HD Video Camera for a wedding

[daveyjwin]

So, my fiance and I are getting married on a semi-budget, and we can't afford a $2000+ videographer, and mainly, we just want stable, steady HD video of the ceremony, with good audio, to look at the younger, prettier versions of ourselves someday. Figure it will probably be good to have on our honeymoon, and for kids and future vacations and the like, so some longevity/quality would be nice as well. Like I said, we're on a relative budget, so I'd like to keep this cheaper if possible, definitely less than $500, ideally less than $300. I know next to nothing about cameras and camcorders though, so I thought I'd defer to people much smarter than me.

Thanks!

 

[UnknownSouljer]

All video is a multi-part process. To get excellent picture and sound, people in the movie industry need very specialized individual components. The long and short of what I'm trying to say is: with your budget, you're not going to have any choice other than to keep your expectations low. I totally get not having a lot of money, especially starting in marriage. I don't want to discourage you, but I'm just try to give you a dose of reality.

A few years back, portable hand-held video devices were all the rage. I haven't really kept up on the latest and greatest but I do know of some of the older consumer friendly models.

Flip UltraHD Cisco is getting out of the video business, but this small pocket-able camera packs a pretty decent punch for the cost and size.
Kodak Zi8 As you may know, Kodak is currently going through bankruptcy. However at it's launch this was one of the best mini-pocket cams available, with full HD resolution. It also has a mic jack so you can have an external mic. That would definitely increase the quality of the sound in your recording. The price is jacked up a bit on Amazon because the cam has been discontinued. You can easily find one used for less than $200.

Things to note about both of these cameras. They both features tiny internal microphones. No tiny internal microphone on ANY camcorder is going to sound amazing. Expect only to hear sound, not necessarily good sound. How steady your camera is (vs. shakycam TM) is going to be up to the operator. The Kodak does have image stabilization, but that's only a bandaid and it definitely won't help at all if the camera operator likes to swing wildly (think found-footage style movies.) Finally both of these cams are going to be recording compressed video, this is only important in the sense that it will affect the overall quality of the film. Unfortunately uncompressed video is out of range for most of us.

Another thing to look into is low light performance. Most cameras and camcorders can do a decent job in good sunny outdoor weather, but getting good low light performance is difficult (at best.) Current high-end camera wars have been fighting over that very feature. This is important especially for video, as churches notoriously have low ambient light, and receptions at night also tend to like mood lighting and candles. Cameras that have poor low-light (ISO) performance will spew out a grainy mess with very bad color casts (blacks will appear green or purple, whites will all have a yellow or orangish hue, etc.)

I'll look around a bit more and see if there is anything else that will fit your budget and what you want a bit more as the selections I've put up are a bit dated.


Edit: there is a new Kodak cam called the PlayTouch, which is basically an upgraded Zi8. Cheap and pocketable. Can be mounted on a tripod, can use an external mic. Also has accessories like a remote for remote controlled record. Some people complain about it's lack of hardware controls. I'd probably look into reviews on this one before buying.

Sony has a pocket cam called the Bloggie. Similar to the Kodak and Flip offerings. Multiple colors, full HD, can take photos while doing video. Can take video at full 1080p at 60fps. No external mic jack. Can also use a mini tripod.

If you want something more camera like, then the Sony Handycam HDR-CX130 might be for you. CNet recommends it as one of the best camcorders from 2011, as the best budget zoom camera. It does seem odd though, that if you read the review itself, they don't exactly give it high praise. I'm guessing their expectations are high even for entry level devices and basically picked the whole thing apart.

 

[Kaolinchemist]

You have to remember that any camera you buy, will be outdated in just a few years so the chances of you using the same one far into the future is very slim. Electronics are just about disposable nowadays sadly. What I would recommend in your case is to look at Sony or Canon refurbished camcorders that you can get direct from Sony and Canon.

http://store.sony.com/webapp/wcs/st...alogId=10551&N=4294961695&navigation=Category

Sony has several options under $400 and you can compare features.
I would NOT be hesitant to buy a refurb direct from Sony.

http://shop.usa.canon.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/subCategory_10051_10051_-1_34261

Canon also has several models under $400 also. Canon also makes very good camcorders.

You cannot go wrong with either brand and you will not have too much money tied up in the camcorder.

Good luck

 

[Kaolinchemist]

Take a look at Canon 550D digital hd video camera. It's called the Canon Rebel T2i in the US. It has an 18 mega pixel sensor and takes great photos. It also has 1080 HD video, with a choice of frame rates. The video quality is superb, it looks great on my high definition TV.

Did you see his budget, I do not think you can get a T2i and lens for less than $500 let alone near $300 unless it is stolen.

Like I said, we're on a relative budget, so I'd like to keep this cheaper if possible, definitely less than $500, ideally less than $300.

Thanks!