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Cheap Video Cameras: Sony, Panasonic, Canon And Digital Video Cameras
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Published: September 28, 2007
The rise of digital media has completely transformed the market for video cameras. The technology itself for video cameras has evolved dramatically; gone are the days of bulky 50-pound video cameras that were a hassle to use and transport. Today's digital video cameras weigh a fraction of their older counterparts, and are as portable as a cell phone.
They do not need as many extra supplies, such as film, and they require little practice or training to operate. All of this has combines to make video cameras far more accessible to everyday consumers.
Even better, while the technology has flourished, cheap, pared-down models have become more common. Major camera manufacturers such as Sony, Panasonic and Canon aggressively court the average consumer with inexpensive models that are more user-friendly than ever. Computer software has grown in conjunction with cameras, allowing for simple editing and storage, as well as preserving the quality of the initial image. Now, the video will not lose even a small fraction of its quality when transferred onto a computer.
There are more options for video cameras than ever before, and they range anywhere from $130 all the way to figures in the tens of thousands. Understanding the strengths and weaknesses of particular models is essential to finding the right one. Typically, digital video cameras have done rather poorly in low-light settings, resulting in a fatal loss of clarity and a muddy, blurry image. The technology has grown enough that good video cameras can overcome this limitation, but it probably will not be on the cheap model. Any digital video camera will do well in the bright lights of a big store, so it would be wise to test it in less-than-optimal conditions before committing.
It is also important to understand the difference between digital and optical zoom. Digital zoom really just blows the image up to a bigger size, similar to zooming in on a computer image of a photograph, resulting in grainy quality. Optical zoom is the more important of the two; the better it is, the better the video camera will perform in close-up shots. Add-on lenses are also available for digital video cameras, and can beef up the optical zoom quality.
Understanding personal needs is just as important. The major manufacturers such as Canon, Sony and Panasonic have introduced popular hybrids that combine photography and video options. These hybrids, though, are more limited in their video capabilities. There is less storage available, and a lower quality image overall. Those with more demanding needs would be well advised to stick to standard digital video cameras.
Unfortunately, compatibility with Apple products is still an issue; Mac users should know which video cameras are compatible with their systems. Also there are a number of different formats, such as hard drive video cameras, and DVD cameras. It is not necessary to know the ins-and-outs of the various formats, except to know which work well with a computer, and which ones use discs designed for television usage. Good, cheap models are available for just about all kinds of video cameras, so the only questions are what they can do, and for what they will be used.
Sources:
"Digital Video Cameras." PC World. 27 Sept. 2007. IDG Communications. 27 Sept. 2007. http://www.pcworld.idg.com.au/index.php/id;1847886 895;pp;1.
Lane, Terry. "Canon PowerShot TX1 Digital Camera." Sydney Morning Herald. 13 Sept. 2007. Fairfax. 27 Sept. 2007. http://www.smh.com.au/news/reviews/canon-powershot -tx1-digital-camera/2007/09/12/1189276792326.html. />
Lawton, Christopher. "Video for Everyman." Wall Street Journal. 26 Sept. 2007. L. Gordon Crovitz. 27 Sept. 2007. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB119076444203939332 .html?mod=googlenews_wsj.
Ludington, Jake. "10 Tips for Buying a Digital Camcorder." MediaBlab. 2007. Ludington Media West. 27 Sept. 2007. http://www.jakeludington.com/camcorder/20061016_10 _tips_for_buying_a_digital_camcorder.html.
Even better, while the technology has flourished, cheap, pared-down models have become more common. Major camera manufacturers such as Sony, Panasonic and Canon aggressively court the average consumer with inexpensive models that are more user-friendly than ever. Computer software has grown in conjunction with cameras, allowing for simple editing and storage, as well as preserving the quality of the initial image. Now, the video will not lose even a small fraction of its quality when transferred onto a computer.
There are more options for video cameras than ever before, and they range anywhere from $130 all the way to figures in the tens of thousands. Understanding the strengths and weaknesses of particular models is essential to finding the right one. Typically, digital video cameras have done rather poorly in low-light settings, resulting in a fatal loss of clarity and a muddy, blurry image. The technology has grown enough that good video cameras can overcome this limitation, but it probably will not be on the cheap model. Any digital video camera will do well in the bright lights of a big store, so it would be wise to test it in less-than-optimal conditions before committing.
It is also important to understand the difference between digital and optical zoom. Digital zoom really just blows the image up to a bigger size, similar to zooming in on a computer image of a photograph, resulting in grainy quality. Optical zoom is the more important of the two; the better it is, the better the video camera will perform in close-up shots. Add-on lenses are also available for digital video cameras, and can beef up the optical zoom quality.
Understanding personal needs is just as important. The major manufacturers such as Canon, Sony and Panasonic have introduced popular hybrids that combine photography and video options. These hybrids, though, are more limited in their video capabilities. There is less storage available, and a lower quality image overall. Those with more demanding needs would be well advised to stick to standard digital video cameras.
Unfortunately, compatibility with Apple products is still an issue; Mac users should know which video cameras are compatible with their systems. Also there are a number of different formats, such as hard drive video cameras, and DVD cameras. It is not necessary to know the ins-and-outs of the various formats, except to know which work well with a computer, and which ones use discs designed for television usage. Good, cheap models are available for just about all kinds of video cameras, so the only questions are what they can do, and for what they will be used.
Sources:
"Digital Video Cameras." PC World. 27 Sept. 2007. IDG Communications. 27 Sept. 2007. http://www.pcworld.idg.com.au/index.php/id;1847886 895;pp;1.
Lane, Terry. "Canon PowerShot TX1 Digital Camera." Sydney Morning Herald. 13 Sept. 2007. Fairfax. 27 Sept. 2007. http://www.smh.com.au/news/reviews/canon-powershot -tx1-digital-camera/2007/09/12/1189276792326.html. />
Lawton, Christopher. "Video for Everyman." Wall Street Journal. 26 Sept. 2007. L. Gordon Crovitz. 27 Sept. 2007. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB119076444203939332 .html?mod=googlenews_wsj.
Ludington, Jake. "10 Tips for Buying a Digital Camcorder." MediaBlab. 2007. Ludington Media West. 27 Sept. 2007. http://www.jakeludington.com/camcorder/20061016_10 _tips_for_buying_a_digital_camcorder.html.
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