Need help picking out camera (p&s, AVI video)

[Windfall]

I hope this is an O.K. place to post this...

I have a Powershot SD790 IS (3.5 yrs old)
I have a Powershot ELPH 300 HS (.5 yr old)
I have a 60d (1 month old!)

I love the wide angle video on the 300 HS... but what really bothers me is that it shoots in MOV. I do own a MAC and a PC - but I use my PC... I can't use MOV files in Windows Movie Maker. I find myself just using the SD790 because it shoots in AVI.

Does anyone know of a camera model that allows me to shoot 640x480, 30fps as AVI and has a wide angle like the 300 HS?

[Windfall]

And follow up question - does there exist a camera that would allow me to pick whatever frame rate I want? (20, 25, 50, etc)

The 60d only shoots 640x480 at 60 fps! 60! Which is just absolutely unnecessary and produces huge files.

[t3iblues]

My Olympus E-PL1 (around $300 at Amazon.com) shoots 640 x 480 @ 30 fps in AVI format and has a 14-42mm kit lens: http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/EPL1/EPL1VIDEO.HTM

But 640 x 480 (standard definition) is rather primitive nowadays.

I guess another option you may have is to shoot the 60D in 640x480@60fps .mov then convert it to a 30fps AVI file using one of the many $30-40 video converter programs (most of which have free trial versions).

[Ralph III]

What version of Windows do you have? The new "Windows Live Movie Maker" works with .mov files and I think you can use it on Vista also. It won't work on XP.


Otherwise you may want to consider VideoPad Video Editor, as it is very similar to Movie Maker. CNET lists it as free, but some stated it is a trial version. I've had it on my computer for a week now and it's yet to ask me to upgrade to the paid version($29.00). I had an issue using Windows Live Movie Maker initially, so I downloaded VideoPad. It turned out not to be an issue with Movie Maker, only user error, as it just takes a little while to "optimize" files before they can be previewed.

Good luck, Ralph

[Windfall]

Thx for the replies guys!!

My Olympus E-PL1
I am checking out this video here - not exactly pocket-size! (or what I would consider p&s)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iOVXlGVhqUQ

But 640 x 480 (standard definition) is rather primitive nowadays.
I get that - but the content I am filming is more square-ish in nature... I do NOT need widescreen format. Even something like 960x540 is just a huge waste of memory for me - the content is not horizontal in nature. Adds very little vertical space - tons of horizontal space.

convert it to
This is just a huge extra step for every movie I film - big waste of time IF I can get a camera that still shoots AVI.

What version of Windows do you have?
I am posting from Vista, although I do have a brand new computer with Windows 7. MOV definitely does not work in normal Windows Movie Maker... I will check out "Live" Movie Maker.

[MaxxuM]

Why buy a camera when you could get something like Sony Vegas which handles mov files?

[Ralph III]

quote by Windfall: "...I am posting from Vista, although I do have a brand new computer with Windows 7. MOV definitely does not work in normal Windows Movie Maker... I will check out "Live" Movie Maker."

Hello Windfall,
The new "Windows Live Movie Maker (http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows/explore/produce-your-own-movie)" does handle .mov files and is quite an improvement from the original Windows Movie Maker.

Just search your Windows 7 computer to see if you already have it, otherwise go to Microsoft or CNET.com to download. I think CNET will initially try to install some extra stuff (search engine, home page) so just be sure to uncheck those before downloading.

It's compatible with Vista (32 and 64) as well but you will probably need to uninstall the old version before installing the new version.

NOTE: After adding files, it may take a while for it to finish "optimizing" before video clips can be previewed, especially with larger clips. Don't mistakenly think something is amiss just because larger files may only preview as blank. Once it has finished this initial optimiziation process, it may take a while, you will be able to edit and preview with no problem.

Good luck!

[itamshredding]

Why buy a camera when you could get something like Sony Vegas which handles mov files?

The idea is superb.

[Windfall]

Hello Windfall,
The new "Windows Live Movie Maker (http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows/explore/produce-your-own-movie)" does handle .mov files and is quite an improvement from the original Windows Movie Maker. Will def check this out today, thx!!
Why buy a camera when you could get something like Sony Vegas which handles mov files?
Well I am getting terribly off topic now, but... my 300 HS was given to me, and it actually appears to be damaged. I think their is dust on the sensor... maybe someone here is an expert.
http://vimeo.com/34421823

So, yea... I may just end up picking up a new 300 HS. Not sure I want the 500 with the touch screen, and seemingly identical specs otherwise.

[MaxxuM]

Yea, looks like you have a dust bunny inside the camera. You can probably get it out, but it may require some screwdrivers and a can of compressed air. I've done it twice, once on a Nikon the other on a Canon. One had a literal piece of hair going across the view finder (not the sensor) while the other had a bunch of dust between the lens elements. If dust can get in then so can compressed air, you just have to be very careful that you hold the can upright so no liquid sprays in. I wouldn't recommend doing so usually, but since you're thinking about buying another camera there's no harm in trying. I bet you can get it out of there.