SodaLuvr

I've been itching for an excuse to get a digital camera. Now, I'm planning to make a video for my senior project, and thus, need to get a video camera. Why not kill two birds with one stone?

What camera should I be looking for to fulfill my application? I just want a camera that can record at the best quality possible within my budget ($200-$400) and yet be a decent point and shoot camera for day to day use.

Is this a bad idea, or am I better off buying a separate camera and video camera?

I've been looking at:

Powershot S3 IS
SD800
SD700
SD630
SD600

Is Image Stabilization (IS) that important?
How much video can I expect to store on 1GB of memory?
What kind of video quality can I expect?

Thanks.

jupitersolo

From what you listed the S3IS, I think is the best. For video you're going to want a video camera. I've not seen a hybrid that did both good. Sony had something, but they don't make it any longer. You can always borrow a vid camera.

this is canon's spec sheet for this camera.

http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/co...&modelid=13077

SodaLuvr

Aside from the ancient twenty year old one (Sony VHS type) that I have in my garage, I don't know of anyone who would be willing to loan me one.

So, you believe the S3 IS would be best for my video/photo needs? I heard the S3 delivers so-so quality photos regularly?

Also, how does the SD800 differ from the S3 IS? What is a DSLR?

Thanks.

jupitersolo

Take a look at this link for the S3IS, it takes very good pictures. https://acurazine.com/forums/cameras-photography-44/canon-s3-359962/

The SD800 is a point and shoot. The S3IS is also a point and shoot, but has a better optically zoom and is closer to what a DSLR is.

As far as video it should be ok, it shoots VGA. But will not be as good as a video camera. Take a look at this link from amazon, the ones that talked about the video are pleased with it.

http://www.amazon.com/Canon-PowerSho.../dp/B000EMWBV0

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital...reflex_cameras

SodaLuvr

Alright, got it. Thanks.

Here's another problem. The S3 IS is HUGE. I'd much rather having something more compact. Zoom isn't that important to me.

Either way, let's focus on the movie mode. The S3 shoots 640X480, and gives me a maximum of 1GB per file.

Looking at the A710 IS, SD700 IS, etc...the only difference between the video mode of the S3 IS vs A710, etc is the stereo sound capability and zoom within the video.

If such is the case, truly how much better is the S3 for video? Is the stereo sound really going to make it or break it? Or is there something else that is making the S3 > * for video?

Thanks.

jupitersolo

I gave the A710IS to my wife when I saw just how bad her other camera was. At least to my standards. I'm very please with it, I like that it uses regular AA batteries. I never used the video portion of it. I just did a quick one, and it looks OK. I think the S3IS would do better, because it has better optics. They both do VGA 640x480. I don't think the sound difference would be a problem.

To clear it up a little. Cameras are great for pictures and Camcorders are great for video. I've not seen a hybrid that has done both great together. Cameras doing video are doing it better than before.

If your project doesn't have to be a big production, I think using a camera's video mode should be good enough.

The A710IS can be had from amazon.com for $255.

ChodTheWacko

If you want video, get a video camera. Video mode on digicams is an hack, for recording short little blurbs where a picture won't quite cut it. You will be very unhappy if your primary purpose is video.

Except for the Casio cameras which use MPEG4 compression (I had an ex750 and its movie mode was outstanding), you are talking 15 minutes per GIG. Several cameras have movie clip limits of 30 seconds or so. Be careful.

The casio does a lot better - my old EX750 could do almost an hour per gig, but the battery would die before that. Movie mode + LCD = toasted battery.

If you are focusing on movie modes, look at Casio's cameras. They have, hands down, the best video modes. It sucks that Canon hasn't copied SOME of the Casio's movie abilities, because some of them rock hard.

Also, you say the S3 is huge, but are camcorders really that much smaller?
IMHO, the threshhold of camera sizes is:
pocket sized
bag sized (requres own bag, but can be thrown into another backpack/bag/purse)
dedicated camera bag.

Until you cross one of those boundaries, it doesn't matter really how much bigger/smaller a camera is. It's going to be equally inconvenient.

SodaLuvr

I'll only use it once in a blue moon for video, if at all...

In such a case, would the A710IS be sufficient? That's what I'm planning to get in the event that I cannot borrow one.

Coco-bun

Sanyo Xacti?

ChodTheWacko

Should be fine.

I'm not 100% sure of this, but I don't think any of the Canon cameras have signifigantly better video than any other. Camera video has been a pretty neglected feature for the most part.

SodaLuvr

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/re...hread=20262388
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/re...hread=20541366

Could anyone would with a S3 IS or A710IS please comment on this?

SodaLuvr

Done deal.

Order an A570IS for $268 shipped tonight. Going to be one of the first people to have their hands one.

Will also order a SanDisk 2GB Ultra III SD card for $34.99 shipped (after MIR) from Amazon.

jupitersolo

Let us know how it works out. Hopefully it's just enough to get your project done.