I am looking for a digital camera to video tape my lapping sessions. The main purpose would be for quicker and nice pictures but an unlimited video would be great for those 15-30 minute sessions.

Again I want great pictures and video is just a bonus. If anyone has any suggestions or good cameras they like could you post them?

 

http://www.goprocamera.com/

 

A super zoom (12x optical zoom or greater) or pocket zoom (smaller cameras but with 10x optical zoom) should be good for what you're looking for. Get some 4GB memory cards and you should be good to go.

Sony H50 is Sony's newest super zoom. The H10 is their newest pocket zoom.

Canon has the S5 super zoom, though there's probably a newer model out right now. I forgot the model of their pocket zoom, but check a site like dpreview.com.

Panasonic has the FZ-series super zoom and the TZ-series pocket zooms.

Olympus has an 18x super zoom.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Slow*Jim &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">http://www.goprocamera.com/</TD></TR></TABLE>

The video on these cameras is awesome. The camera however sucks.

 

I was just looking at the sony W150, How do those stack up to that?

and on the goprocameras is it better to just geta camcorder if the pictures aren't that great?

 

great camera choices but Since I am going to germany and doing alot of traveling over the next year i think i might need soemthing alittle more compact to fit in a pocket while climbing stuffs.

I liked the H10 but it seems alittle big, It seems manageable but could anything compare to the quality but alittle smaller. the price is perfect as well.

 

It sounds to me like you need 2 cameras. One for lapping/track/video, one for stills. That's probably the most cost effective way to do it.

 

looking at it, it would be better to have 1 for each, but I would like to have an "OK" video with the camera if possible, that H10 really has my eye though. any other suggestions?

 

I think Canon's pocket zoom is the SX100. It seems a bit bigger than the H10.

My friend has the Panasonic TZ5. It fits in my pants pocket and is about the same size as the H10. I think it can handle the newer high capacity SDHC cards so an 8GB card would be good for those long video clips.

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/panasonictz5/

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Outrun &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I think Canon's pocket zoom is the SX100. It seems a bit bigger than the H10.

My friend has the Panasonic TZ5. It fits in my pants pocket and is about the same size as the H10. I think it can handle the newer high capacity SDHC cards so an 8GB card would be good for those long video clips.

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/panasonictz5/</TD></TR></TABLE>

Not 2 interested in the cannon SX1000, its larger then I want and doesn't seem 2 be as good as the H10 or TZ5

The TZ5 looks great in specs but I am coming from an older lumix that we bought 5-6 years ago for $400 that had problems with blurry images, the camera took probably 10+ seconds to snap a shot when holding it and then would come out blurry in 1/2 the photos, my ex gf's 150$ p&s panasonic took better pictures

Does your friend have these problems with his TZ5? Do you like the camera?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Chris F &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">It sounds to me like you need 2 cameras. One for lapping/track/video, one for stills. That's probably the most cost effective way to do it.
</TD></TR></TABLE>

This is exceptionally true. the CCD in video cameras are wired to provide lots of images very fast, with some loss in image quality being tollerable, especially on cheaper models. Contrast this with the CCD in a still photo camera, where the objective is highest possible image quality with less concern for time to transfer the data to a storage medium.

granted, this issue is becoming less and less of a factor by the day, but really, it would probably save you a lot of money to buy a video camera and a still camera, because a device that does both of those things well is not cheap.

If i get a chance, i will try to do a compare and contrast for you to illustrate the difference, because i have both a cheap video camera that takes good video and really shitty pictures, and a digital camera that takes great pictures but really crappy video.

 

So, yeah, I was worried about the cost of a jack-of-all-trades device, and also the risk of putting a $500-$1000 camera into a race car, but I was also thinking about the fact that you really really want a wide angle lens on your car, wider than any point-and-shoot.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by sanimalp &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

If i get a chance, i will try to do a compare and contrast for you to illustrate the difference, because i have both a cheap video camera that takes good video and really shitty pictures, and a digital camera that takes great pictures but really crappy video. </TD></TR></TABLE>

That would be cool if you did that, a video and still comparison.

I really do not gain much from video in my car so the video isnt the big deal, The stills are the most important part of the camera, but since I am not buying a $600+ camera I am not expecting either 1 to be amazing and thats why to have a descent video + good pictures would be ideal. Also this needs 2 fit in my pocket so I wouldn't want a huge seperate lens for the camera anyways.

I suppose if I got into hardcore photography and care more about pictures of my car rather then parts for my car I would spend a Gnote on both a still and video camera but this is a gift so I'm looking at my best options and most versatile for my budget and traveling. but if I could get an AMAZING still that nothing could compare to for my price range &lt;350 with no video I would buy it.

 

Not sure about the video performance but my friend loves the image stabilization of the TZ5. He said he has more keepers in low light situations.

Pics look good too. IIRC the TZ5 has a Leica lens.

Also, the newer Lumix cameras have been pretty good. My first paying photo gig (2004 25 Hours of Thunderhill) I used a Panasonic Lumix FZ20 12x super zoom.

 

alright, i am rather embarrassed coming up with this comparison, as it is not my best, most scientific work. There are a number of variables that i must disclaim render this comparison nearly worthless. The resolution rating on the 2 cameras is different, which is the first disqualifying issue, however, this illustrates the bandwidth issue that must be addressed on even cheap video cameras, where still cameras need not worry so much about bandwidth to storage medium. Second, I am not 100% certain that the zoom setting on the video camera image is set to 0. third, the top image is set to be resized by whatever browser you are using, and those resize algorithms vary in lossiness, to the point where the top image may appear vastly poorer quality if you use some crazy old web browser that doesn't handle jpg resize nicely.

with all that said, here is the comparison. http://mycomputerninja.com/~jon/cameraCompare.htm

you can see in the top image, that in most cases depending on web browser, despite being resized, the image is clearer. This was a digital still camera, a canon powershot 3.2 megapixel camera.

the second image is fairly grainy. This image is from a video camera being used in still camera mode in its max resolution, and has not been resized by your browser.

Both devices were made around the same time (2005, how far have we come?). The still camera was around $200 at the time, and the video camera was around $350 at the time. I was too lazy to get them both out and take pictures, because i am in the middle of a move and i have no idea where the video camera is.. but i hope this helps a little.

 

Ok I see the reason 2 have 2 different cameras. It resized properly on my browser(atleast I think) now was that camera video capable? so you could take smaller videos 45sec-10 minutes? do you have a video comparison of that?


<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Outrun &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Not sure about the video performance but my friend loves the image stabilization of the TZ5. He said he has more keepers in low light situations.

Pics look good too. IIRC the TZ5 has a Leica lens.

Also, the newer Lumix cameras have been pretty good. My first paying photo gig (2004 25 Hours of Thunderhill) I used a Panasonic Lumix FZ20 12x super zoom.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I think I am going to have to try and find that camera in person to see it. My old camera took great pictures if you didnt mind waiting and taking a few shots to get a clear shot.

How does Fuji or olympus compare in this price range to the H10 and TZ5? anyone with issues?

 

Fuji and I think Olympus use the more expensive per GB xD Picture Cards.

 

ill stick between the cannon, sony and panasonic then.

I have narrowed some choices down to these
Panasonic TZ5
Cannon Sx100 is
Sony H10

On dpreview it seems that sony has a good video but the picture is just below the cannon on anything other than ISO 100. and the panasonics best feature is the lcd and all around good camera. also stated the sony is a essentialy a P&S with high zoom. are there any cameras around my pricerange that I can begin to play with manual settings on cameras...slr's?

 

The canon s3is or the new s5is pretty much have features that let you play with it like it's a dslr. Dont know the price of the s5is, and dont know how hard it is to find a s3is.

I would look into canon's if you're set on getting a p&s. I wish I would have known sooner you were looking for a camera, you could have seen my girlfriends s5is at gingerman.

 

Size is a consideration here, and the SX100 is already at the upper physical limit.

If time isn't a consideration, what I would do is go to Best Buy, Circuit City, Fry's, etc and check out the cameras in person. Handle them and see how they fit in your hand. After deciding on the one you want, go order it from bhphoto.com and save some money. Shipping is usually 3-5 days and you don't have to pay sales tax if you're outside New York.

I think the H10 might be able to take wide angle and teleconverters. Not sure about the Panny and Canons.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Gong Show &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I would look into canon's if you're set on getting a p&s. I wish I would have known sooner you were looking for a camera, you could have seen my girlfriends s5is at gingerman.</TD></TR></TABLE>

yea, but maybe at the next track event if I don't have mine by then.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Outrun &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Size is a consideration here, and the SX100 is already at the upper physical limit.

If time isn't a consideration, what I would do is go to Best Buy, Circuit City, Fry's, etc and check out the cameras in person. Handle them and see how they fit in your hand. After deciding on the one you want, go order it from bhphoto.com and save some money. Shipping is usually 3-5 days and you don't have to pay sales tax if you're outside New York.

I think the H10 might be able to take wide angle and teleconverters. Not sure about the Panny and Canons.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I plan on checking them out in person but outside of the screen on the camera you don't really see how the cameras transfer images and how they look on a computer screen, and how much editing it will take to make them look good. I would love a DSLR but the price might be alittle high. except on this 1.

Olympus E-410 (DSLR), Its alittle bigger then a want but the specs don't seem as well as the TZ5, i can afford this but is it worth it to get a low end dslr compared to a "SLR-like" camera with high zoom? what are the real differences? intechangable lenses?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Outrun &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">If time isn't a consideration, what I would do is go to Best Buy, Circuit City, Fry's, etc and check out the cameras in person. Handle them and see how they fit in your hand. After deciding on the one you want, go order it from bhphoto.com and save some money. Shipping is usually 3-5 days and you don't have to pay sales tax if you're outside New York..</TD></TR></TABLE>

bhphoto.com or beachcamera.com. Also check out Wolf/Ritz Camera, they might have some of the cameras that Best buy or Circuit City dont carry. But order online from bh or beach.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Outrun &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
I think the H10 might be able to take wide angle and teleconverters. Not sure about the Panny and Canons.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Yes, these are all the canon cameras that will accept the wide/tele/macro converters.
Canon PowerShot A650
Canon PowerShot A610/A620/A630/A640
Canon PowerShot A95/A80
Canon PowerShot A85/A75/A70/A60
Canon PowerShot S5/S3/S2 IS
Canon PowerShot G9/G7

Check here for samples. http://www.lensmateonline.com/

Also Patrick, don't just settle for any entry level dslr. My advice would be If you plan to buy a dslr, wait and save up for the one you really want, Entry level or Pro. I jumped right in the entry level game, and got the pentax k100d. It's a great camera, but after getting use to and understanding it, I wanted the k10d. It had mor features that I wanted or could use. Then I played around with Nikon D200, and I wished I would have saved and got one of those. I would say first start of with a decent P&S for now. Then later on go for a dslr, by then you'll know what dslr you will want. Plus it's always good to have a P&S for those times you dont want to carry the dslr and a bunch of lens to go with it. That's why I want to see If I can fix my gf old P&S. Plus that fits in my pocket.


Modified by Gong Show at 10:26 AM 7/30/2008

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Gong Show &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
Also Patrick, don't just settle for any entry level dslr. My advice would be If you plan to buy a dslr, wait and save up for the one you really want, Entry level or Pro. I jumped right in the entry level game, and got the pentax k100d. It's a great camera, but after getting use to and understanding it, I wanted the k10d. It had mor features that I wanted or could use. Then I played around with Nikon D200, and I wished I would have saved and got one of those. I would say first start of with a decent P&S for now. Then later on go for a dslr, by then you'll know what dslr you will want. Plus it's always good to have a P&S for those times you dont want to carry the dslr and a bunch of lens to go with it. That's why I want to see If I can fix my gf old P&S. Plus that fits in my pocket.


Modified by Gong Show at 10:26 AM 7/30/2008</TD></TR></TABLE>

Good advise, I think I was starting to loose sight on the things I need rather then what I want. and the simple pocket size P&S that I can learn alot on is ultimately what I want to get. is it better to get the High zoom P&S (S5IS, H10, TZ5) or a smaller lower zoom P&S (Sony W170) for a secondary camera.

What is every ones preference if you have the SLR as the main?

 

Before I got my pentax, I had a nikon 4600 P&S. Which was okay, but I liked my girlfriends canon sd550 more than my nikon.

I like the camera's like the s3/s5is, and other company cameras that are similar. It pretty much gives you the same features as a dslr for less money. You have the AV, TV, M, etc modes. And you can play with the apeture on these cameras like a dslr. I don't recall if my old nikon 4600 would let me choose the apeture & exposure settings. Plus being able to add attachments like the wide/tele/macro adapters onto these cameras make them even better.

I know size is also a factor for you, but they do make small camera bags. But going to a new country, I would rather carry my camera(dslr or P&S) in a backpack or a camera bag that wont attract a lot of attention. Also a bag will protect your camera from getting banged up. Also a plus about the canon s3/s5is, it's screen has a door that can flip out and rotate.



This shot was taken with my old nikon 4600.


And here's a same shot my gf took with her old canon sd550
http://flickr.com/photos/11228...zes/m/

Here's her flickr page with shots from her old sd550, and her new s5is.
http://flickr.com/photos/11228598@N07/

 

2 bad flickr is NSFW compatible here. but I like that flip out screen lol. I do have a backpack almost every were I go on my travels so It might be best to not keep in the pocket but my old camera is a Nikon 4300. not a big fan of it AT ALL! good for my mom though. I will see what the sizes are in person though. I have been vaguely judging size off the old 4300 I have.