iPhone 6(S)/Plus Is my iPhone better than my old video camera

[FyerFyer]

Hi guys

Ive been going through my old stuff and have found a camcorder. I want to start filming some footage and up until now was happy to use my phone. However Ive found this camcorder and looking at its specs Im not sure if its worse or better. Ive put a link below but after searching online I cant find whether its good or bad as its quite old:

https://www.sony.co.uk/electronics/support/camcorders-tape-camcorders/dcr-hc14e/specifications

If anyone can help it would be much appreciated.

Thanks guys

 

[NJHitmen]

Which iPhone do you have?

If you have a newer model - then the iPhone is probably better. That's a fairly old camcorder. It will have superior optical zoom (because it has the space to fit a longer lens). But the phone should beat it in other areas.

 

[Michael Scrip]

That Sony is a MiniDV camcorder. Which means standard definition video at roughly 640x480

The iPhone 4 shot HD video at 1280x720 while the iPhone 4S shot Full HD at 1920x1080

Your camcorder probably has a bigger sensor than a phone... and a zoom lens... but it's still standard definition. The video it records will be "blurry" compared to what a phone can shoot today. We're spoiled by HD video today.

And your camcorder uses tapes. So getting the footage into your computer for editing will require a Firewire connection to capture the footage. You basically have to play the tape in the camera and record it into the computer in realtime. So 30 minutes of footage will take 30 minutes to get into the computer.

We're also spoiled with file-based video transfer today. I could never go back to tapes.

 

[rugmankc]

Guess I better stop using my 1970 Super 8 camera then---

 

[zorinlynx]

There's no reason to be Jughead Jones and use an ancient camcorder when your phone is vastly superior.

(Fellow Riverdale fans will know what I'm talking about.)

 

[FyerFyer]

Thanks for all your feedback guys, Im using a 6S and tbh the 1080 at 60fps is still bloody good!

What I'm struggling to figure out is why the camera below is any better than my 6S for what Im filming, tbh the 6s on paper looks better to me, but I must be wrong...

https://www.amazon.com/Canon-VIXIA-...ks-20&linkId=b75f90d544fa747ff33d224906598556

 

[internetrando]

Almost undoubtedly in ever possible way.

 

[Michael Scrip]

Thanks for all your feedback guys, Im using a 6S and tbh the 1080 at 60fps is still bloody good!

What I'm struggling to figure out is why the camera below is any better than my 6S for what Im filming, tbh the 6s on paper looks better to me, but I must be wrong...

https://www.amazon.com/Canon-VIXIA-...ks-20&linkId=b75f90d544fa747ff33d224906598556

The term "better" is a subjective term. A camcorder isn't a replacement for a phone... or vice-versa. But all phones and camcorders in the last few years are great at their intended tasks.

I have the higher-end version of that camcorder... the Canon XA11.

It's got XLR inputs for hooking up professional microphones. And a long zoom. I do video production for dance recitals, dance competitions, etc.

So for me... I need a decent camcorder I can use on a tripod for many hours a day with good audio. That's something a phone isn't designed for.

Conversely... I wouldn't use a camcorder to record video for Instagram... because the phone is more suited for that... (uploading directly from the phone with an LTE connection)

So it all depends on the tasks you're trying to accomplish.

 

[willmtaylor]

Hi guys

Ive been going through my old stuff and have found a camcorder. I want to start filming some footage and up until now was happy to use my phone. However Ive found this camcorder and looking at its specs Im not sure if its worse or better. Ive put a link below but after searching online I cant find whether its good or bad as its quite old:

https://www.sony.co.uk/electronics/support/camcorders-tape-camcorders/dcr-hc14e/specifications

If anyone can help it would be much appreciated.

Thanks guys

...so why not film identical footage with both and see which is better? Why ask a group of online anons the hypothetical when you can do the actual comparison yourself?

 

[FyerFyer]

...so why not film identical footage with both and see which is better? Why ask a group of online anons the hypothetical when you can do the actual comparison yourself?

So you’re suggesting I buy a camcorder worth nearly for $1000 to make a comparison for something I can find out about online? I’ll stick with reviews and advice
[doublepost=1554048751][/doublepost]

The term "better" is a subjective term. A camcorder isn't a replacement for a phone... or vice-versa. But all phones and camcorders in the last few years are great at their intended tasks.

I have the higher-end version of that camcorder... the Canon XA11.

It's got XLR inputs for hooking up professional microphones. And a long zoom. I do video production for dance recitals, dance competitions, etc.

So for me... I need a decent camcorder I can use on a tripod for many hours a day with good audio. That's something a phone isn't designed for.

Conversely... I wouldn't use a camcorder to record video for Instagram... because the phone is more suited for that... (uploading directly from the phone with an LTE connection)

So it all depends on the tasks you're trying to accomplish.

Thanks buddy for your relevant and helpful answer

As mentioned it just got basic interviews and will be in a static position so in this case I think my 6s at 4K or 108060fps should be ok.

 

[MasterControlOp]

I’ve haven’t touched my old camcorder in years. It’s better to zoom with of course but who wants to carry it around? We still use a waterproof action camera on vacation for stills and a bigger camera for special pictures....but we use both less and less. My wife likes the little camera because she hates using her phone. It’s easier for her to use the camera.

 

[willmtaylor]

So you’re suggesting I buy a camcorder worth nearly for $1000 to make a comparison for something I can find out about online? I’ll stick with reviews and advice
[doublepost=1554048751][/doublepost]

Thanks buddy for your relevant and helpful answer

As mentioned it just got basic interviews and will be in a static position so in this case I think my 6s at 4K or 108060fps should be ok.

Buy what camcorder? You said you were rummaging through your things and found an old one? Then you wanted to know if it was better or worse than your iPhone, no?

 

[FyerFyer]

Buy what camcorder? You said you were rummaging through your things and found an old one? Then you wanted to know if it was better or worse than your iPhone, no?

Im not sure you read the original post properly and I made an error thinking you were responding to the later post.