Is 8MP good enough for filming ?

[XPcentric]

or should I buy a camera ? Longest distance I need to film is about 30 metres, and I noticed on youtube, when filming with a phone there are some vibrations. There might be some other disadvantages also.

The clips I want to make are short, I want to put on youtube, but prefer some good quality. I now have a 3MP phone which is far from good.

 

[Small White Car]

You're talking about video recording?

HD video is only, like, 2.5 megapixels. So the chip is MORE than fine.

As you point out, though, there's more to it than just that. Vibrations are a big part, as is lens size. The iPhone 4S is one of the best cell-phone videos cameras I've ever seen. The anti-vibration feature is truly amazing. That said, a larger video camera will give you more controls and stability. Do you need that? I can't say. But I can say that the only way you'll do better is to go up to an actual camera. No other phone or Flip camera will beat the iPhone.

I don't know what you're shooting, but something like this plus a tripod might be all you need:

http://photojojo.com/store/awesomeness/iphone-telephoto-lens/

Is it as good as a real camera? No. But it'll be $100 of accessories rather than a $700 camera. So it's up to you if that's good enough for the price.

 

[moldy lunchbox]

or should I buy a camera ? Longest distance I need to film is about 30 metres, and I noticed on youtube, when filming with a phone there are some vibrations. There might be some other disadvantages also.

The clips I want to make are short, I want to put on youtube, but prefer some good quality. I now have a 3MP phone which is far from good.

Uhm, megapixels are for photos. Video is processed in a different format, 480p/720i/720p/1080i/1080p.

 

[Cynikal.Mindset]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Night_Fishing_(film)

 

[TuiSong]

or should I buy a camera ?

if you want a phone, get a phone, if you want a camera, get a camera. A camera will not make phone calls for you or play music, and a phone can never be quite as good as a camera.

I'm assuming from your saying the phone you have now is only 3mp camera, so you are wanting to buy either a iPhone 4s or a camera. If your sole reason for buying the 4s is to video things, then you might end up rather disappointed. I'm enjoying the camera on my 4s, and appreciate how accessible it is for quick snaps. But would never rely on it as my sole camera, my panasonic LX3 takes far superior photos and video, and it cost me half the price of the phone

 

[Sandman1969]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Night_Fishing_(film)

They need to do the sequel on the 4S!

 

[SporkLover]

This is an extreme example, but this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8EwCLeD3z9o

Impressed me with the iPhone 4 video capabilities. The iPhone 4S is incrementally better.

 

[XPcentric]

.. and it cost me half the price of the phone...

UPDATE

thank you for advices everyone, I didnt know I can buy a good camera with little money. I would appreciate to know what would be the minimum cost to buy a new or used camcorder rather than 1080p phone ?
I've really never had a camcorder.


I liked the quality of the above iphone video, excellent for what I want, but I watched before a video with same phone where the phone is moved quite quick from one direction to another, and its an eyes-ache to watch that. I wonder if a camera responds better to such moves and a good price.


edit. i only now saw the link is a video filmed with iphone wow!