Need digital video camera advice

Rick O · 02-29-2004, 09:21 AM

I have a need for a digital video camera. The primary use will be for sporting events so I'll need a good zoom but I'm also going to want to evaluate pitchers and batters so I need good quality in slow motion and freeze frame. If I can use it to take good still shots of my reef tank then that will be a plus too.

Any advice is appreciated, especially if I can keep it under a gazillion dollars.

gumhead · 02-29-2004, 08:05 PM

Sorry I'm a still image guy :P

Casey · 02-29-2004, 08:08 PM

Rick they start at a gazillion and go up from there.

cath · 03-01-2004, 09:24 PM

Hehehehe That's what I kinda thought. Did you check Consumer Reports? That's the one magazine I get at home. I'll be glad to take a look and send you a copy if I find something.

Rick O · 03-01-2004, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by cath
Hehehehe That's what I kinda thought. Did you check Consumer Reports? That's the one magazine I get at home. I'll be glad to take a look and send you a copy if I find something.

Thanks Cath.

It's like setting up a reef tank. I don't understand any of the jargon.

mapster · 03-01-2004, 09:36 PM

I got a nice Sony handycam a few months ago. I look at the model name when I get home. It has 200x digital zoom and shoots nice clear pictures. It can also take still shots (has a removeable media card). Havent used it much so I'm no sure about the playback (as far as freeze frame and slow mo). Get the right software (may have even come with it, gotta check) and you can do whatever you want with it on your computer.

Sorry dont have a lot of info, newbie when it comes to camcorders, but this one was pretty easy to operate.

Rick O · 03-02-2004, 06:57 PM

I used my regular tape vid cam the other day. Man I forgot how bad that thing sucks. No wonder I never use it anymore. Most of the digital video cameras are less than half of what I paid for my JVC VHS-C camera.

Here's the one I kinda have my eye on:
http://www.canondv.com/zr70mc/index.html

Waffleman · 03-17-2004, 12:42 PM

My cam is a sony mavica cd-1000. It uses min cd-roms and can store up to 180pics per disc. It has a MASSIVe zoom. Cost about $600 and got i 2 yrs ago. This discs you can buy at costco for $40 for a spindle of 50. It can also take up to 1 minute of video (not the best quality though). Its a great camera and ive dropped it a few times...its reallllllly bulky too. check out some of my pics ive taken with it here on the forum

Pamsreef · 03-18-2004, 08:26 AM

I always thought that video cameras don't usually product decent quality still photos. I could be wrong.

Pam

wanareef · 03-18-2004, 08:49 AM

maybe this will help http://www.dpreview.com/

Rick O · 03-18-2004, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Pamsreef
I always thought that video cameras don't usually product decent quality still photos. I could be wrong.

Pam

Yep. That's what I've learned.

This is still a tough decision. I had it kinda narrowed down to one but Consumer Reports gave it an unfavorable rating for repair frequency. Then when I went to look at it at Circuit City the cassette door wouldn't open all the way on the floor model. I know the floor models get some rough treatment but it kinda scared me away from it.

Thanks for the link wanareef. I hadn't seen that site.

Rick O · 04-16-2004, 03:10 PM

Thanks to everyone that offered advice. It took a while but I finally broke down and bought the Canon ZR70MC. Generally Sonys received better reviews but the Canon has 22X optical zoom and I really wanted that feature.

For anyone that's interested I bought from B&H Photo and Video and found their price, service, and selection to be very good.