Video Camera Help?

[VoiDzz]

Was looking at spending around $200-$275 on a video camera.

 

Really inexperienced with them.

 

Need something that would be ideal for recording whilst on a TriPod or something.

 

I am aware this is not a huge budget but just some advice to get me started so I can start looking around.

[DarknessTroller]

17 minutes ago, VoiDzz said:

Was looking at spending around $200-$275 on a video camera.

 

Really inexperienced with them.

 

Need something that would be ideal for recording whilst on a TriPod and maybe good for vlogging. (if possible maybe some good quality pictures)

 

I am aware this is not a huge budget but just some advice to get me started so I can start looking around.

http://www.amazon.com/Canon-VIXIA-HF-R600-Black/dp/B00RKNO06K?psc=1&SubscriptionId=AKIAJM4NKIQGABP2PIRA&linkCode=xm2&camp=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=B00RKNO06K&tag=thewire014-21&ascsubtag=WC20349

 

Don't know much about it, but you can do some research. I will too.

[Networking Wolf]

Is there any at this price range which supports audio in?

[ALwin]

7 minutes ago, Jstone said:

Is there any at this price range which supports audio in?

Camcorders usually have a 3.5mm port for external mics.

 

I can't say with 100% certainty for other types of cameras at this price range.

[VoiDzz]

6 minutes ago, ALwin said:

Camcorders usually have a 3.5mm port for external mics.

 

I can't say with 100% certainty for other types of cameras at this price range.

so would I have to also buy a microphone?

or do you have any suggestions for cameras that have microphones / meet the criteria ?

[ALwin]

38 minutes ago, VoiDzz said:

so would I have to also buy a microphone?

or do you have any suggestions for cameras that have microphones / meet the criteria ?

Ok about in-camera mics and audio:

• Firstly, with your budget there are not many choices available for a good camera that can record decent quality video.  You may have to look if a higher end model might be available for such a budget because it is second hand/used.
• For this low budget, DSLRs, Mirrorless cameras, compact point and shoot cameras are mainly designed for photography, so the manufacturer sometimes has to decide shall I make a camera that performs average or mediocre for both Photo+Video, or should be make the camera perform better for Photo with the sacrifice of quality for Video (in terms of components they put inside the cameras).
• Camcorders on the other hand, as they are mainly designed for use as a video camera, tend to come with better in-camera mics than DSLRs or Mirrorless cameras.
• But of course, it really depends on how clean and how good a quality you want for the audio.  If you want very clean, high quality, high fidelity audio then I do recommend the use of an external mic.

My recommendation is, first buy the camera you want.  Test out the quality of the in-camera mics.  With DSLRS, Mirrorless and Point&Shoot compact photo cameras, the chances are the audio is going to be crap.  But with a camcorder the in-camera mic might perform within an acceptable level for you so you don't need to invest more money in an external mic.  But I can't tell you, you have to test this for yourself.  So get the camera first, wait 1-2 days and test the audio quality and if you find it completely unacceptable then we can help you find a good mic that is compatible with the camera.

 

EDIT:

Bottom line

1. If you intend to buy a DSLR, Mirrorless camera, Point&Shoot camera.  For certain you will need an external mic or a recorder.
2. If you intend to buy a camcorder, depending on the camcorder:
   1. The quality of the mic might meet a minimum acceptable level that you require
   2. Low end camcorders might record audio as 16-bit 44.1khz WAV files while higher end ones might support 24-bit 48-96khz quality audio which helps make cleaning up the audio in post a bit easier.  Keep in mind DSLRs might also record the same type of 16-24, 44.1-48khz audio.  But they tend to have smaller mic capsules and tiny holes to let sound waves pass through.

For example, this camcorder the Sony HDR PJ540 (I know it's a bit above your current budget).

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1022663-REG/sony_hdrpj540_b_16gb_hdr_pj340_full_hd.html

 

Take this camcorder and take an expensive camera like the Canon 5D mk III, without using external mics, put them side by side in a quiet room and just record someone talking.  I assure you that cheap camcorder's audio will be noticeably better than the more expensive Canon camera.

[VoiDzz]

12 minutes ago, ALwin said:

Ok about in-camera mics and audio:

• Firstly, with your budget there are not many choices available for a good camera that can record decent quality video.  You may have to look if a higher end model might be available for such a budget because it is second hand/used.
• For this low budget, DSLRs, Mirrorless cameras, compact point and shoot cameras are mainly designed for photography, so the manufacturer sometimes has to decide shall I make a camera that performs average or mediocre for both Photo+Video, or should be make the camera perform better for Photo with the sacrifice of quality for Video (in terms of components they put inside the cameras).
• Camcorders on the other hand, as they are mainly designed for use as a video camera, tend to come with better in-camera mics than DSLRs or Mirrorless cameras.
• But of course, it really depends on how clean and how good a quality you want for the audio.  If you want very clean, high quality, high fidelity audio then I do recommend the use of an external mic.

My recommendation is, first buy the camera you want.  Test out the quality of the in-camera mics.  With DSLRS, Mirrorless and Point&Shoot compact photo cameras, the chances are the audio is going to be crap.  But with a camcorder the in-camera mic might perform within an acceptable level for you so you don't need to invest more money in an external mic.  But I can't tell you, you have to test this for yourself.  So get the camera first, wait 1-2 days and test the audio quality and if you find it completely unacceptable then we can help you find a good mic that is compatible with the camera.

 

EDIT:

Bottom line

1. If you intend to buy a DSLR, Mirrorless camera, Point&Shoot camera.  For certain you will need an external mic or a recorder.
2. If you intend to buy a camcorder, depending on the camcorder:
   1. The quality of the mic might meet a minimum acceptable level that you require
   2. Low end camcorders might record audio as 16-bit 44.1khz WAV files while higher end ones might support 24-bit 48-96khz quality audio which helps make cleaning up the audio in post a bit easier.

For example, this camcorder the Sony HDR PJ540 (I know it's a bit above your current budget).

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1022663-REG/sony_hdrpj540_b_16gb_hdr_pj340_full_hd.html

 

Take this camcorder and take an expensive camera like the Canon 5D mk III, without using external mics, put them side by side in a quiet room and just record someone talking.  I assure you that cheap camcorder's audio will be noticeably better than the more expensive Canon camera.

Alright, thank you for this.

 

I read through it and you helped me understand some basics.

 

I do like the idea of that camera you suggested, I just feel like the features such as the projector have upped the price a little. (I know it may come in helpful)

 

But once again thank you for the help and giving me a better insight into the different pricing of cameras etc. 

 

Will look around a little more and see if I can maybe stretch to that sony one.

[ALwin]

4 minutes ago, VoiDzz said:

Alright, thank you for this.

 

I read through it and you helped me understand some basics.

 

I do like the idea of that camera you suggested, I just feel like the features such as the projector have upped the price a little. (I know it may come in helpful)

 

But once again thank you for the help and giving me a better insight into the different pricing of cameras etc. 

 

Will look around a little more and see if I can maybe stretch to that sony one.

I'm not recommending that camera for you to buy, was just using it as an example.  There are cheaper models.

[VoiDzz]

Just now, ALwin said:

I'm not recommending that camera for you to buy, was just using it as an example.  There are cheaper models.

such as

 

http://www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/cameras-camcorders/camcorders/camcorders/panasonic-hc-v270eb-k-traditional-camcorder-black-10119297-pdt.html

 

or

 

http://www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/cameras-camcorders/camcorders/camcorders/sony-hdr-pj410b-full-hd-camcorder-black-10118469-pdt.html

 

they seem lower end?

[ALwin]

Let me get back to you, on my phone now and taking the bus.

[ALwin]

19 hours ago, VoiDzz said:

snip

Check the reviews for both cameras, they both seem to be nice ones.