto focus whether you're shooting still pictures or video. This is made possible by Sony's Translucent Mirror Technology. Unlike conventional DSLRs the mirror in the A33/55 never moves. In place of the traditional optical viewfinder this requires an EVF (Electronic Viewfinder). You can actually view the scene even as the shutter is released. The Nikon D3100 allows continuous auto focus when taking videos but only then.
The Translucent Mirror also allows up to 7 frames per second shooting with the A33. Only professional-grade DSLRs costing 3 to 4 times more allow such rapid shooting. Combined with its full-time auto focusing capability the A33 should make shooting sports a snap.
The Sony DSLR line uses the legacy Minolta Maxxum "A" lens mount that was introduced in 1985. Like the Pentax K-x, the A33 has a focusing motor in the camera body so any "A" mount AF lens made since 1985 can be used on the A33 and will auto focus as it should.
The A33 also has Sony's version of Image Stabilization in the camera body so any lens used becomes, in effect, an IS lens.
Here are a couple of reviews:
http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/AA33/AA33A.HTM
http://www.alphamountworld.com/reviews/sony-alpha-a33-slt-review-alphamountworld
The Sony A33 w/18-55mm zoom lens is shown at $699.99 at B&H after a $50.00 Instant Savings from B&H. Offer ends 3-5-2011.
In comparison, the Nikon D3100 w/18-55mm zoom lens is shown at $579.00 at B&H after a $100.00 Instant Savings from B&H. Offer ends 2-26-2011.
B&H: http://www.bhphotovideo.com
Based on features and price there is no argument that the Pentax K-x offers the most bang for the buck.
Based on innovative technology the Sony A33 is cutting edge and certainly offers a lot for the price increase.
So open your mind and look at the alternatives before making a decision.
First, no camera will "... work like magic." This saying should be committed to memory: "It isn't the camera its the photographer." Simply buying a DSLR of any brand is no guarantee that you'll suddenly begin taking "awesome" pictures every time you press the shutter release. Good photography requires knowledge of light, composition, exposure and Depth of Field (DOF) and the skill to use that knowledge to make the pictures you want to make.
Although the Pavlovian response in here is about 99% Nikon or Canon, there are other brands worth considering. Here are two - one within your price range and one that is over your price range but well worth considering.
1) The Pentax K-x. It was chosen by the Technical Image Press Association as their 2010 "Best DSLR Entry Level". Read this review: http://www.shutterbug.net/equipmentreviews/amateur_digital_slrs/0510pentax/index.html
The Pentax K-x has several features not found on comparably priced Nikon or Canon DSLR cameras.
A) A focusing motor in the camera body so any Pentax AF lens made since 1988 can be used and will auto focus as it should. The Nikon D3000, D3100 and D5000 all require use of AF-S lenses if you want auto focus. With Canon its a moot point since they started with AF lenses that had the focusing motor built-in.
B) Pentax has their version of Image Stabilization in the camera body so any lens used becomes, in effect, an IS lens. With Canon and Nikon you have to buy their lenses designated "IS" (Canon) or "VR" (Nikon) and not every lens they offer has this feature. Plus you pay for it over and over.
C) To expand your creativity the Pentax K-x allows double/multiple exposures. You can have from 2 to 9 exposures on a single frame with Auto EV Compensation. This is a feature few DSLRs have and the ones that do have it are several times more expensive than the K-x.
The Pentax K-x w/18-55mm zoom lens is shown at $499.00 at B&H w/free USA shipping.
2) The Sony A33. This DSLR and its "big brother" the A55 are currently the only DSLRs that allow full time auto focus whether you're shooting still pictures or video. This is made possible by Sony's Translucent Mirror Technology. Unlike conventional DSLRs the mirror in the A33/55 never moves. In place of the traditional optical viewfinder this requires an EVF (Electronic Viewfinder). You can actually view the scene even as the shutter is released. The Nikon D3100 allows continuous auto focus when taking videos but only then.
The Translucent Mirror also allows up to 7 frames per second shooting with the A33. Only professional-grade DSLRs costing 3 to 4 times more allow such rapid shooting. Combined with its full-time auto focusing capability the A33 should make shooting sports a snap.
The Sony DSLR line uses the legacy Minolta Maxxum "A" lens mount that was introduced in 1985. Like the Pentax K-x, the A33 has a focusing motor in the camera body so any "A" mount AF lens made since 1985 can be used on the A33 and will auto focus as it should.
The A33 also has Sony's version of Image Stabilization in the camera body so any lens used becomes, in effect, an IS lens.
Here are a couple of reviews:
http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/AA33/AA33A.HTM
http://www.alphamountworld.com/reviews/sony-alpha-a33-slt-review-alphamountworld
The Sony A33 w/18-55mm zoom lens is shown at $699.99 at B&H after a $50.00 Instant Savings from B&H. Offer ends 3-5-2011.
In comparison, the Nikon D3100 w/18-55mm zoom lens is shown at $579.00 at B&H after a $100.00 Instant Savings from B&H. Offer ends 2-26-2011.
B&H: http://www.bhphotovideo.com
Based on features and price there is no argument that the Pentax K-x offers the most bang for the buck.
Based on innovative technology the Sony A33 is cutting edge and certainly offers a lot for the price increase.
So open your mind and look at the alternatives before making a decision.
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