I'm looking to get into filming my hunts, but I don't really wan't to jump into a professional type camera. My wife would also like to have a nice and flexible camera for taking stills of wildlife and scenery. I have been looking around, but really don't know anything about cameras. I would like a still camera that will also record excellent HD quality video. I have been looking at the Sony NEX-5N camera. It is supposed to be very simple, yet versatile. It uses the interchangeable lens system similar to the DSLR's, but it more compact and the controls are simplified. I have you tube's videos, and they seem to be of high quality. I'm wondering what more experienced videographers think of this idea? Pro's and Con's to using this type of camera.Any type of input would be helpful Here's a link to the web page, if your not familiar with these cameras. http://store.sony.com/webapp/wcs/st...0551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&identifier=S_NEX
I was looking to post the same thread as you, im also looking for a high quality camera for no more than $500. I've found a camera that looks nice, its the Panasonic SD90. Check it out.
Looks like a nice camera for the price. Essentially uses the same size sensor as most of your mid and entry level DSLRs, but in a smaller package. Great for photos and some family videos, but not so great for filming your hunts. Especially if you're filming yourself.
Lots of good HD cameras out there like this... http://www.amazon.com/Sony-HDR-XR16...FN8K/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1324562914&sr=8-3
I'm not really looking for a camcorder, at least not at this point. The wife want's a high quality, highly flexible, but easy to use still camera. I would like to also use it for video. I know it's not ideal, but it's a compromise on my part. Does anyone have experience using a DSLR as a video camera while hunting?
I've never tried it as my current body (30D) doesn't have video recording, but from what I've read, it's VERY cumbersome to film hunts with a DSLR as opposed to a dedicated DV cam. The lack of auto zoom, no LANC port, wide focal length lenses (required to essentially match the range on most high optical zoom DV cams) are too slow for low light, and again, require manual focusing while recording video, etc, are just a few. Will the technology get there? I think so, but it's not there yet for hunting footage. Many have mic ports for shotgun mics, but a lot of people are using a separate audio recorder, and just syncing the audio and video during post production. I'm big on photography, but I'm toying with the idea of picking up a DV cam to film next year, and since I have not intentions of going pro, and most times I'll be by myself, a nice smaller cam like the one mentioned in the "Partner News" section of the forum (Sony HDR-CX130) would be ideal. Good optical zoom, full hd, decent low light performance, and it's a much smaller form factor than higher end DV cams, so portability is nice if flying solo.
