Best Handheld Video Camera???

[BucknRut]

I wasn't sure how photography folks felt about motion pictures so I decided to this might be a better place to post...

We are planning on covering a lot of ground over the next 6 months or so and I've recently grown an interest in video...not so much for me, but for family and friends who can't be with us on our ventures seem to get a better sense of surrounds compared to still shots.

Here's what I'm looking for:
1. Idiot proof! I'm not a tech whiz so I just want something I can put in a card reader and POOF it is a movie on my MAC.
2. Handheld (not "fingerheld" small, but not overly large or heavy) and decent picture quality. I would like HD, but ONLY if I don't need gobs of expensive software to get the video on my computer! Otherwise, I'm good without it.
3. Something that produces a good picture OUTDOORS (Hiking, Camping, Fishing, Hunting, etc...). Water and crash proof would be a plus, but I know that's a stretch!
4. Price range... under $300!

Thank You! Thank You!

 

[kahahawai]

I'm taking a "Go Pro" this year for my Hunting trips....I bought it for my kid for skiing up at Aleyeska. Its HD too really nice about $300

 

[stid2677]

I recommend the Opio W90, it is a waterproof point and shoot camera that shoots HD video. They are just over 200 bucks now, can be used with a remote. I have taken every photo that I have ever posted on this forum with the Opio cameras. What I have learned is many of the small video cameras take horrible stills. The Opio W90 uses SD cards, pop it in the Mac and Imovie and make movies. So easy I can do it.

This video and stills were taken with it and the video made using imovie.




Steve

 

[LuJon]

This is the one that I plan on picking up this year to drag along on my sheep and elk hunts.
http://www.ecoustics.com/t3/reviews/sanyo-xacti-ca100-review

I really want a Panasonic TM-HDC 700 with it's 20x leica lens but don't see it in the near future. I keep hoping that Sanyo will put out a higher resolution version of their VPC-WH1 camera.

For now the little Sanyo Xacti CA100 will fit the budget for me. They are available for about $335 shipped, though you may need to buy a separate memory card to use with it. (I am not sure on that one) Light weight, extremely compact, full HD and water proof. They have a cheaper version too that does 720P and would easily fit your budget. I think that is the version that AK_Lanche has and has posted some great videos from it. My wife also has a DSLR that will get taken when weight is less of an issue and higher quality stills are needed. For long distance backpacking though I expect to do it all w/ the CA100.

 

[6XLeech]

Several votes for the Sanyo camera mentioned by Lujon on the threads below and now avail in HD models.
Storage media capacity up to 32GB and I download onto our Macs using iPhoto - no problems.
Votes for several Olympus models in the threads below too.
Good luck.

http://forums.outdoorsdirectory.com/showthread.php/85292-Digital-video-camera?highlight=xacti
http://forums.outdoorsdirectory.com...video-camera.................?highlight=xacti
http://forums.outdoorsdirectory.com/showthread.php/87649-Waterproof-video-cameras?highlight=xacti
http://forums.outdoorsdirectory.com...g-a-hunt!-What-kind-of-camera?highlight=xacti

 

[kahahawai]

Heres my set up for hunting....Pentax optio w90 and my video Go pro HD




View attachment 46351

 

[LuJon]

I would really like a full HD cam but the more I look at reviews and talk w/ people that have them the more I am leaning to picking up a Sanyo VPC-WH1. It shoots 720 HD though I wish it did 1080, but it is waterproof and has a 30x optical zoom which is a difference maker in the sheep hills. I plan to back it up with the Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS2 point 'n shoot which is waterproof to 33' and also does decent 720 HD video.

The Lumix is one impressive cam for under $300 with only a little shopping around for the best deal. Hard to argue with the capability when divers are using it!
http://scubadiverinfo.com/3_cameras_panasonic_lumix_ts2.html

 

[kahahawai]

The Go pro is 1080 p ................water proof and fully submersible and you can mount it to anything.

 

[Alaska_Lanche]

I almost went with the go pro, but the interface isn't as easy for a non-techie like myself to use. Also I sometimes like to review the pics and video I take while in the field and having an LCD is pretty nice and my buddy with the go pro and I both agreed the sound quality wasn't as nice as the Sanyo WH1 and not having to mess with the waterproof case is pretty nice as well. I also like the 30X optical zoom on the WH1 for pulling in critters and what not from a LONG was off. 720 is plenty for me especially since I am still living in the old world with a 720 NON-HD TV The interface with blinking lights to see if its recording and hold this button down for long to move between options and bleeps and what not isn't the most intuitive to me at least. That and the interface if you just wanna hook up the camera to the TV you can't just fast forward on some TV models and what not either.

The big plus though with the go pro is being hands free if you have the gear to mount it in that matter as well is light and nearly 6 oz lighter than the Sanyo WH1 I use.

For getting action shots like onboard skiiing, rafting, and snowmaching you can't beat the go-pro for quality video when both hands are needed. Fun cameras for sure. But to document and try to capture a trip on video I'll go with the Sanyo for me for now. Plus the Sanjo WH-1 can be had for $150 right now if you know where to look. That is brand new not refurbished.

I really like that Pentax W90. Probably the easiest interface I have ever used as far as changing settings and what not, super inutive. Just not the video quality I wanted. Plus if going with two people then one guy carries the pic camera and the other carries the video and swap everyday so one guy is in all the video and the other is in all the pics.

 

[LuJon]

Just ordered the wife the WH1 for her b-day. I picked up a 16gig SDHC card and 2 extra batteries plus an extra charger for $215 shipped to her door in Alabama.

I will wait a bit on the Lumix but plan to have both by the time we make it home for summer!!

I will admit that a Go-Pro would be sweet with a rifle mount for first person shooter view on some hunts! tjm has a "first person shooter" vid where he smokes a grouse on the wing that is awesome!

 

[Oregongoose]

my buddie has a kodak playsport,Its HD,Waterproof to 10ft,The mic is not covered up like a go pro,So better sound,and it goes from about $100 to 150 ,For me i just got the I-Kam,Love it, so fun to use,And you get a real veiw of your shooting.Got mine on ebay for $100 new
http://www.kodak.com/eknec/PageQuerier.jhtml?pq-path=2709&gpcid=0900688a80c5a418&pq-locale=en_US

http://i-kamstore.com/?gclid=CMWci9yUuKcCFcW8KgodOE9qBA

 

[HuntNBgame]

I would really like a full HD cam but the more I look at reviews and talk w/ people that have them the more I am leaning to picking up a Sanyo VPC-WH1. It shoots 720 HD though I wish it did 1080, but it is waterproof and has a 30x optical zoom which is a difference maker in the sheep hills. I plan to back it up with the Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS2 point 'n shoot which is waterproof to 33' and also does decent 720 HD video.

The Lumix is one impressive cam for under $300 with only a little shopping around for the best deal. Hard to argue with the capability when divers are using it!
http://scubadiverinfo.com/3_cameras_panasonic_lumix_ts2.html

I have the Lumix DMC-FS5, not as fancy as the one your looking at, but a great camera,takes better pic's than my wifes 500$ Kodak.
That looks like ticket for a outdoor camera.:topjob:

 

[markopolo50]

my buddie has a kodak playsport,Its HD,Waterproof to 10ft,The mic is not covered up like a go pro,So better sound,and it goes from about $100 to 150 ,For me i just got the I-Kam,Love it, so fun to use,And you get a real veiw of your shooting.Got mine on ebay for $100 new
http://www.kodak.com/eknec/PageQuerier.jhtml?pq-path=2709&gpcid=0900688a80c5a418&pq-locale=en_US

http://i-kamstore.com/?gclid=CMWci9yUuKcCFcW8KgodOE9qBA

I just saw those I Kam's on a Cabela's ad and they looked like a nice option especially for the real deal - shooters view. Have you any vids with it yet , would like to see how they came out?

 

[Oregongoose]

I dont have any but walking around the house with them,If you youtube I-Kam,there's a bunch