Topic: Digital cameras

[Salva Veritate]

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. 

[sabre]

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.

[Salva Veritate]

No, I meant like a digital video camera. Let's say your run of the mill average $120 digital video camera.

[sabre]

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?

[6stringer]

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.