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Recommend A Flash Memory Camcorder

gkarris

gkarris

macrumors G3
Original poster
Dec 31, 2004
8,301
1,061
"No escape from Reality...”
Loving taking vids with my digital cameras, but of course, the audio stinks.

Have a very old DV camcorder, and a slighly old DVD camcorder, but turning out to just put the vids on my computer.

What's a good flash memory camcorder? Go with standard def or future-proof go with HD?

What software is used to edit the video from one? I assume the video format is different from DV or DVD.

I'm used to using FCE or iMovie HD ver 6.

Thanks.
 
Take a look at some of the new Canon HD offerings to future proof u can always HD > SD your memories but not the other way around. It really depends on your budget as well I'm looking at the Canon Vixia HF stuff. Built in 32GB of memory and an SDHC card slot to replace an ancient broken mini DV camera from way back.

FCE iMovie will do just fine just be sure to have loads of ram so you can play.
 
canon hf100... to buy now..

or if you wait a bit canon announced the hfs100 at ces.. which is an updated hf100.. but will be more expensive than the already decent hf100 anyway :D

your choice

the format is AVCHD but if you import into iMovie/FCE then it will get converted into AIC (Apple codec) which results in quite large video files).. hence why nost people also use an external HDD for video editing.. so not a major problem..
 
Flip MinoHD

Definitely on the low end but don't rule out the MinoHD completely. SO simple, with one hour recording time with built-in 4GB flash (not upgradable) and Li ion battery. The form factor is currently unbeatable and I find I'm bringing it everywhere (first rule of DV is you must actually have a camera!) and with the new stabilization feature in iMovie '09, the shots will be pretty good for consumer (720i) use. FWIW.
 
Thanks. I'm going to need something with built-in IS, as well as optical zoom.

I'm using my Panasonic FZ8 like-dSLR, and it's got nice SD video, but the optical zoom doesn't work in video mode. :mad: Probably because they don't want it to compete with a real camcorder...

Looking at the Panasonics and Canons right now... was wondering about the Sanyo...
 
gkarris said:
Has anyone checked out this new HD Flash Camcorder from Sony? 1080 for $199! :eek:

http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs...0151&langId=-1&categoryId=8198552921644610396
Click to expand...

As far as i can tell there is no built in IS, and it is 1440x1080 rather than 1920x1080, which is a bit weird?

Anyhoo I just bought (hasn't even arrived yet!) a pany SD9. I was going to get the Canon FS100 (standard Def model) but then the pany's price dropped on amazon and i couldn't resist...it was the optical IS and tiny size that really swung me
 
gkarris said:
Obviously, nothing "pro" or "prosumer" - just basic Standard Def or High Def.

How are those Sanyo handhelds?
Click to expand...

I have the Sanyo HD1000 model. Pistol grip, takes 1080i video. Fantastic unit. What I was looking for was the smallest HD camcorder as it was for family video - larger units that don't fit in my pocket get left unused at home. The only weakness is the electronic image stabilization isn't as good as optical that Canon uses. The HD looks fantastic and works with iMovie.
 
gecko579 said:
Definitely on the low end but don't rule out the MinoHD completely. SO simple, with one hour recording time with built-in 4GB flash (not upgradable) and Li ion battery. The form factor is currently unbeatable and I find I'm bringing it everywhere (first rule of DV is you must actually have a camera!) and with the new stabilization feature in iMovie '09, the shots will be pretty good for consumer (720i) use. FWIW.
Click to expand...

I have to agree with this reply, if the camera is so large that it spends most of its life in a carry case then its money wasted. A friend of mine has the Flip Ultra and he shots amazing video with it, out riding his bike etc. also dont get over hyped about all the HD stuff when standard resolution is just fine for daily around town and family fun stuff.
 
gecko579 said:
Definitely on the low end but don't rule out the MinoHD completely. SO simple, with one hour recording time with built-in 4GB flash (not upgradable) and Li ion battery. The form factor is currently unbeatable and I find I'm bringing it everywhere (first rule of DV is you must actually have a camera!) and with the new stabilization feature in iMovie '09, the shots will be pretty good for consumer (720i) use. FWIW.
Click to expand...

I like that this is the only one of the new ultra-compact vertical HD recorders that supports OS X directly, but the limited record time would mean taking a laptop along when traveling in order to keep freeing up the memory. That's more of a drag than finding a new non-Pro Mac that will support FireWire so I can keep importing video from my Canon HV-20 into iMovie once the Mini dies.

gkarris said:
Has anyone checked out this new HD Flash Camcorder from Sony? 1080 for $199! :eek:

http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs...0151&langId=-1&categoryId=8198552921644610396
Click to expand...

Sony's website says they will soon have a vertical form factor version available for $169 (I'm really starting to warm up to that form factor, especially for a cheap secondary camera to complement my HV-20). It still uses memory sticks so it gets around the Flip's limitation there, but of course no mention of OS X compatibility so you are back to dragging the media files to your machine and then converting them. That's the same issue holding me back from the Creative Vado HD.
 
dwl017 said:
I have to agree with this reply, if the camera is so large that it spends most of its life in a carry case then its money wasted. A friend of mine has the Flip Ultra and he shots amazing video with it, out riding his bike etc. also dont get over hyped about all the HD stuff when standard resolution is just fine for daily around town and family fun stuff.
Click to expand...

But the MinoHD is only $50 more than the regular Mino. Why not invest the extra $50 "just in case"? Once you try HD resolutions you may decide you like it! They both hold the same 60 minutes of video before needing to offload to a computer and they have the exact same size and weight specs so they have exactly the same amount of portability.

If they come up with one that adds an SD slot or has more base memory I'm getting one (I might end up getting one anyway). I agree that with its size I'd be more likely to have it with me for lots of events that I wouldn't bother bringing my regular video camera to.
 
jzuena said:
But the MinoHD is only $50 more than the regular Mino. Why not invest the extra $50 "just in case"? Once you try HD resolutions you may decide you like it! They both hold the same 60 minutes of video before needing to offload to a computer and they have the exact same size and weight specs so they have exactly the same amount of portability.

If they come up with one that adds an SD slot or has more base memory I'm getting one (I might end up getting one anyway). I agree that with its size I'd be more likely to have it with me for lots of events that I wouldn't bother bringing my regular video camera to.
Click to expand...

I just bought the Flip Mino and I'm really impressed. I'm assuming that for the price difference, the HD might be worth it.
 
alansmallen said:
I just bought the Flip Mino and I'm really impressed. I'm assuming that for the price difference, the HD might be worth it.
Click to expand...

Its threads like this that keeps my credit card nice and warm on a cold, snowy winter day.:eek:

I'm leaning towards OS X/iMovie integration over memory expansion and that MinoHD is calling my name. And this, of course, is the perfect application for iMovie '09 and its video stabilization. Has iLife '09 started shipping yet? Once it ships I won't be able to rationalize away this little purchase.:D
 
I got the following from Amazon:

Samsung SC-HMX20c HD 1080p 10 X optical camcorder with SDHC and 8 GB built in memory

Samsung SC-HMX20 SD camcorder 34 X optical zoom with Youtube capability.

I like the size, ease of use.

I am still trying to figure out how to edit videos on the FCE.
 
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