Advice on buying a economy Camcorder (novice on specs etc.)

Amazon ^ | Thu, 03/08/18 | daniel1212

[daniel1212]

I use my IPhone to take videos. It fits my needs. I think it kind of depends on how serious you are about videos. A smart phone may not work for you, but it works for me

Maybe some day... But thanks.

[Spktyr]

Your information is *way* out of date. In my local (Dallas) market, digital broadcast channels are 1080p30 at a minimum with 720p30 left as a deprecated resolution. Even my evening news from local affiliates is in 1080.

[daniel1212]

You realize a new iPhone 7+ will do 4K images? I got rid of my cameras years ago because the last several generation of iPhones took better pictures than even my very expensive cameras. Just upgrade your phone if you don’t already have one.

How long can such record for?

[E. Pluribus Unum]

That one doesn’t do video.

I actually bought one of these a few years ago for $20.

https://www.amazon.com/Canon-PowerShot-A3100IS-Stabilized-2-7-Inch/dp/B0032JRRWU

I used it as a dashcam for a while. The video is only 640 x 480, but it’s quite viewable.

I also have a Canon SX130 is

https://www.amazon.com/Canon-PowerShot-SX130IS-Stabilized-3-0-Inch/dp/B003ZSHNG8

It has 720P video, which displays on HDTV just fine.

I only paid $100 for it a few years ago. You can probably get them a lot cheaper now.

The Canon quality is excellent. It would be a good starter video camera. You might decide it’s all you need.

[gaijin]

You are in some type of time-warp, full reverse thrusters required.

Wow.

[Jonty30]

If you’re just wanting to catch memories, than even basic cameras can do a pretty good job these days. If you want pro-quality, expect to pay at least $1200, even if it’s pro-quality for personal use.

[NutsOnYew]

I think EPU is giving you good advise. Start cheap with all of the basic functions. See how you use it. Are you passionate? Is it a weekend hobby? Do you not use it as much as you thought after a while?

I do digital 35mm, but I think the principle of buying equipment is the same. I started cheap 15 years ago. I waited until I felt the camera didn't satisfy me and then upgraded. Probably did that 5 times and each camera was better than the last. I'm currently at the Pentax level.

Last thing: don't buy until you know the terminology.

[Inyo-Mono]

LOL! Sure you can record in 4K, try broadcasting that over the airwaves as they exist today.

[NutsOnYew]

advise = advice. yes, I’m an idiot.

[E. Pluribus Unum]

The thing I like about Canons is the Canon Hacker’s Development Kit (CHDK).

http://chdk.wikia.com/wiki/Downloads

You can boot into the CHDK firmware and have access to all kinds of advanced features like time-lapse photography and High Dynamic Resolution (HDR).

It doesn’t change the stock firmware. You boot into CHDK from the SDHC card. I’ve had a lot of fun with it.

[PAR35]

Scratch the Kingear off the list. Given the specs, it isn’t compatible with older US TVs and equipment.

1080 beats 720 on quality, but 4k may be more than you need.

I would want a zoom feature.

[daniel1212]

https://www.digitaltrends.com/dtdeals/gopro-alternative/

Thanks. Can anyone tell me how the specs on this HDCool HC8000 4K Action Camera :

Resolution of Video: 4K 30fps/ 2.7k 30fps/ 1080 60fps/ 1080 30fps / 720 90fps/720 60fps/720 30fps;
Time-lapse: Close/ 0.5S/ 1S/ 2S/ 5S/ 10S/ 30S/ 60S;
Loop Recording: Close/ 2 mins/ 3mins/ 5mins;
Slow Motion: 1080P 60FPS/ 720P 90FPS;
Resolution of photos: 16MP/ 12MP/ 8MP/ 5MP/ 2M;
Photo Timed: Close/ 3S/ 5S/ 10S/ 20S;
Photo Auto :Close/ 3S/ 10S/ 15S/ 20S/ 30S;
Drama Shot: Close; 3P/S; 5P/S; 10P/S;
Exposure: -3/ -2/ -1/ 0/ 1/ 2/ 3;

match up with this SUNLEA

Video Resolution: 1920x1080 FHD @15fps, 1280x720 HD, 640x480

Image Resolution:6000x4500(24M),5120x3840(20M),4608x3472(16M),4000x3000(12M),3264x2448(8M),2592x1944(5M),2048x1536(3M),1280x960(1M) 1080p video resolution and 24.0 MP picture resolutions.

[Inyo-Mono]

daniel1121,

What is your ultimate goal? To shoot video to watch, unedited, on your home TV or to make YouTube or presentation videos for groups?

[NutsOnYew]

Canon Hacker’s Development Kit (CHDK).

I looked. That's a great resource.

[Reno89519]

I haven't tested it for more than 3-5 minutes but according to one site, recording 4K at 30FPS for 30 minutes takes up 10.5GB (5.1GB). I have iPhone 7+ with 128GB and currently have 103.67GB free. That means I'd likely get about 9 hours of recording.

See https://www.imore.com/how-shoot-trim-edit-and-share-4k-video-iphone

[sit-rep]

shock proof and water proof... and can be mounted even on your head! true it a bit costly, but again, its worth it if you take a lot of vids like I do...

Boracay Philippines Jan 2018

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xelWeDBqTT8

[Intolerant in NJ]

The first camcorder I bought forty years ago cost $900, shot 480x480 resolution and had to have it’s white balance adjusted every time you turned it on - then there was another $900 for the unit which actually held the VHS recorder, which you had to carry around with you on a strap thrown over your shoulder and had a 1 hour battery life - at an average of about $55 per each, your possibilities all sound good to me......

[ProtectOurFreedom]

A cop bodycam? Not sure about that. They seem to fail whenever you need them most.

[Spktyr]

Which is exactly why everyone is moving to cable, fiber or satellite. 4K TV’s adoption is a bit slow but it is emphatically coming.

[Elsie]

The old adage is STILL true:

Ya get what ya pay for.