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-   -   If you had $300-$400 to spend... (http://www.wakeworld.com/forum/showthread.php?t=799851)

fly135 09-06-2013 9:02 AM

If you had $300-$400 to spend...
 
...would you get a camera that records 1080p or a 1080p camcorder?

I don't need it to be waterproof, shoot from boat and shore. I want something mostly for recording video, but decent pictures would be good too. I see a lot of cameras shoot video, but I question the picture quality from a camcorder. And vice versa the video quality from a camera.

Anyone got any suggestions? Should I add more to the budget and get a better camera that shoots video? Optical image stab seems important too.

shawndoggy 09-06-2013 9:23 AM

IMHO a superzoom is the best of both worlds.

I have the 720p cousin to this one from a few years back and it shoots great autofocus video:

http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-DMC-...anasonic+fz200

fly135 09-06-2013 11:29 AM

Thanks for the suggestion. For under $400 I would consider the FZ70 model that has a longer zoom and OIS. Not keen on 1080i but don't know that it's a problem either. Tend to think progressive may be better for wakeboarding shots.

shawndoggy 09-06-2013 11:39 AM

ha, sorry thought I was actually pasting the FZ70 link. If this is for making bluerays, you might want to get something with 60p. If it's for posting clips on youtube or facebook (which have their own compression), IMHO 60i and 60p are indistinguishable to most.

Here's an example of some wife-shot 720p video compressed on youtube from last summer. Still looks pretty good imho for point and shoot kinda stuff.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/7eD5yK81a5A" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

and another handheld vid in different context with the same camera

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/E8lycmqgzrY" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

fly135 09-07-2013 12:28 PM

Looking now at the Lumix DMC-FZ200 @ $480. I think the super zoom of the FZ70 will compromise picture quality and I really don't need that much zoom. The FZ200 has 1080p recording and claims to have an F2.8 aperture thoughout the whole zoom range (25mm-600mm).

shawndoggy 09-08-2013 7:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fly135 (Post 1843615)
Looking now at the Lumix DMC-FZ200 @ $480. I think the super zoom of the FZ70 will compromise picture quality and I really don't need that much zoom. The FZ200 has 1080p recording and claims to have an F2.8 aperture thoughout the whole zoom range (25mm-600mm).

That camera is badass. Downside is only that you are approaching low end dslr or 4/3s territory at that price. I still think the fz200 is a better pure camcorder than a dslr rig (in the sense of "point and film"), but it has some limitations too. My bet is you'd be happy with it.

Sent from my BNTV600 using Tapatalk 4

fly135 09-18-2013 10:20 AM

Still working this out. I went to a Costco on the other side of town to buy the Nikon P520 for $380 happened to see a Lumix G5 with 2 lens for $587. Bought the P520 but instead of opening the box I did some more research and realized the P520 was crap. Took it back to my closer Costco but they didn't carry the G5.

The Costco on the other side of town is close to OWC so I'm planning to get the G5 next time I go. I really liked the FZ200, and even liked the lens zoom range and f-stop more than the G5. But the G5 has manual focus and zoom capability. Plus the deal at Costco is as good as any I can find. Body, case, SD card, 14-42mm/F3.5-5.6 Lens and 45-150mm f/4.0-5.6 lens for $587 + tax.

The hires viewfinder of the Lumix is way better than on the P520. Plus I found a video review of the p520 that basically said Nikon was pimping their name on a POS that couldn't focus in dim light or in full daylight at long zoom ranges. And the hi speed recording of the Lumix kicks butt. The con of the G5 is that you can't get that superzoom in one lens. Well, maybe if you pay though the nose.

shawndoggy 09-18-2013 11:55 AM

budget blown! But those are GREAT video cams. the G3s have a big community following with firmware hacks etc. Not sure about the G5.

fly135 09-19-2013 5:39 PM

Picked up the G5 tonight. Get this.... They raised the price from $587 to $599 and gave an instant rebate for $100 lowering the final price to $500!


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