Do I need HD video

[scott.eyre]

I was Just wondering if HD video is really needed, what are the other video options offered in compact point and shoot cameras? do they compare to HD??

I was looking for something with good enough quality to watch on the tv, I am going on holiday and want to get some decent video and edit it when i get home..

Ideally I dont want to spend more than $400 NZ ( about $250 US )

something with good image quality in both stills and video.

however still photographic image quality is more important to me, manual controll or shutter priority would be nice but im probably pushing the price up now LOL

has anyone got any ideas?? It dosent have to be super small.
umm 4x zoom would be nice and anything more would be a bonus i guess.
I would settle for 3x zoom though.


I hope someone can help me out


Regards
Scott Eyre




My website - http://photographyandthings.blogspot.com/

My Flickr page
http://www.flickr.com/photos/photograohyandthings/

[Jon]

Virtually all P&S cameras can do 640x480 resolution video, which is about what you'll see on a regular (non-HD) TV. Opting for HD will greatly reduce your available options, as well as increase demand for storage (about 7x as much if you go for a 1920x1080 model) and, since you want to edit it once you get home, demands on your computer. With that increased file size, you'll get a little over double the resolution at 1080, or 50% more at 720, lines. And that increased file size will also mean that each clip can't be as long, since there's usually a file size, as well as a max. time, recording limit.

[DeCeccoNET]

The most important thing to remember is that unless you are watching the video on your computer, or playing it from your camera your HD options are limited. You will gain nothing if you are shooting in HD and then putting it onto a DVD as dvds are SD anyway.

HD-DVD/blue ray is another story, but if you are recording to those, i would bet youd have a bigger budget for a camera to start with

[merovingian]

Originally Posted by DeCeccoNET

The most important thing to remember is that unless you are watching the video on your computer, or playing it from your camera your HD options are limited. You will gain nothing if you are shooting in HD and then putting it onto a DVD as dvds are SD anyway.

HD-DVD/blue ray is another story, but if you are recording to those, i would bet youd have a bigger budget for a camera to start with

I was having this debate with myself. In the end I opted for one with HD.
The reason being, I upgrade my P&S every 18 months anyway, and one with HD will have better sell on value. IMO of course!

[gitarmac]

I think non-HD video adds a homey quality to my stupid videos anyway. Seriously, it would be a waste for me to record in HD. My friends are amazed at the quaility of video of my sx10is, it's all I need anyway.

[scott.eyre]

Ok then, So a regular p&S would do a good enough quality video for TV then??

any recomendations??

is there anything I should be looking out for in the way of quality and size fo video?
what about one with IS in video mode??

thanks for your help guys, i probably wont bother with HD then.

id be looking for something with
7 MP or more
5x Zoom or more
good image quality
good video quality with Image stabilization
under $400 NZ ( about $250 US )

also Im primarily a photographer so manual controll would be awesome in still mode

[Jon]

Manual, and under $250 US? A590, SX110, or a used A, S (not SD) or G series. The latest A-series don't offer manual.

[kandyredcoi]

"Do i need HD video??"

YES

[charl1e]

Hmm that's quite a small budget if you want both video and photo in one. For 250 USD, you'd need to buy a point and shoot in order to have both video and photo. Yes, most point and shoots now have HD video capabilities, but of course the quality compromise is there. If you care more about photo, why not get a real dSLR? If video is needed, you can probably end up getting a Canon P&S camera, which are quite good.

[scott.eyre]

OK.. I have a canon 350D with a 18-55 standard lens and a canon 75-300mm lens.

I want a smaller camera so that I can take it on my honeymoon where my photography isnt the reason for the trip.

video in a point and shoot is more convienent than carrying my 350D and a video camera all the time just incase...

what about non HD?

any good P&S cameras which do decent quality videos and stills for the same budget?

how would a non HD video from a P&S look on a 20 inch TV?

good, crap or average?

[scott.eyre]

Originally Posted by kandyredcoi

"Do i need HD video??"

YES

WHY?

[kandyredcoi]

Originally Posted by scott.eyre

WHY?

just my .02

the trend in photog (thanx to lots of DLSR advancements) in using HD video are really going hand in hand with photography

HD is the top best quality you can get...always shoot for the best IMHO

i went with a 5d2 so i have both in 1 great package, i was actually contemplating on the t1i but since i already owned a rebel i wanted to change it up and get something more serious

[scott.eyre]

Sure Id love the Canon 5D MKII however that is out of my budget for now

[DeCeccoNET]

I am not sure what your level of expertise is but here are another .02 cents from me...

I just recommended a Powershot A 1000IS to a family friend/new grandfather as opposed to a camcorder for the following reasons...

1. Its inexpensive and conveniant to have a camera/video recorder as the same device.
2. Most people dont need to record hours of home movies at a time and having the clips on a card can be very convenient.
3. This model takes excellent still pictures, and decent quality sd video.
4. Even though the format used is AVI, the at about $120, you are still saving quite a bit of money over the more expensive SD890 (which is a little over $200)
5. Although it takes AA batteries which may drain quicker, as a parent he will be able to replace AA's quicker and easier than any higher capacity battery much more conveniently.

As for the HD video... again, the technology to record HD is nice. (I use it in my 5dmk2)... but for home movies I think it may be overkill at this time because the method of viewing HD has not been perfected yet. Also, to edit the footage and deal with the larger file size of video files you do need a fairly powerful computer.

You will also eaither be forced to watch the HD video on a computer screen, the camera screen, or an HDTV with the camera connected to it which is not conveniant if you are traveling or at a reletives house that may not have HD. And as I said before, if you are burning a DVD, they are in SD anyway. HD-DVD/Blueray is another story where recording HD may be useful, but if you can afford the burner/media/player and an HDTV on top of that.... i am sure your budget on a new camera would have been a little higher

[jaydale]

you are shooting video FOR the future,, use the best available technology !!!