video camera recomendations please : )

vamp79 started this discussion · 8/25/2011

Hello everyone, I'm looking to buy a new camera, for pole purposes mainly. I really don't know where to start with this. Its a bit overwhelming with so many cameras out there. I was looking at the Flip Video Hd but have heard of some people complain about having to set the camera very far away. I'm looking for ease of use, something that i can maybe plug into my computer and upload onto here, or youtube, or just my laptop. I also don't want poor quality like on my webcam, where if I move to fast I become a blur on the screen : ). Oh and price wise I would love to stay under $200.00. Thanks for any help ladies!

14 replies

chemgoddess1 · 8/25/2011
Amy has blogged about the Vado HD video camera http://aerialamy.com/blog/2011/04/22/in-my-bag/ I personally just got a Kodak Playsport Zx5. I wanted something that was weather/water proof since we camp quite a bit (it will also handle drops). It was $129 on sale at Best Buy, normally about $179. In my videos I have a recent one where I was playing on a rope in the river that was shot with this camera.
Charley · 8/25/2011
I have also heard that the Sony Bloggy is great! I use a nikon coolpix which works pretty good. I like using a basic digital camera because it doesn't have to be super far away to get the whole picture.
MommaBear · 8/25/2011
I recently bought a digital camera with video, but the video records in a weird format (mov?). In order to upload vids (to Veena, youtube, Windows Movie Maker) you have to convert the file first. As of yet, I have not found a free converter that does a good job with this; the video is choppy or lagged in some spots and the audio is always off. So that would be my only word of warning; to make sure the camera outputs a file that is easily uploaded without having to convert.
Miraine · 8/25/2011
@MommaBear - Have you tried this converter? http://sourceforge.net/projects/mp4cam2avi/ It's from Sourceforge, which means open source code, e.g. no spyware etc. despite it being free download. I'm currently trying to psych myself up to buy a decent webcam. The one on my laptop isn't awful but the screen on there's tiny, so not much use for video pole jams.
SourceForgeMP4Cam2AVI Easy ConverterDownload MP4Cam2AVI Easy Converter for free. MP4Cam2AVI is a MP4/MOV/M2TS to AVI repackaging tool for digital photo-video cameras, it makes their clips editable in VirtualDub, MovieMaker and other AVI editors. Also it can combine (join) multiple clips from camera into a single AVI movie, preserving audio/video sync.
BACE16 · 8/25/2011
On Topic - I have a Canon PowerShot SD780 IS. Its does HD video. The one whole video I have was done on it and the black and white effect was done with the camera itself not an editting program. I did an audio overlay because its not the best at picking up music, but I had the camera a few feet away from the camera. It defaults to .mov (Quicktime/Mac), but Window Live Movie Maker loads it and allows it to be saved as .wmv. Off Topic - Open source is a philosophy that the code used to build a program will be available for free so people can view or modify the program. Because you can see the code used to make the program its much less likely for it to be malicious, but it still can be.
Miraine · 8/25/2011
A good point of course BACE, though I'd say in a relatively popular project you're fairly safe. Lots of people paying attention and all that :)
MissMegi77 · 8/25/2011
To be able to have your camera close while recording you can always buy wide-angle lens. I use Sony video camera with that kind of lens and I can keep my camera very close to the object and still have whole object in the frame. Hope that helps. :D
MommaBear · 8/25/2011
@ Miraine - I gave it a shot and the audio portion came through fine, but the video is horrible. I just have no luck with converters!! @ BACE - I use a digital camera (Panasonic Lumix) that records HD and saves as a MOV file too and I although I can open the files in Windows Movie Maker, the playback is distorted (video is choppy and lags).
vamp79 · 8/28/2011
Thanks ladies! I will have to look into the wide angle length pick a camera that can use it. My poling space is a little tight so I would definitely need it.
tarah · 8/29/2011
hi, i use a kodak easyshare camera (got it for $99 and they have even cheaper ones, at kodak's website). it records in .mov format which i agree is a little inconvenient. i use prism video converter - it is not free, but the quality is good. (they offer a free two week trial) and then edit with windows movie maker version 2.6. the camera is nice and small and has a USB cord to connect to computer or charger (included). kodak also makes video cameras, but since i was already used to using a regular digital camera, that's what i got. :)
PaulettePoles · 8/29/2011
I used to do video marketing and all of the video marketersw ere crazy about the flip. Itis sooo easy to use and good qulaity w the HD- I do notice though like you said- have to place farther away. All the girls at the studio have flip also and the cute little tripod. Its very easy to upload, etc (and priced nice) You can order online and totally customize it too- wrapping your own photo oneven. I luv mine.
HollySatine · 8/29/2011
about the flip - i was just looking at it on their website and you can also buy a wide-angle lens from the same company for $49.99
sexygyrl · 8/29/2011
@Paulette...how does your Flip do in low lighting conditions? I've noticed that most of the tiny cams don't have a flash or anything, but some of them do have low light detection that enhances. I have a Kodak zm1 that's on the way back because I didn't realize it didn't have any thing for darker recording although it is waterproof.
vamp79 · 8/29/2011
Just ordered the vado. So thrilled, can't wait to receive it!