What Video and Stills Camera to buy

[SimpleSi]

One of my schools wants to buy a combined video/still pic camera for each class.

Anyone bought one recently that they'd recommend?

My main requirement that it doesn't use the funny MPEG-2 file fornat so looking for something that pref outputs an mpeg-4 avi type file so all I need to do is install a simple codec on other computers for the pupils to video edit using windows movie maker.

regards

Simon

[laserblazer]

What's your budget Simon?

[SimpleSi]

cheap as poss - as ususal

ICT Co-ord was looking at one for £80 so around there should be OK

regards

Simon

[dirtydog]

started using Kodak Zi8 which record in HD but cant say Ive taken many pics with them yet. very pleased so far with them!

[laserblazer]

Whatever you get at that price, check the low-light capability. The Canon EOS 7D does a half decent job taking still and motion pics but it might blow your budget! Canon EOS 7D review | Electricpig

My new Canon HF S100 takes reasonable stills and has a built in flash but that cost £650.

I'd recommend a stills camera that you can use to take the odd low res video. If the teachers or kids are doing the shooting, it's likely to be pretty cr@p anyway, if they are anything like ours!

[SimpleSi]

@DD Do you know what format the video files come in?

regards

Simon

[Domino]

WHat about asking dos_box for the model number of that little camera he had at bett?

stills were pretty nice, videos were clear and in mpeg-4 and quite tidy and robust

[SimpleSi]

But didn;t you have to transcode 20 times before you could use the files

regards

Simon

[Domino]

Nah - that was the camera Russ brought.

And I still haven't forgiven him for.......

[SYSMAN_MK]

Don't know if you got anything yet Si but just purchased some Samsung ES15 digital cameras. 10MP / 640x480@30fps Movie Maker friendly avi / manual settings for creative photos, eg uptp 8 sec shutter for long exposure shots. And under £65.00

[SimpleSi]

I'll pass it on thanks

Simon