Anyone still using camcorders

LCPete

LCPete

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I know camcorders are considered out of date now but I think they still have a place
Just wondering how many on here still use a camcorder, I know nowadays Mirrorless cameras are probably better but a camcorder is easy to use and a lot lighter than a big camera and lens and it’s possible to handhold a camcorder to shoot video on a DSLR I’ve always found I needed a tripod
My wife has been using a Sony Handycam for the last few years a PJ 810 , before that a Panasonic camcorder
She prefers a camcorder it’s light easy to use and she’s shot some really nice footage of our wildlife holidays over the years
We were looking for something a bit newer with better image quality at longer zoom range
We were surprised that there’s not much choice nowadays
A family member has given her his Sony 4K camera a FDR AX700 , she’s not used it properly yet but the footage we’ve seen is excellent really nice colours and sharpness
 
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I have a Canon XA40 4K camcorder and love it. Simple to use, great zoom, very good connectivity to microphones, lights etc. It can be stripped down to quite a tiny unit if required. If l had my time over again l would have gone for a larger sensor but that's something to look forward to.
 

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I had a Panasonic camcorder, (had Sony and Sanyo tape versions before that) but gave up using it when the TZ10 came along, took just as good videos, much better stills, and small and compact.

Since then, anf that is a good few years ago, compacts (Panasonic) and M43 have become better and smaller, so much so the GH5s etc are often used by pros, that personally I just don't see the point.

It is very rarely I come across a video I think is good (even from those who think they are expert, there are so many glaring basic faults) but nearly every day on here I see still I think are good, so that will tell you I am not a video lover :)
 
beyond the blue said:
I have a Canon XA40 4K camcorder and love it. Simple to use, great zoom, very good connectivity to microphones, lights etc. It can be stripped down to quite a tiny unit if required. If l had my time over again l would have gone for a larger sensor but that's something to look forward to.
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That’s exactly why my other half likes using a video camera , she can just pick it up and go is easy to use
She’s used a camcorder for years and it’s second nature
 
Sangoma said:
I had a Panasonic camcorder, (had Sony and Sanyo tape versions before that) but gave up using it when the TZ10 came along, took just as good videos, much better stills, and small and compact.

Since then, anf that is a good few years ago, compacts (Panasonic) and M43 have become better and smaller, so much so the GH5s etc are often used by pros, that personally I just don't see the point.

It is very rarely I come across a video I think is good (even from those who think they are expert, there are so many glaring basic faults) but nearly every day on here I see still I think are good, so that will tell you I am not a video lover :)
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It’s personal preference I guess, when we was looking the very helpful guy in the camera shop did tell us about the GH5 and showed us one but she wasn’t keen
My other half has been using a camcorder for years and just prefers it , she can just pick it up and shoot , doesn’t have to use a tripod and zoom is easy to use
I do also prefer stills , my wife has no interest in stills though just wants to do video :)
 
LCPete said:
It’s personal preference I guess, when we was looking the very helpful guy in the camera shop did tell us about the GH5 and showed us one but she wasn’t keen
My other half has been using a camcorder for years and just prefers it , she can just pick it up and shoot , doesn’t have to use a tripod and zoom is easy to use
I do also prefer stills , my wife has no interest in stills though just wants to do video :)
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I can see her point, to be honest I would not have thought of a GH5 for her.
The G9 has all kinds of video functions, you certainly don't need a tripod, unless it becomes too heavy, but I hardly ever use it for video, I don't want or need anything over 1920x1080 50p, and I normally use 25fps anyway, so I normally use a TZ60, loads of features, great video, just turn it on, press the red button and go.
Looking at the videos on a large LCD TV or HD projector, they are great, and never felt the need for better (my projector isn't 4k anyway).

However, comparing it in use with my old Panasonic camcorder, which was held firmly in my hand by the strap, with fingers falling naturally on the zoom and other buttons, the TZ60 isn't quite as nice to use, so yes, for some one who does not want stills, and wants the simplicity and convenience of a small camcorder, I can see the appeal :)

I would be very interested to hear what she settles on.
 
Sangoma said:
I can see her point, to be honest I would not have thought of a GH5 for her.
The G9 has all kinds of video functions, you certainly don't need a tripod, unless it becomes too heavy, but I hardly ever use it for video, I don't want or need anything over 1920x1080 50p, and I normally use 25fps anyway, so I normally use a TZ60, loads of features, great video, just turn it on, press the red button and go.
Looking at the videos on a large LCD TV or HD projector, they are great, and never felt the need for better (my projector isn't 4k anyway).

However, comparing it in use with my old Panasonic camcorder, which was held firmly in my hand by the strap, with fingers falling naturally on the zoom and other buttons, the TZ60 isn't quite as nice to use, so yes, for some one who does not want stills, and wants the simplicity and convenience of a small camcorder, I can see the appeal :)

I would be very interested to hear what she settles on.
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That’s exactly it it with a camcorder it fits nicely in the hand all the controls like the zoom are just in the right place
She had already decided to go for a camcorder again we were looking at the options but family member has given her his Sony 4K camera a FDR AX700
 
LCPete said:
That’s exactly it it with a camcorder it fits nicely in the hand all the controls like the zoom are just in the right place
She had already decided to go for a camcorder again we were looking at the options but family member has given her his Sony 4K camera a FDR AX700
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Looks like a lovely camera
 
At tis very moment I am P/x my camcorder Panasonic HC-X1500 + handle (due to weight) for a Panasonic G9ii camera. What "er indoors" doesn't know is i am looking ay Panasonic camcorders that are a bit lighter and smaller, having part exchange all my Nikon DSLR gear for the same reason.
 
I have
LCPete said:
A family member has given her his Sony 4K camera a FDR AX700 , she’s not used it properly yet but the footage we’ve seen is excellent really nice colours and sharpness
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I ahve the Sony FDR AX53 and recently looked for the AX700 .. there was one on MPB for just over 1000 quid but its gone now.. so thats a nice little prezzy she has been given.. easy worth £1k
 
KIPAX said:
I have



I ahve the Sony FDR AX53 and recently looked for the AX700 .. there was one on MPB for just over 1000 quid but its gone now.. so thats a nice little prezzy she has been given.. easy worth £1k
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We did look at the AX53 as well as the AX700 was trying to decide what to go for , to be honest they both looked excellent for what she will be doing
Think I saw the AX700 on MPB , in the end she was given the AX700 and is over the moon with it
:)
 
LCPete said:
We did look at the AX53 as well as the AX700 was trying to decide what to go for , to be honest they both looked excellent for what she will be doing
Think I saw the AX700 on MPB , in the end she was given the AX700 and is over the moon with it
:)
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I am enjoying my AX53 but seriously though about the AX700 But as only for hobby was wonderign about the extra £1k on what I already spent.. By the time I decided it was gone haha..

Got this at 8am this morning :)

View: https://youtu.be/ciJgnqAMky0?si=dyvW9_SoGYriRuYf
 
In all honesty the best smartphones take pretty good video - some can even do 8K.

Their stabilisation is often good too. Some prominent YouTubers switch between 'proper' cameras and their phones, often finding the latter are better for walking and talking.
 
LCPete said:
I know camcorders are considered out of date now but I think they still have a place
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It is really time to MOVE ON particularly if you already have any recent mirrorless setup. Add a DJI gimbal and you are golden with top level production value by putting in a little bit of an effort.

You would have to pay me extremely well to even touch one of these antiquated things that look just like country file or whatever that thing is.
 
Carabosse said:
In all honesty the best smartphones take pretty good video - some can even do 8K.

Their stabilisation is often good too. Some prominent YouTubers switch between 'proper' cameras and their phones, often finding the latter are better for walking and talking.
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Yes agree but for anything that’s not a few feet away a ‘proper’ camera is better in my opinion, in this case it’s for videoing wildlife
 
LongLensPhotography said:
It is really time to MOVE ON particularly if you already have any recent mirrorless setup. Add a DJI gimbal and you are golden with top level production value by putting in a little bit of an effort.

You would have to pay me extremely well to even touch one of these antiquated things that look just like country file or whatever that thing is.
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You are right and I personally use my DSLR/Mirrorless if I want to shoot video but my wife prefers something light and easy to use
She has tried using my mirrorless camera setup and didn’t like it at all
It’s mainly for shooting from a jeep while on safari and she wants something that she can hold in her hand and is easy to use
 
Update

Let me explain. My new Panasonic G9ii is fantastic for still photos but for video erm?? if you look closely with this video "in a full computer screen" taken with the camera it stutters in panning. Most camera videos are like the duck one below ,a straight forward video very few show panning videos because of this stuttering effect

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gdchKksrukA

View: https://youtu.be/Eqi0MYwSBzw



No matter what setting ( shutter speed twice as fast as frame rate as recommended) does not fix the problem. It really annoys me. It really p***es me off to be honest , I tgried every setting I could think of but this jerky stuttering effect is not what I like. never hard this with any previous camcorder

THEREFORE just this evening ordered a camcorder the Panasonic HC-VXF1 4K Camcorder. Although I had the Panasonic HC-X1500 and a fantastic camcorder a lot of the features I never used, apart from the weight issue.
This new camcorder is in fact a cut down version of the1500 spec wise and lighter as well.

**Having gone around Sheffield park I realised how much I miss having a camcorder in my photographic arsenal**. I had considered to get another lens for the camera but with I have is allI really need. So that is the remainder of the left over camera exchange cash, although Sue doesn't approve.
another thing i miss is being able to zoom in smoothly and not have tgo change lenses
 
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realspeed said:
No matter what setting ( shutter speed twice as fast as frame rate as recommended) does not fix the problem. It really annoys me. It really p***es me off to be honest , I tgried every setting I could think of but this jerky stuttering effect is not what I like. never hard this with any previous camcorder
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The G9ii is blessed with shutter angle. If you choose this in your menu instead of shutter speed it negates the need for any shutter speed/frame rate calculation and allows you to control exposure using just your aperture and ISO.

180 degrees will provide a traditional, cinematic, smooth motion.

If you reduce the shutter angle you'll let more light in and motion blur will increase. If you increase it, motion becomes more "hyper real" and can appear choppy at extremes.

Shutter angle has been a mainstay of cinema cameras for decades and to have it in a consumer camera system is a hell of an advantage. Loads of resources on YouTube to understand it a little better and get perfect motion regardless of situation and your intended viewing output.

I generally shoot 180 degrees at 24fps, 30fps or 60fps and I've never seen any issues with motion on my S5ii and any screen I've outputting to handles the native frame rate without a problem.
 
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