How much should I spend on a new video camera?

[NickSeyour]

I'm a local chaser who really does not travel to far for a good storm. I want a video camera w/ high video quality but not one that will cost an arm and a leg. What cheap options do you know of?

 

[Dean Baron]

I have a camera from the JVC Everio line. The one I have gets decent quality, no HD, but it's a hard disk drive so it's nice and compact. Spent about $300 on it on black Friday back in '08, so they probably have better ones for about the same price now. If you can wait, I'm sure you will find a good bargain on one you like in Nov./Dec.

 

[Jennifer Palmer]

I might get laughed out of Stormtrack, but I love my camera! Believe it or not, I use the little Kodak version of the Flip Camera. My little chases are typically local and I usually have to go alone. It's HD and the quality is super nice! The only draw back is that you store your video on an SD video card. We got a 16GB card, and that has been PLENTY of room for all of our video.

I believe it ran about $150 when we got it a year ago. But it's small and easy to use if you are on your own, and gets you some high quality video! We tried out both the Flip and this Kodak camera because we wanted something small to take with us on vacations so that we didn't have to pack the big video camera bag and take it through airport security, but with high quality! This Kodak kicked the Flip's tail!

The link below is a newer version than what I have, and it works for me! I'm not looking to make DVD's or anything though... So I guess it just depends on what you want to do with your video.

http://www.amazon.com/Kodak-Pocket-...1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1278244420&sr=1-1

 

[NickSeyour]

Thanks for the help!

I might get laughed out of Stormtrack, but I love my camera! Believe it or not, I use the little Kodak version of the Flip Camera. My little chases are typically local and I usually have to go alone. It's HD and the quality is super nice! The only draw back is that you store your video on an SD video card. We got a 16GB card, and that has been PLENTY of room for all of our video.

I believe it ran about $150 when we got it a year ago. But it's small and easy to use if you are on your own, and gets you some high quality video! We tried out both the Flip and this Kodak camera because we wanted something small to take with us on vacations so that we didn't have to pack the big video camera bag and take it through airport security, but with high quality! This Kodak kicked the Flip's tail!

The link below is a newer version than what I have, and it works for me! I'm not looking to make DVD's or anything though... So I guess it just depends on what you want to do with your video.

http://www.amazon.com/Kodak-Pocket-...1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1278244420&sr=1-1

Thanks!

I think I'll probably buy that camera.

 

[Ben Holcomb]

Depends really on what you want to spend. I think the logical/responsible thing to do would be to figure out how much you can afford to spend on one, and how much you might make using it from video sales. Add those together and you've got probably the maximum price. So if you can afford $250 and don't think you'll make a dime from video sales, then figure $250.

 

[L.B. LaForce]

Yeah, like Ben said, it really depends on how much you want to spend. If you want a nice low end HD cam, I would recommend this Sony: http://www.amazon.com/Sony-HDR-CX150-Definition-Handycam-Camcorder/dp/B0031RGL0C/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1278266258&sr=8-1

This camera runs about $475, and has a 16GB embedded flash memory, This will get you about 2 hours of HD recording time. It's nice if you don't shoot much, but it can then be easily transferred to your computer, or you can buy more flash media (SD cards, etc.) and expand the amount of recording time.

 

[NickSeyour]

I don't sell

Depends really on what you want to spend. I think the logical/responsible thing to do would be to figure out how much you can afford to spend on one, and how much you might make using it from video sales. Add those together and you've got probably the maximum price. So if you can afford $250 and don't think you'll make a dime from video sales, then figure $250.

I don't sell my videos. I just take them for fun then upload them to YouTube and make friends. I think that's worth the price of a camera

 

[Bart_Comstock]

You know I had the chance to take a few guys along on a chase this year that had the Flip HD cam and I was actualy pretty impressed at how well the video turned out. It doesn't do well at night but in the day it looked great. Ontop of that its very portable and easy to upload on the fly with and could be a good general purpose camera that you can keep in your pocket for those everyday neat things that can happen outside of chasing.

 

[NickSeyour]

Yeah

You know I had the chance to take a few guys along on a chase this year that had the Flip HD cam and I was actualy pretty impressed at how well the video turned out. It doesn't do well at night but in the day it looked great. Ontop of that its very portable and easy to upload on the fly with and could be a good general purpose camera that you can keep in your pocket for those everyday neat things that can happen outside of chasing.

Yeah my mom has a Flip HD it does shoot great quality but it looks hard to hold steady plus the one that Jennifer suggested is essentially a Flip HD except it's cheaper and it's a Kodak. Thanks for suggestion though!

 

[L.B. LaForce]

Yeah, my physics Professor has a Kodak Sport, handheld HD camcorder, and I also was surprised at the quality. At $130, its almost a must for anyone! http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/674163-REG/Kodak_1442102.html#reviews Its not a great low light performer as most small handheld cams aren't, but at 1080 30p, and for that price, its a great little cam- and its WATERPROOF!

Only thing is that you have to buy a flash media card (SD, etc.) to record any video. Those prices can vary depending on how much storage you want.

 

[Zachary Lassiter]

I just spent $50 on my camera and it does really good if you ask me. Fits my needs and was in my price range

http://www.thezach.net/blog/kodak-zk1-review-video-samples/

 

[Jennifer Palmer]

Zach...

I think that camera is the one that came out right before mine. I really can't say enough about that camera.

The same is true about the Flip camera and this Kodak... Night time shots are pretty terrible.

But for portability and ease of use, I love it!

 

[NickSeyour]

$130 1080P HD video camera

Hey guys my dad linked me to what looks like a great offer

http://www.buy.com/prod/aluratek-cinecam-ahdvc03f-digital-camcorder-tape-drive-memory-card-3/q/loc/111/214928525.html?adid=17653 It's 1080P like the one Jennifer showed me but it also has a 20X zoom. Sounds good to me. Should I not buy this camcorder for some reason cause I think I will!

 

[Tim Marquis]

Well, on top of being a meteorology major at OU and a storm chaser, I've also been working my summers at Best Buy in the digital imaging department. The only downside to having a Flip or the superbly better Kodak Zi8 or Kodak Playsport (waterproof) is that they have little zoom capability. They both offer the full 1080p HD video however the Kodak allows for expandable memory (ie SD cards) for storage and the flip is stuck with the memory on whatever model you buy. If you were looking for a cheaper HD camera with more zoom, I'd recommend this 16gb sony HD camcorder. It offers 25x optical zoom which is ok for HD camcorders and is still smaller in size. It allows you to get more depth of field with the zoom. Given its 549.99 so its quite a bit more than the kodak. It will however allow you to take stills while recording. The still camera is only 2.7 mp and if you want one thats better it'll go up in price. My dream sony and the one i've been saving for is this one.

http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs...gId=-1&productId=8198552921666112725#features

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Sony+-+...lack/9771004.p?id=1218170520315&skuId=9771004

 

[Jennifer Palmer]

Well, on top of being a meteorology major at OU and a storm chaser, I've also been working my summers at Best Buy in the digital imaging department. The only downside to having a Flip or the superbly better Kodak Zi8 or Kodak Playsport (waterproof) is that they have little zoom capability. They both offer the full 1080p HD video however the Kodak allows for expandable memory (ie SD cards) for storage and the flip is stuck with the memory on whatever model you buy. If you were looking for a cheaper HD camera with more zoom, I'd recommend this 16gb sony HD camcorder. It offers 25x optical zoom which is ok for HD camcorders and is still smaller in size. It allows you to get more depth of field with the zoom. Given its 549.99 so its quite a bit more than the kodak. It will however allow you to take stills while recording. The still camera is only 2.7 mp and if you want one thats better it'll go up in price. My dream sony and the one i've been saving for is this one.

http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs...gId=-1&productId=8198552921666112725#features

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Sony+-+...lack/9771004.p?id=1218170520315&skuId=9771004

Who wouldn't want that first camera? HOLY MOLY! Too bad I don't have $3500 to plop down!

As for the second camera, I have a friend with that one. I have seen video and it looks amazing. I've actually almost convinced the hubby that we should get it. My little Kodak is amazing, but I would like something a little more advanced.