HD video camera recommendatins

[adamchapman]

I'm looking for a few HD video cameras for sixth form use.

 

We've already got some older 720p cameras but have to convert the video files for use in Serif Movie Plus X5 HD which can be time consuming.

 

I wondered if any of you have HD cameras that work wioth Serif without having to convert the video files?

[laserblazer]

What sort of budget? Here's a good site to ask the question http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/

[adamchapman]

Haven't really got a figure in mind but somewhere around £200-£300

[dhicks]

I'm looking for a few HD video cameras for sixth form use.

 

I'm considering a Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ100:

 

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ100 Review | PhotographyBLOG

 

It's a "SuperZoom" camera - like a DSLR, but with fixed lens (in this case, a 24x zoom). It will also record 1080p video footage and seems to have every feature that I can think of, including the ability to attach an eternal microphone and a camcorder-style flip-out viewing screen. Note that you might want to get the US version which can record longer than half an hour's footage at a time.