You knew we’d get here eventually, right?
We’re talking about the video portion of our program.
The video you make with your still camera.
No we’re not going to go to the D90 and Canon Rebel series. Yet.
And the 5D MKII will have to wait.
Let’s start small. And relatively accessible for the wallet. Add video in your pocket. While we are test driving the suit jacket cameras, let’s get the video done at the same time, right?
Let’s take a look at the point and shoot variety.
Of course we have the Flip Ultra video. Simple, removable batteries, up to 2 hours record, very good vid quality.
The video we shot at MTV Movie Awards was made with this. decent sound also, right?
The stills were shot with a Nikon D700.
Now we’re going to test out the Nikon S620, and the Canon SD780IS, along with showing you the Flip Ultra and the Canon D10
This is all about using something small, something you can carry in your pocket, something that is essentially unobtrusive.
Every photographer should have video camera in their bag. Period.
I won’t lie. It does hurt when I know if I bring out the big unit and pro sound, it will rock. Hard. Add sweet lights, and we’re home free.
I can go smaller, with a prosumer camera and add solid mics and a smaller light, I’ll still get some excellent result results.
And if the big sensor still camera, with the awesome lens, isn’t in my hands I feel a wee bit naked.
This is not about that.
This is about ease of operation. This is about recording an event in the simplest of ways. Losing the bulk. And seeing what you sacrifice. Not the highest end point and shoots. A reasonable price camera. The most bang for the buck.
Why am I telling you all this now before the results are in?
Because we want you to suggest some ways you would use these cameras, and we’ll try to replicate those situations.
The Canon D10 will just be an underwater test because, well…. none of the others can do that.
Sure there are some other units out there but those brands have led the pack so off we go.
And by we, I mean, whomever I’m hanging with to get these tested.
The D700 will stay at home for these tests, as will the P2 HD vid camera.
Carry a camera, always. Sometimes, it just needs to be tiny.
The goal is to find a great small camera to take around, get the shots of the life events, maybe some vid, vlog all in a tiny package.
The question is now coming up: should I expect my still camera, no matter what size, to deliver the video I need ?
Or when I shoot stills, have a still camera in my hand, and when I shoot video, have a video camera in my hand?
The combo we used, due to restrictions on the MTV Movie Awards, was the Flip, not the norm, and the D700.
The manufacturers are all now combining these features and even though we have first generation, the line is getting blurred.
It hasn’t hit the pro-lines, yet.
Ok, for everyone who only shoots film, you can sit this one out. Get a Flip and relax.
So we would like to hear like to hear from you, and see how you’d like us to adjust the test.
Consider this part one of an ongoing real world review.
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Damon, the video that any of the forementioned cameras output should be seen as an added benefit to the still picturetaking capabilities. I again am using my experience in selling these cameras every day.
While most of my customers are suburban families, they reflect the great majority of customers that I get that will rarely or never use the video features. Yes, WAY cool that they can do it (especially the HD on the Canon 780) but most folks are still of a mindset that to get optimal results, you get seperate cameras for video & photo.
True that ,Fred. Our first goal will be to look at the photo quality and then the video bonus. I am also of that same mind set that separate units are best but the line is getting blurry. The next posting will help.
I agree separate units are the way. It is always great to get the extras.
Any idea when this is gonna be done? I am highly debating getting a Canon SD780 IS
and there it is!