Digital camcorder/camera combo?

Thread view:

Enable EMail Alerts

Start New Thread

Thread rating:

RB - 25 Feb 2006 20:30 GMT

We are tired of taking both our VHS-C camcorder and our 35mm camera on
family outings. We would like one camera that will do both tasks,
besides, it's time to go digital. We are not interested in printing
our digital photos at home. We'd have the prints done at Sam's Club or
online and they'd need be no bigger than 4x6. We probably wouldn't do
much video editing; at least not at this time.

We were looking for a camcorder that uses mini dvd's but, after further
research, have found that miniDV should also be considered.

We understand that digital stills from a camcorder are not as good as
those from a regular digital camera but are they good enough to make
basic 4x6 prints? The Panasonic's PV-GS150 will take still pictures
at 2.3 Megapixels and is in our price range. Would that work for 4x6
prints. Any other options? Perhaps there's a better camcorder/camera
for this task (in the $600 +/- range). We want to make an informed
decision and would really appreciate feedback from people who know more
about this subject.

Thank you,
R&M

Reply to this Message

m Ransley - 25 Feb 2006 20:52 GMT

There are alot of camcorders out that do both, the video side will
outperform your vhs dramatcly the photo side wont be as good as you can
get from film or a seperate model but may be ok. You can get a sony HDR
hc1 for apx 1200 that does HD video and 2.8 mp stills. Canon makes
higher than Dvd resolution video for less and fair stills. You need to
read reviews as so much is offered. New better models come out every
day.

Reply to this Message

Robert J Batina - 26 Feb 2006 16:52 GMT

m Ransley <ransley@webtv.net> spewed:

> There are alot of camcorders out that do both, the video side will
> outperform your vhs dramatcly the photo side wont be as good as you
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> stills. You need to read reviews as so much is offered. New better
> models come out every day.

FWIW, the Samsung DuoCams have two lenses. Basically a dedicated digital
camera within a MiniDV camcorder. I've also been looking for people's
experience with these things, as the reviews (with example photos) are
difficult to find. The latest, the 6550, has a 5 megapixel digital camera
built in, with flash and lots of bells and whistles. Can be had for around
$500 these days.

Signature

The Toe Pages: http://www.rubbertoe.com

Reply to this Message

Roots750 - 26 Feb 2006 00:30 GMT

I've never seen this Samsung model SC-D363 in use, but it has both digital
camera (memory card) and camcorder (DV)capabilities, so it could be just
what you are looking for.

> We are tired of taking both our VHS-C camcorder and our 35mm camera on
> family outings. We would like one camera that will do both tasks,
[quoted text clipped - 17 lines]
> Thank you,
> R&M

Reply to this Message

dwight - 26 Feb 2006 23:11 GMT

> We are tired of taking both our VHS-C camcorder and our 35mm camera on
> family outings. We would like one camera that will do both tasks,
[quoted text clipped - 17 lines]
> Thank you,
> R&M

I'd recommend going the other route, the Canon S3 IS (when it comes out in a
month or two). A full-featured camera (with 12X optical zoom) with now even
better video capabilities. AND, as I just read, it can take 6megapixel
stills WHILE shooting video.

C'mon...

dwight

Reply to this Message

RB - 28 Feb 2006 15:19 GMT

Thank you all for your input! The Samsung DuoCam does seem like a
logical choice for us, however, the reviews have not been good. There
are some other camcorders available (JVC GR-X5, Panasonic PV-GS400,
Sony HDR-HC1) that, according to reviews, will do exactly what we want
but they are still out of our price range. So, we either keep waiting
for a price drop or try one in our price range now and return it if
isn't able to produce "snap shot" quality 4x6 prints.

Thanks again,
R&M

Reply to this Message