Elitetrack: Sport Training & Conditioning

Im looing to purchase a digital video camera within the next few weeks/months.

I want something small, optical zoom 10x at least, imagage stabilization and in the 300-500$ price range. Is there anything else i should be specifically looking for?

Id like to know personally what digital video cameras you guys have, a little bit about them, and what you guys think of sonys mini digital cameras and especially this one below.

http://www.amphotoworld.com/product.asp?id=sndcrhc30&l=DigitalSaver

I seem to like that camera alot and for some reason it is only 360$ on that link whereas everywhere i have seen it (walmart, citcuit city, best buy) it has been 450-500$. Anyone know why the heck it is so cheap and if that site is ok?

Thanx guys.

I’d be careful with those types of companies. Do some research on them, because alot of the ones at the back of photography mags are shady. Also check epinions and amazon for product reviews.

True. Also need to make sure its not refurbished.

Try this one out QUIK.

http://www.amphotoworld.com/product.asp?id=cnzr85

This is what I have. I think it would be perfect for you and your needs.

My suggestion is to ask yourself what you are going to primarily going to be using the camera for…

there are a lot of cool gadgets and such on electronics, but you can save a heck of a lot of money when you peel it all back and get down to what your basic needs are…..

if it is for recording track performance and watching later, you can probably get something practical for less…shutter speed being an important consideration in my opinion.

The only problem I have with Sony at times, is they have a way of creating technology that is not always compatible with other companies technology.

Two important features for me when I bought camera several years ago, larger LCD and a remote, so that I could frame by frame the playback for analysis with the athlete right there and have access to frame references.

Originally posted by todd
My suggestion is to ask yourself what you are going to primarily going to be using the camera for…

there are a lot of cool gadgets and such on electronics, but you can save a heck of a lot of money when you peel it all back and get down to what your basic needs are…..

if it is for recording track performance and watching later, you can probably get something practical for less…shutter speed being an important consideration in my opinion.

The only problem I have with Sony at times, is they have a way of creating technology that is not always compatible with other companies technology.

Two important features for me when I bought camera several years ago, larger LCD and a remote, so that I could frame by frame the playback for analysis with the athlete right there and have access to frame references.

I agree with you 100% todd, that’s why I suggested the one I have to QUIK.

Gov,
The Cannon zr85 you have looks ok. At walmart id be able to get it for around 350$.

-20x zoom
-small 3.74x5.47x2.09 4.21 lbs.
-still at 1024x768 which i really dont care about
-image stabilization

what i have read from reviews however is that..

-it is not good indoors
-records it own recording motor noise
-does not work good with the computer?

btw..i have windows ME am i going ot have a problem putting video on my comp no matter what i get?

After reading reviews and owning a panasonic vhs camcorder and playing around with the gs series…. i think panasonic is out of the question unless someone else can convince me other wise…Also JVC i think sucks.

Right now it is between Cannon, Sony, and Samsung.

I’ve got a Panasonic PV-DV101, bought it 3 years ago, it works great.  DV firewire output.
It’s been nothing but great.

I’d stick with Sony, Cannon, or one of the new Panasonics. In your price range and for what you want to do, I’d recommend going with no less than a capture rate of 60 Hz, 12x optical zoom, and the highest resolution you can find.

After doing a whole lot of research i think i am going to go with the sony dcr hc30. Check out the link below.

Only thing i do not like is that the zoom is only 10x but i have been told that should be fine.

???

http://www.camcorderinfo.com/content/sony-dcr-hc30-camcorder-review.htm

I'm bringing this back to the top after 2 years because I'm now in the market for a digital camera. 

I'd use it for filming sprinters/hurdlers at practices and meets.  I'd like something that I can play back and advance frame by frame on the camera screen, as todd said (way back when!).  I'd also like something I can hook up to the laptop after meets when we're on the road and do analysis that way.  I've hear 60 frames/sec is the way to go for smoothness of motion (?).  I'd prefer it to be fairly small, but that's not a primary consideration.  Picture clarity is the primary concern.

Is there anything, given these desires, that I should specifically look for?  I'm very camera illiterate, so don't hesitate to talk to me like a child  :wink1: 

I'm sticking with the one above which I bought 2 years ago. Its prob. pretty cheap by now. 30 fps is all you need. I do video analysis using dartfish with it. The camera can pretty much fit into my pocket as well. I paid 450$ for it at the time. I'd like to see what it goes for now.

My recommendations stand. I purchase 2-4 cameras a year and really the only updates are smaller sizes and better battery life. While there are new technologies out there now (DVD and hard drive recording) neither are better options for recording sporting movements.

You should be able to get a good camera for under $400 now.

Quik,

Thanks for the feedback.  I will check out the HC-30.  Inexpensive is good but I'm spending other peoples' money so it's not the biggest factor  :wink2:

Mike,

You obviously purchase a lot of cameras, do you have any that are particularly good or any to avoid?

I'd avoid panasonics and go with Canon.

If you were going to purchase a hard drive based camera get a JVC Everio. They are by far the best in that category and can be had for less than $600.