New Camera/Camcorder

[Schmarvin]

So, I'm on the lookout for a new, mid-grade camera or camcorder. I say either because some cameras have decent video recording quality and features. Right now, I'm using a Canon PowerShot SX150IS

It's okay, but it only records in 720p. That's still not that bad, but it only records to an SD Card. Still not bad considering I have 64GB memory cards. It only runs on AA batteries....Wha???? That's crazy, right? I know.Thing dies in about 5-10 minutes of video recording off of brand new AA batteries. I've tried Duracell, Energizer, and my regular cheap batteries, Rayovac. Now, I've also tried the Quantum Red's by Duracell. Still only able to get about 15 minutes of video footage per set of two AA batteries recording at 720p. Also note that this camera only records in MOV files.....which I hate, with a burning and growing passion to the ends of the earth.

 

Which brings me to why I'm looking for a new camera. The features I need are listed below. But I want to note that I've looked for cameras myself and I don't even see that many reviews online, except for the professional series cameras like what NCIX/Linus use. Does not help me as I will not be spending near that amount, lol. I will be using this camera mostly for business use (creating web videos for classes and training). No, I will not be doing tech reviews and such, like what Linus does, but more-or-less, web training videos to show the features and break down what hardware components are. Hence why I'm looking for 720p or 1080p resolution for good quality on smaller components.

 

 

Features I need:

• Video recording
• Decent recording microphone (or ability to record from an attached mic)
• Long battery life (hopefully not running on AA or AAA batteries)
• 720p or 1080p resolutions for recording video
• Support for a tripod
• MP4, FLV, AVI formats for video (or anything that is not MOV)

Features that I would like:

• Video passthrough (recording to my PC)
• Internal memory with expandable storage
• If only SD card support, expansion past 32GB
• Good file compression on the fly (don't really need this if I can use SD cards past 32GB, but would be nice when moving and editing footage)
• Wireless Support? (I've seen this with like 2 cameras, so I'm not going to really ask for it, but would be nice.)

 

Now, for my budget, I'm capped about $600. I know most home or family cameras run under $300. So, most of the features I'm looking for won't be in there. So, lets get started. Show me some recommendations on what I should be looking at to buy.

[Flyguygamer]

Canon t3i or 600d

[heavygrounds]

Get a DSLR and decent lens.

 

I would recommend the Canon T2i+ (so T2i, T3i, T4i...) [if you're in europe that would be the Canon 550D, 600D, 650D...

Don't bother about anything after the T3i (unless you absolutely love touch screens) and spend more money on a good lens (crap lens = crap shots)

All of these cameras above are known for they're great HD video recording capabilities and they all have Mic inputs (so you're not stuck with okayish mics), they also all can shoot in 60fps (slow motion). Finally if you do get any of these cameras, install the magic lantern firmware to turn these DSLRs into very capable camcorders.

 

I have a T2i and the battery lasts forever, but just incase I have spare battery packs (which are cheap to buy)

And all of these have tripod support.

 

For someone who wants to get in to professional like video making, but dont want to spend thousands, I wouldn't recommend anything else.

 

Hope this helps

[Schmarvin]

Looks like a great camera. Thanks for the info, I'll look into both the t2i and t3i. I think the t2i is discontinued.

[DoubleY]

Looks like a great camera. Thanks for the info, I'll look into both the t2i and t3i. I think the t2i is discontinued.

Indeed it was.

 

It was replaced by the T3, T4, and T5 (all about a year from eachother) 

[davidvu396]

For video i'd take a EOS M with a decent Lens like the 40mm f/2.8 or just buy a RX100

[Williamchan87]

some canon with magic lantern