Camera/Camcorder and video editor software...

[Navi]

Hey guys! Sorry about the title, lol.

But anyways, I would like some opinions from you all. I'm wanting to get a camcorder or something with some money I'll get this summer. I've been kinda thinking about doing videos/mini-series about stuff around town, if that helps any.... Is there some sort of camera that also does good quality video? If not, what kind of camcorder would be good for what I want to do?
Also, I am thinking about some kind of video software along with the video equipment... Any suggestions there? I guess I'd just want it to be easy to cut clips, add sound/music, and stuff like that.

and yes, i am unfortunately on a budget... If we could keep it below... ohh, $800, that would be awesome.

Thanks in advance! :D

[Rayquaza]

If you're looking for good quality, consider which resolution you will want to record to;

If it's just fun and something you don't want to spend that much time on then go for 480p, and the file size will be small

If you're going for a decent quality video that's HD, go for 720p, and these days 720p camcorders are cheap.

If you're going for a professional standard, (which, for youtube is a little pointless), then go for a 1080p camera.

May I suggest going for a Flip Ultra HD? For someone like you making a mini series about "stuff", then it's good as it's small and you can get it out anywhere!

[CloverGhost]

Like what Shadow said
Flip Ultra HD

For Video Editing Software I'd suggest Sony Vegas Pro 11. Thats what I use and I love it.
For a cheaper alternative I'd suggest Camtasia Studio 7.

[Navi]

If you're looking for good quality, consider which resolution you will want to record to;

If it's just fun and something you don't want to spend that much time on then go for 480p, and the file size will be small

If you're going for a decent quality video that's HD, go for 720p, and these days 720p camcorders are cheap.

If you're going for a professional standard, (which, for youtube is a little pointless), then go for a 1080p camera.

May I suggest going for a Flip Ultra HD? For someone like you making a mini series about "stuff", then it's good as it's small and you can get it out anywhere!

I was thinking something that could shoot HD, just so the videos look a bit nicer... I did take a look at the Flip Ultra HD, but for some reason doesn't really appeal to me. I mean, it looks like it does really well, but I would prefer the option of having an SD card to go along with it rather than the internal HDD and the USB on the camera itself.. Another problem is that I have unsteady hands, so I don't think having something that small wouldn't really work out too well. :P


Like what Shadow said
Flip Ultra HD

For Video Editing Software I'd suggest Sony Vegas Pro 11. Thats what I use and I love it.
For a cheaper alternative I'd suggest Camtasia Studio 7.

Okay, i'll take a look into the Vegas.



Thanks for the insight! It helps out a lot. :D

[gone123]

If you want a 1080p camera that's similar to the flip ultra hd, try the Kodak playsport, it's a decent cheap video camera that has an sd card slot it's also waterproof.

[BrassMonkey]

For a Software, Get any New Sony Vegas Series! I use Sony Vegas Movie Studio Platinum 10. I also do videos and Im about to start some mini series too. It has all you need, for any kind of effects. Even Green screen which I use.
For Camera, I use a Kodak Zi8, which is like the "Flip Mino/Ulta." But I want to get a new camera though. Dont get me wrong, I love my Kodak, its got rally good quality. I jsut want something more for filming. You might want a Sony HandyCam of some sort. Since you got a $800 budget, I suggest getting your Software and Camera from Sony....Also, the "HD Kodak Zi8" has been proven to be Better video quality than the "Flip Ultra/Mino."

[Midland]

A cheap DSLR would also be good as that way you can get a proper lens for focus, zoom. A standalone video camera would be fine though. I don't think that you'd need anything more than 720p but the most important thing with video quality isn't the resolution but the bit-rate, which means how much data is being recorded each second. The higher the number the better the quality. Also think about sound, it's great to have amazing video quality but it's nothing when combined with horrible audio.

You could get a Canon T3 with a lens for around $550. It takes pretty good video for a camera in your price range and its a bonus if you want to take some photos with is as well.

I'm sure you can find some kind of video editing software that will meet your needs with any budget but if you can I'd recommend Sony Vegas. Remember that getting the right camera is more important than getting the right software.

[xChrisVx]

If you are going for a camera and are going to use it a lot, may I recommend a Canon 500D DSLR. The pictures on my profile are taken with that camera and for the ones I have taken myself, close up shots come out crystal clear. The same is true for the video. Perfect quality and you can fit about 12 hours onto the card I have.

The down sides are that this thing can cost between £600 and £700 (I don't know what that is in dollars) and the shutter is very noisy. Switching from camera to video is also quite noisy.

[Midland]

If you are going for a camera and are going to use it a lot, may I recommend a Canon 500D DSLR. The pictures on my profile are taken with that camera and for the ones I have taken myself, close up shots come out crystal clear. The same is true for the video. Perfect quality and you can fit about 12 hours onto the card I have.

The down sides are that this thing can cost between £600 and £700 (I don't know what that is in dollars) and the shutter is very noisy. Switching from camera to video is also quite noisy.

The 1100D has pretty much the same features and is newer but the 500d would still be a good option. The loud sounds are caused by the mirror going up and down which is the same for any DSLR. What kind of card do you have?

Remember to find out about the shutter count on a second hand DSLR if you are getting one as it is very important. Google it if you don't know what it is.

[Steve Jobs]

May I add the importance of sensor size attributing to image noise and low-light performance, along with visual detail too. This is the main reason why modern day SLRs trump over conventional pocket-sized camcorders, and together with increasing support for professional video on SLRs such as the Canon 5D, why they are very quickly catching up to cinema-grade cameras.


As mentioned above, the resolution only has so much importance and really, the only thing that requires resolution would be how and where you intend your videos to be played. If mainly for online, such as youtube, you might as well count that as obsolete.

Other things not mentioned in posts above are compression and recording formats. These are generally quite advanced material should you move into a more commercial/professional environment as I have.

I would also like to mention my experience with the Canon 500D and 550D (I have worked on almost every Canon SLR body bar the bulk of the 1D series) of excessive heat and mirror-flipping issues when recording over long periods of time.

Alternatively if you would like to move into events, or see yourself shooting over prolonged periods of time, consider a shoulder-mount, such as a Sony HVR HD1000, PD170, or Canon XL2 / XL-H1, XF300 etc. They can be pricey for what you get though.

There's a lot to it. You really need to know exactly what you want to shoot before you start looking around with equipment if you're serious enough.

Regarding software, you will never go wrong with Vegas, Avid, Premiere or Final Cut. I like to keep an open mind, and I work extensively with Avid, Premiere and Final Cut. I wouldn't say one is really better than the other, and I would recommend you download free trials and have a try before you decide.

Don't forget sound is equally important. You might like to save some of your budget for a bit of sound gear, depending on what you're shooting. If you're filming outside, prepare to re-dub afterwards.