What p&s to use for Nightclub / concert VIDEO to get the best sound?

[johnz]

Ok,

I asked this same questin in the G-series forum too, but i think that the G-series might not be the best for this job.

My problem is that my S3 IS really can't record sound when the sound levels go up high enough, but my old Ixus i ( 4mpix ) handles high volumes very well, but the image is only 320x240.

Anyone know what camera has the best microphone for VERY high volume concerts? I wan't to be able to hear the song in the video and not just loud noise.

[Yogesh Sarkar]

Not really sure how S5IS fares in the sound department, but if you want to shoot videos, then its ability to use the optical zoom while recording, might come in handy.

[johnz]

The S3 IS has the same function, and it really is very nice :)
But the sound is a deal breaker for me.. i owned one for a year but sold it when i bought my first SLR - 350D.

I am still looking for opinions on the sound issue.. seems that i am the only one thinking about this, even though at clubs i see A LOT of people shooting video.

[greenlight]

You don't know what their results are like (actually, you do, because they're on youTube).

Does your camera accept an external mic? That might help a lot.

[Shadiow]

Nikon S710 or Panasonic DMC-FX150. The later does 1080i video. As far as audio quality goes I dunno, but from the paper specs, that S710 will be pretty much amazing for a P&S. I plan on getting one.

[Collin85]

Have you considered just a video camcorder?

[johnz]

They are often banned from events, and i like to shoot stills too. The video is like an important extra :)

So, a camcorder is not what i am looking for. I am looking for a replacement for my 4Mpix ixus -> With better IQ and video quality, and it's important that the sound can handle high volume leves. Am i really asking too much..?

[johnz]

You don't know what their results are like (actually, you do, because they're on youTube).

Does your camera accept an external mic? That might help a lot.

Does some canon p&s camera accept external mic?

[Collin85]

They are often banned from events, and i like to shoot stills too. The video is like an important extra :)

So, a camcorder is not what i am looking for. I am looking for a replacement for my 4Mpix ixus -> With better IQ and video quality, and it's important that the sound can handle high volume leves. Am i really asking too much..?

Well, I don't mean something big and bulky. Perhaps you should look into products like the new Sony HDR-TG1.

http://www.d-d-photographics.com.au/images/sonyhdrtg1b.jpg

Many mini-camcorders like these nowadays (including the TG1) shoots full HD (1080i) video with very decent microphones. Most are around the size of an A-series Canon and definitely no bigger than a G9.

The S5-IS will have better IQ and video quality than your IXUS, but I'm not sure about the Mic. The best thing about the Sx-IS's is the high-quality stereo mic, ability to optically zoom while recording and the ability to re-autofocus while recording.

[johnz]

Well that certainly does look nice :)

But really.. the price on those things is just not in my budjet. There certainly are cheaper ones available, i have seen mini video cameras under 200EUR, something like that might be more suitable for my needs.

I hate it when video clips take like 300Megabytes / minute, i really don't need HD quality for my "home" videos, the 640x480 30fps is enough, but the optical zooming is something that i really do want so the G-series is now out the question, unfortunately.

[Collin85]

I hate it when video clips take like 300Megabytes / minute, i really don't need HD quality for my "home" videos, the 640x480 30fps is enough, but the optical zooming is something that i really do want so the G-series is now out the question, unfortunately.

Me too.. which is one reason I'm looking at a camcorder actually. Canon is content sticking with the motion JPEG format, which eats away practically 2MB per second at the standard VGA/30fps setting. On the other hand, camcorders generally have the ability to record straight to a higher compression format, so there's not a huge difference between HD and VGA when it comes to file sizes. In the end, you can have your cake and eat it too!

Have a wait for the S6-IS. Rumour is that the Sx-IS will be cancelled and a new ultra-zoom line starting - hopefully more info will come within the next month.

[johnz]

Me too.. which is one reason I'm looking at a camcorder actually. Canon is content sticking with the motion JPEG format, which eats away practically 2MB per second at the standard VGA/30fps setting. On the other hand, camcorders generally have the ability to record straight to a higher compression format, so there's not a huge difference between HD and VGA when it comes to file sizes. In the end, you can have your cake and eat it too!

Have a wait for the S6-IS. Rumour is that the Sx-IS will be cancelled and a new ultra-zoom line starting - hopefully more info will come within the next month.

Well, i did love the S3 IS for it's video qualities, but sold it for a 40D a little while back. There was few problems with the S3 video, one was the enormous size of the videos at 640 30fps, and the other was that the audio was completely messed up at night clubs. But other than that, a great camera. The stills looked great too.


I'll be waiting for an update for a while! :)

[johnz]

The sony is really expensive ( for me atleast ) .

I found this camcorder, looks very nice, does 1080p, and can be preordered for 199EUR at the moment.
http://www.aiptek.eu/images/product/400385_1_m.jpg
http://www.aiptek.de/index.php?option=com_product&task=view&productid=174&Itemid=325

[johnz]

Ok, i have found what i was looking for, it might not zoom, but the IQ is 640x480 @ 30fps and the audio holds up very well even at the most difficult situations. Enough for me!

The solutions is.-.......................... Canon Ixus 860 IS.

Here's a few of the videos that convinced me:
http://samu81.pp.fi/images/Colors%20Festival%206-7.9.2008/MVI_1033.AVI

http://samu81.pp.fi/images/Colors%20Festival%206-7.9.2008/MVI_1073.AVI

I was at that event, and the sound levels were extremely high.. i had to use ear plugs, but the camera seems to record it quite nicely :) And the price is only 250EUR at the moment. I think i am going to get one of those to go with my 40D.