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Gear / Technical Help => Photo / Video Recording => Topic started by: Salva Veritate on October 13, 2007, 05:05:54 PM

Title: Digital cameras
Post by: Salva Veritate on October 13, 2007, 05:05:54 PM
What's the general feeling on digital cameras, in regards to video quality and the like. I talk to tapers on youtube that use digital cameras, and the filesize is invariable small, unlike VHS > DVD transfers, and the output file is often lossy. I don't yet have a camera myself (still saving up, I'm notorious among my friends for being frugal) so I want to know what to look for.

In advance, please excuse my ignorance on the matter. I'm....not very good.  :(
Title: Re: Digital cameras
Post by: sabre on October 14, 2007, 08:36:34 PM
Digital still cameras should only be used for taking photos. Video is crap. I've yet to see a decent concert video taken with a digicam. Good luck trying to focus manually when shooting video or adjusting the exposure.

Anybody calling themselves a 'taper' who uses a digicam to take videos has no idea.

No doubt people are going to claim that their digicam takes 'great' video. Don't listen to them, unless your standards a very low.
Title: Re: Digital cameras
Post by: Salva Veritate on October 17, 2007, 11:19:41 PM
No, I meant like a digital video camera. Let's say your run of the mill average $120 digital video camera.
Title: Re: Digital cameras
Post by: sabre on October 18, 2007, 02:39:38 AM
I've never seen a miniDV video camera for $120.  Low end Sonys and Canons start at around $280 (new), but I'm sure you'll be able to find good quality used items on eBay.
Do you have a link to any of these $120 video cameras?
Title: Re: Digital cameras
Post by: 6stringer on November 08, 2007, 11:05:24 PM
the filesize is invariable small, unlike VHS > DVD transfers, and the output file is often lossy.

Sure doesn't sound like you're talking MinDV here. Yes DV is compressed, but still clocks at about 12 gigs/hour of footage.