Camera choices - My cameras

Released on: 2011-04-23

So in my previous post I listed out the basic ideas of choosing a camera. Now I'm going to show you some clips that I have made using the cameras that I have. Please bear in mind that these are now old cameras and that the quality I achieve come about in part from the quality of the camera, and part knowing how to use them working with their strengths and weaknesses. This is true with any tool.

All of this post is about the video performance of these cameras. I'll do a still camera review soon.

Cannon PowerShot A700

I currently have no footage from this camera online. I've had it since about 2006 and the resolution is very low.

6 Megapixel. A fantastic still photocamera for its time and price.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX2

Note that ALL of the shots in this video are hand held with no specialist mounts or equipment. This camera does have very good image stabilisation, even with my broken, woobly lens.

Pros

Excellent image stablisation (don't use it on stills!)
Excellent focus
Wide angle lens (makes the image appear more stable, and allows you to get more into the shot without having the camera a long way away)

Cons

Average low light performance
Poor audio quality (extremely painful to work with since it's in 8kHz PCM)
You have to choose either good quality, or good frame rate.
WAY over priced for what its quality (when I do a still picture review of these cameras, you'll see why)

And a quick demo of low light performance:

Samsung S1050

Note the glitches especially in the high motion parts of the video. This is from the camera, not post-production.

Pros

Can zoom while recording (don't)
Good for average shots

Cons

Can zoom while recording (don't)
Inconsistent video quality
Makes a loud clicking noise on the recording when the iris adjusts to changing light conditions

Kodak Zi8

Pros

1080p
Light
Cheap

Cons

Very narrow angle lens (makes everything feel very zoomed in and extremely shakey)
Poor low light performance

Vivitar ???

Sorry, I don't have the model number on hand. I'll fill it in when I find the camera.

Pros

Extremely cheap
No moving parts (very durable)

Cons

No sound
Poor picture quailty
Very poor low light performance

I used this camera for several months as an on board camera for my model planes before I eventually broke the LCD. Anyone who has seen my piloting skills will know this is an exellent performance from the camera:

cameras

myCameras

This post references

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Camera choices - My cameras
2011-04-23

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