....With $400?? :mrgreen: I know I know that is not a lot compared to the 3 and 4 grand camera set ups out there. I would like to get the best "starter" camera i can and then if i get addicted,progress. I bought an "HD" camera Monday and it was a piece lol took it back and figured i would ask for some opinions on here!There is not much that i want in a video camera, 5 things really. -Actual 1080P HD Video! -Good zoom (20+ i guess for bow hunting?) -Great quality at that 20 times zoom -Good battery life -Something that will last!! Mostly to me right now it is about quality and being able to capture memories and such. Heck i dont even care if i have good sound of a deer 30 or so yards away, as long as its clear Right now i am deciding between a canon and sony.My buddy has a non HD handycam and i like it, until i plug it into the tv....The 2 i have been looking at are- 1.Sony handycam hdr cx110 2.Canon VIXIA HF R100 Camcorder Oh and also i plan on buying a tree arm to use hunting as well :D Thank You for anything that will help me in my decision of a camcorder! :D
I looked at the handycam hd but I ended up picking out the JVC Everio ms-110 it only has 720 image quality but there are 2 reason I picked this one out. 1. It has a 39 optical zoom. 2. The low-lux sensor for low light. Remember that alot of you action is going to take place early morning and right before dark. You can click on my link then click on the image quality and make in 720 to see how this camera performs.
http://www.campbellcameras.com/shopping/Products/Sony-HDR-CX150-LIMITED-QUANTITY__SONYHDRCX150.aspx Take a look at the Sony Handycam series... We use the sony cx550 and I have been pretty happy with the results so far.
Ditto.... check out campbellcameras.com and B&H photo. The canon vixia's are very nice little cameras and they have a pre made whitetail setup already with a arm, shotgun mic, and much more. Do you have a camera arm already?
Headstrong has some pretty good advice. Low-light settings should be a major consideration on any hunting camera. I've been using an SD Sony PD-150 for the last couple of years and it's very good in low light. I just bought a Sony HXR-MC5OU for self-filming hunts as it is much more compact. I like Sony because I am used to their settings, but there are plenty of good Canons, JVCs, Panasonics, and others out there that would suit your needs. My best advice would be if you want to do it, jump in with both feet. If you try to skimp you'll be disappointed. Don't break the bank, but spend the most you can afford. The difference in quality is noticeable.
Toshiba CAMILEO® H30 1080p HD http://us.toshiba.com/video-electronics/CAMCORDERS/CAMILEO-H30 you can buy it at wal mart for $135 It is HD. go to youtube and type in the model name of the camcorder and there is hundreds of videos done with this camera advatages is price and quality disadvatages is sound is poor and zoom is not as good as it could have been. if you have $400 to spend on them you might as well get three of them and set them up on tripods and record all different angles of your hunt. or go to a hawk shop and buy one for the same price that isn't HD
here is a video that I made with the toshiba. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IKam3vu5xwg now don't forget to watch it in 1080p
duckkiller, This may be a dumb question but are these cameras waterproof, how do they stand up to the outdoors?
waterproof? I doubt it. It does not say on the box so I would say no. I have a lot of experience getting camera wet as I am a duck hunter. dropped my cannon eurla60.....$500 back in the day....and it was completely submerged in nasty swamp water deep enough that my head went underwater to pick it up. after thinking it was junk, I thought I had nothing to lose so I put it on the defroster on my pickup on the way home and took a large air compressor to it when I got home. I have a 180cfm air compressor I use for cleaning combines and other ag equipment. I blew on it for about 15 min and then put it above the wood stove for a few days and it still works. however it did say moister detected after that but it did eventually "dry out" completely. I still have it and I still use it. It is at least 6 years old now. I also have had lots of other cameras get "normal" wet from rain and from the dogs shaking off in the boat. I have not had any problems. If you intend to film underwater the toshiba or any camera in its class will not work. as far as rain and dropping it into wet bushes and such, as long as you put it on some heat and air flow when you get home, I wouldn't worry about it. If you have the time, wait until duck season opens and I'll tell you if it lasts. lol
the "go pro" camera's come with some kind of waterproof box. I see a lot of disadvantages to this though because I do not believe there is any zoom. It is good to strap it to your snowmobile or front of your boat but I don't think you want to film your kids high school graduation with it.
this is pretty impressive about the go pro....check it out http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ulzPRbfIQec&feature=related
