Video Cameras

[wesleyw]

What would you recommend as a video camera to be used to take sports day events, plays, etc.. need something where the final video extracted is of a high quality? I'm thinking maybe need two or three and then edit them all together? Our sports day events couldn't be captured with only one camera



Wes

[stevenlong1985]

HD or SD?


Panasonic Video Camcorders are brilliant ,get the ones that use SD cards its makes your life easier transferring content off

[wesleyw]

HD preferably wide angle as well good optical zoom not interested in digital zoom at all.


Wes

[stevenlong1985]

how about one of these Badboys

HDC-SD9 - Specification - UK & Ireland

[broc]

I would recommend Panasonic HD camcorders too, recording on SD cards means very good battery life as well.

[Biccies]

We have one of these: Sony : HVR-V1E (HVRV1E) : Product Overview : United Kingdom

Although that is a professional camera... quite a bit of money! We also have 8 small samsung things that output to SD cards- Great for just handing out.

[dhicks]

What would you recommend as a video camera to be used to take sports day events, plays, etc.. need something where the final video extracted is of a high quality?

The "semi pro" type of camera might fit your needs best - around £1,000 on eBay, similar devices to that Sony mentioned above but perhaps a bit cheaper. You might get a good price on an older Mini DV camera if someone is selling off their old one to move to an SD card camera - the optics and mic will still be high quality, you'll just have to make sure you have facilities for dealing with Mini DV cameras. The comment above about longer battery life with an SD-based camera is a good one, especially with an older camera, don't forget the accesories - a decent bag to put it in, possibly an external mic (whatever camera you get, make sure it can take an external mic) and a whole pile of spare batteries.

I'm thinking maybe need two or three and then edit them all together?

If you're using multiple cameras, get a clapper board. It sounds cheesy, and you feel a wolly walking out in front of the camera with it, but it will allow you to properly synchronise your cameras for editing later. Make sure you get a proper clapper board, one that actually claps, not a cheap souvenir.

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David Hicks