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The New Coffee Room

  1. TNCR
  2. General Discussion
  3. Time to get a camcorder

Time to get a camcorder

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  • 89th8 Offline
    89th8 Offline
    89th
    wrote on last edited by
    #5

    I asked her yesterday if there were any specific features she cared about, such as waterproof (she said no), or 1080 vs 4k. She was like "umm, whatever format let's it transfer onto a computer".

    1 Reply Last reply
    • George KG George K

      @89th wimmenz and cellphone video are almost as bad as wimmenz and thermostats, amirite?

      kluursK Offline
      kluursK Offline
      kluurs
      wrote on last edited by
      #6

      @George-K said in Time to get a camcorder:

      @89th wimmenz and cellphone video are almost as bad as wimmenz and thermostats, amirite?

      I'd as soon touch the thermostat as iron clothes in the bathtub. Not gonna happen. Still, every once in a while I get asked if I "touched" it.

      89th8 1 Reply Last reply
      • kluursK kluurs

        @George-K said in Time to get a camcorder:

        @89th wimmenz and cellphone video are almost as bad as wimmenz and thermostats, amirite?

        I'd as soon touch the thermostat as iron clothes in the bathtub. Not gonna happen. Still, every once in a while I get asked if I "touched" it.

        89th8 Offline
        89th8 Offline
        89th
        wrote on last edited by
        #7

        @kluurs said in Time to get a camcorder:

        Still, every once in a while I get asked if I "touched" it.

        <nuns laughing>

        1 Reply Last reply
        • 89th8 89th

          So far I have found the market to basically be like "Hahaha oh a camcorder, you really mean a go pro, right? A DSLR, right?"

          As much as I like 4K, I think I'll stick with 1080. I think the 60 fps that 1080 allows makes the video footage a bit more fluid and alive, plus a fraction of the file size. My iPhone can handle any 4K landscape scenes.

          CopperC Offline
          CopperC Offline
          Copper
          wrote on last edited by
          #8

          @89th said in Time to get a camcorder:

          I think the 60 fps that 1080 allows makes the video footage a bit more fluid and alive, plus a fraction of the file size.

          Because the thousands of potential viewers demand fluidity?

          Don't take this the wrong way, but those videos of your child playing soccer won't have a lot of viewings. And you will just barely be able to identify your children and none of the other children.

          89th8 1 Reply Last reply
          • CopperC Copper

            @89th said in Time to get a camcorder:

            I think the 60 fps that 1080 allows makes the video footage a bit more fluid and alive, plus a fraction of the file size.

            Because the thousands of potential viewers demand fluidity?

            Don't take this the wrong way, but those videos of your child playing soccer won't have a lot of viewings. And you will just barely be able to identify your children and none of the other children.

            89th8 Offline
            89th8 Offline
            89th
            wrote on last edited by
            #9

            @Copper But the slo-mo

            1 Reply Last reply
            • X Offline
              X Offline
              xenon
              wrote on last edited by
              #10

              Have you gotten one? Try before you buy - you may be disappointed with the camcorders a bit.

              Apple and others are spending a TON of money on computational photography. Many entry-level video amateurs use cell phone cameras as an alternative to DSLRs.

              Cell phone video is quite advanced these days.

              (Though I completely get your sentiment and where you're coming from)

              89th8 1 Reply Last reply
              • X xenon

                Have you gotten one? Try before you buy - you may be disappointed with the camcorders a bit.

                Apple and others are spending a TON of money on computational photography. Many entry-level video amateurs use cell phone cameras as an alternative to DSLRs.

                Cell phone video is quite advanced these days.

                (Though I completely get your sentiment and where you're coming from)

                89th8 Offline
                89th8 Offline
                89th
                wrote on last edited by
                #11

                @xenon said in Time to get a camcorder:

                Have you gotten one? Try before you buy - you may be disappointed with the camcorders a bit.

                Apple and others are spending a TON of money on computational photography. Many entry-level video amateurs use cell phone cameras as an alternative to DSLRs.

                Cell phone video is quite advanced these days.

                (Though I completely get your sentiment and where you're coming from)

                I’ll make sure I buy from Amazon so I can do an easy return if needed lol. Yeah phone video cameras I’d say are better than nearly any camera/camcorder for the most part. HDR, low light, 4K at 60fps, 240fps slowmo, instant editing and sharing… but it’s the device/experience I’m looking for (plus a good zoom) for this purchase. Or maybe I’m just reliving the nostalgia from my childhood’s (VHS tape) camcorder days when we went to the beach.

                taiwan_girlT 1 Reply Last reply
                • 89th8 89th

                  @xenon said in Time to get a camcorder:

                  Have you gotten one? Try before you buy - you may be disappointed with the camcorders a bit.

                  Apple and others are spending a TON of money on computational photography. Many entry-level video amateurs use cell phone cameras as an alternative to DSLRs.

                  Cell phone video is quite advanced these days.

                  (Though I completely get your sentiment and where you're coming from)

                  I’ll make sure I buy from Amazon so I can do an easy return if needed lol. Yeah phone video cameras I’d say are better than nearly any camera/camcorder for the most part. HDR, low light, 4K at 60fps, 240fps slowmo, instant editing and sharing… but it’s the device/experience I’m looking for (plus a good zoom) for this purchase. Or maybe I’m just reliving the nostalgia from my childhood’s (VHS tape) camcorder days when we went to the beach.

                  taiwan_girlT Offline
                  taiwan_girlT Offline
                  taiwan_girl
                  wrote on last edited by
                  #12

                  @89th What about a DSLR camera with video?

                  89th8 1 Reply Last reply
                  • taiwan_girlT taiwan_girl

                    @89th What about a DSLR camera with video?

                    89th8 Offline
                    89th8 Offline
                    89th
                    wrote on last edited by
                    #13

                    @taiwan_girl 3 reasons, unless I’m wrong

                    1. zoom is shaky/noisy during a video as the lens extends
                    2. audio recording sucks
                    3. bulkier form factor
                    X KlausK 2 Replies Last reply
                    • 89th8 89th

                      @taiwan_girl 3 reasons, unless I’m wrong

                      1. zoom is shaky/noisy during a video as the lens extends
                      2. audio recording sucks
                      3. bulkier form factor
                      X Offline
                      X Offline
                      xenon
                      wrote on last edited by
                      #14

                      @89th said in Time to get a camcorder:

                      @taiwan_girl 3 reasons, unless I’m wrong

                      1. zoom is shaky/noisy during a video as the lens extends
                      2. audio recording sucks
                      3. bulkier form factor

                      Some DSLR / mirrorless are now tuned for video recording (in-body / lens stabilization, etc.). I've seen high-end wedding photographers start to use these as their main vid. camera.

                      But that sort of gear is $$$$ and you need weird looking apparatuses to make them comfortable to hold.

                      A camcorder will be fine in most situations. The hardest will be indoor with really bright, dim or uneven lighting.

                      1 Reply Last reply
                      • 89th8 89th

                        @taiwan_girl 3 reasons, unless I’m wrong

                        1. zoom is shaky/noisy during a video as the lens extends
                        2. audio recording sucks
                        3. bulkier form factor
                        KlausK Offline
                        KlausK Offline
                        Klaus
                        wrote on last edited by
                        #15

                        @89th said in Time to get a camcorder:

                        @taiwan_girl 3 reasons, unless I’m wrong

                        1. zoom is shaky/noisy during a video as the lens extends
                        2. audio recording sucks
                        3. bulkier form factor

                        But one thing that matters for video is sensor size, especially when the scene is not well lit.

                        Most camcorders have tiny sensors.

                        I'd get something with a one inch sensor or more.

                        If you want a big sensor in a small package with a camera that is equally good with videos and photos, check out the Sony RX100 VII. It's not cheap, though.

                        Aqua LetiferA 89th8 2 Replies Last reply
                        • AxtremusA Offline
                          AxtremusA Offline
                          Axtremus
                          wrote on last edited by
                          #16

                          If you insist on "not DSLR", try looking through Sony's line-up. It may be the only shop that still makes camcorders and remains big enough to fund the sort of technology development necessary to keep up with the likes of Apple and Samsung.

                          Consumer grade: https://electronics.sony.com/imaging/camcorders/c/all-camcorders?query=:relevance:snaAllCategories:all-camcorders

                          "Pro" grade: https://pro.sony/ue_US/products/handheld-camcorders

                          The last Sony camcorder I bought, I have not use in probably ten years, mainly because the cellphones have gotten so much better at recording video. :man-shrugging:

                          1 Reply Last reply
                          • KlausK Klaus

                            @89th said in Time to get a camcorder:

                            @taiwan_girl 3 reasons, unless I’m wrong

                            1. zoom is shaky/noisy during a video as the lens extends
                            2. audio recording sucks
                            3. bulkier form factor

                            But one thing that matters for video is sensor size, especially when the scene is not well lit.

                            Most camcorders have tiny sensors.

                            I'd get something with a one inch sensor or more.

                            If you want a big sensor in a small package with a camera that is equally good with videos and photos, check out the Sony RX100 VII. It's not cheap, though.

                            Aqua LetiferA Offline
                            Aqua LetiferA Offline
                            Aqua Letifer
                            wrote on last edited by
                            #17

                            @Klaus said in Time to get a camcorder:

                            @89th said in Time to get a camcorder:

                            @taiwan_girl 3 reasons, unless I’m wrong

                            1. zoom is shaky/noisy during a video as the lens extends
                            2. audio recording sucks
                            3. bulkier form factor

                            But one thing that matters for video is sensor size, especially when the scene is not well lit.

                            Most camcorders have tiny sensors.

                            I'd get something with a one inch sensor or more.

                            If you want a big sensor in a small package with a camera that is equally good with videos and photos, check out the Sony RX100 VII. It's not cheap, though.

                            The RX100 is an ass camera. The sensor is beyond too small to really make any kind of a difference. If you want to do anything that matters in low light, you need to get a Canon EOS C700 or equivalent.

                            Please love yourself.

                            KlausK 1 Reply Last reply
                            • Aqua LetiferA Aqua Letifer

                              @Klaus said in Time to get a camcorder:

                              @89th said in Time to get a camcorder:

                              @taiwan_girl 3 reasons, unless I’m wrong

                              1. zoom is shaky/noisy during a video as the lens extends
                              2. audio recording sucks
                              3. bulkier form factor

                              But one thing that matters for video is sensor size, especially when the scene is not well lit.

                              Most camcorders have tiny sensors.

                              I'd get something with a one inch sensor or more.

                              If you want a big sensor in a small package with a camera that is equally good with videos and photos, check out the Sony RX100 VII. It's not cheap, though.

                              The RX100 is an ass camera. The sensor is beyond too small to really make any kind of a difference. If you want to do anything that matters in low light, you need to get a Canon EOS C700 or equivalent.

                              KlausK Offline
                              KlausK Offline
                              Klaus
                              wrote on last edited by
                              #18

                              @Aqua-Letifer said in Time to get a camcorder:

                              @Klaus said in Time to get a camcorder:

                              @89th said in Time to get a camcorder:

                              @taiwan_girl 3 reasons, unless I’m wrong

                              1. zoom is shaky/noisy during a video as the lens extends
                              2. audio recording sucks
                              3. bulkier form factor

                              But one thing that matters for video is sensor size, especially when the scene is not well lit.

                              Most camcorders have tiny sensors.

                              I'd get something with a one inch sensor or more.

                              If you want a big sensor in a small package with a camera that is equally good with videos and photos, check out the Sony RX100 VII. It's not cheap, though.

                              The RX100 is an ass camera. The sensor is beyond too small to really make any kind of a difference. If you want to do anything that matters in low light, you need to get a Canon EOS C700 or equivalent.

                              You are saying it makes no difference whether a sensor is 1" or 1/2.3" or even 1/3.5", like in many phones? That's a huge difference.

                              Here's an ad hoc comparison of four sensor sizes, from smartphone/compact camera over 1", then APS-C, then Full-Frame. All at ISO12800. Of course it is better when you take an even bigger sensor. But there is a huge step in quality from smartphone sensor size to 1".

                              e96f406e-536c-4cba-9ce7-10c230b08752-image.png

                              Aqua LetiferA 1 Reply Last reply
                              • KlausK Klaus

                                @Aqua-Letifer said in Time to get a camcorder:

                                @Klaus said in Time to get a camcorder:

                                @89th said in Time to get a camcorder:

                                @taiwan_girl 3 reasons, unless I’m wrong

                                1. zoom is shaky/noisy during a video as the lens extends
                                2. audio recording sucks
                                3. bulkier form factor

                                But one thing that matters for video is sensor size, especially when the scene is not well lit.

                                Most camcorders have tiny sensors.

                                I'd get something with a one inch sensor or more.

                                If you want a big sensor in a small package with a camera that is equally good with videos and photos, check out the Sony RX100 VII. It's not cheap, though.

                                The RX100 is an ass camera. The sensor is beyond too small to really make any kind of a difference. If you want to do anything that matters in low light, you need to get a Canon EOS C700 or equivalent.

                                You are saying it makes no difference whether a sensor is 1" or 1/2.3" or even 1/3.5", like in many phones? That's a huge difference.

                                Here's an ad hoc comparison of four sensor sizes, from smartphone/compact camera over 1", then APS-C, then Full-Frame. All at ISO12800. Of course it is better when you take an even bigger sensor. But there is a huge step in quality from smartphone sensor size to 1".

                                e96f406e-536c-4cba-9ce7-10c230b08752-image.png

                                Aqua LetiferA Offline
                                Aqua LetiferA Offline
                                Aqua Letifer
                                wrote on last edited by
                                #19

                                @Klaus said in Time to get a camcorder:

                                @Aqua-Letifer said in Time to get a camcorder:

                                @Klaus said in Time to get a camcorder:

                                @89th said in Time to get a camcorder:

                                @taiwan_girl 3 reasons, unless I’m wrong

                                1. zoom is shaky/noisy during a video as the lens extends
                                2. audio recording sucks
                                3. bulkier form factor

                                But one thing that matters for video is sensor size, especially when the scene is not well lit.

                                Most camcorders have tiny sensors.

                                I'd get something with a one inch sensor or more.

                                If you want a big sensor in a small package with a camera that is equally good with videos and photos, check out the Sony RX100 VII. It's not cheap, though.

                                The RX100 is an ass camera. The sensor is beyond too small to really make any kind of a difference. If you want to do anything that matters in low light, you need to get a Canon EOS C700 or equivalent.

                                You are saying it makes no difference whether a sensor is 1" or 1/2.3" or even 1/3.5", like in many phones? That's a huge difference.

                                Here's an ad hoc comparison of four sensor sizes, from smartphone/compact camera over 1", then APS-C, then Full-Frame. All at ISO12800. Of course it is better when you take an even bigger sensor. But there is a huge step in quality from smartphone sensor size to 1".

                                e96f406e-536c-4cba-9ce7-10c230b08752-image.png

                                How many prints have you made with cameras that produce images of varying megapixels?

                                The answer is, "much, much less than Aqua."

                                But you don't have to take my word for it, folks. Watch the Chris Hau video then get back to me. Or better yet, do your own printing.

                                Please love yourself.

                                KlausK 1 Reply Last reply
                                • Aqua LetiferA Aqua Letifer

                                  @Klaus said in Time to get a camcorder:

                                  @Aqua-Letifer said in Time to get a camcorder:

                                  @Klaus said in Time to get a camcorder:

                                  @89th said in Time to get a camcorder:

                                  @taiwan_girl 3 reasons, unless I’m wrong

                                  1. zoom is shaky/noisy during a video as the lens extends
                                  2. audio recording sucks
                                  3. bulkier form factor

                                  But one thing that matters for video is sensor size, especially when the scene is not well lit.

                                  Most camcorders have tiny sensors.

                                  I'd get something with a one inch sensor or more.

                                  If you want a big sensor in a small package with a camera that is equally good with videos and photos, check out the Sony RX100 VII. It's not cheap, though.

                                  The RX100 is an ass camera. The sensor is beyond too small to really make any kind of a difference. If you want to do anything that matters in low light, you need to get a Canon EOS C700 or equivalent.

                                  You are saying it makes no difference whether a sensor is 1" or 1/2.3" or even 1/3.5", like in many phones? That's a huge difference.

                                  Here's an ad hoc comparison of four sensor sizes, from smartphone/compact camera over 1", then APS-C, then Full-Frame. All at ISO12800. Of course it is better when you take an even bigger sensor. But there is a huge step in quality from smartphone sensor size to 1".

                                  e96f406e-536c-4cba-9ce7-10c230b08752-image.png

                                  How many prints have you made with cameras that produce images of varying megapixels?

                                  The answer is, "much, much less than Aqua."

                                  But you don't have to take my word for it, folks. Watch the Chris Hau video then get back to me. Or better yet, do your own printing.

                                  KlausK Offline
                                  KlausK Offline
                                  Klaus
                                  wrote on last edited by
                                  #20

                                  How many prints have you made with cameras that produce images of varying megapixels?

                                  The answer is, "much, much less than Aqua."

                                  But you don't have to take my word for it, folks. Watch the Chris Hau video then get back to me. Or better yet, do your own printing.

                                  What is your point? That a $30K camera makes better videos than a $1K camera? That the only way to improve over the quality of a camcorder with a tiny sensor is to buy a $30K camera? Really?

                                  Aqua LetiferA 1 Reply Last reply
                                  • KlausK Klaus

                                    How many prints have you made with cameras that produce images of varying megapixels?

                                    The answer is, "much, much less than Aqua."

                                    But you don't have to take my word for it, folks. Watch the Chris Hau video then get back to me. Or better yet, do your own printing.

                                    What is your point? That a $30K camera makes better videos than a $1K camera? That the only way to improve over the quality of a camcorder with a tiny sensor is to buy a $30K camera? Really?

                                    Aqua LetiferA Offline
                                    Aqua LetiferA Offline
                                    Aqua Letifer
                                    wrote on last edited by Aqua Letifer
                                    #21

                                    @Klaus said in Time to get a camcorder:

                                    How many prints have you made with cameras that produce images of varying megapixels?

                                    The answer is, "much, much less than Aqua."

                                    But you don't have to take my word for it, folks. Watch the Chris Hau video then get back to me. Or better yet, do your own printing.

                                    What is your point? That a $30K camera makes better videos than a $1K camera? That the only way to improve over the quality of a camcorder with a tiny sensor is to buy a $30K camera? Really?

                                    My point is that I can tell you don’t do much of your own testing. Because you’re arguing spec sheets, not end products. Dead giveaway.

                                    If you did more of this yourself, you'd know the use cases where these specs and numbers matter, and where they don't. The only way to know for sure is to go into a store with your own memory card, take some stills or some footage, then go home and either get the stills printed or throw the footage into Premiere.

                                    Oh and P.S., the Canon PowerShot S120 came out 9 years ago. Like many other cameras at the time, it only went up to 12800 ISO. The a7 IV came out about seven years later. It goes up to 102400. That test is ridiculous.

                                    Please love yourself.

                                    1 Reply Last reply
                                    • KlausK Offline
                                      KlausK Offline
                                      Klaus
                                      wrote on last edited by
                                      #22

                                      I don't quite understand the aggressiveness, but you'll probably know why you do that.

                                      I've made a fair number of photos in my life and went through several generations of cameras and lenses of all kinds. The difference between a smartphone camera and a modern 1" Sony sensor is immediately visible in any bad light situation. Whether you print it or not (besides, most people don't view prints of their photos these days but watch on their electronic devices). That's not something anyone with any experience in photography disputes.

                                      Aqua LetiferA 1 Reply Last reply
                                      • KlausK Klaus

                                        I don't quite understand the aggressiveness, but you'll probably know why you do that.

                                        I've made a fair number of photos in my life and went through several generations of cameras and lenses of all kinds. The difference between a smartphone camera and a modern 1" Sony sensor is immediately visible in any bad light situation. Whether you print it or not (besides, most people don't view prints of their photos these days but watch on their electronic devices). That's not something anyone with any experience in photography disputes.

                                        Aqua LetiferA Offline
                                        Aqua LetiferA Offline
                                        Aqua Letifer
                                        wrote on last edited by
                                        #23

                                        @Klaus said in Time to get a camcorder:

                                        I don't quite understand the aggressiveness, but you'll probably know why you do that.

                                        Because this is a gearbro argument and I dislike them.

                                        I've made a fair number of photos in my life and went through several generations of cameras and lenses of all kinds. The difference between a smartphone camera and a modern 1" Sony sensor is immediately visible in any bad light situation. Whether you print it or not (besides, most people don't view prints of their photos these days but watch on their electronic devices). That's not something anyone with any experience in photography disputes.

                                        Fine, use Insta as an example instead. Would you agree that it's common for people to use Instagram to share photos?

                                        I'll show you some Insta photos and you tell me if they were shot from an iPhone or a full-frame digital. Let me know when you're ready.

                                        Please love yourself.

                                        KlausK 1 Reply Last reply
                                        • Aqua LetiferA Aqua Letifer

                                          @Klaus said in Time to get a camcorder:

                                          I don't quite understand the aggressiveness, but you'll probably know why you do that.

                                          Because this is a gearbro argument and I dislike them.

                                          I've made a fair number of photos in my life and went through several generations of cameras and lenses of all kinds. The difference between a smartphone camera and a modern 1" Sony sensor is immediately visible in any bad light situation. Whether you print it or not (besides, most people don't view prints of their photos these days but watch on their electronic devices). That's not something anyone with any experience in photography disputes.

                                          Fine, use Insta as an example instead. Would you agree that it's common for people to use Instagram to share photos?

                                          I'll show you some Insta photos and you tell me if they were shot from an iPhone or a full-frame digital. Let me know when you're ready.

                                          KlausK Offline
                                          KlausK Offline
                                          Klaus
                                          wrote on last edited by
                                          #24

                                          @Aqua-Letifer said in Time to get a camcorder:

                                          I'll show you some Insta photos and you tell me if they were shot from an iPhone or a full-frame digital. Let me know when you're ready.

                                          They can be hard to tell apart in good light, but I was talking specifically about hand-held low-light situations. If you have such examples, go ahead. (I assume the person taking the photos knew how to operate the cameras - it's of course easy to make bad photos with a good camera).

                                          Aqua LetiferA 1 Reply Last reply
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