Decent video/DSC

[inflames988]

Hi, im looking for a decent digital video camera/ digital still camera type thing. I like the features of my moms sony cybershot digital camera that does short videos, but im looking for something with better resolution that can take full videos as opposed to just clips, but also serve as a digital camera for photos. I want something fairly easy to use, somewhat small, and something that would be decent for video editing (I assume i'd have to buy a firewire cable for it, but that shouldnt be too expensive). As for the media type, i dont really care, but it would be nice to have both flash memory (for short vids and still pictures) AND the ability to record to tape or DVD (preferrably tape i think.) If anyone has suggestions for a camera like this, let me know. I am looking for something basic that will not cost a fortune (the most i would probably like to spend would be $500 or so).

[Hi Ho]

Take a look at CamcorderInfo.com (http://www.camcorderinfo.com/content/Panasonic-PV-GS180-Camcorder-Review.htm). They have tons of in depth reviews on camcorders.

The Panasonic PV-GS180 (http://www.camcorderinfo.com/content/Panasonic-PV-GS180-Camcorder-Review.htm) is one to check out.

The GS300 (http://www.camcorderinfo.com/content/Panasonic-PV-GS300-Camcorder-Review.htm) has a flash and is about the same price but according to the review it doesn't have the greatest color performance.

No camcorder will completely replace a still camera but these do a pretty good job with stills and have excellent video performance to boot.

[inflames988]

Take a look at CamcorderInfo.com (http://www.camcorderinfo.com/content/Panasonic-PV-GS180-Camcorder-Review.htm). They have tons of in depth reviews on camcorders.

The Panasonic PV-GS180 (http://www.camcorderinfo.com/content/Panasonic-PV-GS180-Camcorder-Review.htm) is one to check out.

The GS300 (http://www.camcorderinfo.com/content/Panasonic-PV-GS300-Camcorder-Review.htm) has a flash and is about the same price but according to the review it doesn't have the greatest color performance.

No camcorder will completely replace a still camera but these do a pretty good job with stills and have excellent video performance to boot.

ya, its sort of a compromise either way; you can get a great DSC that can do decent quality videos, or a great video camera that can do decent still shots. Im looking for more of the video camera kind for now. my mom and sister both have good still cameras, so i can always borrow those if im going on a trip or somewhere scenic that it would be nice to get better still shots. ill check out that website, thanks!

[glfredrick]

We absoultely LOVE our Kodak DX 7590.

While a still camera, it does adequate digital video for our purposes (mostly filming our trucks doing stupidly ridiculous stuff on big slabs of rock). The 10X optical lens is a huge plus. That, coupled with 3X digital gives us "spotting scope" like zoom.

That model camera is now discontinued, but there are still a few floating around for sale -- ebay and elsewhere.

Here is a breif vid we shot with the camera:

http://s96.photobucket.com/albums/l173/4Given4x4Pics/2006%20Calender%20Year/Badlands%20Oct06/?action=view&current=100_2003.flv

[inflames988]

heh you sure beat up on that thing. looks exactly like my dads old 1994 ford explorer...same wheels and same exterior color...haha, video looked good though, but id like to buy a new camera. used things are a hassle in my experience

[glfredrick]

Still a couple out there...

http://www.pricegrabber.com/search_getprod.php/masterid=3787428/search=7590%20dx/skd=1

We purchased the newer model for my son, and it isn't all the camera that the 7590 is. It has 12x optical, which is great, but trades off for replaceable batteries instead of the remarkable Kodak rechargeable version.

Ours with a 1 gig card can easily handle 1000 pics on 2 batteries, which typically have no problems lasting us through a week of vacation, like our trip to Newfoundland, where we shot over 600 pics and a ton of video as well. I would HAVE to find another if something happened to this one.

Lots of other good choices out there as well, but this one is one nice piece.